William Coram, of Burlescombe - Will written 31 Aug & proved 21 Nov 1761

© Crown Copyright

National Archives Catalogue Reference: PROB 11/870

Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

Choslyn Quire Numbers: 369 - 414

Transcribed by Diane Harris

In the Name of God Amen. I William Coram of Burlescombe in the county of Devon yeoman, being of a sound and perfect mind, memory and understanding, praised be almighty god, do make publish and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and form following. That is to say first I give and bequeath unto my brother Bernard Coram the sum of £5 of lawful English money to be paid to him within one year next after my decease by my exorutrix [sic] hereinafter named. Also I give and bequeath unto my sister Joan, now the wife of Simon Spry the sum of £5 of lawful English money to be paid to her within one year next after my decease by my exorutrix hereinafter named. Also I give and bequeath unto my sister Mary, now the wife of James Snook, the sum of £5 of lawful English money to be paid to her within one year next after my decease by my exorutrix hereinafter named. Also I give and bequeath unto my sister in law Ann Coram, widow relict of my late brother Robert Coram deceased, the sum of £5 of lawful English money to be paid to her within one year next after my decease by my exorutrix hereinafter named. Also I give and bequeath to my nephew William Coram, son of my brother Bernard Coram and who now lives with me the sum of £15 of lawful English money to be paid to him when and as soon as he shall attain to the age of one and twenty years by my exorutrix hereinafter named. And in case my said nephew William son of my brother Bernard shall happen to dye [sic] before he shall attain the age of one and twenty years then I give his said legacy of £15 of lawful English money unto and amongst all the surviving children of my said brother Bernard Coram equally and share and share alike to be paid unto them respectively when and as they shall respectively attain the age of one and twenty years by my exorutrix hereinafter named. Also I give all my wearing apparel whatsoever, unto my said nephew William Coram son of my brother Bernard Coram to be delivered to him within one year after my decease by my exorutrix hereinafter named. Also I give and bequeath unto my nephew William Coram son of my late brother Robert Coram deceased the sum of £5 of lawful English money to be paid to him when and as soon as he shall attain the age of one and twenty years by my executrix hereinafter named. And if my said nephew William son of my late brother Robert Coram deceased shall happen to dye [sic] under the age of one and twenty years then and in such case his said legacy of £5 shall and be paid unto and among all his surviving brothers and sisters equally and share and share alike at the time when the same would become due and payable to the said William Coram by my exorutrix hereinafter named. Also I give unto my kinswoman Jane Rowe who now lives with me, 2 British guineas. Also all the rest and residue of my monies, goods, chattels and effects whatsoever and not herein before given and disposed of after all my debts, funeral expenses and legacies are paid] I give devise and bequeath unto Susanna my beloved wife, whom I likewise constitute make and appoint whole and sole exorutrix of this my last will and testament and I hereby revoke all and every former and other will and wills by me heretofore made and declare them null and void. In witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this 31st day of August in the first year of the reign of His Majesty King George the third over Great Britain and so forth and in the year of our lord 1761. [Signature of] William Coram. Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Coram the Testator as for and to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses to the execution thereof and in the presence of the said Testator and of one another (after these words "to be paid to him") were interlined in the fourteenth line, James Quant, Robert Webber, Hugh Brice.

This will proved at London before the Right Worshipful Edward Simpson Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the twenty first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty one by the oath of Susanna Coram widow. The relict of the deceased and sole exorutrix named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the deceased she having been first sworn by the commission duly to administer.