Description:

1. Will dated 20 February 1723.
Beneficiaries:
To godson, Thomas Jenkins jnr., son of Thomas Jenkins of Grosmont, county Monmouth, a messuage and tenement called Nantinou situated in Skenfrith now in the possession of Thomas Watkins, together with the messuages and tenement called Campstone in the parish of Grosmont, now in the possession of the testator's sister, Johan Phillipps, widow.as well as the messuage and tenement called The Five in Rowlestone, county Hereford in the testator's possession. Thomas Jenkins jnr. is to have the Skenfrith estate immediately on the death of the testator and the remainder on the death of his widow.
In the meantime, until Thomas jnr. reaches 21, Johan Phillipps and William Springett of Grosmont, gent., are to apply the rents and profits of these estates to the maintenance upbringing and education of Thomas Jenkins jnr. The funds are not to be subject to use by his father.
Should Thomas die before he reaches 21 then the estates to pass to his 2 sisters, Elizabeth and Mary Jenkins with again Johan Phillipps and William Springett in control of the funds until the girls reach 21.
To Elizabeth and Mary Jenkins, £100 each payable on the death of the testator's wife by Thomas Jenkins jnr. If the girls are not 21 or married at the time then the money is to be paid to Johan Phillipps and the interest used by her for the girls' maintenance and education.
To William, James, Sarah, Mary and Margaret, sons and daughters of John Wall of Rowlestone, 20/- apiece.
To the children of kinsman John George of Clodock, 20/- each.
To all godchildren not already given legacies, 5/- each
To maid servant Sarah Watkins, £10. .

Executrix: wife Elizabeth Prichard.

Signed by the testator

Witnesses: John Scudamore, Frances Ralph and David Phillipps esq.

Date of Probate: 8 January 1729.

Observations:

As this is taken from a copy of the will deposited at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury there are no supporting documents.
The will is followed on the copy by a copy of a deposition dated 16 December 1729 by John Scudamore of Rowlestone, gent. and Elizabeth Prichard widow, and executrix relating how the will after being signed and witnessed was handed to John Scudamore for safekeeping. He placed it in a cupboard with other papers until the death of the testator. At the request of the executrix he went to retrieve the will and found it 'mangled and torn' with the testator's Christian name missing due to mice getting into his cupboard and chewing the paper. The deposition is signed by both John Scudamore and Elizabeth Phillipps having been taken by Richard Reece, vicar of Clodock.