Will of William Hobcraft the elder, yeoman, 1768 (proved 1786)

National Archives PROB 11/1025/249

In the Name of God Amen I William Hobcraft the Elder of Winslow in the County of Bucks Yeoman being in health of Body and of sound mind and memory thanks be to God for the same do make & Ordain this my last will & Testament in manner following first I do give will and devise unto Mary my loving wife her Heirs and assigns for ever all that my Moiety or two parts of the Messuage Cottage or Tenement Orchard Meadow Ground and Arable Land with their and every of their Appurtenances situate standing lying and being in the Town and Parish of Chalton upon Oatmore late belonging unto John Gateman in the said Parish aforesaid and in the County of Oxford To hold the Aforesaid Messuage Cottage or Tenement Orchard Meadow Ground or the Moiety thereof unto the said Mary my Wife her Heirs and assigns for ever upon this Condition nevertheless notwithstanding that she the said Mary my wife keep herself a Widow but if the said Mary my wife should be married again then immediately I do give will and devise all the said Messuage or Moiety thereof Orchard Meadow and Arable Land and premises with the Appurtenances unto William Hobcraft my son to hold the same to him his Heirs and assigns for ever Also I give will and bequeath unto Ann Hannell my Daughter the sum of 40 pounds being the remaining part of her Fortune that I am to give her which said sum of forty pounds shall be paid to the said Ann Hannell by my Executor and Executrix hereafter named out of such Moneys next after my decease Also I do give will and bequeath unto Elizabeth Gibbs my Daughter the sum of 60 Pounds being the remaining part of her Fortune that I am to give her which said sum of 60 pounds shall be paid unto the said Elizabeth Gibbs by my Executor and Executrix out of such Moneys that are placed out at Interest within twelve Months next after my Decease All the rest residue and remainder of my Goods and Chattels and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever which I have not otherwise disposed of after my Funeral Charges Debts and Legacies are paid and discharged I do give will and bequeath unto William Hobcraft my son and Mary my loving Wife whom I do make and ordain Joint Executor and Executrix of this my last will and Testament upon this Condition that the said Mary my wife keep herself a Widow but if the said Mary my wife should be married then immediately I do give all her part of my Goods and Chattels and personal Estate so given unto her as being Executrix in this my Will I do give the same unto William Hobcraft my son to enter upon the said Goods and Chattels and personal Estate and to enjoy the same any thing in this my will contained to the Contrary notwithstanding and I do make void all former and other wills by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I the said William Hobcraft the Elder the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty eight  

William Hobcraft

signed sealed published and declcred by the said William Hobcraft the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and also in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto
Charles Bowler                  Cha(rle)s Bowler Junior                  Sarah Bowler

Proved at London the twenty ninth day of November 1776 before Sir George Hay Knight etc by the oaths of William Hobcraft son and Mary Hobcraft widow to whom administration was granted.

Notes

William also had an older daughter, Mary Paxton, who is not mentioned in the will, presumably because she had already received all her "fortune". His widow Mary remained in Winslow after his death; see her will (proved 1791) for more on the family. They were tenants of the Lowndes estate and probably lived at 47 Sheep Street.