Will of John Norman, of Uffculme, Gunsmith (1782)

Proved 8 March 1782

© Crown Copyright

National Archives Catalogue Reference  PROB 11/1088/93  
Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Gostling  Quire Register Numbers: 96 – 145  

Transcribed by Art Ames

In the Name of God Amen

I John Norman of Uffculm in the County of Devon gunsmith do make my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say

 I give devise and bequeath all those two messuages or store houses and dwellings and the gardens stables court courtlages and passage and the use of the pump thereof belonging situate lying and being in the Town of Uffculm aforesaid and now in the occupation of my father in law Lawrence Norman and Matthew Miller after the death of my wife Sarah Norman to whom it was settled on my marriage with her for her life and all my Estate Right Title and Interest therin and thereto with its appurtenances unto my said father in law Lawrence Norman, his heirs and assigns for ever. 

Also I give devise and bequeath all those three parts the whole in four parts to be divided of and in all that close or parcel of meadow ground formerly two closes and containing in the whole by estimation four acres or thereabouts commonly called or known by the name of [] meadow situate lying and being in the parish of Culmstock in the said County and was in the possession of Richard Manning.

Also all that close or parcel of meadow ground commonly called or known by the name of Cogans Park meadow containing in the whole by estimation three acres and half or thereabout situate lying and being in the said parish of Uffculm and now in the possession of Uriah Churly as tenant thereof. Also all those several messuages or cottage houses now in the several possessions of William Davy, Henry Tozer and Eleanor Plaice situate lying and being in or near a certain village called Coldharbour within the said parish of Uffculm unto my said father in law Lawrence Norman and his assigns for him and they to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits thereof and therewith and thereout shall and do maintain educate and bring up my son Lawrence Norman and teach him the art or business of a Gunsmith or otherwise bind him out apprentice to any person or persons at any other business , art or trade for his advancement in the World as my said father in law Lawrence Norman or my said son himself shall think proper and choose until his age of twenty one years. 

And from and immediately after his arrival to his said age of twenty one years then I give devise and bequeath the same last mentioned premises and all my Estate Right Title and Interest therein and thereto with its Appurtenances unto my said son Lawrence Norman his heirs and assigns for ever. 

But in case my said son Lawrence Norman shall happen to die under his said age of twenty one years or if he shall arrive to that age and afterwards shall at any time happen to die intestate unmarried and without Issue, then I give devise and bequeath the same premises with its Appurtenances and all my Estate Right Title and Interest therein and thereto unto my said Father in Law  Lawrence Norman his heirs and assigns forever. 

And lastly all my personal Estate Goods Chattles Rights Credits and Effects Cloaths and Wearing Apparell of every sort and kind whatsoever I give devise and bequeath unto my said Father in Law Lawrence Norman his executors administrators and assigns subject and charged in the first place to and with the payments and discharge of my funeral expences. 

And I do thereby make and appoint my said Father in Law Lawrence Norman sole executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made and declaring this to be my only and lawful Last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I the said John Norman have to this my last Will and Testament contained in and written upon two sheets of paper to each sheet set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of November in the sixteenth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the third by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth and in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five Jno Norman 

Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Norman the Testator as for and to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other Mattw Miller, John Radford, the mark of Saml 

This Will was proved at London the eighth day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Lawrence Norman the sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattles and Credits of the deceased having been first sworn by commission duly to administer