Description:

Will dated 5 November 1748 and a codicil dated 29 December 1748
Beneficiaries: To daughter in law, Sarah James, a piece and parcel of meadow called Sibbly Ham in Llancillo parish, purchased by her deceased husband, Walter James [see BR 1748/80] plus one half of testator's personal estate at the time of his death.
To sister Alee[?] Gunter 'my freehold estate called The Coombe in the parish of Langony [Lantony?]' for her lifetime and then to William Gunter who is to pay to Edward Gunter, his uncle, £5. Provided that the Gunters do not molest or create trouble over Sarah's possession of Sibbly Ham. If there is trouble from the Gunters then Sarah gets The Coombe.
The other half of testator's personal estate to be used to pay debts and funeral expenses. And anything remaining to be paid :
To Jone Pitts, £15; to her son £10 and to her 7 other children £7.
To god daughter, daughter of William Wall £5; to his other 3 children £3.
To James Price's son, godson, £10.
To Ann Lewis, daughter of Catherine Lewis,£2 10 0d; to Maud Arnol, £5.
To Mary Smyth, god daughter, £5; To John Wall of Bacton ,£20: to James Wall £1 1 0d
To Mary Powell of Llan[rest undecipherable] a small plot of land called Cae Gruin dee in Langony

Executrix: Sarah James, daughter in law.

Marked by testator

Witnesses: To the will, J [or W] Edwards, James Price and John Smyth. To the codicil, Springer[?], W Springer[?] & James Christopher.

Date of Probate: 14 February 1748 .

Inventory: [plus copy] Dated16 June 1780, value £93 0 0d. Appraisers Thomas Watkins & David Thomas.

Observations:

This is certainly an unusual circumstance when the administration of a will takes place 32 years after probate is granted. The Bond accompanying the will dated 27 September 1780 which bound William Wall and his two brothers in the sum of £200 explains that Sarah the original executrix died after probate was given but before she could carry out the administration. One cannot help wondering whether the family animosity hinted at in the will and codicil did not contribute to the delay in administration. These documents need to be taken together with BR/1780/61, BR/!748/80 & BR/1781/49.
Documents include, a sworn statement of the facts, an execution of the commission, and a separate cover sheet; 8 pages in all .