Will of Leonard Souter of Thakeham Sussex farmer 1779

Date: 29 Nov 1776 to 19 Jun 1779
Location: Thakeham, Sussex, England
Surnames/tags: Souter Soutter

Introduction

Leonard Souter's estate was in the probate process on 29 November 1776. His last residence was Thakeham.^[1]

The Will below has been transcribed from a digital image of a Clerk’s copy of the Will from the ancestry website 24 Sep 2023. Spelling has been retained but capital letters may have been replaced. Paragraphs have been introduced to aid reading and bold text has been introduced as a finding aid. Where a word was not clear, [?] has been added in place of or at the end of the word.

The Will was Signed 29 Nov 1776 and proved 19 Jun 1779

Summary of people mentioned:

the testator Leonard Souter, the Elder of Thakeham in the county of Sussex farmer

wife Abigail

daughter Abigail wife of John Short of Thakeham, husbandman

daughter Ann the wife of Thomas Wheatland of Thakeham husbandman

granddaughter Susan “daughter of the said Abigail wife of the said Short”

Leonard son of Henry Matthews of Sullington

Executors Thomas Lee of Thakeham aforesaid Yeoman and Henry Postlethwaite of Thakeham

Will of Leonard Souter the Elder of Thakeham, Sussex proved 1779

This is the last Will and testament of me Leonard Souter, the Elder of Thakeham in the county of Sussex farmer made this twenty ninth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six

First I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my most merciful creator trusting through the merits of my blessed saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ to enjoy his heavenly kingdom and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors, hereinafter named

And as to the worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me I dispose thereof as followeth (that is to say)

First I give and bequeath unto my daughter Abigail wife of John Short of Thakeham aforesaid husbandman the sum of fifty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto her by my executors hereinafter named within twelve months after my decease

also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann the wife of Thomas Wheatland of Thakeham aforesaid husbandman the sum of fifty pounds of like lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto her by my executors hereinafter named within twelve months next after my decease

Also I give and bequeath unto the said Abigail wife of the said John Short one bed part of my household furniture

Also I give and bequeath unto Susan daughter of the said Abigail wife of the said Short the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto her by my executors hereinafter named when she shall attain the full age of twenty three years

Also, I give and bequeath unto Leonard son of Henry Matthews of Sullington in the county aforesaid farmer my watch

Also, I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Abigail the interest of two hundred ponds to be paid unto her quarterly during the term of her natural life by my son Leonard Souter

Also I give and bequeath unto my said wife Abigail so much of my household goods as shall be necessary for her use during the term of her natural life

Also I give give and bequeath the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be equally divided to and amongst all such of my children as shall be living at the time of my decease

And I do hereby make nominate constitute and appoint Thomas Lee of Thakeham aforesaid Yeoman and Henry Postlethwaite of Thakeham aforesaid farmer joint executors of this my last will and testament

In Witness whereof I the said Leonard Souter testator have to this my last will and testament contained in one sheet of paper so set my hand and fixed my seal this day and year above written

Leonard Soutter

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Leonard Souter the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in the presence of the said testator, Susanna Standen M Cordaunt

on the 19th day of June 1779 - administration of the goods with the above will annexed was granted to Leonard Souter natural lawful son of the deceased (Thomas Lee and Henry Postlethwaite, the executors abovenamed having first renounced), sworn &c before me Rd. Tireman

Sources

1. ↑ Probate: "West Sussex, England, Wills and Probate, 1482-1858"
   West Sussex Record Office; Chichester, England; Sussex Wills and Probates; Reference: Ep/I/27/STC II/Box 113
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 62214 #72216 (accessed 24 September 2023)
   Leonard Souter probate on 29 Nov 1776. Residence Thakeham.