this is the last will and testament of me Wm Bridge of Earls Colne in the county of Essex yeoman first I nominate and appoint Joseph Milnes of Earls Colne aforesaid innkeeper executor of this my will I give and devise all the real estate whatsoever and wheresoever of which I shall die possessed unto my daughter Sarah the wife of Mark Patten of Earls Colne aforesaid horse dealer and her assigns forever to hold the same to her and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life free from the debts control of engagements of her present or any future husband and from and after her decease I direct authorise and empower my said executor to sell and dispose of the same by public auction together or in lots for the best price that can be obtained for the same and the monies arising from such sale I do hereby will order and direct that the same shall be divided between and amongst all and every the child and children of my said daughter as shall be living at the time of her decease share and share alike and that the share of each child shall be paid on his or her attaining the age of twenty-one years or marrying which shall first happen such share or shares in the meantime and until the same shall become payable as aforesaid to be invested by my said executor upon government or real security and I do hereby declare t hat the receipt or receipts of my said executor his heirs executors administrators or assigns shall be a good and sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers for his or their purchase money or for so much thereof as in such receipt or receipts shall be expressed to be received and such purchaser or purchasers shall not afterwards be answerable or accountable for the loss misapplication or nonapplication or be in anywise obliged to see to the application thereof or of any part thereof and I give and bequeath all my household furniture plate linen and china and all and singular other my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever subject to the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses unto my said daughter Sarah Patten for her own absolute use and disposal and I do declare that my said executor shall not be answerable for any more monies than he shall actually receive nor for any loss which may happen to my said estate and effects so that the same do not happen through his wilful negligence or default and that he shall reimburse himself all costs and expenses which he may be put unto in the execution of this my will and I do hereby revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 8.7.1842 Wm Bridge signed sealed published and declared by the said Wm Bridge the 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 set and subscribed our names as witnesses Thos Hen Probert solicitor Halsted Geo Evans clerk to messrs Sperling & Probert solicitors Halsted