Will of William Docton, Merchant of Northam, Devon

21 Aug 1734, proved 21 June 1736

© Crown Copyright

PROB 11/677, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Derby Quire Numbers: 96 - 143

Transcribed by David Carter

In the Name of God Amen

I William DOCTON of Northam in the County of Devon merchant being aged and infirm of body but of sound and disposing mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God calling to mind my Mortality Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following // First I commend my Soul unto Almighty God my Creator trusting and firmly relying for the Forgiveness of all my Sins and Failings on the alone? sufficient Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ my Redeemer // My body I Commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor herein after named and the Worldly Goods and Estate which God in his Divinity hath bestowed upon me I dispose of as follows // I give to the poor of the parish of Northam aforesaid the sum of twenty pounds to be disposed of among them in such manner as my Executor shall think proper // Also I give and bequeath to the Reverend Mr Robert DOLEMAN Vicar of Northam aforesaid five pounds and to his wife and daughter a guinea apiece // Also I give and bequeath unto my Brother Nicholas DOCTON the sum of seven hundred pounds yielding and paying thereout to my sister in law Dorothy DOCTON thirty five pounds yearly by quarterly payments during her natural life // Also I give and bequeath unto my sister in law Christian DOCTON the sum of twenty pounds // Also I give and bequeath unto my sister in law Dorothy DOCTON the sum of fifty pounds // Also I give and bequeath unto my nephew Peter Madock DOCTON and to my Nieces Christiana DOCTON Elizabeth Mary DOCTON and Cordelia DOCTON twenty pounds apiece // Also I give and bequeath to my Cousin Anne SHAPCOTE the sum of fifty pounds // Also I give and bequeath unto my cousin Philip DOCTON of Docton in the County of Devon esq my two silver tankards two silver salvers a pair of silver candlesticks snuffers and stand twelve silver spoons a set of silver castors and four silver salts all markt P D // Also I give and bequeath unto my said cousin Philip DOCTON the sum of fifty pounds and my redstone ring In Trust and for the separate benefit of his sister my Cousin Alice BLIGHT to be disposed of from time to time as she without her husband shall direct // Also I give and bequeath unto my Cousin Anne HOOPER of Littleham in the County of Devon widow four pounds a year during her natural life paid her by my Executor in equal quarterly payments // Also I give and bequeath unto my servant man Roger CHIDLEY if living with me at the time of my death else to such servant man as shall be living with me at that time and to my servant maid Ann MOON if living with me at the time of my death else to such servant maid as shall be living with me at that time five pounds a piece // Also I give to my apprentice Robert BENNETT the sum of twenty pounds // Lastly all the rest residue and remainder of my Goods Chattels and Credits and all my Lands Tenements and Hereditaments with their and every of their appurtenances (my debts being paid and funeral expenses discharged) I give devise and bequeath unto my said Brother Nicholas DOCTON for ever and do nominate and appoint my said brother to be whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament and to hereby revoke all former wills by me in any manner heretofore made or declared // In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal and published and declared this to be my last will and testament the twenty first day of August in the eighth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God King of Great Britain and so forth and in the year of our Lord Christ 1734 - William DOCCTON (sic) Signed sealed published and declared in presence of us - Charles CUTCLIFFE Elizabeth WYOTT Sarah ELLIS.

This Will was proved at London the twenty first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty six before the Right Worshipfull John BETTESWORTH Docton of Law Master Keeper or Commisary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Nicholas DOCTON the Brother and sole Executor in the said Will named to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased being first sworn by commision duly to administer the same.