Date: 1780 to 1781
Location: Castle Rising, Norfolk, England
Surnames/tags: Fawssett Sneath

The will of Richard Fawssett of Castle Rising, Norfolk

This will was written 2 October 1780 and proved on 12 November 1781 at the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The text was transcribed by accessing the images through Ancestry (paywall) here (accessed 20 June 2020). Free access via these links: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4. It can also be ordered here from the National Archives.

I have highlighted genealogically relevant text in the transcription below in bold.

Richard was married twice and had children with both wives. The text of the will suggests that all of his sons and his daughter Sarah were children of his first wife Sarah Sneath and his other two daughters were from his second wife Elizabeth (Brightman).

WikiTree links to the people mentioned in the will:

• Richard Fawssett himself
• Thomas Sneath the father of Richard's wife Sarah
• Richard's first wife Sarah (Sneath) Fawssett
  • Richard and Sarah's son Thomas Fawssett
  • Richard and Sarah's daughter Sarah (Fawssett) Lowden
    • John Lowden the husband of Richard's daughter Sarah.
  • Richard and Sarah's son Richard Fawssett
  • Richard and Sarah's son William Fawssett
  • Richard and Sarah's son Leonard Fawssett
• Richard's second wife Elizabeth (Brightman) Fawssett
  • Richard and Elizabeth daughter Elizabeth Fawssett
  • Richard and Elizabeth daughter Rebecca Fawssett

Transcription

I Richard Fawssett of Castle Rising in the County of Norfolk Gentleman being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding thanks be to God do make this my last will and testament in manner following

that is to say first I will and direct that my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and discharged and whereas I have paid to each of my sons and to my daughter Sarah the sum of one hundred pounds a piece given them by the will of their late Grandfather Thomas Sneath deceased and have also made such further provision for them as was consistent with my circumstances and living desirous (after a suitable provision for my wife) of making a just and equitable distribution of my estate and fortune amounts all my Children whom I esteem equally entitled thereto now

therefore I do hereby give and devise all and every of my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments as well freehold as copyhold — the copyhold being surrendered to the use of my will I unto my affectionate wife for and during the term of her natural like the keeping the same in good repair and condition and not permitting any of the pasture land to be plowed or broke up without the consult and approbation of my oldest son Thomas Fawsett

and from and immediately after the death of my said wife I give and devise all and singular my said real estates as will freehold as copyhold to my said son Thomas Fawsett his heirs and assigns for non changeable nevertheless and subject to the payment of the several sums of money herein after mentioned to my other children also I give and bequeath to my said wife the sum of fifty pounds to be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease to enable her to pay and discharge the funds and fees for the admissions to the copyhold lands hereinbefore given to her and for supplying her with such other necessaries as she may have occasion for

also I give and bequeath to my said wife Elizabeth and son Thomas the sum of four hundred pounds upon trust nevertheless to be by them placed out at interest and the interest thereof to be paid to my said wife for and during the term of her natural life for her better support and maintenance and from and after the death of my said wife I will and direct that the said principal sum of four hundred pounds and all interest which shall be then due thereon shall be paid and divided unto between and amongst all my children in equal shares and in case any of my children shall be then dead leaving issue then I direct that the share or shares of such deceased child or children shall be paid and divided amongst his her or their child or children in equal shares

also I give and bequeath to my said wife all my household goods linen furniture and books and also my silver plate except my silver cup which I give to my daughter Sarah the wife of Rev/Mr(?) John Lowden But I desire my said wife to give to my daughters Elizabeth and Rebecca such of my books and she may not want and also such part of my household goods and furniture as she may shall not have occasion to keep for her own use

also I give and bequeath to my said daughters Elizabeth and Rebecca the sum of five hundred and twenty pounds apiece on the days of their respective marriage with the consent and approbation of my executors herein named and in the mean time I will and direct that the said principal sums shall be placed out at interest by my executrix herein after named and the interest thereof paid to my said wife for the maintenance of my said daughters until their marriage with such consent as aforesaid but in case my said daughters or either of them shall marry in the life term of my said wife without such consent as aforesaid then I direct that the portion of such of them marrying without such consent shall be paid at the death of my said wife and the interest therefor in the meantime shall be applied and disposed of as she my said wife think proper but in case my said daughters or either of them shall not marry in the life time of my said wife then I will and direct that their respective portions together with all interest thereof which shall not have been received by my said wife or the securities whereon the same shall be stored on that is paid or delivered or them within three months after my said wifes decease

also I give and bequeath to my sons Richard William and Leonard and to my daughters Sarah Elizabeth and Rebecca if living at the death of my said wife the sum of one hundred and forty pounds a piece to be paid by my said son Thomas his heirs or assigns six months after the death of —- — my said wife out of my — real estate herein before given to him but in case any of my said children shall happen to die in the life time of my said wife having issue then I direct that the share or shares of such deceased child or children shall be paid and divided amongst his her or their children in equal shares

also I give and bequeath all the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattels personal estate and efforts to my said sons Thomas Richard William and Leonard and to my said daughters Sarah Elizabeth and Rebecca to be equally divided between them share and share alike and whereas my son Leonard stands indebted to me in the sum of two hundred pounds and interest on this bonds now I do hereby declare will and direct that in case my said son shall not discharge the said bond in my time time that the same shall be considered and part of my personal estate and shall be applied as far as the same shall extend in discharge of the monies which shall become due to my said son Leonard out of my real and personal estates

by virtue of this my and lastly I do hereby make nominate and appoint my said wife and my son Thomas joint executrix and executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made in witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in two sheets of paper to the first sheet thereof set my hand and this second and last sheet my hand and seal this second day of October in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty Richd Fawssett SS

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Richard Fawssett as and for his last will and testament in the presence of use who at his request in his presence and in the presence of such other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses the two interlineations above in this sheet being the first made. Nath’l Kirby — Sam’l Spencer — John Browne

This will was proved at London the twelfth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one before the worshipful Andrew Colter Durasil Doctor of Laws surrogate of the right worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor of laws Master ?? or commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Thomas Fawssett the son of the deceased and one of his executors name 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 ?? to administer power avowed (?) of making the like grant to Elizabeth Fawssett widow the relict of the deceased and the other executor named in the said will to whom she shall apply for the same.

Written in right hand margin:

Proved at London the 8th Day of November 1800 (?? that is what it looks like but it must be incorrect) before the Judge by the Oath of Elizabeth Fawssett widow of the Relict and susrous (?) Exor to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn (by Bamon (?) ) duly to admin.