Estate Duty Office Will of Henry Weeks of Iddesleigh (1826)

© Crown Copyright

Devon Record Office 1078/IRW/W/448

Transcribed by Roy E. Drew

In the name of God Amen, I Henry Weeks of the Parish of Iddesleigh in the County of Devon, Yeoman being of perfect mind and memory with thanks to Almighty God for the same. I do hereby make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say First I command my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it me and my Body to the Earth to be decently buried to the discretion of my Executor herein after named and as touching such worldly Goods as it hath pleased God to bless me in this life with I give and dispose of the same in manner and form following. First I give and bequeath to my six sons Henry Weeks, William Weeks, Richard Weeks, John Weeks, Robert Weeks and Christopher Weeks and my Daughter Jane Manning, Five Pounds a year yearly and every year after the death of their mother and that free and clear from all rates and taxes and property tax on my other rate and taxes that shall become due or payable to be paid by my Executor herein after named out of my Moiety of Middle Smison*, in the Parish of Iddesleigh. If my right so long continue and they share the Five pounds yearly and every year share and share alike but if either of my sons and daughter shall die during my Right his or her part shall remain to my Executor the first payment to be made out of the first half years end after the death of their mother and so to continue and be paid half yearly during my right and for the non payments of the Fifty Shillings half yearly my sons and daughter shall have liberty to levy a Distress upon the promises for the money at the cost of whosoever enjoyeth the said Moiety of Middle Smison*. Lastly all the rest of my Goods and Chattels and Effects not before given I give and bequeath unto my son Simon Weeks home I constitute and ordain whole and sole Executor of this my last will and Testament he taking proper care and maintenance of his mother during her natural life such as meat, drink, washing, lodging, clothing and attendance and whatever is necessary and needful that she shall want and to pay her funeral expenses and pay all my just debts and legacies and funeral expenses and I do hereby disallow, revoke and dismiss all and every other former will or wills by me made or Bequeathed Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Tenth day of February One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twelve.

Signed, Sealed, Published, Pronounced and Declared by the same Henry Weeks as his last will and testament in the presence of us who his presence at their request and in presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names:
Henry Weeks (Mark)
John Cann (Signed) & William Anstey (Signed)

* Abode is Middle Smithson, which has been taken from the will of his Brother; William Weeks (1745-1821)

No. 7 for the Stamp Office
Copy of the Will of Henry Weeks, late of Iddesleigh, Devon, Yeoman, Deceased
Administrator with the Will Annexed
John Weeks of Iddesleigh aforesaid Husbandman one of the Legatees in the said Will named the Executor having died without improving the same.
Administrator with the said Will Annexed granted by the Archdeacon Court of Barnstaple, 21st October 1826, Effects sworn under £100