Description:

1. Will: dated 9 January 1720 .
Beneficiaries: To beloved friend, John Beavan, of St Margarets, tyler, his leasehold cottage and the 4 acres of lands that go with it; the lease held from Lord Abergavenny; on condition that John Beavan 'provide to and for the sd Catherine [the testator's wife] sufficient and necessary meat, drink, apparel washing and wringing and convenient and necessary attendance and suffer her to have a cohabitation with him in the sd cottage necessary fire for her use and the Chamber and cellar for her sole and only use…'
In addition Catherine is to be permitted to keep a cow winter and summer for her own use.
If John Beavan is unable or unwilling to take up this offer then the lease is to pass direct to Catherine for her life and is to pass to John Beavan on her death, should there be any of the term left.

Executors: John Beavan, of St Margarets, tyler.

Marked by testator

Witnesses: Walter Morgan, John Morgan and John Price.

Date of Probate: 21 February 1721 .

2. Inventory: [plus copy] dated 29 January 1721 , value £4 19 0d. Appraisers Walter Morgan and John Morgan.

Observations:

Documents include a coversheet; 4 sheets in all. A simple will made more complex by the legalese over the lease. Interesting idea to let his friend to have the cottage and land and then demand he cohabit with his wife!