Can anyone help me read 4 wills?

[funkyangel]

Could anyone be so kind as to help me read some wills I have? They are dated 1808, 1852, 1855 and 1856.

They are pdf format so I would need to send them as an attachment.

Julie

[Jan65]

Hi Julie

I'd love to help you read your wills. I'm not an expert by any means but I do have a special interest in reading old hand writing and I'd love to have a go. I've helped transcribe a few other wills in the past and have really enjoyed it.

Janice

[Colin Moretti]

It would probably be best to put images of the sections you can't decipher on a website like Photobucket http://photobucket.com/; you can then put a link in your post to each image and tell us what you have already sorted out. Include text either side of the difficult bit for comparison purposes. It will save a lot of duplication of effort.

Colin

[funkyangel]

I've just tried uploading them to photobucket.com but it won't take a pdf image (only gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, swf).

Julie

[funkyangel]

I've added them to one of my sites:

William Barker of Sandy,Beds 1852
http://www.hotelguideaustria.com/pdf/wbarker.pdf

Ann Dawkes of Ravenstone 1855
http://www.hotelguideaustria.com/pdf/adawkes.pdf

Daniel Kightley of Hardingstone 1808
http://www.hotelguideaustria.com/pdf/dkightley.pdf

George Kightley of Stoney Stratford 1856
http://www.hotelguideaustria.com/pdf/gkightley.pdf

[Geoffers]

William Barker - part 1

The last will and testament of me
William BARKER of Sandy in the county of Bedford Yeoman I
appoint my son inlaw George FAULKENER and my grandson Isaac
Orris BARKER executors and trustees of this my will. I devise to my son
Robert BARKER his heirs and assigns my four freehold cottages with the
gardens adjoining situate in the parish of Gaminglay in the county
of Cambridge and now or late in the several occupations of Thomas
PECK.....PECK widow......Darmington and James Jacquese

continued....

[Geoffers]

W Barker part 2

I bequeath to my son John BARKER the sum of three hundred pounds
to be paid out of the monies arising from the insurance effected by me on
my own life in the Providery Life Insurance Office. I bequeath to my
son in law the said George FAULKNER and Mary his wife ten shares
in the Great Northern Railway. I devise to the said George FAULKNER
and Mary his wife and their assigns for their joint lives and for the life
of the survivor of them a piece of land in the parish of Gamlingay
now or late in the occupation of James GROOT containing one acre
two roods and twenty one perches and after the decease of the survivor

continued.......

[Geoffers]

W Barker part 3....

of them. I devise the same unto my son John BARKER and Elizabeth
his wife and their assigns for their joint lives and for the life of the survi.
vor of them and after the decease of the survivor of them I devise the same
unto my said executors upon trust to sell anddispose thereof either by
public auction or private contract at their disccretion and I direct that
the receipt or receipts of them or the survivor of them shall be a good
discharge to the purchaser or purchasers who shall not be bound to see
to the application of the purchase money and the monies arising from
such sale I direct to be dividied equally between such of the children of

continued.....

[Geoffers]

W Barker part 4.....

my son John BARKER and (Amy?) his wife as shall attain the age of twenty
one years. I devise to my son Obed....? BARKER his heirs and assigns
my freehold house and garden in the parish of Sandy and also three
acres and thirteen perches of freehold land in the said parish of Sandy
knwon and called by the name of the (Fendey?) allotment which said
house garden and land are now in his own occupation at paying

[END OF PAGE]

thereof to my son Robert BARKER the sum of fifty pounds within six
calendar months after my decease. I devise the rest of my property of which
soever kind or nature whetehr real or personal unto my said executors

continued......

[Geoffers]

W. Barker part 5...

upon trust to convert the same into money as soon as conveniently may
be after my decease and after payment of my debts funeral and testamen
tary expenses to be divided the same equally between the said Robert BARKER
John BARKER George FAULKNER and Obeded..? BARKER. I hereby declare that
it shall be lawful for my said executors to deduct out of any (moneys?)
coming to their hands and to pay themselves and each other all such
sums of money or expenses as they shall expend or be put to (.....?) about
the execution or defence of this my will and that ...ther of them shall be
responsible for any more money than shall actually come to his hands
his joining in any receipt for the sake of uniformity not withstanding
nor for any loss which may happen through the failure of any (.....?)

continued......

[Geoffers]

W.Barker part 6.....

or of any other security or otherwise unless the same shall happen
through his wilful neglect or default. In witness whereof I the said
William BARKER have to this my last will and testament set my hand
this twenty eighth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty
nine - William BARKER - signed published and declared by
the said testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of
us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other
have hereunto subscribed our nbames as witnesses - John G HAWKINS
John BIGGLESWADE - Edwin BLUNDEN Supndt of Police Biggleswade.

Proved in London 21st Feby 1852.......etc, etc

Unless someone beats me to it, I'll have a go at another one after I've had a coffee
Geoffers

[funkyangel]

Wow!

What can I say, thank you so much!!!

[Geoffers]

Ann DAWKES part 1

This is the last will and testament
of me Ann DAWKES of Ravenstone in the county of Buckingham widow fisrt
I direct that all my just and lawful debts and testamentary expenses
[END OF PAGE]
may be fully paid and satisfied by my executors hereinafter named as conveniently
may be after my decease. I give and beqeauth all my household goods and furniture
plate linen and thi...? cash in the house book or other debts and owing to me together
with all my horses and carts, sraw, hay torn and other ricks growing crops and live stock

continued.....

[Geoffers]

A Dawkes part 2...

farming utensils and implements of husbandry as also all the rest residue and
remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and either in possession
(.....?) expectancy or otherwise unto my two sons Henry DAWKES of Ravenstone afore-
said farmer and David DAWKES of Shoreditch in the county of Middlesex Tallow Chandler
upon trust that is to say to sell and dispose of the same and every part thereof as soon
as conver...tly after my decease and to divide the proceeds arising therefrom equally between

continued.....

[Geoffers]

A Dawkes part 3.....

and amongst my said two sons Henry DAWKES and David DAWKES and my two daughters
Elizabeth (TITE?) of Holborn Hill in the city of London widow and Sophia BAYLEY wife of
Thomas BAYLEY of Hasler in the said county of Middlesex, share and share alike or
to the survivors or survivor of them for their his or her own absolute use and ben
efit and which I give and beqeauth to them or the survivor of them accordingly and
I nominate constitute and appont my said sons Henry DAWKES and David DAWKES
executors of this my will and I hereby revoke all former or other wills by me at
anytime made and declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness were
of I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May in the year of our lord 1852.

continued.....

[Geoffers]

A Dawkes part 4....

Ann DAWKES signed published and declared by the said Ann DAWKES
as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time
who in her presence and at her request in the presence of each other have hereunto sub
scribed out names as witnesses - William GODFREY Vicar of Ravenstone
Thos MAKESHAFT

Proved at London 7th May 1855.......... etc, etc

Geoffers
another to follow

[Geoffers]

Next will (a longer one) Daniel KIGHTLEY part 1......
In the name of God amen I
Daniel KIGHTLEY of Hardingham in the County of
Northampton (Frazier?) being weak in body but of
sound and disposing mind memory and
understanding (praised be God for the same) do
make and publish this my last will
[END OF PAGE]
and testament whereby I give devise and dispose
of all my real and personal estate in manner
following (that is to say) I give and

continued.....

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 2.....

devise unto my dear and loving wife Dorothy
KIGHTLEY all that my close or inclosed
ground with the apputenances situate
lying and being in the parish of Hardingham
aforesaid containing my estimation twenty
six acres or thereabouts (be the same more
or less) commonly called or previously
the name of Hardingham Close and
now in my posession and which was given and
devised to me and my heirs and assigns

continued.....

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLY part 3......

for ever in and by the last will and
testament of me and my heirs and assigns
for ever in and by the last will and
testament of my late Uncle Mr Thomas
ARCHBOLD deceased and hath been since
ratified conveyed and confirmed by my
aunt Mrs Catherine ARCHBOLD spinster
(now deceased) unto or to the use of me
and my heirs and assigns for ever. To ....?
unto her my said wife Dorothy KIGHTLEY
and her assigns for and during the term of her
natural life and from and immediately after her
decease I give and devise the same premises unto

continued...

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 4....

all my children which shall be living at
the time of my decease or afterwards born alive
equally to be divided amongst them (if more than
one) share and share alike and to their
several and respective heirs and assigns for
ever to take both freeholds and inheritance
as tenants in common and not as joint tenants
and in case all my said children but one
shall happen to die without issue before their
respective ages of twenty one years or in case

continued......

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 5......

I shall have but one child living at the
time of my decease or afterwards born alive
then I give and devise my said close or
inclosed ground and premises with the
appurtenances unto such surviving or only
child his or her heirs and assigns for
ever provided also that in case I shall
have no children or child living at the time
of my decease or afterwards born alive
or having such and all of them shall
afterwards die without issue before their
respective ages of twenty one years then I

continued.....

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 6....

give and devise my said close or inclosed
ground with the appurtenances unto my
three sisters Susannah KIGHTLEY and Mary
KIGHTLEY spinsters and
Ann the wife of Jeremiah BROOKS for and
during their joint natural lives and the life
[END OF PAGE]
of the longer lived of them and from and after
the decease of the survivor of them my said
sisters Susanna KIGHTLEY, Mary KIGHTLEY and
Ann BROOKS I give and devise the same
premises unto my brother John KIGHTLEY

continued.....

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 7.....

and his assigns for and during the term of
his natural life and from and immediately after his
decease I give and devise the same premises
unto my nephew William GODFREY (eldest son
of Samuel GODFREY and of my sister Elizabeth
his wife) his heirs and assigns for ever
provided always that in case my said
nephew William GODFREY shall happen
to die without issue before he shall attain
the said age of twenty one years then I give
and devise the same premises unto my
nephew Thomas GODFREY (another of the sons

continued....

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 8...

of he said Samuel GODFREY and Elizabeth his
wife) his heirs and assigns for ever but in case
my said nephew Thomas GODFREY shall
happen to die without issue before he shall
attain the age of twenty one years then I give
and devise my said close and inclosed ground with
the appurtenances unto my nephew John
Arhcbold GODFREY (the other son of the
said Samuel GODFREY and Elizabeth his
wife) his heirs

continued....

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 9....

and assigns for ever provided always that in
case my said nephew John Archbold
GODFREY shall happen to die without issue
before he shall attain the age of twenty one
years then and in such case I give and devise
the same premises unto my own right heirs
for ever and I give and devise all and every other
my messuages, cottages, closes, lands, tenements
hereditaments and real estate whatsoever and
wheresoever (not hereinbefore devised) unto my said
wife Dorothy KIGHTLEY her heirs and assigns
continued...

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 10.....

for ever. I give and bequeath my Silver Tankard
unto my said brother John KIGHTLEY and as
to all the rest residue and remainder of my goods
Chattels, Cattle, Stock, Crops (B....?) Debts and other
debts in ready money Securities for money, plate
linen Gl....? and all other effects and
personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever
and of what nature kind or sort so ever .....?
same shall or may consist of at the time of
my decease shall remain after payment
of all my just debts my funeral expenses

continued.....

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 11....

and few charges of proving this my will
I give and beqeauth the same and every
part thereof unto my said wife Dorothy
[END OF PAGE]
KIGHTLEY her executors administrators and assigns
to and for her and their own absolute use
comfort and dispose and II make constitute and
appoint the said Dorothy my wife my said
brother John KIGHTLEY and my brother in
law John JONES of Shadwell Dock in the
city of London distiller executrix and executors

continued....

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY poart 12...

of this my last will and testament and
lastly I do hereby revoke and make void
all former and other wills by me at any
time herebefore made and do publish and
declare this and this alone to be and
contain my true and whole last will
and testament. In witness whereof I the
said Daniel KIGHTLEY the testator have to
this my last will and testament contained
in this and the two previous sheets of paper
set my hand and seal (to wit) my hand to
the preceding sheets and my hand

continued......

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 13.....

and seal to this the third and last sheet thereof
the ninth day of April in the year of
our lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and
Eight. Daniel KIGHTLEY. signed
sealed published and delivered by Daniel
KIGHTLEY the testator as and for his last will and
testament in the presence of us
who have hereunto subscribed our
names as witnesses at his request in his
presence and in the presence of each other
Robt Lloyd BRETON, Mary BRETON, Rd BOSWELL

continued......

[Geoffers]

D KIGHTLEY part 14.....

Will proved at London 17 Sept 1808 on the oaths of Dorothy KIGHTLEY, widow and John JONES, two of the executors.

A side note is added to teh second page of the will which provides another exception to his will and as to what should happend to the property named. This is easier to read, but if you get stuck I will post a transcript here.

Now on to the post will which will be posted when I have a few minutes.

Geoffers

[Geoffers]

Last one of the four
George KIGHTLEY part 1....

This is the last will and testament
of me George KIGHTLEY of Stony Stratford in the County of Buckingham Wheelwright
I give and devise all that messuage or tenement with the workshops outbuildings
var[iou?]s and premises thereto belonging situate in the high street on the west side of
Stony Stratford aforesaid and now in my occupation And also the cottage or ten-
ement and premises adjoining now occupied by Alice SLATER wiith the appurtenances

continued....

[Geoffers]

G Kightley part 2....

And all other my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my son John KIGHT-
LEY of Number 15 Pudding Lane in the City of London Grange MORTHEM his heirs and
assigns for ever Upon trust nevertheless as soon as conveniently may be after my
decease absolutely to sell and dispose of the same either by public auction or private
contract and either together or in solo for such price or prices and in such manner
in all respects as to him my said trustee or other the trustee for the time being of
this my will shall seem reasonable and expedient And I direct that the monies to
arise from the sale of my said real estate shall after payment thereof of all expenses

continued...

[Geoffers]

G KIGHTLEY part 3....

attending such sale or sales and after discharging any mortgage or other charge affect-
ing the said decises hereditaments joint unto and constute part of the residue of my
personal estate And I hereby expressly declare that the receipt or receipts of the said
John KIGHTLEY or other the person or persons carrying out the trust for sale herein-
before contained for any money payable to him or them shall be an effectual discharge
folr the same And the purchaser or other person paying such money shall not after-
wards be in anyway bound or concerned to see to the application or answerable for the

continued...

[Geoffers]

G Kightley part 4....

loss misapplication or nonapplication thereof or any part thereof. I give and bequeath all
my money securities for money stock in trade furniture and effects and All the
Residue of my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my said son John and my
daughter Ann KIGHTLEY now residing with me Upon trust to get in and convert into mo-
ney such part thereof as shall not consist of money And to stand possessed of the money to
arise therefrom and from the sale of my said real estate and also my ready money (on?)
trust to pay and discharge thereout my funeral and testamentary expenses and all my
just debts and to pay the residue of such monies unto and equally to divide the same
between my son Edward and my said daughter Ann

continued.....

[Geoffers]

G Kightley part 5.....

share and share alike I nom-
inate and appoint my said son John and my said daughter Ann executor and
executrix of this my will And I declare that every receipt of my said executor and
executrix for any monies payable to him or her under this my will shall absolute-
ly discharge and exempt the person or persons paying the same from all responsibility
of seeing to the application of such money and from all liability on account thereof And
I also declare that each trustee and executor shall be responsible for his and her own
acts and defaults only and that they shall be charged and chargeable only with such

continued.....

[Geoffers]

G Kightley part 6.....

money as he or she shall actually receive And that they shall not be responsible for
any loss unless the same occur through his or her positive default And I
[END OF PAGE]
authorize each trustee and executor to reimburse himself and herself all costs and expenses
occasioned in the execution of the aforesaid trusts or in relation thereto And hereby reko-
king all former wills by made I declare this to be my last in witness whereof I

continued.....

[Geoffers]

G Kightley part 7.......

have to this my last will and testament set my hand this fifth day of January one thousand
eight hundred and fifty four. George KIGHTLEY. Signed and acknowledged by the said
George KIGHTLEY in testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who
at the same time at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses Jno WORLAY Sdr Stony Straford - George WEST builder Stony Stratford

Proved at London 29th April 1850 by the oaths of John KIGHTLEY and Ann KIGHTLEY

Geoffers
Charlbury, Oxfordshire

[funkyangel]

Thank you very much for reading these for me, I wouldn't have had a clue otherwise!!

You have certainly help me tie a few loose ends together!!

Julie

[funkyangel]

My gt *3 grandfather John Barker c1805 married Amy Marshall who died in 1842 (they had 4 sons William, Samuel, John and Robert). He then married Elizabeth Smith in 1849.

Do you think my John is the son of the will writer William as both the names Elizabeth and Amy are mentioned as Johns Wife. Could it be it was just an memory lapse he had when he wrote it?

Plus all my Johns sons are family names..

Let me know what you think....

Julie