in the name of god amen I Sam Reeve of Earls Colne in the county of Essex yeoman being sick and weak in body but of a sound and disposing mind memory and understanding praised be god for the same do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to day first I give and bequeath unto my nephew Joseph Reeve of Belchamp St Paul in the said county yeoman and Sam Smith of Tallow Wratting in the county of Suffolk or Cambridge yeoman the sum of 50li apiece of lawful money of Great Britain to my nieces Mary the wife of Jas Ballard of Pentlow in the said county of Essex yeoman Susanna Mott of the same place widow and Abigail the wife of Wm Searle also of the same place yeoman the sum of 30li apiece of like lawful money of Great Britain to Eliz Cook of Earls Colne aforesaid widow the sum of 10li of like lawful money and to my friend Jn White of the same place blacksmith the sum of 20li of like lawful money for his care and trouble in and about the executorship of this my will all which said legacies shall be paid within twelve months after my decease all the rest and residue of my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever my just debts funeral charges and the expenses of proving this my will being first paid and satisfied I give and bequeath unto my said nephews Joseph Reeve and Sam Smith and to my said nieces Mary the wife of Jas Ballard Susanna Mott and Abigail the wife of Wm Searle equally to be divided amongst them share and share alike and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said friend Jn White sole executor of this my will in witness whereof I the said Sam Reeve the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26.9.1761 the mark of Sam Reeve signed sealed published and declared by the said Sam Reeve the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who subscribed our names as witnesses thereto at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other or us Martha Burton Wm Woodall Wm Ager