A transcript of the Will of John Easton, a blacksmith of Pocklington, Yorkshire, England, who died in May 1757. The will was proved at York in November that year.

In the Name of God Amen I John xx Easton of Pocklington in the County of York Blacksmith being weak of Body but of Sound and perfect Disposing mind and Memory do make and declare this my last Will and Testament in Manner and form following that is to say First I give unto Ann Easton my wife the Sum of one hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Brittain which said Sum is in the hands of John Newton of Ruddings also I give to her the Sum of Forty Five pounds more which was lent unto Benjamin Cobb of Bishop Wilton upon Morgage also I give her a Corner Cubbert and a great Chest and an oval Table and a Tea Table and a Beauroe and Six Ash Chairs and a Winter Hedge also I give her Six pewter Doublers and Six pewter plates I give her a Brass pot and a pan also I give to her the bedstead on which I lye with the two Feather Beds and bedding belonging unto it I give the sum of twenty pounds of X lawful Money to be paid unto Edward Easton my son to be paid to him by my Executor within Six Months next after my decease but if it shall happen that Edwd. Easton my Son shall die before this Legacy shall become due then that same Legacy shall fall to Edward Eastons Executor or Executrix I give the Sum of Five pounds to Elizabeth Stilbourn my Daughter to be paid to her immediately after the decease of Ann Easton my Wife I give the sum of Five pounds to Bridget Smith my Daughter one pound and ten shillings to be paid to her at my decease and three pounds and ten shillings to be paid to her at the end of Six months next after my Decease I give the Sum of Twenty pounds more unto my Son Edward Easton to be paid to him within Six Months after the decease of Ann Easton my Wife but if it shall happen that Edward Easton my Son shall Die before the said Legacy shall become due then that Legacy given to him shall become due and payable to Edward Easton Executor or Executrix whether he shall appoint, I give my House which I now dwell in with the Stables Garth Yard the Common x Right and allso the Garth Yards joining to Elizabeth Stilbourns Yard and the Garth x Lane and all other Rights and priviledges whatsoever all which I do give unto John Easton my Son to be entered upon by him at the decease of Ann Easton my wife x but if it shall happen that John Easton my Son shall die before Ann Easton my wife x then the said House with all the Rights and Titles given to him shall fall unto the heirs or assigns of John Easton my Son to hold and enjoy for ever all my Goods and personal Estate whatsoever undisposed of I do give and bequeath unto John Easton and making all other Wills void. Witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the third day of May and in the year of our Lord 1757 John Easton signed X and sealed in the presence of us John Wisker, John Agar, Thomas West. #

In the Name of God Amen proof of the Will To these presents annexed being admitted before the Reverend Williamson Clerk our lawful Surrogate We Laurence Sterne Clerk Master of Arts Commiss ary or official of the peculiar and Spiritual Jurisdiction of the Deanery of the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter of York lawfully authorized Do approve of and Register the same and do pronounce decree and declare for the Validity thereof and we do fully, in the Lord by these presents Commit and Grant Administration of all and singular the Goods Rights Credits Catteles and Chattels of John Easton late of Pocklington in the Jurisdiction of the Deanry of York aforesaid Blacksmith Deceased which were in his lifetimes and at his Death within the Jurisdiction aforesaid to John Easton son and sole Executor In the said Will Named having first before our said Surrogate taken the Oath according to Law in that case required saving any other person’s Rights Given at York under the Seal of the Office which we use on this Behalf this third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven.

John Clough Register

Research notes

• Transcript by Katie Fuller
• Will copied at East Riding Archives in Beverley, Yorkshire

Sources

• Probate copy will of John Easton of Pocklington blacksmith. Proved 3 Nov 1757. DDPY/19/44. East Riding Archives. East Riding of Yorkshire Council.