Will of Robert Rowley, Clothier of Barnstaple

Proved 2 November 1710

© Crown Copyright

PROB 11/518/75, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

Transcribed by Ros Dunning

In the Name of God Amen The Eleventh day of August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ten I Robert Rowley of Barnstaple in the County of Devon Clothier being sick and weak of Body but of sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God for the same calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to dye do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Principally I commend my Soul into the hands of God my ffather who breath'd it into me And my body to the Earth my Mother whence it was taken to be Christianly and decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named trusting in the alone merits of my dear Saviour Christ and by ffaith in his Blood to be of the number of those to whom God is thereby reconciled And touching such worldly Goods as God hath pleas'd to endow me with in this life I give devise and bequeath the same as follows Item I give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Rebecca Rowley all my Effects Goods and Credits whatsoever which I have now being lying or being in Hamborough and in New England and also all the Effects and debts which are any wise due to me in Bristoll now managed by and which hope may be recovered by Mr Lewis Cassa Major of Bristoll whenever it is or may be happily and timely recovered or brought into money in the best manner he can Item I give and bequeath unto some Poor decayed weavers of Barnestaple fourty Shillings at the discretion of my Wife and surviving ffriends All the residue and remainder of my Goods Chattels and Credits at home and abroad in whose hands or custody the same are or may be or hereafter may be found my Debts paid and ffuneral Expences discharged I give devise and bequeath unto my dear Wife Rebecca Rowley whom I do now hereby make my whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament making null and void all former and other Wills by me made and do now declare this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Eleventh day of August above said And in the Ninth Year of Queen Ann over Great Britain etc. Annoq Dom 1710 The Mark or Sign of Robert Rowley

(Attestation Clause)

James Cornish _ Elinor Gread _ John Coles

Proved at London 2 November 1710