Will of John Bailey, yeoman, 1766

Herts RO 204AW2

In the Name of God Amen.   I John Bailey of Winslow in the County of Bucks Yeoman being somewhat Indisposed in Bodily Health but of Sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding (Praised be God for the same) Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First I Give and Bequeath unto my Loving Wife Elizabeth Bailey All that my Messuage or Tenement Situate Standing and being in Cow Street in Winslow aforesaid and now in the Occupation of John Winmen Together with the Outhouses, Edifices, Buildings and Appurtenances thereunto belonging for and during the Term of her Natural Life,  And from and immediately after my \said/ Wive's Decease Then I further give and Bequeath all that my said Messuage or Tenement Situate and being in Winslow aforesaid with all and every of their Appurtenances thereunto belonging unto my Daughter Ann Bailey  To hold to her my said Daughter Ann Bailey her Heirs and Assigns for ever Subject Nevertheless to the Payment of Six Pounds each of Lawful Money of Great Britain to my two Sons Nicholas Bailey and Thomas Bailey within Twelve Months next after She my said Daughter Ann Bailey shall come into Possession of the said Messuage or Tenement therein before Mentioned  And as to for and Concerning all my Personal Estate whatsoever and whereso ever and of what Nature or kind soever the same may be whereof or wherein I shall be any ways possessed of Interested in or intitled unto at the time of my Decease I do give and bequeath the same unto my said Wife Elizabeth Bailey (She Paying my Debts and Funeral Expenses)  And Lastly I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my said Wife Elizabeth Bailey (She Paying my Debts and Funeral Expences)  And Lastly I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my said Wife Elizabeth Bailey full and Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament  And I do hereby revoke and make Void all former Wills by me before made and this only to be taken for my last Will and Testament and none other  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Fourth Day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand and Seven Hundred and Sixty Six

John Bailey

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Testator John Bailey
as and for his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who
 have hereunto Subscribed our Names as witnesses in the Presence
of the said Testator and of each
Christopher Bigg
Cha(rles) Bowler
Joseph Hunt

[9 July 1766 Elizabeth Bailey sworn before John Rawbone, surrogate]

Notes

John Bailey was son of Philip Bayley, collarmaker, d.1721. He was baptised on 19 Sep 1691 and married Elizabeth Seaton at Winslow on 31 Dec 1718.

John Bailey's children received legacies under the will of his nephew Francis Collins (d.1771), which refers to John as a collarmaker (it is difficult to see how he could describe himself as a yeoman). John had 3 surviving sons: John (bap. 1721; not mentioned in the will, presumably because he was going to inherit his father's other property as eldest son); Thomas (bap. 1724) of Winslow, cordwainer; Nicholas (bap. 1727) of Berkhamsted, collarmaker. His daughter Ann (bap. 1733) is described in Francis' will as "late of Winslow aforesaid Spinster".

The messuage in Cow Street is now 36-40 High Street. Ann Bailey was admitted tenant in 1769 after her mother's death. John Bailey appears in the Alehouse Recognizances keeping the Running Horse (1753) and Three Tuns (1756 and 1760), which may have been the same property.