Will of Samuel Dicks late of Cullompton Clerk
Proved 05 April 1720
© Crown Copyright
National Archives Catalogue Reference PROB 11/573/280 Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Shaller Quire Numbers: 49 -97
Transcribed by Art Ames
In the name of God Amen I Samuel Dicks of Cullompton in the county of Devon clerk being sick and great indisposition of body but of sound and well disposing mind memory and understanding (thanks be given to Almighty God for the same hereby revoking all former Wills) doe make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say)
Imprimis I recommend my soul to Almighty God my creator in hopes of eternal bliss and my body to the earth to be decently buried therein according to the discretion of my executor hereinafter named
And as for and concerning my estate and worldly effects which God Almighty have bestowed upon me I give and dispose of the same in manner following (vizt.)
First I give to my son my silver tankards and I give to my daughter Mrs Mary Cross all the plate (vizt.) two silver dishes and one spoon that were given her by her Godfathers and Godmothers and my ten table and all the china dishes and things thereto belonging
And whereas my son in law James Cross laid out and paid for me and my necessarys the sum of fifteen pounds I doe hereby order my executor to repay him the same within the space of six months next after my death and I doe hereby also charge and order my executor to perform all my agreements made by me with the said Mr Cross on his marriage with his wife my said daughter
And whereas I am intitled to the next avoidance presentation donation free disposition nomination and right of patronage of in and to the Rectory and parish Church of Ashbrittle in the county of Somerset when and so soon as the same shall become void by death or resignation of Doctor Creighton of Wells in the county of Somerset and whereas my said son John Dicks is now honestly and bona fide indebted unto me in the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds and upwards for his dyet horsemeat and other necessarys now it is my will and mind and I doe hereby give and devise the said Rectory and right of presentation and donation of in and to the same Rectory and Church unto my son Samuel Dicks (my executor hereinafter named) his executors administrators and assigns upon trust and to the only intent and purpose that he my said son Samuel his executors administrator’s and assigns shall and will when and so soon as the said Rectory and Church of Ashbrittle aforesaid shall become void as aforesaid present my said son John thereunto in case he shall be then living provided always nevertheless and it is my will and mind that my said son John do and shall before he shall be so presented to the Rectory and Church aforesaid give and execute a bond to my said son Samuel his executors administrators and assigns in the special sum of three hundred pounds with condition for the payment of the said full and just sum of one hundred and fifty pounds so due and owing to me as aforesaid to be payable and paid (without interest) within the space of one year next after he my said son John shall be in the
possession of the said Rectory and Church of Ashbrittle aforesaid
Item I give to my said daughter Mary my silver ladle and for the better explanation of this my Will relating to my executors performance of my Agreements in Marriage of the said Mr Cross with my said daughter the same is only for the purchasing of my said son Cross’s life or any other person’s life that he shall nominate upon that part of Brook Tenement in the said marriage articles mentioned belonging to Colonel Strangways within the space of one month next after my decease
And I doe hereby release and acquit my said son Cross and his wife from all sums of money whatsoever that he owes me for dyet or otherwise
And as for and concerning all the rest of my good substance and estate whatsoever not hereinbefore given and bequeathed I give and bequeath the same until my said son Samuel Dicks whom I make constitute and ordaine the executor of this my Will
In witness whereof I the said Samuel Dicks have hereunto sett my hands and seal this eight and twentieth day of April Anno Domini 1719
Samuel Dicks
Sealed and published in the presence of Margaret Richards David Allen Will Selleck
Probate in Latin