in the name of god amen I Jn Bell of Witham in the county of Essex linen draper being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and understanding praised be god for the same do in consideration of the uncertainty of life make ordain pronounce and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say first and principally I recommend my soul into the hands of almighty god my creator hoping through the alone merits of my most blessed lord and saviour jesus christ to obtain remission of all my past transgressions and my body I commit to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of mine executor herein after mentioned and as to my worldly estate which god of his infinite mercy hath been pleased to bestow upon me I make thereof this following disposition that is to say I give devise and bequeath unto my nephew Jn Bell of Witham aforesaid single man all that messuage and tenement with appurtenances called Humphreys and also one other messuage or tenement called Bailies with their and every of their appurtenances as the same are situate lying and being in Earls Colne in the county aforesaid and holden of the manor of Earls Colne aforesaid and Colne Priory by copy of court roll all which said premises I have surrendered to the use of my will and which now are in the several tenures or occupations of Jacob Green Jn Brown Wm Eglen Jn Amey and widow Cranfield their undertenants or assigns to hold all and every the said copyhold messuages cottages or tenements and premises unto my said nephew Jn Bell his heirs and assigns forever provided that my said nephew Jn Bell shall out of the rents and profits of the said copyhold premises by me devised to him as aforesaid pay of cause to be paid unto my sister Sibilla Armstrong widow late the wife of Jn Armstrong for and during the term of her natural life yearly and every year the sum of 5li5s of lawful money of Great Britain free of all manner of taxes or abatements whatsoever the first of the said payments to begin and to be made in twelve months next after my decease and if my said nephew Jn Bell shall refuse to pay the said sum of 5li5s that then and from thenceforth it shall be lawful for the said Sibilla Armstrong to enter into the said copyhold premises and the same to possess and enjoy until the said annuity of 5li5s together with all charges in recovery of the same shall be fully paid and satisfied and lastly after all my just debts funeral charges and probate of this my last will and testament are fully paid and satisfied all the rest residue and remainder of my estate both real and personal not herein before by me disposed of goods chattels stocks ready monies books debts and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever I give devise and bequeath unto my said nephew Jn Bell whom I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint sole executor of this my last will and testament revoking all former and other wills by me heretofore made do hereby make ordain pronounce and declare this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said Jn Bell have set my hand and seal this 14.11.1744 Jn Bell signed sealed published and declared by the testator in the presence of us and attested by us at his request in his presence Jn Graham Wm Thomson Jn Jardine