Will of Robert Elyott, servant to Dr Busby of Addington, 1722 (proved 1724)

Herts RO 161AW11

In the Name of God Amen I Robert Elyott (Servant to the Reverend Dr Busby of Addington in the County of Bucks) being weak in Body but of sound mind and disposeing memory doe make and Ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) First and principally I Resigne my soul into the hands of Almighty God hopeing to have Free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and my Body I Committ to the Earth to be decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executor hereinafter Named And as touching the Disposition of all such Temporal Estate as it hath pleased almighty God to bestow upon me I Give and Dispose thereof as followeth.  Imprimis I Give and Devise unto my Dear mother Frances Elyott All that my Copyhold or Customary Messuage or Tenement with the appurt(en)ances thereto lying and being in Shipton in the parish of Winslow in the said County of Bucks together with Eight acres of Arrable Meadow and pasture ground with the appurt(en)ances to the said Messuage or Tenement belonging (to it more or less) lying and being in the Common Feilds of Shipton aforesaid To have and to hold the said Messuage or Tenement and Eight acres of Land with their and every of their appurt(en)ances to my said Mother Frances and her Asssignes for and during the terme of her naturall Life And from and immediately after the Decease of my said Mother I Give and Devise the same unto my Brother John Elyott and to his heirs and Assignes for ever  Item I Give unto my Brothers Daniel Elyott and Edward Elyott and also my sisters Mary Smith and Elizabeth Elyott the sume of Fifty pounds of Lawfull money of Great Britaine to be Equally Divided between them And to be paid them by my said Brother John within One year next after the decease of my said Mother Frances  And I doe hereby Charge the Messuage or Tenement and p(re)misses in Shipton aforesaid with the payment thereof accordingly;  Item I Give and bequeath unto my sister Margaret Elyott the sume of Twenty shillings of like Lawfull money, Item I Give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Betterton my intended wife the sume of Thirty pounds of like Lawfull  money to be paid out of my Effects by my Executor herein after named within One Year next after my Decease, Item All the Rest and Residue of my Goods and Chattells whatsoever (after my Debts Legacys and Funeral Expences shall be paid and Discharged) I Give unto my said Brothers Daniel Elyott and Edward Elyott and also my said sisters Mary Smith and Elizabeth Elyott, Equally to be Divided between them share and share alike  And I doe hereby Nominate Constitute make and Ordaine my said Brother Edward full and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament And I doe hereby Revoke Disannul and make voyd all former and other wills and Testaments by me heretofore made, In Witness whereof I the said Robert Elyott have to this my last Will and Testament sett my hand and seale Two and Twentieth Day of October in the Ninth Year of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord George by the grace of God of Great Britaine France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoq(ue) D(omi)ni 1722

The marke of Robert Elyott

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testator to be his Last Will and Testament. In the p(re)sence of us who in his p(re)sence subscribed our names as witnesses hereto

Tho(mas) Busby
Francis Bates
Cha(rles) Cheney

[Latin] 13 April 1724 Edward Elyott sworn at Winslow befoe the Reverend Samuel Sp[ - - - ]

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Notes

Details of Robert's family can be found with the will of his father Robert (d.1716). He was the eldest son, and was clearly expected to take over his father's farm in Shipton, so it is very surprising that he had gone to work for Rev. Busby. He was in his forties when he died, so the reference to his "intended wife" is also surprising; Elizabeth Betterton actually married John Wright of Winslow at Addington on 6 Nov 1724. Frances Elliot was buried at Winslow on 18 Oct 1727. Robert was not buried at Winslow or Addington

Thomas Busby, d.1725, was both lord of the manor and rector of Addington.