Transcript of the Will of Edward Wells 1723/4 - 1751
In the Name of God Amen I Edward Wells of South Somercoats in the County Lincoln, being weak of body, but of sound and perfect memory, praised be God do make and Ordain this my last will and Testament, in manner and form as followeth, First I Give & bequeath my Soul into the hands of Almighty God: my maker hopeing through the merits of Christ to Obtain full pardon of all my Sins, and my body to a Christian burial at the direction of my Executrix, hereafter named, and as to my worldly Goods I dispose of as follows___________
Imprs I Give to my Mother Elizabeth Raithby Two Hundred Pounds to be paid in two years after my Decease. Item I Give to my Daughters Susanah and Mary Wells, Two Hundred Pounds to be put Out to Interest for their Own proper Use in six months after my Decease and the Interest to be paid for the Use of my said Children, but if in case one of them shal die before she shal Arrive at the Age of Twenty One years, my will is then that the Surviver of them shal receive it all. Likewise I give to my said two Daughters, Twenty Pounds apiece to be paid them when they arrive at the Age of Twenty One years & further my will is that my Executrix hereafter named, shal bring up my said two Children till they Severally arrive at the Age of Twenty One years, further my will is that my Uncle Mr Rowland Ward and my Brother John Wells, shall be Trustees for my above said two Daughters. Item I give to my three Brothers John William and Thomas Wells, to Each of them one Guinea a piece to be paid in six months after my Decease Likewise I Give to my Sister Mary Hutton and to my Sister Ann Willows to Each of them one Guinea a piece to be paid in six months after my decease. Item I give to my two Servants John Whalley and Miles Jacklin to Each of them five Shillings a piece to be paid in six months after my Decease. And all the rest of my Goods and Chatles and personable Estate whatsoever. I Give unto my Loveing wife Susanah Wells whom I make whole and sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament she paying all my Debts and Legacys before mentioned, in Wittness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twenty Sixth day of October, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty One.
In transcribing family wills for this site I have maintained spelling, punctuation and, as far as possible, layout of the Wills or Probate Copies in my possession.