Will and Codicil of Rebecca Cracroft

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Waldgrave-13

Transcription of the Will and Codicil of Rebecca Cracroft

In the Name of God, Amen. I, Rebecca Cracroft of the Close of Lincoln in this County of Lincoln, widow, being of sound mind, memory and understanding for which I thank Almighty God, do make my last Will and Testament as follows:

First I desire to be buried in the Church yard of Hackthorne under the East window of the Church and that my Executors place a marble tomb over me raised upon pillars and surround that same with Iron pallisades and I will that no other Inscription be placed thereon than my name and the time of my departure.

I give to my dear and valuable friend Mrs. Mary Spotswood all my household furniture (except a pair of Looking Glasses which I give to my Son, the Rev. Bernard Cracroft of Louth, and my India Cabinet with the Ornamental China therein which I give to my Son, John Cracroft Esq. of Hackthorne). I also give to the said Mary Spotswood all my household Linen and China and a set of Silver Castors but no other part of my plate. I give to Mrs. Mary Nelthorpe, my daughter-in-law, Twenty Guineas for a Ring. I give to the poor of Hackthorne and Hanworth Twenty pounds to be paid unto my son John Cracroft Esq. and to be by him distributed as he thinks proper. I give to the eldest daughter of my son Charles Cracroft, the sum of three hundred pounds, and I also give unto Elizabeth Clementina Cracroft, daughter of my son William Cracroft, three hundred pounds and I will and direct that the two Sums last above mentioned shall be placed in the Funds in the names of my Executors within twelve months after my decease and that the Stock purchased therewith together with the accumulated Interest of the same shall be transferred to each Legatee as she attains the age of twenty-one years or to her legal Representative. I give to my Grandaughter Rebecca Cracroft, daughter of the Rev. Bernard Cracroft a Silver tea urn and tea pot. Also I give to my Grandson Robert Edward Cracroft my Gold Watch.

All the Rest, Residue and Remainder of my Goods, Chattels, personal Estate and Effects I give and bequeath unto my three Sons, Thomas Cracroft Esq. of Keal, the Rev. Bernard Cracroft and Edmund Cracroft to be equally divided amongst them and I make my said Sons, Thomas, Bernard and Edmund joint Executors of this my Will and hereby revoking all former Wills. I declare this to be my last, in witness whereof to my Will written upon two sheets of paper I have set my hand and seal (to wit): my hand to that Sheet and my hand and seal to this second Sheet this twenty-first day of June in the year of Our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine, Rebecca Cracroft.

Signed, Sealed, Published and declared by the said Rebecca Cracroft as and forever last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our Hands as Witnesses. John Fardell, Elizabeth Hill, Servant to Mrs. Cracroft.

A Codicil, to be added to and directed and taken as part of the last Will and Testament of me, Rebecca Cracroft of the Close of Lincoln in the County of Lincoln, widow.

Whereas in and by my last Will and Testament bearing date on or about the twenty-first day of June in the year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine I have given and bequeathed unto my Grandaughter Clementina Cracroft, daughter of my Son, William Cracroft, three hundred pounds, now by this my Codicil I revoke the said Legacy of three hundred pounds so given to the said Clementina Cracroft and instead thereof give unto her the sum of two hundred pounds to be placed out at Interest by my Executors and disposed of in and by the same manner as the Legacy of three hundred pounds is directed to be disposed of in and by my said Will. I also give unto my Grandaughter Harriet Cracroft the sum of one hundred pounds over and besides what is left to her in and by my said Will.

I also hereby will and direct that my Friend Mrs. Mary Spotswood shall have the freedom and occupation of the Messuage or Tenement I lately purchased of Mrs Lely, together with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, for one whole year next after my demise without paying any Rent for the same, and that my Executors shall during that period pay all the parochial and other Taxes for the same and I do hereby accordingly give unto the said Mrs Mary Spotswood the said Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances for one whole year next after my decease, and charge my Executors with the payment of all the parochial and Kings Taxes due for the same. I also give unto the said Mary Spotswood my four old Silver Salts and Shovels, four Desert Spoons, my plated Sugar tongs, a pair of plated Candlesticks and all my Carpets.

In all other respects I ratify and confirm my said Will and declare this to be a Codicil to be added thereto, in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Second day of June in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and two. Reb’. Cracroft, Signed, Sealed, published and declared by said Rebecca Cracroft as and for a codicil to be added to and taken as part of her last Will and testament in the presence of us. Robt. Burton, John Fardell.

This Will was proved at London with a Codicil the nineteenth day of October in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and two before the Right Honorable Sir William Wynne, Knight, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of the Reverend Bernard Cracroft, Clerk, the Son of the deceased and one of the Executors named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn by Commission only to administer power reserved of making the like grant to Thomas Cracroft and Edmund Cracroft Esquires, the Sons also of the deceased and the other Executors named in the said Will when they or either of them shall apply for the same.