Reference
ABP/W1778/20
Title
Will of John Butfield senior of Potsgrove, yeoman
Date free text
Made 19 July 1777, proved 2 June 1778
Production date
From: 1777 To: 1778
Scope and Content
In the name of God amen I John Butfield the Elder of Potsgrove in the county of Bedford yeoman being sick and weak in body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding praised be God for it do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First I will that all such debts as I shall justly owe at the time of my decease and my funeral charges and expences (expenses) be in the first place paid and satisfied by my executrix and executor hereinafter named. Also I give devise and bequeath all that my messuage close and premisses (premises) at Thorn in the parish of Houghton Regis in the said county of Bedford unto my son James Butfield and his heirs and assigns to have and to hold the same unto my said son James Butfield his heirs and assigns for ever. Also I give devise and bequeath all those my arrable (arable) land meadow and pasture ground and all other my estates whatsoever situate and being in the parish of Milton Bryant in the said county of Bedford by me lately purchased of Mr Dickinson unto my dear and loving wife Sarah Butfield and her assigns to have and to hold the same unto my said wife and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give devise and bequeath the same unto my daughter Sarah Butfield her heirs and ssigns for ever Also I give and bequeath all that my stock of cattle goods and chattles (chattels) whatsoever belonging to me in the messuage farm and estate wherein my son John now lives in Potsgrove aforesaid and rented of His Grace of Bedford unto my said son John Butfield his executors administrators and assigns to and for his and their sole and only use and benefit he paying thereout unto my said daughter Sarah Butfield her executors administrators and assigns the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain within twelve months next after my decease and with which I do hereby charge the same stock goods and chattles (chattels) accordingly. Also I give and bequeath unto my said wife my one horse chaise to and for her sole and only use and benefit. Also as to all the rest and residue of my monies goods chattles (chattels) and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever not otherwise by this my will particularly disposed of I give and bequeath the same unto my said wife and my said son James Butfield their executors administrators and assigns to be equally divided between them share and share alike subject nevertheless to and charged and chargeable to and with the legacy or sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain unto my son William Butfield his executors administators and assigns in manner and at the times following (that is to say) the sum of one hundred pounds within twelve months next after my decease and the sum of one hundred pounds residue of the said sum of two hundred pounds within six months next after my said wifes decease Provided also and my mind and will further is and I do hereby direct and appoint that in case my said son James and my said wife shall not agree to live together that then my said wife shall have the choice of such of my household goods wherein I now live to and for her sole and only use and benefit as she shall choose. Also I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said dear and loving wife Sarah and my said son James Butfield joint executrix and executor of this my will hereby revoking and declaring null and void all former and other wills and testaments by me at any time heretofore made and do publish and declare this present writing contained in this sheet of paper to be and contain my only last will and testatment. In witness whereof I the said testator John Butfield have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven.
This writing was signed sealed published and declared by the said testator John Butfield as and for his last will and testament in our presence who have likewise in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
William Butfield
The mark of Martha Rawlins
Jono (Jonathan) Rotherham
John Butfield
Proved 2nd June 1778 on the oaths of the above named Sarah Butfield and James Butfield before me
Thomas Birt Surrogate
Level of description
item