Transcript of the Will of John Dowler
In the name of God amen. I John Dowler of Bourton on the Water in the county of Gloucester, Labourer, being of sound disposing mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner following. First I give and devise the use of and also the rents issues and profits of all my real and personal estate consisting of what nature or kind so ever subject to the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses to my wife Eleanor Dowler to hold to her and her assigns during the term of her natural life only, and from and after the decease of my said wife I hereby charge my cottage or tenement with the appurtenances situated in Bourton on the Water aforesaid wherein John Farmer Taylor doth now inhabit and directly with the payment of twenty four pounds of lawful money to be paid within six months next after the decease of my said wife as is herein after directed and from and after the decease of my said wife and chargeable as aforesaid I give and devise all my said cottage or tenement with the appurtenances above mentioned to my son James Dowler to hold to him his heirs and assigns for ever. Next I give and bequeath the aforesaid sum of twenty four pounds charged on my said cottage or tenement as above mentioned to my six youngest children, Mary, Frances, John, Sarah, William and Eleanor to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike and from and immediately after the decease of my said wife I give and bequeath all my money, securities for money, goods and personal estate of what nature kind or quality forever to my seven children, James, Mary, Frances, John, Sarah, William and Eleanor to be equally divided among them share and share alike. And lastly I do nominate constitute and appoint my said son James Dowler sole executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this third day of February one thousand seven hundred and eighty one.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Dowler the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who in the presence and at the request of the said testator and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto
Wm Smith
John Farmer
Jas Fayn
On Reverse
2nd day of November 1799
The within named James Dowler the son and sole executor was duly sworn before me
Tho Rudge
Sworn to less than £100
This will was proved the 2nd day of November before the Revd. Tho. Rudge surrogate to the worshipful Edward Cooke MA Vicar General in Spirituals of the Right Reverend Father of God Richard by divine permission Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Gloucester and of his Episcopal Consistory Official Principal lawfully constituted by James Dowler the son and sole Executor etc to whom etc-----
Transcribed from the original document Ref 1799/155 held at Gloucester Archives 