The Will of William Ashurst , proved 18 February 1719/20

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

I Sr. William Ashurst of London being of sound memory do make this my last Will in [ memour] following [ Imp]. I commit my Body to the Earth in hopes of a glorious Resurrection. [thro the Meritts] of my blessed Redeemer, (as to my funeral I [desire it] may be private and buried in St. AustinsChurch in the vault where holy father was interred. As for the Estate God of his [mercy] hath given me after my debts and funeral Charrges are paid_ Item I give to my dearly beloved Wife my houses and lands in Highgat during her natural life. I give to my said Wife all my goods and furniture in boath my houses of London and Highgate, [Statues Greens], and whateveris in the Gardens which She may givve to her Children or Grandchildren or [ or sell if she pleaseth], But in Case She doth not dispose of them or the [pictures] in her lifetime, or under her hand a Month before her Death, my Will is that they [remained] in the house and what furniture she doth not dispose of in her lifetime, or under her had as [aforesaid] for the use of my Grandson William Ashurst son of my son Henry [dereasf], and my Will is that my said Grandson have all my printed Books at the age of 21 years, and in case of his death to my Grandson Edward his Brother at 21 years and in case of his death to my Son Robert and his heirs.Item I give to my Daughter Elizabeth fifteen hundred pounds. to be paid 12 month after my death and [intrest] till then. She discharging my executrix from any demand out of my houses in Watling Street or [distase land] or any other damage whatsoever. I give my Son Samuel my Ground [rent] in two [ Freehole] houses in [Stepniey] Parish: Having given a portion to my son Henry Ashurst and made settlements and given portions to my sons Robert, William, Samuel, Benjamin and Nathanial and Daughter Judith. I only add to my Son Henry's Widow Son Robert William and Samuel and daughter Thomson twenty pound a piece for Mourning. To my Son Benjamin Daughter Eliz and Son Nathaniel ten pounds a piec for Mourning and I do here [ --lare] that what portions I have given my Children is in full of their preferment and my heirs to my Executrix is that in the disposal of her estate at her deasth. She hath the [highest] regard to those Children that are most dutifull and obedient to their Mother who hath brought all of them up with much care and [tenderness], and I further command my Children also to love and assist one another as they'l [ anner] before God another day. It I give Mr [Strang] Mr Clarke ten pounds a piece to mourne. To Wm Booth ten pounds and three pound a piece servance that live with me at my death. I order Rings of Twenty shillings a piece to the Court of [ --mormen and also to Mr. Ellys Mr [Sropping] Mr [Olery] and I appoint my dearet beloved Wife my sole Executrix and do give her all my Estate (not [setled] I do appoint my dear Son Robert overseer of this my Will and do give himTwo hundred pounds for his trouble dated this 29 March 1612 (Wm Ashurst) Sealed Signed and delivered in the presents of us Robt Fisher with [ Wm Both ]