Estate Duty Office Will of Edmund Paige, Late of Black Torrington (1854)

© Crown Copyright

Devon Record Office 1078/IRW/P/39

Transcribed by Roy Drew

In the name of God Amen. I Edmund Paige of the Parish of Black Torrington and County of Devon Yeoman am of a perfect sound mind memory and understanding but calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory world do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament as follows. First and principally I resign my soul into the hands of the Almighty God who gave it hoping through the meritorious death of my blessed saviour to receive forgiveness of my sins and my body to the dust whence it came to be decently buried at the discretion and expense of my after mentioned Executor and as touching such worldly Estate and Effects as it hath pleased the Almighty God to bless me with. I give and bequeath as follows:

I give and bequeath to Eliza Leach, daughter of Jane leach of the Parish of Black Torrington, Widow, my corner cupboard near the chimney together with the China Glass Earthenware pencil cases and other articles usually kept therein.
Also I give and bequeath to the said Eliza Leach the sum of Two Pounds of good and lawful money to be paid her by my aforementioned Executor out of my Goods, Chattels, Effects and Monies.
I give and bequeath to John Longman, my Brother in Law the sum of Two Pounds, Ann Sanders and Mary Vinson his daughter the sum of Two Pounds each, also to my niece Ann Parkhouse the sum of Two Pounds.
I give and bequeath to Hugh Balkwill, Joseph Balkwill and Ann Balkwill the sum of One Pound each. Also I give and bequeath to James Jury the sum of One Pound and to the Bible Christian Missionary Society the sum of One Pound each of those legacies to be paid by my aftermentioned Executor out of my Goods, Chattels, Effects and Monies the One Pound here given by me to the Missionary Society to be paid the first Missionary Society at Black Torrington Village Chapel after my death.
I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Paige of Down Farm, Sheepwash my Copper Tea Kettle. I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Horrell of Holemoore, Widow my best pair of Candlesticks.
I give and bequeath to my nephew George Paige, son of my Brother George Paige all my Freehold Houses. Outhouses and Gardens with its appurtenances thereto belonging and to him his heirs and assigns forever and I also give and bequeath to the said George Paige all other Goods, Chattels, Credits, Notes, Bonds, Monies and Surities for money but subject nevertheless to the payment of all my just debts, funeral and other expenses and before mentioned legacies within One Month after my decease and I also nominate and appoint the said George Paige my whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament being written on three sheets of papers I have In witness thereto made my mark on the two first sheets and made my mark and fixed my seal on this last that in the presence of two witnesses who are at my request in my presence this tenth day of February One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Four.
Edmund (my mark) Paige (my seal)

Signed, Sealed, Pronounced and Declared by the said Edmund Paige the Testator to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us:
James Gilbert and Elizabeth Gilbert.
Proved 1st September 1854 by oath of George Paige the sole Executor
Testator died 20 March 1854
Effects worn under £100
Ralph Barnes, Dep Registrar