Will of Mary Barnes, late of Cullompton, Widow
Proved 29 January 1791
© Crown Copyright
National Archives Catalogue Reference PROB 11/1200/256 Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Bevor Quire Numbers: 1 – 45
Transcribed by Art Ames
A memorandum in case of mortality as I find myself weak in body though sound in mind do you desire this as my last Will that when I die I may be buried by my husband and children in a decent but private manner and as I am to be carried some miles so I beg I may be put into two coffins one peal but to be lined inside as my husband was and a waistcoat one outside decent and handsome though not brandy and to be sung into church and buried quietly
I give and bequeath all my wearing apparel rings and plate and goods that was Aunt Herons and as she desired between my two daughters Betty and July to be equally divided share and share alike and likewise three hundred pounds which is in the bank that was aunts to be divided where in my two daughters
The rest of my effects after my funeral expenses and debts are paid are to be equally divided between my two sons and two daughters in four parts share and share a like with a proviso they share in their fathers effects equally as I would leave no misunderstanding between brothers and sisters but that they might have a love and affection for each other so they might be equal
And as Jack had by his father’s account five hundred pounds bestowed on him so it was my brother’s desire that my son William should have have Clist estate after my death which I am very willing up to make an equivalent with Jacks and then what remains estate or moneys father’s or mothers to be equally divided as I said before in four parts to keep up a sincere love between them as brothers and sisters ought to have my house in Westex to be sold and equally divided between my four children William John Elizabeth and Juliana Barnes and my two daughters to have their lawful interest paid them to maintain themselves or their own principal in their own power whenever they choose
This is my desire and perhaps my last Will which I hope nobody will dispute or refuse to fulfill so have set my hand which now ran doing this without a witness I hope no scruples will arise as I am in my perfect mind and senses blessed be God for it written by me Mary Barnes Amen Amen this fourh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four
Since I writ this leaving a list for that money that my house was sold for towards maintaining and supporting my daughters abroad and bring at great expenses at home do now remains two hundred pounds in the bank of Aunt Herons which belongs to my two daughters and eight hundred pounds to be equally divided between my two sons and two daughters which will be two hundred pounds for each of my four children given under my hand this 4th day of May one thousand and seven hundred and eighty six by me Mary Barnes
Since I made my former Will I have been a widow three years so beg and desire this may be fulfilled and none may object as I am in my right senses and sound mind and that my children may live in love and peace one with another is the hearty desire of their ever affectionate mother Mary Barnes
Appeared personally Thomas Searle of Cullompton in the county of Devon yeoman and Elizabeth’s Searle his wife of the same place and severally made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with Mary Barnes late of Cullompton widow deceased for several years before and to the time of her death and also with her manner and character of handwriting and subscription having frequently seen her write and also write and subscribe her name
And having now carefully viewed and perused the paper writing hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last Will and Testament and two codicils of the said deceased the said Will beginning thus “A memorandum” and ending thus “written by me this tenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and eighty three” and thus subscribed “Mary Barnes Amen Amen” and the first codicil beginning thus “Since I writ” and ending thus “fourth of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty six” and thus subscribed “by me Mary Barnes” and the second codicil beginning “Since I made and ending thus “affectionate mother Mary Barnes” they these deponents severally say that they verily and in their conscience believe the whole series or contents of the said Will and Codicils and the subscriptions thereto to be of the proper handwriting of the said Mary Barnes Thomas Searle Elizth Searle twenty fourth of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety one
The said Thomas Searle and Elizabeth his wife were duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me John Veryard Brutton commissioner
On the twenty ninth of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety one administration (with the Will annexed) of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of Mary Barnes late of Cullompton in the county of Devon widow deceased was granted to John Barnes the natural and lawful son of the said deceased and one of the residuary legatees named in the said Will no executor being named as therein