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Will of Nathaniel France of Plymouth, Devon

Proved 4 May 1812

© Crown Copyright

PROB 11/1533, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Oxford Quire Numbers: 206 - 258

Transcribed by Anne Hawkins


In the name of God Amen I Nathaniel France of the town of Plymouth in the County of Devon finding within myself frequent Notices of Mortality and not knowing how speedily suddenly or in what manner I may come to my end and being now in perfect health mind and memory do make this my last Will and testament with my own hand as follows I Give and bequeath to my most dearly beloved Wife Elizabeth France Forty pounds I likewise give to my said Wife all the plate household furniture and every thing else that belonged to her prior to our marriage to be disposed of in such manner as she may think proper and I do further direct that she may have for the term of her natural life the use of such part of my furniture (that only excepted which I have bequeathed to my Son Nathaniel Thomas France and my daughter Jenny Hamline Gray) as she may chuse I Give and bequeath to my dear Son Nathaniel Thomas France my Gold Watch and an old Seal set in Gold my Mourning ring and his Mother Wedding ring a silver box containing a German Crown my Gold sleeve Buttons and old Silver Half pint Cup a table spoon marked N F half a dozen of my best knives & forks my Father and Mothers Pictures a painting of the Kings Arms two Glazed Prints one of an action with the Dutch Fleet and the other of an action with an American Privateer ten of the Medallions in frames a large Map of the world a Mahogany Card table a large Walnut Arm Chair my large family bible all my clothes consisting of coats Waistcoats breeches shirts Neckcloths and Stockings I Give and bequeath to my dear daughter Jenny Hamline Gray my silver Coffee pot and stand my large Silver tankard & a Mahogany Arm Chair with a worked worsted bottom I give to my dear daughter Rossetta France a small silver tea pot an old silver sugar dish a silver cream jug three table spoons a silver sugar tongs and one half of the tea spoons I Give to my dear daughter Elizabeth France my large Silver tea pot a silver sugar basket a silver soup spoon three table spoons and the other half of the tea spoons I Give to my dear Niece Eliza Wilson provided she is resident in my house at the time of my decease five Guineas and I do direct that no demand may be made on her for any money she may be indebted to me for board and lodging at the time of my demise I do give and bequeath to my most dearly beloved Wife One hundred and seventy Pounds Stock in the three per cent consolidated Annuities the said Stock having been purchased in my name with her money All the residue of my Estate consisting of money in the Funds or what money may be found in the house belonging to me at the time of my decease or what pension may be due to me from Government I Give and bequeath after payment of my debts legacies and funeral expenses to my daughter Rossetta France and Elizabeth France share and share alike and I do direct that the undisposed part of my household Goods may be equally divided between my two daughters Rossetta France and Elizabeth France always excepting such part as my wife may chuse to keep for the term of her natural life but which after her decease shall become the property of the aforesaid Rossetta France and Elizabeth France but should they not agree in the division of them it is my direction that the Goods may be sold and the neat produce be equally divided between them It is my desire that my body may be kept one week from the day of my decease and then to be privately but decently buried in such part of the Church yard as my Wife (who well knows what my wishes are) may direct And I do hereby constitute and appoint my said Wife Elizabeth France and my daughter Rossetta France Executrixes of this my last Will and testament revoking all others by me heretofore made In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of September 1800 Nathl France (seal) It is my desire that this may be considered as my last Will and testament whether witnessed or not witnessed Nathl France

Appeared personally Thomas Gray of the parish of Maker in the County of Devon Surgeon and Elizabeth White of Plymouth Devon wife of Robert White Esquire a Captain in His Magestys Royal Marines and made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with Nathaniel France late of Plymouth in the County of Devon deceased for some time before and to the time of his death and also with the manner and character of his handwriting and subscription having often seen him write and subscribe his name and having now with care and attention ...erved and perused the paper writing herunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last will and testament of the said deceased the said will beginning thus "In the Name of God Amen I Nathaniel France of the town of Plymouth in the County of Devon" ending thus "revoking all others by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of September 1800" and thus subscribed "Nathl France" and having the following addition written at the foot therof "It is my desire that this may be considered as my last Will and testament whether witnessed or not witnessed Nathl France" they these deponents say and depose that they do verily and in their consciences believe the whole xxx or contents of the paper writing beginning and ending as aforesaid and also the subscription and addition thereto as before recited to be of the proper handwriting of the said Nathaniel France deceased Thos Gray Elizabeth White 18th day of April 1812 the said Thomas Gray and Elizabeth White having made & subscribed the aforegoing afidavit by virtue of the Commission hereto annexed were duly sworn before me John Gundy Commissioner

Proved at London 4th May 1812 before the Judge by the oaths of Elizabeth France widow the relict & Rosetta France spinster the daughter the Executors to whom Administration was granted being first sworn duly to administer.