The will of Jane Cruwys widow of Hillersdon

Proved on 4th December 1765

© Crown Copyright

National Archives Catalogue Reference PROB 11/914,
Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Rushworth Quire Register 428-475

Transcribed by Debbie Kennett

Jane CRUWYS née RAWLE was the widow of Henry CRUWYS of New Inn and Hillersdon. She was the daughter of Richard RAWLE, gentleman. She married Henry CRUWYS on 26th September 1718 at Ilminster, Somerset. Henry died on 1st October 1760 and his will was proved on 22nd December 1760 in London. Jane died on 20th October 1765 at Hillersdon in Cullompton. Her will was proved on 4th December 1765 in London by her executrixes Mary MORLEY and Jane PAUL. After her death the whole of the Hillersdon estate, valued at £17,000, passed to her nephew, Thomas Augustus CRUWYS.

Be it remembred that this is the last Will and Testament of me Jane Cruwys of Hillersden¹ in the County of Devon widow whereas I am intitled unto several Sums of Money in the publick Funds I do hereby direct that the Sum of three hundred pounds part thereof shall remain in the said Funds as a Security for the payment of the Sum of three Shillings a week unto my Servant Thomas Hagley which I hereby give unto him to be paid him weekly during the term of his natural Life and after his decease then the said Sum of three hundred pounds to be sold out or disposed of as my Executrixes hereinafter named shall think proper Also I give and bequeath unto my good Friend the Reverend Mr Samuel Newte the Sum of thirty Guineas to be paid him within three Months after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto Amey the wife of James Huish of Cullumpton [sic] Gentleman forty Guineas to be paid her within three Months after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto my Sister Mrs Bridget Cruwys and unto my Friend Mrs Mary Walrond twenty five Guineas each to be paid unto them respectively within three Months after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto my Servant Peter Atlee [?] twenty five Guineas and unto my Servant John Lang twelve Guineas to be paid unto them respectively within one Month after my deceased provided they shall be living with me at the time of my death Also I give and bequeath unto my Servant Maid Mary Forse five Guineas unto my Cook Mary Poke [?] three Guineas and unto my Servant Betty [blank space] two Guineas to be paid unto them respectively within one Month after my decease provided they shall be respectively living with me at the time of my decease and whereas my Tenant Solomon Betty is a very honest and industrious Man and stands indebted to me in more Money than he is able to pay Now I do hereby remit and forgive unto the said Solomon Betty a Moiety or full half part of all such Money as the said Solomon Betty shall owe me at the time of my death Also I give and bequeath unto my aforesaid Sister Bridget Cruwys all my wearing apparel except my Linnen to be disposed of by her among my Servant Maids in such parts Shares and proportions as my said Sister shall think proper Also I give and bequeath unto the aforesaid James Huish all the Liquors of what Nature or kind soever which shall be and remain in my Cellars at Hillersdon at the time of my death proper allowances being made for my Funeral Also I give and bequeath unto my Cousin Jane Burd the Sum of one hundred pounds and all other my Effects as well Money in the publick Funds subject as aforesaid ready Money and Securities for Money Goods and Chattels not hereinbefore given and disposed of my Debts Legacies and Funeral Expences being first fully paid and satisfied I hereby give and bequeath unto my Cousin Mary the wife of [blank space] Morley Gent and unto my aforesaid Cousin Jane Burd equally between them share and share alike and I do hereby make constitute and appoint the said Mary Morley and Jane Burd joint Executrixes and Residuary Legatees of this my Will hereby revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made In witness whereof I have to this my will set my Hand and Seal this ninth Day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred sixty and three Jane Cruwys - SS - Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Jane Cruwys to be her last Will and Testament in the presence of us - John Vicary - Robert Carnal

A Codicil to be annexed and taken as part of the last Will and Testament of me Jane Cruwys of Hillersdon in the County of Devon Widow

I give and bequeath unto my Cousin Mrs Joana Bush of Ilminster [?]² in the County of Devon widow the Sum of fifty pounds to be paid her within three Months after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto the Reverend Mr Martin of Butterleigh the Sum of five Guineas to be paid him at my Funeral Also I give and bequeath unto my Sister Bridget Cruwys the two pictures of my late Husband her Brother In Witness whereof I have to this my Codicil set my Hand and Seal this ninth Day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred sixty and three Jane Cruwys - SS - Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Jane Cruwys as a Codicil to be annexed and taken as part of her will - John Vicary - Robert Carnal

This Will was proved at London with a Codicil on the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty five before the Right Worshipful George Hay Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of Mary Morley widow and Jane Paul formerly Burd³ wife of Robert Paul the Executrixes named in the said Will to whom administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased was granted they having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer

Ex[amine]^d

Acknowledgement

The transcriber thanks Elizabeth Glover Howard for her advice on the transcription of the names of the Cullompton people mentioned in this will.

¹The Hillersdon spelling has been used elsewhere in the will with the exception of this first occurrence where it is spelt with an 'e'.

²Ilminster is in the County of Somerset not Devon.

³Jane Burd married Robert Paul on 23rd Mary 1765 in Ilminster, Somerset.