Estate Duty Office Will of John Merson, Gentleman (1832)

© Crown Copyright

Devon Heritage Centre 1078/IRW/M/598

Transcribed by Art Ames

Died 23 April last Easter  – Will proved 18 October 1832 by James Bindon the younger of Rimmington Somerset, one of the executors at the Archdeaconry Court of Exeter

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Merson of the Parish of Sampford Peverell in the County of Devon Gentleman

I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Merson all or such part of my household goods and furniture as she may choose to take for her own use and benefit and to be at her absolute disposal. 

I give and bequeath to my son John Merson a silver quart which I sometime since promised him. 

It is my Will and I direct that my said daughter Sarah Merson and my son John Merson shall be at liberty to reside in the dwelling house in which I now live until the same Hall be sold by my Trustees hereinafter named.

I give devise and bequeath unto my friends Thos Cornish of Heathfield in the county of Somerset, Clerk, John Bindon and James Bindon the of the parish of Rimmington in the county of Somerset, Gentlemen, all my messuages, lands, tenements, hereditaments and premises what nature or whatsoever and wheresoever situate and also all the residue and remainder of my goods Chattles Stock Furniture Money and securities for money personal estate and Effects, to hold to them, the said Thos Cornish, John Bindon and Jas Bindon the younger and the survivor of them and his heirs executors and assignees of such survivor upon trust nevertheless that they Thos Cornish, John Bindon and Jas Bindon or the survivor of them or their heirs executors or assignees of such survivor do and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my death make sale and convert into money all my said messuages lands tenements and premises and the residue of my goods chattels stock and effects and from and immediately after the sale thereof do and shall; 

In the first place pay off and discharge all my just debts whether due on mortgage or otherwise and also pay and discharge my funeral and testamentary expenses And I hereby devise my Messuages Lands and Tenements as well as my chattels property with the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses and the expense of proving this my Will. 

Then I direct my said Trustees to deduct and reimburse to themselves all such expenses as they may have been put into in or about the execution of the Trust hereby in them reposed, and I direct that the receipt and receipts of my said Trustees or the survivor of them or the Heirs Executors or Administrators of such survivor shall be good and effectual discharge in the Law for all Monies that may be paid to them under or by virtue of this my Will.

And in the next place do and shall pay and apply the residue of the monies remaining after such payments and disbursements as aforesaid unto and between my children William Farrant Merson, Sarah Merson Fras Merson, John Merson and Harriet Merson such of them as shall be living at the time of my decease, share and share alike, such monies however to be paid and payable to them when and as they shall attain their respective ages of 21, but should any or either of them die before attaining that age and without lawful issue then I direct that is my Will that this share or portion paid to him or her so dying shall be divided amongst the survivor in equal proportions 

And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my Trustees Thos Cornish, John Bindon and James Bindon the younger, Executors in Trust of this my last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke and make void all former and other Wills by me made and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty second day of April 1832

Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Merson the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto

Richard C – E Bindon – James -