Will of Sarah Sayer, spinster, 1803 (proved 1804)

Herts RO 240AW5

This is the last Will and Testament of me Sarah Sayer of Winslow in the County of Bucks Spinster made and Published this Third day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight Hundred and three First I Give and bequeath unto my Godson William Phillips my six Silver Tea Spoons and my Silver Tea Tongues Also I Give and bequeath unto my Sister Mary my silver[?] \metal[?]/ watch Also I Give and bequeath unto my Neice Elizabeth Daughter of my Brother Thomas and my Neice Catherine Phillips all my cloathes and wareing Apparell whatsoever to be equally divided between them share and share alike And as to all the rest and residue of my money and Securities for money Goods plate personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind so ever I Give and bequeath the same in manner following that is to say One fourth part thereof I Give and bequeath unto my Brother John Sayer one other fourth part thereof I Give and bequeath unto my Brother Thomas Sayer one other fourth part thereof I Give and bequeath unto my Sister Mary and the remaining one other fourth part thereof I Give and bequeath unto my Nephews William Phillips and John Phillips to be equally divided between them my said Nephews Share and Share alike And I do hereby nominate Constitute and appoint my Nephew William Phillips full and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the day and Year first above written.

The mark of Sarah Sayer

Signed Sealed published and declared by the
said Testator Sarah Sayer as and for her last
Will and Testament in the presence of us who
have in her presence and at her request and
in the Presence of each other subscribed our
Names as Witnesses.

Revd. Robert Lowndes
Richard Lowndes

18 Aug 1804. William Phillips sole executor sworn before Jonathan Brigges surrogate. Personal effects sworn under £300.

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Notes

The fact that the will was witnessed and presumably written by two members of the Lowndes family who did not live in Winslow might suggest that Sarah had worked for one of them. It's not yet clear whether she was related to other Sears or Sayers in Winslow. The relatives mentioned in the will don't seem to have lived in Winslow. The value of the estate was recorded because legacy duty was payable on personal estate over £20 which didn't go to the immediate family. An abstract of the will was recorded for that reason: National Archives, IR 26/387/687