Tag Archives: 1781 – 1790

Ann Harry 1782

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This Indenture made the Twenty fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two between the Right Honourable George Lord Abergavenny of the one part and Ann Harry of the parish of Goytrey in the County of Monmouth widow of the other part witnesseth that as well for and in consideration of the sum of two pounds and two shillings of lawful money of Great Britain by the said Ann Harry to the said Lord Abergavenny in hand on or before the sealing and delivering of these presents well and truly paid the payment and receipt whereof the said Lord Abergavenny doth admit and acknowledge as also for and in consideration of the yearly rent hereby reserved and of the covenants and agreements herein contained on the part and behalf of the said Ann Harry her heirs executors administrators and assigns to be paid done and performed he the said Lord Abergavenny hath demised granted to farm let and by these presents doth demise grant and to farm let unto the said Ann Harry her heirs and assigns all that cottage or tenement with the garden and appurtenances thereto belonging situate lying and being in the said parish of Goytrey in a certain place there called Pen Hewl Burgum adjoining to a lane leading from a place called Crossoped towards a place called Pen y ddoy ga and to lanes of William Jones butcher on all or most parts and sides thereof and now in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Watkins (except and always reserved out of this demise unto the said Lord Abergavenny heirs and assigns all mines and quarries whatsoever and all and all manner of timber trees and trees likely to be timber coppices woods and underwoods and the tops and lops thereof now standing growing or being or which shall or may at any time hereafter during the continuance of this demise stand grow or be in upon within or under the said demised premises or any part thereof with full and free liberty of ingress egress and regress way and passage to and for the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs and assigns and his and their agents servants and workmen with beasts carts and carriages at all seasonable times in the year to dig root fell cut down lop crop cord char take and carry away the same) to have and to hold the said cottage or tenement and all and singular the premises mentioned to be hereby demised with the appurtenances (except as herein before is excepted) unto the said Ann Harry her heirs and assigns from hence forth for and during the natural lives of the said Ann Harry aged about seventy four years, Ann Thomas (daughter of William Thomas millwright and grand daughter of the said Ann Harry) aged about twenty three years and Martha Thomas (another daughter of the said William Thomas) aged about ten years and the life of the longest liver of them yielding and paying therefore yearly and every year during the continuance of this present lease unto the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs and assigns the rent or sum of one shilling of lawful money of Great Britain free from land tax and all other taxes and deductions whatsoever at the four most usual feasts or days of payment of rent in the year, that is to say, the twenty fifth day of March, the twenty fourth day of June, the twenty ninth day of September and the twenty fifth day of December in every year by even and equal portions the first payment thereof to begin and to be made on the twenty fifth day of March next ensuing the date of these presents and also yielding and paying unto the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs and assigns five shillings for and in the name of an heriot on the death of every person above named by whose life the said premises are as aforesaid held and also the like sum of five shillings on the alienation of the same premises and also doing and performing upon reasonable summons suit and service at all and every the Courts of the said Lord Abergavenny to be holden during the continuance of this demise within and for the Manor of Pellenigg provided nevertheless that if the said Ann Harry her heirs do or shall grant demise lease sell assign or part with or from the said hereby demised premises or any part or parcel thereof without licence or consent in writing under the hand and seal of the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs or assigns or his or their steward for the time being of the said Manor of Pellenigg in that behalf first had and obtained or shall do or cause or suffer to be done on or near the said hereby demised premises any act project or contrivance whatsoever whereby the same premises or any other of the estates of the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs or assigns or his or their tenants may be anywise prejudiced damaged or lessened in the yearly value thereof respectively then and in either of such cases this present Indenture of Lease shall from thenceforth cease determine and be void to all intents and purposes provided always that if the said yearly rent or sum of one shilling hereby reserved or any part thereof shall be behind or unpaid by the space of fifteen days next after either of the said feast days on which the same ought to be paid as aforesaid (being lawfully demanded) or if the said sum of five shillings made payable as aforesaid in the name of an heriot on the death of every person respectively by whose life the said hereby demised premises are as aforesaid held shall be behind and unpaid respectively to the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs or assigns or to his or their steward or agent for the time being by the space of six months next after any of the times on which the same ought respectively to be paid (without any demand being thereof made) or if any breach of any of the covenants provisoes or agreements herein contained on the lessee’s part and behalf shall at any time or times be made done or suffered then and in every of such cases it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs and assigns into and upon the said hereby demised premises or any part thereof in the name of the whole to reenter and the same to have again repossess and enjoy as in her or their former estate any thing herein before contained to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding and the said Ann Harry for herself her heirs executors and administrators doth covenant promise and agree to and with the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs and assigns by these presents in the manner following, that is to say, that she the said Ann Harry her heirs executors administrators or assigns shall and will well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs or assigns the said yearly rent herein before reserved on the days and times and in the manner herein before mentioned and appointed for payment of the same and according to the true intent and meaning of these presents and also that she the said Ann Harry her heirs and assigns shall and will from time to time and at all times during the continuance of this present lease at her and their own proper expence well and sufficiently repair uphold amend and keep in repair the said cottage or tenement and also all and every the buildings gates stiles hedges ditches mounds and fences of and belonging to the said hereby demised premises and the same premises so well and sufficiently repaired amended and kept in repair as aforesaid shall and will peaceably and quietly leave and yield up unto the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs or assigns at the expiration or other sooner determination of this present lease and that she the said Ann Harry her heirs or assigns shall not nor will during the continuance of this present lease grant demise lease assign or part with or from the said hereby demised premises or any part or parcel thereof to any person or persons whomsoever without the licence or consent in writing under the hand and seal of the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs or assigns or his or their steward for the time being of the said Manor of Pellenigg in that behalf first had and obtained and the said Lord Abergavenny for himself his heirs executors and administrators doth covenant promise and agree to and with the said Ann Harry her heirs and assigns by these presents that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Ann Harry her heirs and assigns upon payment of the rent and performance of the covenants provisoes and agreements herein before reserved and contained on her and their parts and behalfs peaceable and quietly to hold and enjoy all and singular the said hereby demised premises without any let denial hinderance or interruption of from or by the said Lord Abergavenny his heirs or assigns or any other person or persons whomsoever claiming or who shall or may claim from by or under him and the said Lord Abergavenny doth hereby authorize and in his place put and depute Robert Morgan Kinsey of Abergavenny in the County of Monmouth Gentleman, Baker Gabb of the same place Gentleman and William Morgan of the said parish of Goytrey yeoman his lawful attorneys or attorney jointly or severally for him and in his name to enter into and upon the said hereby demised premises or into any part thereof in the name of the whole and to give livery and seizin thereof unto the said Ann Harry or to her attorney in that behalf lawfully authorized in order that this present lease may have its due effect. In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. The mark of Ann (X) Harry.

On the cover of the document:-

Abergavenny. Monmouthshire. 25th Decem’r 1782. Lord Abergavenny to Ann Harry. Counterpart of Lease of premises in the parish of Goytrey for 3 lives.

 

Fine £2 – 2 – 0

Rent 1s

Heriot 5s

Wm Morgan, Llanfoist

William Prosser 1790

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NLW Ref: LL/1790/30

William Prosser – Goytre

In the name of God Amen. I William Prosser of the parish of Goytre in the county of Monmouth, yeoman, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory (blessed be Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament.

Vitz: First I give, devise and bequeath all the right, interest and title I have and shall have in a house commonly called and known by the name of the Crown and Sceptre with its appurtenances, situate in the town of Abergavenny unto my well beloved wife Esther Prosser. To hold to her, my said wife for and during the term of her natural life, provided she remains and continuing unmarried, otherwise only until the day of her marriage. And from and immediately after her decease or day of her marriage, I give, devise and bequeath the same unto my eight children now living, to hold to them, my said children, their heirs and assigns respectively for ever.

Item: I give and bequeath the use of the rest, residue and remainder of my goods, chattles and personal estate unto my said wife during the term of her natural life, or on the day of her marriage which ever shall first happen: and from immediately after her decease or day of her marriage as afores’d.

Item: I give and bequeath the same unto my said eight children to be equally divided share and share alike between them.

I do hereby nominate and appoint my said beloved wife Esther and my brother in law Richard Jones yeoman, to be joint executors of this my last will and testament herby revoking and disannulling all former wills and testaments by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight.

The mark of William Prosser

Signed, sealed and published and declared by the testator for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto set our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator.

Josh Davies Clk

Rosser Williams – his mark

William Lewis 1781

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NLW Ref: LL/1781/44

In the name of God Amen I William Lewis of the parish of Goytre in the County of Monmouth yeoman being weak in body but of sound & perfect mind & memory, blessed be almighty God for the same, do make & publish this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following (that is to say) Imprimis I commend my precious never dying soul into the hands of God that gave it, through the all prevailing mediation & intercession of Jesus Christ his dear & only begotten son & the saviour of lost and miserable sinners and my body to the ground to be buried with a decent burial at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named.

As to what worldly substance divine providence has endowed me with I dispose of the same as follows, vizt.

First I give devise & bequeath to my well beloved wife Susanna Lewis (after my just debts and funeral expences are fully paid & satisfied) all that my messuage or tenement & lands called by the name of Dyffryn-y-Gwartheg with the appurtenances being my freehold estate situate lying & being in the aforesaid parish of Goytre to hold to her my said wife from and immediately after my decease for & during the term of her natural life without impeachment of waste from any person whatsoever excepting only the felling of timber trees (exclusive of coppice woods) which I do’n’t permit her to do but such as are absolutely necessary for keeping the above mentioned premisses in good & sufficient reparation, and if she should happen to die before my daughter Martha by her shall have arrived at the full age of twenty one years, in that case I give devise & bequeath the said premisses with all their appurtenances together with all my personal estate goods & chattels whatsoever according to a true & proper appraisement to be made of the same immediately or within three months after my decease (reasonable wear & tear only excepted) to Joshua Davies, Clerk & William Morgan freeholder, both of the parish of Goytre aforesaid their heirs executors administrators and assigns upon trust nevertheless for the sole use benefit & advantage of my said daughter Martha Lewis until she shall have arrived at the full age of twenty one years, at which period of time the said Joshua Davies & William Morgan & each of them respectively their heirs executors administrators & assigns & each of them are hereby required to deliver up their respective trusts unto my said daughter Martha and afterwards I give devise & bequeath the same in as full & ample a manner as is above specify’d to hold to her my said daughter Martha her heirs and assigns for ever, but if my said wife Susanna should not die before my said daughter Martha shall have arrived at the full age of twenty one years then & in that case my will is that my said daughter Martha shall have occupy & enjoy the whole of the aforesaid premisses in manner above specified from and immediately after my said wife’s decease without any trustees whatsoever.

From & immediately after my said wife & daughter’s decease or the longest liver them (i.e. if my said daughter should happen to die before she shall have arrived at the age of twenty one years & also dies without legal issue) I give & devise my freehold estate aforesaid to my right heirs for ever subject to the payment of as much money as I or my said wife after my decease must be obliged to pay my first wife’s relations in consequence of a marriage settlement between us & a Will made by her in her life time to be paid by my said heirs at the disposal of my present wife in a Will by her to be made for that purpose. & lastly if my said daughter Martha should happen to die before my said wife then I give and bequeath every thing I may die possessed of or entitled to at my death or afterwards unto my said wife fully & completely excepting my freehold estate above mentioned which I leave her in the above specify’d limited manner.

I do hereby nominate and appoint the said Joshua Davies, William Morgan and my said wife Susanna Lewis to be joint executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the seventeenth day of August in the twentieth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George of Great Britain France and Ireland, King, defender of the faith and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty. The mark of William (W) Lewis

Signed sealed published and declared by the named William Lewis to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator. William Mathew; William Hatfield; Thomas Prosser

May 1st 1781. Susanna Lewis widow the relict, the Revd Joshua Davies and William Morgan the executors in this Will named were sworn to the truth thereof and to the 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

Proved at Abergavenny on the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one before the Reverend Benjamin Hall, Clerk, BD the Chancellor’s Surrogate by Susanna Lewis widow the relict, the Revd Joshua Davies, Clerk and William Morgan the executors in this Will named who were first on the holy Evangelists personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same, to exhibit an inventory &c and to render a just account of their administration of the same when thereunto lawfully required.

William Frederick 1784

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NLW Ref: LL/1784/35

In the name of God Amen I William Frederick of the parish of Goytre in the County of Monmouth yeoman considering the uncertainty of this mortal life & being of sound & perfect mind & memory (blessed be almighty God for the same) do make & publish this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following (that is to say).

First I will that all my just debts & funeral expences be fully paid and satisfied. Item I give devise and bequeath to my beloved daughter Anne by my first wife Mary Frederick that part or parcel of ground commonly called and known by the name of Pwrcas or wood (being part of my leasehold estate) in part of which there are young apple trees growing, with the appurtenances to hold to her my said daughter Anne Frederick from & immediately after my decease for & during the term that shall be then unexpired of the lease in which the said parcel of ground is included.

I also give and bequeath unto her a sufficient quantity of timber from off any part of my leasehold estate wherever she is minded to build a house upon the parcel of ground above mentioned. Item I give and bequeath unto her my said daughter Anne one little round table, one bed stead, one new mash tub and one new large kilderkin together with the least pewter dish & one pewter plate.

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my now wife Frances Frederick all my leasehold estate of & in that house that I now dwell in together with every other part of my leasehold estate with the appurtenances (excepting what I have above reserved to my daughter aforesaid) situate lying & being in the parish of Goytre aforesaid by ancient mears & boundaries there well known to hold to her my said wife for & during the term of her natural life & from & immediately after her decease I give devise & bequeath the same to be divided between my said daughter Anne and my daughter Elizabeth by my now wife in this manner vizt, the land to be divided from the lane that leads towards the town of Abergavenny to another lane westward leading from Pen-pellenny towards late Cecilia Bevan widow’s house, William James’s & in a direct line from each end of the south hedge of the garden belonging to my dwelling house before mentioned & my will is that the said dwelling house & gardens thereunto adjoining together with the land on the northern side of the division before mentioned be the property of my said daughter Elizabeth for & during the term of her natural life & if the said lease should happen to be unexpired at her decease then & in that case I give & devise the same to her issue lawfully begotten or to be begotten & for want of such issue then to my said daughter Anne together with all the land of my said leasehold estate on the southern side of the afore mentioned division which I give devise and bequeath unto her to hold to her my said daughter Anne for & during the term then unexpired of the said lease.

I also give & bequeath unto my sons Henry & William by my first wife the sum of five shillings sterling each to be paid them within twelve months respectively after my decease. My will is that when my leasehold estate aforesaid shall be enjoyed by my said daughters respectively or continue in two shares in the manner above limitted then I desire that a moiety or half part of the payments, taxes &c that are or may be imposed upon the said premisses be borne or paid by each of the said parties possessing or occupying the said shares respectively. And moreover my express will is that my said daughter Anne be permitted (if she chooses it) to live in my said dwelling house together with my said wife Frances as long as my said wife lives & after her decease for two years if she my said daughter Anne will not have erected a house of her own before any or either of those periods.

And lastly as to all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate goods and chattels of what kind or nature soever I give and bequeath the same to my said beloved wife Frances.

And I do hereby appoint Joshua Davies, Clerk of the parish of Goytre aforesaid and my said daughter Anne Frederick to be joint executors of this my last Will and Testament appointing him the said Joshua Davies the sum of one pound and one shilling sterling for his trouble in acting as executor and revoking hereby all former Wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the twenty first day of June in the twenty second year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the third of Great Britain France and Ireland, King, defender of the faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two.

The mark of William (X) Frederick

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named William Frederick to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator & in the presence of each other.

Evan Pugh, schoolmaster in the parish of Lanvair Kilgiddin;

Thomas Prosser of Gelly;ary Hadfield?

 

(The following as been almost scrubbed out. )

NB It is my further determination that my last Will and Testament be and remain as above …… excepting the plot? of ground called the ……… into two parts situate on the south side of the close of ground in …. The above …… and house in which I now dwell and garden ………….. which said parcel of ground called the Purca… my will is that from and immediately after my said wife’s decease I give devise and bequeath … division of the …. afore…. to my above mentioned daughter Elizabeth together with the ……………. and limitation. Nevertheless as I have devised & bequeathed…….. My said daughter Elizabeth above ……… of my said leasehold estate

 

As the above mentioned testator died before this last clause was either signed or witnesses, it is therefore presumed that what is therein contained is void and of none effect

 

May 25th 1784. Joshua Davies, Clerk one of the executors in the within written will named was sworn to the truth thereof and to the faithful performance of the same and that the goods chattels and credits of the deceased did not amount in value to the sum of twenty pounds with power reserved to Ann Frederick the daughter the other executor &c before me Benj Hall, Surrogate

 

This Will was proved at Abergavenny on the twenty fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four before the Rev Benjamin Hall, Clerk, BD, the Chancellors Surrogate by Joshua Davies, Clerk one of the executors in this Will named who was first on the holy Evangelists personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same to exhibit an inventory &c and to render a just account of his administration thereof when thereunto lawfully required (Power being first reserved of making the like grant to Ann Frederick the daughter of the said dec’d the other executor in this Will named when she shall apply for the same

William Andrews 1789

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NLW Ref: LL/1789/51

William Andrews

In the name of God Amen. I William Andrews of the parish of Goytrey in the County of Monmouth yeoman: being mindfull of my mortality, do, this twelfth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight: make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First I give and devise unto my beloved wife Mary Andrews all and every my messuages, lands, tenements and hereditments with all their appurtenances whereof I am possessed; situate, lying and being in the parish of Goytrey or elsewhere in the County of Monmouth, to have and to hold all and every the said messuages, lands, tenements and hereditments with the appurtenances, to her the said Mary Andrews, her heirs and assigns for ever.

Also I give and bequeath unto Andrew William son to my kinswoman Cecilia, the wife of David William now of the town of Usk in the said County, blacksmith the sum of five pounds: to be paid to him the said Andrew William when he attains the age of twenty one years; by my testatrix hereinafter named or the executors or administrators.

And all the rest and residue of my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature, kind or quality soever the same may be; after payment of my legacies and funeral expenses. I do give and bequeath unto my wife Mary Andrews, her executors, administrators and assigns to and for her and their own use and benefit absolutely.

And I do hereby constitute and appoint my said wife Mary Andrews sole executrix of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal the day and year first above written:

Signed, sealed, declared and published The mark X of

And for his last will and testament in William Andrews

The presence of us who subscribed our

Names as witnesses in the testators

Presence and at his request:

William Morgan of Mamhilad

Abraham Williams of Lanvihangel Pontymoile

John Rosser of Goytrey

28th April 1789

Mary Andrews the Relict and sole executrix in the will menconed was sworn to the truth thereof and to the faithful performance of the same and that the goods, chattles and credits of the decd to not amount in value to the sum of three hundred pounds

Before Me: Benj: Hall

This will was proved at Abergavenny on the twenty eighth day of April in the year on our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, before the said Benj: Hall clk B.D. the chancellors surrogate by Mary Andrews widow the relict and sole executrix in the within will named, who was first on the holy evangelist personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same to exhibit an inventory where thereto lawfully required

Joshua Thomas 1790

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NLW Ref: LL/1790/31

Joshua Thomas Goytrey

Know all me by these presents that we Rachel Thomas     of the parish of Goytrey   in the County of Monmouth widow and John Herbert of the Town of Abergavenny in the County aforesaid, carpenter           are held and firmly bound unto the Right Reverend Father in God Richard   by divine permission Lord Bishop of   Landaff     in the sum of two hundred         pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto the said Lord Bishop or to his certain attorney his executors administrators or assigns to which payment well and truly to be made. We oblige ourselves and each of us by himself for the whole our and each of our heirs executors and administrators firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals dated the twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety

The Condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounden Rachel Thomas widow the relict         and administratrix       of all and singular the goods chattels and credits Joshua Thomas late of the parish of Goytre in the County of Monmouth and Diocese of Landaff           deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of her   the said   Rachel Thomas     or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for   and the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited in the Registry of the Consistory Court of Landaff     on or before   the last day of July       next ensuing and the same goods chattels and credits and all other the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased do well and faithfully administer according to law, that is to say, do pay the debts of the said deceased which he   did owe at his     death and then the legacies contained and specified in the said Will annexed to the said Letters of Administration so to be committed as far as   his       goods chattels and credits will thereto extend and the law charge     and further do make or cause to be made a true and just accompt of her   said administration when       shall be thereunto lawfully required. And all the rest and reside of the said goods chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon the said administrat accompt and not otherwise disposed of in the said Will the same being first examined and allowed of by the Judge or Judges of the said Court for the time being shall distribute and pay in such manner and form as shall be limited by the direction of the said Judge. And lastly do at all times hereafter clearly acquit discharge and save harmless the within named Lord Bishop the said Judge and all other officers of the said Court against all persons having or pretending to have any right title or interest in the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased then this obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and virtue.   The mark of Rachel (X) Thomas; John Herbert

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Edward Pearson NP

20th April 1790

The above named Rachel Thomas was sworn well and faithfully to administer &c and to render an account &c and that the goods chattles and credits of the deceased do not amount in value to the sum of twenty pounds. Before me Benj Hall, Surrogate

James James 1787

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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