Will of John Harris the elder of Great Horwood, yeoman, 1785 (proved 1792)

Centre for Bucks Studies D/A/Wf/106/11

[endorsed] 1792
Will John Harris Great Horwood
14th April sent in a parcel to Mr Brigges by Vicars

[f.1] In the Name of God Amen I John Harris the elder of the parish of Great Horwood in the County of Bucks Gentleman being in good health of Body and of a sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding (for which I bless God) and being desirous to settle my Worldly affairs whilst I have the strength and capacity for so doing do therefore make and publish my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) First and principally I resign my Soul to Almighty God who gave it and my Body I commit to the earth to be decently interned at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named  And as to such Temporal  Estate wherewith it hath pleased the divine Providence to bless me I dispose of the same as followeth First I give and devise unto my eldest Son John Harris All and every my Copyhold Messuges [sic] Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Premises situate lying or being in the Parish of Great Horwood aforesaid in the said County of Bucks with their and every of their Rights Members and Appurtenances To Hold the same unto and to the use of my said Son John Harris his Heirs and Assigns for ever Subject nevertheless and I do hereby charge All and every my Copyhold Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Premises with the payment of the Sum or Legacy of Five and Twenty Pounds hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto my Son Lawrence Harris the Sum or Legacy of Five and twenty Pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain (to be paid unto him by my said Son John Harris or his Heirs in manner following (that is to say) Five Pounds part thereof at the end of Twelve Month next after my decease the like Sum of Five Pounds more thereof at the end of one year then next ensuing and the like Sum of Five pounds at the end of every year next afterwards untill the Sum of Twenty five pounds shall be fully paid and satisfied And as to for and concerning all my Household Goods and Furniture Ready money Debts and securities for Money Plate Chattels Rights Credits Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever the same may be after payment of my just Debts  and Funeral Expences I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said Son John Harris his Executors Administrators and Assigns to and for his and their sole use and benefit And lastly I do 

John Harris Sen(io)r  [signature]

[f.2] Hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Son John Harris sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do publish and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I John Harris the Testator have to this my Will contained in two Sheets of Paper to the first Sheet thereof have set my hand only and to the second and last my Hand and Seal this Fifteenth day of July in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty five

John Harris Sen(io)r  [signature]

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by
the said Testator John Harris as and for
his last Will and Testament in the presence of
us who have hereunto subscribed our names 
as Witnesses thereto at the request of and in the
presence of the said Testator and also in the presence
of each other

John Rose
Joseph Booden
James Burnham

John Harris the natural and lawful
Son and Executor above named of John
Harris Sen(io)r deceased was duly
Sworn, this third Day of April
1792, before me Jonathan Brigges Surrogate.
Personal effects sworn under five Pound.

Proved the third day of April 1792 before
the Reverend Jonathan Brigges Clerk Surrogate by the oath of
John Harris the natural and lawful Son and sole Executor
to whom Ad(ministrati)on was committed he being sworn first to duly administer
No In(vent)ory

[Note added: £1.1.6, 3.6, 2.6 = £1.7.6]

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Notes

There were several John Harrises in and around Great Horwood. This one was probably the father of the John Harris (d.1807) who married Ann, daughter of Grant Hewiett (d.1759), and sister of Grant Hewiett (d.1796).