Wills (ERO D/ACW28MAY D/ACR15/5 Jn May 1737 1738)

29.6.1737 (Wednesday 29 June 1737)

document 6000235

in the name of god amen I Jn May of Earls Colne in the county of Essex yeoman being sick and weak in body but of a sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be to go do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following hereby revoking all former wills by me made first and principally I commend my soul unto the hands of almighty god my most merciful creator hoping to be saved through the alone merits of jesus christ my most gracious redeemer and my body I desire may be decently interred at the discretion of my executor hereafter named and as to the worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased god to bless me I dispose thereof as followeth imprimis I give unto my loving wife Mary the house wherein I now dwell together with the goods therein during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give the said house together with the said goods to my only daughter Mary wife of Dan Smith during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give the said house to my son Jn May and his heirs forever item I give and devise unto my only son Jn May and his heirs forever all and singular my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments as well freehold as copyhold situate and lying in Earls Colne aforesaid with their and every of their appurtenances my son Jn May and his heirs and assigns paying yearly and every year unto his mother Mary my loving wife or her assigns during the term of her natural life the yearly sum of 8li of lawful money of Great Britain without any deduction for tax or otherwise at four quarterly payments etc that is michaelmas xmas lady day and midsummer day by equal portions the first payment to begin and to be made at such of the four days as shall first happen next after my decease and my will and meaning is that in case my said son Jn May or his heirs shall refuse or neglect to pay the said annuity or yearly sum of 8li then it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Mary my wife or her assigns at any time or times after such default of payment of the said sum of 8li or any part thereof into the said messuage lands tenements and hereditaments herein before given unto my said son Jn May and his heirs to enter and the same from time to time and at all times from thenceforth peaceably and quietly to have hold and enjoy the rents issues and profits thereof to receive and take to her and their own use and uses until the said annuity or yearly sum of 8li and all arrears thereof if any shall be and all reasonable charges shall be fully satisfied and paid by my executor herein after named within one year after my decease to be at her disposal item I give unto my granddaughter Mary Smith the sum of 20li of lawful money of Great Britain also to my grandson Dan Smith the sum of 20li and likewise to my granddaughter Ann Smith the sum of 10li all the said money to be paid by my executor as they shall attain respectively to the age of 21yrs lastly my will and meaning is that if my son Jn May in consideration of my stock lately given him do pay or cause to be paid to Jn Page the sum of 80li for which I stand engaged and I do nominate and appoint my said son Jn May sole executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said Jn May the testator have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this 29.6.1737 Jn May signed sealed published and declared by the testator in our presence and in his presence attested and subscribed by us Rich Stringer Jn Pratt Jn Hatch