Will of Henry Stevens of Cross

Date: 3 Jul 1797 to 6 Dec 1802
Location: [unknown]

Will of Henry Stevens of Cross

Written 3 July 1797 and proved 6 December 1802

Transcribed by Joe Farler in September 2018 from a copy at the National Archive PROB 11 / 1384

This is the Last Will and Testament of me Henry Stevens late of Cross within the Parish of Little Torrington in the County of Devon but now of Charmouth in the County Dorset Esquire.

First I give unto the Reverend Hooper Morrison of Yeo Vale in the said county of Devon and the Rev. John Phillips of Mambury in the same County the Sum of two hundred pounds each to be paid in one year after my death which respective sums I desire that each of my two Worthy Friends will accept in Testimony of the great Esteem I have for them and in Consideration of the very kind and faithful services they have rendered.

And also I give to my Cousin Richard Rooke now residing in Chard the Sum of one thousand pounds to be paid in one year after my death but if he shall die before me I then give the said Sum of one thousand pounds equally to be divided among such of his children as may be living in one year after my death being the time the same becomes payable

All my Manors Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever situate in the County of Devon or elsewhere in the Kingdom of Great Britain and all my Monies Securities for Money Plate Linen Goods Chattels and personal Effects whatsoever and wheresoever ( Subject nevertheless to the payment of Debts Funeral Expenses and Legacies which I hereby Charge on my Manors and Hereditaments as well as my personal effects ) I hereby give devise and bequeath unto my dearly beloved Wife Sarah Bridget her heirs Executors and Administrators for ever to and for her own use and benefit at her free and absolute disposal.

And I hereby make and appoint the said Sarah Bridget my Dear Wife Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of July in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and ninety seven. Henry Stevens.

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Stevens the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have Subscribed our Names as witnesses hereto. Chas Edwards of Chard in Somerset. Thos Pitfield.  ??

This is a Codicil which I hereby direct to be added to and make part of the last Will and Testament of me Henry Stevens of Cross House in the County of Devon

First I confirm my said Will and whereas I have lately purchased of the Right Honourable Lord Rolle certain premises in the Parish of Little Torrington I hereby give and devise the same together with all my other Lands Tenements and Hereditaments as far as I have any powers to my said Wife Sarah Bridget her heirs and assigns for ever Subject to the Legacies in my said Will mentioned In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of September One thousand Eight hundred and two. Henry Stevens

Signed sealed and published by the said Henry Stevens as a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto Subscribed our Names in the presence of the said Testator and of each other. Thos Taylor John Seargeant Bryant Bartlett

This Will was proved at London with a Codicil the Sixth Day of December in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and two before the Right honourable Sir William Wynne Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Sarah Bridget Stevens Widow the Relict and sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer.