NLW Ref: LL/1787/36
James James – Goytre
In the name of God I James James of the parish of Goytre in the County of Monmouth yeoman being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last Will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First I give & bequeath (after my just debts and funeral expences are fully paid and satisfied) unto my well beloved wife Mary James all and singular my household stuff and furniture forever to be disposed of by her as she may think fit after her decease. As to all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate goods and chattels of what kind or nature soever that I may die possessed of or any way entitled to I give and bequeath the use of the whole to my said well beloved wife Mary for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath a moiety or one half part of the same (according to an inventory made of the same within three kalendar months of my decease) to my beloved son and daughter Edward and Elizabeth to be equally divided share & share alike between them. And as to the other moiety or other half part of the same I leave that, as well as the household furniture above mentioned, entirely at the disposal of my said well beloved wife Mary. I do hereby appoint my said wife Mary, my said son Edward and John Moses now or late of the said parish of Goytre farmer to be joint executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills & Testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the third day of July in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty seven. The mark of James (JJ) James
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named James James to be his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator & of each other Josh Davies, Clr; Phillip Phillips; John Phillips
9th October 1787. Mary James widow the relict, Edward James the son and John Moses the executors in the within Will named were sworn to the truth thereof and to their faithful performance of the same. And that the goods chattles and credits of the dec’d do not amount in value to the sum of one hundred pounds. Before me Benj Hall, Surrogate.
This Will was proved at Abergavenny on the ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven before the Reverend Benjamin Hall, Clerk, BD, the Chancellor’s Surrogate by Mary James widow the relict, Edward James the son and John Moses the executors in the within Will named who were first on the holy Evangelists personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same, to exhibit an inventory and to render a just account of their administration thereof when thereunto lawfully required