Will
Summary derived from Dorset History Centre; Reference: Ad/Dt/W/1730; Event Record Number: 62
Date of Will: 28th November 1727
Witnesses: {damaged document}
| Beneficiary | Relationship to Testator | Bequest |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Burt | Brother-in-law | Five pounds (shared with his wife Anne) |
| Anne Burt | Wife of Henry Burt | Five pounds (shared with her husband Henry) |
| Richard Hill | Son-in-law | One shilling (shared with his wife Mary) |
| Mary Hill | Wife of Richard Hill | One shilling (shared with her husband Richard) |
| William Lewis | Son-in-law | One shilling (shared with his wife Jane) |
| Jane Lewis | Wife of William Lewis | One shilling (shared with her husband William) |
| Mary Hill | Granddaughter | One hundred pounds (held in trust until age 21) |
| Mary Lewis | Granddaughter | Sixty pounds (held in trust until age 21) |
| Richard Hill | Grandson | Five pounds (held in trust until age 21) |
| William Lewis | Grandson | Five pounds (held in trust until age 21) |
| John Lewis | Grandson | Five pounds (held in trust until age 21) |
| Honour Lewis | Granddaughter | Forty pounds (held in trust until age 21) |
| Thomas Chaffey | Grandson (son of Susanna Chaffey) | Eighty pounds (to be paid within one month after reaching age 21) |
| Susanna Chaffey | Daughter | All the rest, residue and remainder of goods, chattels, rights, credits, ready money, debts, obligations, bonds, bills, corn, hay, stock on ground, household stuff, and all other substance both moveable and immoveable |
Notes:
- Susanna Chaffey is named as sole executrix
- Richard Hill and William Lewis are appointed as trustees and overseers during the grandchildren’s minority
- Total monetary bequests to grandchildren: £295 (plus residuary estate to Susanna)
- Trust arrangements: All grandchildren’s legacies are to be held in trust and invested at interest until they reach age 21
- Contingent bequests: Complex arrangements if grandchildren die before age 21 or marriage:
- If Mary Lewis dies before 21 or marriage, her £60 goes to sister Honour
- If Honour Lewis dies before 21 or marriage, her £40 goes to sister Mary
- If Mary Hill dies before 21 or marriage, her £100 goes to all living children of daughter Lewis equally
- Richard Hill and William Lewis serve dual roles as trustees for their own children’s inheritances
- The modest one shilling bequests to sons-in-law suggest they were not primary heirs but the token amounts fulfill legal requirements
Grant of Probate: {not visible on original document}