Will of John Venton, Batchelor of Black Torrington, Devon

Proved 11 July 1709

© Crown Copyright

National Archives Catalogue Reference: PROB 11/510

Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Lane Quire Numbers: 177 - 220

Transcribed by Sheila Howard

In the Name of God Amen. I John Venton of the Parish of Black Torrington in the County of Devon Batchelor being weake of Body but of sound and perfect memory Thanks be to Almighty God And calling to mind the uncertainty of this life do make constitute ordaine and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and forms following [...........] and annulling by these presents all and every will and wills heretofore by me made and declared either by word or writeing and this only to be taken for my last Will and Testament And first being heartily sorry for my Sins past most humbly desireing forgiveness of the same I committ my Soul to Almighty God trusting to be saved through the meritts of Jesus Christ and my Body to be buried where it shall please my Executor hereafter named to appoint. And as to the settling of the Temporall Estate as it hath pleased God to bestow upon me I do order give and dispose the same in manner and form following That is to say I give to the poor of the parish of Black Torrington the summ of ten shillings to be paid them by my Executor hereafter named within Six weekes after my decease Item I give order and dispose to my Brother Robert Venton the summ of Twenty pounds to be paid him in manner and forme hereafter mentioned that is to say in Twenty Shillings a Quarter and every Quarter from the time of my death till the full summ of Twenty pounds shall be fully satisfied and paid him as aforesaid Item I give unto my said Brother Robert all my wearing Apparell throughout as also one [.....] with a [....] thereunto all the rest of my Goods and Chattells not hereby given and bequeathed my Debts and Legacies being paid and funerall expences discharged I give and bequeath unto James Parsons the elder of Black Torrington in the County of Devon aforesaid Gentleman whom I make and ordaine whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale this Sixth day of June in the first yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraign Lady Anne by the grace of God of England [..] Queen [..] Anno[..] Dom 1702. // John Venton. // Sealed signed and published in the presence of // Grace Parsons Samuel Fry John Ballamy. //

[There is a fairly long piece in Latin here. Words mentioned are: Probatum, Testamatum, Jacobi Parsons Senioris and London]