Will of Christopher Bigg, yeoman, 1775 (proved 1780)

Herts RO 216AW2

In the Name of God Amen  I Christopher Bigg of Winslow in the County of Bucks yeoman being aged and infirm in Body but of sound 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 devise and bequeath unto my Nephew Thomas Wright (son of my late Sister Susanna Wright deceased All my Copyhold Messuage or Tenament situate in Hobhouchin Lane in Winslow aforesaid and now in the Occupation of William Warner and John Glenister together with all Outhouses Edifices Buildings Barns Stables Yards Gardens Orchards Backsides Hereditaments and Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appurtaining  To hold the same unto and to the use of my said Nephew Thomas Wright his Heirs and Assigns forever  Also I give devise and bequeath unto my Nephew William Jackman of Winslow aforesaid Blacksmith All that my Copyhold Messuage or Tenament situate in Sheep Street in Winslow aforesaid and now in his Occupation Together with the Blacksmith’s Shop Outhouses Edifices Buildings Barns Gardens Backsides and Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining To hold to him the said William Jackman for and during the Term of his natural Life and from and after his Decease then I give devise and bequeath the same unto his Son John Jackman To hold the same unto and to the use of him the said John Jackman his Heirs and Assigns forever Also I give devise and bequeath unto my loving Wife Mary Bigg All my other Messuages Tenaments Lands Closes Hereditaments and Premisses with the Appurtenances whether Freehold or Copyhold whatsoever and wheresoever of which I am now or at any Time hereafter shall be seized or possessed and all other my real Estate To hold the same unto and to the use of my said Wife Mary Bigg her Heirs and Assigns forever  Also I give and bequeath unto my Brother Benjamin Bigg and unto my Nephew Christopher Bigg (Son of my late Brother Joseph Bigg deceased) and unto my Niece Joyce Randoll the Sum of two Pounds ten Shillings each of lawful Money of Great Britain  All which Legacies as aforesaid my Will Meaning and Desire is that the same shall be paid to them respectively by my Executrix hereinafter named within twelve Months next after my Death  But in Case my said Legatees or any or either of them shall happen to die before their said Legacy or Legacies shall become payable then the Legacy or Legacies hereinbefore Bequeathed to him her or them respectively shall not be paid but shall sink for the Benefit of my Executrix  And also for and concerning all my Household and Goods and Chattels Rights Credits and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever the same may be whereof or wherein I shall be anyways possessed of interested in or intitled unto at the Time of my Decease (not herein before given and disposed of) I do hereby give and bequeath the same and every Part thereof until my said Wife Mary Bigg to and for her own sole Use benefit and Disposal for ever  And I do hereby expressly charge all my said real Estate which I have herein before devised to my said Wife Mary Bigg with the true payment of all my just Debts Legacies Funeral Expenses Probate Charges in executing this my Will  And Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Wife Mary Bigg full and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me at any Time heretofore made and do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this twenty eighth day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and seventy five. 

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testator Christopher Bigg as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us at his Request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereto

[signed] Christopher Bigg

[signed]
Mary Hunt                                                                 
Joseph Hunt Senr.
Joseph Hunt Junr.

[Annex, on a separate sheet of paper, in a different hand]

you Swear that the Paper writing hereto annexed contains the true last Will and Testament of the within named Christopher Bigg deceased as far as you know or believe; that you will truly perform the Contents thereof by first paying the said deceased’s just Debts and then his Legacies, as far as his Goods and Credits will thereto extend & the Law charge you: that you will make a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the said Goods, Chattels and Credits, exhibit the same into Court at the Time assigned you & render a just and true Account thereof when lawfully required.

So help you God.

The Mark of Mary Bigg

The said Mary Bigg was sworn as above this third Day of January 1780. before me
J.Brigges Surrogate       

Will of Mary Bigg, widow, 1780

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In the Name of God Amen I Mary Bigg of Winslow in the County of Bucks Widow being in Good Health of Body and of Sound Mind Memory and Understanding (Praised be God for the same) Considering the Certainty of Death and the uncertain Time thereof Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in Manner and form following (that is to say) First I Give Devise and bequeath unto mu Nephew William Jackman of Winslow aforesaid Blacksmith All that my Freehold Inclosed Close of pasture Ground lying and being in the Parish of Swanbourne in the said County of Bucks and now in the Occupation of my said Nephew William Jackman Together with all Hedges Ditches Trees Mounds Fences Freeboards Commons profits Hereditaments and Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any Wise appurtaining  To hold to him my said Nephew William Jackman for and during the term of his Natural life and from and Immediately after his Decease I give and devise the said Freehold Inclosed Close with the Appurtenances into and amongst the five children of my said Nephew William Jackson Viz John, William, Thomas, Mary and Elizabeth their Heirs and assigns for Ever To hold as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants  And as to for and Concerning all and Singular my Goods Chattels ready Money Rights Credits Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what Nature kind or Quality 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 hereby Give and bequeath the same and every part thereof into my said Nephew William Jackman his Executors Administrators and Assigns (he paying my Just Debts and Funeral expences ) And I do hereby nominate Constitute and appoint my said Nephew William Jackman full and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking Disanulling and making void all former Wills by me at any Time heretofore made and do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have Hereunto set my hand and Seal this Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty

The mark of Mary Bigg.

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testatrix Mary Bigg as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our Names as Witnesses in the presence of the said Testatrix and also in the presence of each other.
Mary Hunt
John Farey
Joseph Hunt

The 29th. day of February 1780 the within named William Jackman, executor of the within named Mary Bigg deceased was duly sworn before me
J. Briggs Surrogate

Notes

Hobhouchin Lane: now Tennis Lane. Christopher Bigg, blacksmith and Alice his wife bought a messuage and a barn there in 1733.

There were numerous Biggs in Winslow in the early 18th century, some of whom were blacksmiths. This Christopher Bigg seems to be the son of Christopher baptised 26 July 1691. His first wife Alice was buried at Winslow on 31 Aug 1764 and he married Mary Reeves on 2 Nov 1764. He was buried on 31 Dec 1779. There were no surviving children from either marriage.

The parish registers record the following siblings (from Maria onwards they are said to be the children of Christopher and Anne):

A special manor court was held on 7 March 1780 as a result of Mary's death. The copyhold property which Christopher (described as blacksmith, not yeoman) left to Mary consisted of 2 messuages in Sheep Street (one occupied by himself, one by Henry Bradbury) and 3 cottages in Hobhouchin Lane (occupied by Joseph Smith, Thomas King & John Bennett). They passed to Mary's heir at law, her sister Elizabeth wife of Hemens Jackman of Tingewick Labourer. William Jackman was admitted tenant to the messuage with blacksmith's shop in his own occupation which Christopher had bequeathed to him. Hemens and Elizabeth Jackman immediately sold a messuage in Hobhouchin Lane to Thomas Yeates of Winslow, gentleman. But they evidently moved to Winslow to live in Sheep Street, probably at what is now Yew Tree Cottage. More on the Jackman family.

Copyright 31 July, 2022