Will of Edith Farrant, of Westown in the parish of Hemyock, Spinster (1751

Proved 22 January 1751

© Crown Copyright

National Archives Catalogue Reference  PROB 11/2125/220,
Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Volume number: 1 Quire numbers: 1-50

Transcribed by  Art Ames

This is the Last Will and Testament of me, Edith Farrant of Westown in the parish of Hemyock in Devonshire, spinster, which I make this fifth day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty four as will in exercise of my power of appointment given to or vested in me as otherwise for the disposal of all the properties over which I have any control and 

I give and bequeath all my household goods furniture linen and wearing apparel (except my silver and plated articles) unto Mary the wife of Mr William Blake daughter and only child of my sister Mary.

I give and bequeath my silver and plated articles unto Sarah Burnett, Jane Wood and Ann Fry (three of the children of my sister Sarah Fry) to be equally divided between them with division as soon as conveniently may be made by my Executor hereinafter named as he may think proper

I give and bequeath to my old servants James Wood and Betty his wife five pounds each to be paid respectively in six months after my death.

All my estate and any money securities for money and residue of my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever I give devise and bequeath unto the said William Blake his heirs executors and administrators and assignees respectively. Upon trust to sell any leasehold estates if any and get in and convert into money such part of my residuary personal estate as shall not consist of ready money and then out in the first place pay all my just debts and funeral expenses and the expenses of proving this will and the pecuniary legacies aforesaid bequeathed

And in the next place stand possessed thereof and pay and apply the same

Upon trust as to seven twelfth parts ration unto and amongst the seven children of my brother John in equal shares and proportions

And as to three other twelfths thereof unto amongst the said Ann Fry, Sarah Bennett and Jane Wood in equal shares and proportions 

And as to one other twelfth part thereof unto the said Mary Blake 

And as to the remaining twelfth part thereof upon trust to stand possessed thereof and invest the same either in the public stocks or upon real or Government Securities or in the Savings Bank and with power from time to time to vary and transfer such stocks funds or securities as the said William Blake his heirs executors administrators or assignees shall think fit and do and shall lay out and invest the interest and dividends as the same shall from time to time become due and payable in such security or securities as aforesaid so as to make compound interest and so and shall pay and apply the principal fund as well as all accumulations to Sarah Fry daughter of Richard Fry deceased (who was one other of the children of my said sister Sarah) as and when she shall attain the age of twenty and one years or be married under that age but in case the said Sarah Fry shall die under that age of twenty one years and without ever having been married, then be and pay out the share so bequeathed in trust together with an accumulation of interest and dividends unto and amongst the said Ann Fry, Sarah Bennett and Jane Wood in equal shares and proportions.

I give and devise all trust and mortgaged estates vested in my trustees said to William Blake his heirs and assignees subject to and upon the equities and trusts affecting the same Provided and I hereby declare that the receipts of the said William Blake his executors administrators or assignees shall be good discharges to any person or persons paying my monies to him or them under or by virtue of this my Will and such person or persons shall not be obliged to see the application thereof and further that in case the said William Blake shall refuse and or become incapacitated to execute the trusts of this my will it shall be lawful for him or his Executors by any writing under his or their hand or hands to appoint a new Trustee in his stead in whom all the just estates shall then be vested. And that the present and every future Trustee shall and may imburse himself all costs and expenses which it may be put to by virtue of this my Will and shall not be answerable for involuntary losses and I appoint the said William Blake Executor of this my Will

For witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and the day and year above written – Edith Farrant –signed by the said Testatrix as and for the last Will and Testament in the presence of us all being present together at the same time in her presence and at her request and we have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto Richard Bowerman, Elizabeth Blackmore

Proved at London 22 Jan 1851 before the judge by the Oath of William Blake the sole executor to whom admor was granted having been first sworn by Commor duly to administer

In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury – In the goods of Edith Farrant Spinster deceased

Appeared personally Richard Bowerman of Uffculme in the County of Devon Gentleman and made oath that he is one of the subscribing witnesses to the last Will and Testament hereunto annexed of the said Edith Farrant late of Westown in the Parish of Hemyock in the County of Devon spinster deceased bearing date the fifth day of August one thousand and forty four and he further made oath the said Will was signed by the said deceased at the foot or end thereof in manner as now appears on the day of the date aforesaid in the presence of him the Appearer and of Elizabeth Blackmore the other subscribing witness thereto being both present at the same time and that he the Appearer and the said Elizabeth Blackmore thereupon attested and subscribed their names to the said Will as they now appear thereon in the presence of the said deceased and of each other Rich Bowerman 

On the eleventh day of January 1851 the said Richard Bowerman was duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit in virtue of the annexed Commission before me Richd. P. Mate Commissioner