Will of William Hobbs, gentleman, 1770 (proved 1771)

National Archives PROB 11/964/109

The original document is not divided into paragraphs.

In the Name of God Amen   I William Hobbs of Winslow in the County of Bucks Gent being somewhat Indisposed in Body but of a Sound and Disposing Mind and Memory (for which I bless God) and being Desirous to Settle my Worldly Affairs whilst I have Strength and Capacity for so Doing  Do therefore make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form 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 Interred at the discretion of my Executrix herein afternamed and as to such Temporal Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to intrust me  Dispose of the Same as followeth (that is to Say) 

First I Give and bequeath unto my kinsman William Gilbert of Swanburne in the Said County of Bucks Weaver All such Sum and Sums of money whatsoever which he shall be any ways Indebted to me at the time of my Decease either upon Mortgage Bond Note or otherwise howsoever 

Also I Give Devise and bequeath unto my Said kinsman William Gilbert All and every my new Inclosed Pieces and Parcels of Arable Meadow and Pasture Ground lying and being in the Parish of Little Horwood in the said County of Bucks  Containing together by Admeasurement Sixteen acres Noo Roods and thirty Seven Perches and now in the Tenure or Occupation of my kinsman John Gilbert with their and every of their Appurt(enance)s  To hold the Same unto and to the use of my said kinsman William Gilbert his Heirs and Assigns forever Subject Nevertheless and I do hereby Expressly charge all and every the said Pieces and Parcels of Arable Meadow and Pasture Ground to and with the Payment of One Annuity yearly Rent or Sum of Five pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain free of Taxes and all other Deductions whatsoever parliamentary or otherwise to be issuing and payable out of all and every the said pieces and parcels of arable meadow and pasture ground which I do hereby give and bequeath unto my kinswoman Hester Taylor of Great Horwood in the said County of Bucks Spinster and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life and to be paid and payable by equal half-yearly payments at the two most usual Feasts or Days of payment in the year (that is to say) the Feasts of St Michael the Archangel and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by even and equal portions the first payment thereof to begin and be made on such of the same Feasts as shall first and next happen after my Decease  And my Will and Mind is that in case the same Annuity yearly Rent or Sum of Five pounds or any part thereof shall be behind and unpaid by the Space of twenty eight Days next over or after either of the said feasts whereon the same is herein before Directed to be paid as aforesaid   Then and so often it shall and may be lawful for the said Hester Taylor and her Assigns to Enter upon all and every or any part of the said premisses charged with the said Annuity as aforesaid and distrain for the same or so much thereof as shall be so in arrear and all costs and charges occasioned by non payment thereof 

Also I Give Devise and bequeath unto my Wife Ann Hobbs All those my three Copyhold Messuages or Tenements situate and being in Shipton in the parish of Winslow aforesaid now in the several Occupations of William Wootton Richard Goddard and John Bennett  And also All that my Copyhold close of Pasture Ground thereto adjoining now in the occupation of Richard Shelton with their and every of their rights members and Appurt(enance)s  To hold the same unto and to the use of my said wife Ann Hobbs and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease  I Give Devise and bequeath the same Messuages or Tenements and Close of Pasture Ground with those and every of their Appurt(enance)s unto my kinswoman Susanna Hawkins of Winslow aforesaid Spinster and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and imediately after the Decease of the Survivor of them my said wife Ann Hobbs and my said Kinswoman Susanna Hawkins  I Give Devise and bequeath the said Messuages and Tenements and close of Pasture Ground with their and every of their Appurt(inance)s unto and to use of John Gilbert (son of my said Kinsman William Gilbert) his Heirs and Assigns for ever 

Also I Give Devise and bequeath unto Ann wife of Reno(?) Harroway of the parish of Little Horwood aforesaid Labourer  All that my Copyhold Messuages or Tenement together with the Close or Pightle of Pasture Ground thereunto adjoining and belonging Situate and being in the parish of Little Horwood aforesaid and now in the Tenure or Occupation of the said Reno(?) Harroway with the Appurt(enance)s thereunto belonging  To hold the same unto and to the use of the said Ann Harroway and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and im(m)ediately after her decease  I Give Devise and bequeath the said Messuages or Tenement and Close or Pightle of Pasture Ground with the Appurt(inance)s unto and to the use of my said Kinsman William Gilbert his Heirs and Assigns forever 

Also I Give Devise and bequeath unto my said Kinswoman Susanna Hawkins (after the decease of my said wife Ann Hobbs) all that my Copyhold Messuage or Tenement with the Appurt(enance)s thereunto belonging Situate and being in the Market Square of Winslow aforesaid now in the Occupation of me the said William Hobbs To hold the same unto and to the use of my said Kinswoman Susanna Hawkins and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and im(m)ediately after the Several Deceases of my said wife Ann Hobbs and my said Kinswoman Susanna Hawkins  I Give Devise and bequeath the said Messuages or Tenements with the Appurt(enance)s unto and to the use of George Foster of Winslow aforesaid in the said County of Bucks Grocer his Heirs and Assigns forever 

Also I Give Devise and bequeath unto Richard Shelton of Winslow aforesaid in the said County of Bucks Currier All that my Copyhold Messuage or Tenement with the yard backside Garden and all and every other the Rights Members and Appurt(enance)s thereunto belonging Situate and being in Great Horn Street in Winslow now in the Tenure or Occupation of me the said William Hobbs  To hold the same (Subject to the Estate for life of my said Wife Ann Hobbs therein) unto and to the use of  the said Richard Shelton his Heirs and Assigns for ever Subject nevertheless and I do hereby Expressly charge the said messuage or tenement with the Appurt(enance)s to and with the payment of the Sum of Eighty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain towards the payment and satisfaction of such Just Debts which I shall owe at the time of my Decease and for that purpose I do hereby will order and direct that the same shall be paid by the said Richard Shelton his Heirs or Assigns or such other person or persons to whom the said premisses shall descend unto his Executors or Adm(inistrat)ors within one month next after my Decease and in Default thereof I do hereby revoke and make void the Devise of the said last mentioned premisses unto the said Richard Shelton his Heirs and Assigns and I do hereby charge and oblige the said last mentioned premisses with the payment of the said Sum of Eighty pounds to be paid by such other person or persons to whom the same premisses shall Descend towards the payment and discharge of my said Just Debts. 

Also I Give Devise and bequeath unto James Burnham of Winslow aforesaid in the said County of Bucks Gentleman All that my Copyhold close of pasture ground lying and being in the Parish of Winslow aforesaid with the Appurt(enance)s thereunto belonging called or known by the name of the Upper Baulk and now in the Occupation of the said James Burnham  To hold the same unto and to the use of the said James Burnham his Heirs and Assigns forever Subject nevertheless and I do hereby charge the same with the payment of the Sum of Fifty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain which I do herby Give and bequeath unto Francis Cox of Winslow aforesaid Glazier to be paid to him within Twelve Months next after my Decease 

Also I Give and bequeath unto Joseph Dudley of Winslow aforesaid in the said County of Bucks Draper all that my Copyhold Close of Pasture Ground lying and being in the Parish of Winslow aforesaid with the Appurt(enance)s thereunto belonging commonly called or known by the name of the Lower Baulk and now in the occupation of the said Joseph Dudley To hold the same unto and to the use of the said Joseph Dudley his Heirs and Assigns forever 

Also I Give and bequeath unto my said Wife Ann Hobbs  All and Singular my household goods and Furniture of what nature or kind soever which shall be remaining and being in and about my Dwelling House in Great Horne Street in Winslow aforesaid at the time of my Decease to and for her Sole use benefit and Disposal

Also I Give and bequeath unto Sarah Batterson my Servant Maid the several Goods and Chattels hereinafter particularly mentioned and now remaining and being in and about my Dwelling House in the Market Square of Winslow aforesaid (that is to say) the Bed and Bedding in the Room she now has my two small Barrels all the Common Earthen Ware Six pewter plates three Cane chairs one pair of Doorions one Spit, the table next the window one Brass Kettle one Brass Skillet a pair of Bellows Tongs and Fireshovel Warming pan two Iron candlesticks the Common Tea Table the Chest of Drawers three Silver Teaspoons my Biggest Teakettle one pair of sheets two napkins one frying pan and a Gridiron and also all my Drugs Bottles Gallipots Weights Scales Nests of Drawers Counters Shelves and all and every other the Goods wares and merchandizes which shall be in or about my Apothecary’s Shop at the time of my Decease (except stampt paper and parchment) to be delivered to her by my executrix herinafter named within one month next after my Decease. 

Also I Give and bequeath unto Lot Bonsall Officer of  Excise Speed’s Book of Maps in one Volume and Salmon’s History of the Present State of Great Britain in three volumes  

Also I Give and bequeath unto my kinswoman Dinah Gibbs the wife of William Gibbs of Winslow aforesaid Glover the sum of thirty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain 

Also I Give and bequeath unto James Burnham of Winslow aforesaid Gentleman the Sum of Thirty pounds of like money 

Also I Give and bequeath unto James Harris the Younger of Winslow aforesaid Peruke Maker the Sum of Thirty pounds of like money 

Also I Give and bequeath unto my two Servant Maids Sarah Batterson and Mary Norman the sum of Thirty pounds each of like Money 

Also I Give and bequeath unto Mary Williatt Spinster one of the daughters of Newman Williatt of Great Horwood aforesaid yeoman the Sum of Thirty pounds of like money 

Also I Give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Batterson Spinster Sister to my Servant Maid Sarah Batterson the sum of Thirty pounds of like money 

Also I Give and bequeath unto Daniel Harris of Winslow aforesaid Victualler unto Richard Cox of Winslow aforesaid Victualler the sum of Thirty pounds each of like money 

Also I Give and bequeath unto Martha Sparkes of Winslow aforesaid Widow and to my said Kinswoman Hester Taylor of Great Horwood aforesaid Spinster the sum of ten pounds each of like Money  

Also I Give and bequeath unto Susanna Daniel of Winslow aforesaid Spinster the Sum of Five pounds of like money  

And Lastly all the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal Estates whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever whereof or wherein I shall be in any ways possessed of Interested in or Intitled unto at the time of my Decease (and not otherwise by me in this my Will Disposed of)  I do hereby Give Devise and bequeath the same and every part and parcel thereof unto my Said Kinswoman Susanna Hawkins To hold the same unto and to the use of my Said Kinswoman Susanna Hawkins Her Heirs Executors Adm(inistrat)ors and Assigns forever Subject nevertheless and charged and chargeable with the payment of all and every the Several Legacies herein before by me in this will Given and bequeathed and also charged and chargeable with the Payment of such of my said Just Debts which the Said sum of Eighty pounds herein before by me Given towards the payment of my said Just Debts shall fall Short of and be insufficient to pay 

And I do hereby Nominate Constitute and Appoint my said Kinswoman Susanna Hawkins full and sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby evoking and making void all former and other Will and 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 the said William Hobbs have to this Will contained in Six Sheets of Paper to the five first Sheets thereof set my hand only and to the Sixth and last my hand and seal this eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy.  

Wm. Hobbs.

Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Hobbs 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 and in the presence of the said Testator and also in the presence of each other Thomas Prentice Fran(ci)s Collins and John Dudley

[Codicil 1]

Whereas I William Hobbs of Winslow in the County of Bucks Gentleman have made my last Will and Testament in writing duly executed bearing date the Sixteenth day of April last past whereby I have among other things therein mentioned Given and bequeathed unto my Servant Maid Sarah Batterson Several Goods and Chattels therein particularly mentioned and described and by my Said Will have Directed my executrix therein named to Deliver such Goods and Chattels to the said Sarah Batterson within one month next after my decease  Now therefore I do by this my Codicil annexed to my said Will and Direct to be taken as a part thereof Will Order and Direct my executrix to Deliver the above mentioned Goods and Chattels in my said Will particularly mentioned to my said Servant Maid Sarah Batterson immediately after my Decease  And I do hereby also further Give and bequeath unto my said Servant Maid Sarah Batterson my Copper Boiler the Swing Glass in the room she now lives in my Old Silver Watch and my Wearing Apparel of all sorts to be likewise Delivered to her immediately after my decease and I do hereby ratify and confirm my said Will and all the Gifts Bequests Devises matters and things therein contained and not hereby altered and revoked In witness whereof I the said William Hobbs have hereunto set my hand and seal the Twelfth Day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy

William Hobbs 

This Writing was Signed and Sealed by the abovenamed William Hobbs and by him published and Declared as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunder subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto in his presence Benj. Dudley James Morris and John Dudley

[Codicil 2]

I William Hobbs of Winslow in the County of Bucks Gentleman do this third Day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy make and publish this Codicil to my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say I Give and bequeath unto my Servant Maid Sarah Batterson over and above what I have already Given and bequeathed to her in and by my last Will and Testament all such Coal and Firewood as shall be remaining and being in or about my house yard or premises in the Market Square wherein the said Sarah Batterson now lives.  And also all that my Cock and Stump of Hay and Standing and being in my Close called Hollow Furrow or so much the same as shall be remaining there at the time of my Decease and I do hereby ratify and Confirm all and every the Gifts Devises and bequeaths in and by my Will made and Given and not hereby altered And I do hereby declare this Writing to be a Codicil to my said Will and to be accepted and taken as part thereof as fully and effectually to all Intents and purposes as if the same had been actually inserted therein In Witness thereof I the said William Hobbs have hereunto set my hand and seal this Day and year above written 

Wm. Hobbs

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the above named William Hobbs as a Codicil to be annexed to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have Subscribed our names as witnesses thereto  John Dudley  James Morris  Thomas Prentice

[Probate]

This Will was proved at London with two Codicils the seventh day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy One before the Right Worshipful George Hay Doctor of Laws  Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Susanna Hawkins spinster the Sole Executrix named in this Will to whom administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased she having been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer
                                                                                                            Ex(ecute)d.

[Note in margin]

On the 22nd day of April 1820 Ad(ministrat)ion (with the Will and Codicils annexed) of the Goods Chattels and Credits of William Hobbs late of Winslow in the County of Bucks decd. left unad(ministered) by Susanna Hawkins sp(inste)r dec(ease)d while living the sole Ex(ecutri)x named and Residuary legatee named in the said Will was granted to John Hawkins the Ad(ministrat)or (with the Will annexed) of the Goods of the said Susanna Hawkins decd having been first sworn duly to Ad(ministe)r.  The said Susanna Hawkins made her Will & appointed her nephew John Hawkins and her niece Martha Hawkins the ex(ecut)ors who are both since dead without moving the same at least in this Court

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Notes

Although he described himself as a gentleman, William Hobbs was an apothecary. He was probably the son of Matthew Hobbs, who was in Winslow from at least 1700; he could be the William son of Matthew Hobbs baptised at Swanbourne in 1698. He married Ann Glenister at Radclive in 1720. They were in Winslow by 1721 when their daughter Jane was baptised (d.1743), followed by Matthew (1722, d.1760) and Ann (1725, d.1729). He evidently had no-one to carry on the business. Sarah Batterson had probably run it for him, and she was to have the stock but not the premises. His wife Ann's will was proved in 1773.

Market Square: William Hobbs' messuage is the building which is now 17 Market Square.

Great Horn Street: this messuage later became The Cottage (5 Horn Street).

Upper Baulk: Baulk Close was between what is now Verney Road and Western Lane (see Enclosure map)