Description:

1. Will: dated 11 May 1728 .
Beneficiaries: All debts and funeral expenses are to be settled.
To Fiebee [Phoebe], his wife, 20/-.
To son in law, John Pye, 5/-
To daughter 'Anpye'[Ann Pye] 20/- per year for 5 years, 'if she so long live'.
To 'my wifes grandson, Thomas 'Woddous', son of William 'Woodhoush', £5 when he attains 'the age of five and twenty years'
To granddaughter, Joan Phillips, 'all that messuage …called Pryars wood [Priorswood] which I purchased of Michall Horshman lying in the parish of St Wainyards [?St Weonards] county Heryford…when she attains the age of one and twenty years…' with the proviso ' that if she shall be stoborn and undutiful to her parents and contract maredgy [marriage] without thyre consent undervallowing her Fortune …her father and mother John and Mary Phillips…shall take the rents and profits of this demise…'
Residual legatee, only son, John Phillips,

Executor: son, John Phillips.

Signed by testator

Witnesses: Magdalen Parry, Walter Marsh and James Prosser.

Date of Probate: 15 December 1730 .

2.Inventory: [plus copy] dated 3 August 1730 , value £11 12 6d. Appraisers Walter Marsh and Walter Williams.

Observations:

The hand writing of this will is clear but the spelling is very idiosyncratic. It is interesting to see the testator's attempt to influence the behaviour of his granddaughter; 4 sheets in all.