Transcript of the Will of Joseph Rowlands

This is the last Will and Testament of me Joseph Rowlands of Naunton in the county of Gloucester, Tailor. I give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Rowlands all her wearing Apparel and her box containing the same for her absolute use and benefit. I also give and bequeath unto my Son Joseph Rowlands my wearing apparel and the box containing the same my oak dining table clock and case and Bible with one candlestick for his own absolute use and benefit. I also give and bequeath unto my Son Robert Rowlands my Shopboard and all my Stock in Trade which shall be in or about my Shop in my dwelling house at Naunton aforesaid at the time of my death and also my writing desk and my bed and bedstead in my own bed room for his absolute use and benefit. I also give and bequeath unto my Son William Rowlands the corner cupboard and shelves in the Kitchen and the Shelves in the pantry of my said dwelling house and also my bacon rack and furnace and grate therein for his own absolute use and benefit. I also give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Maisey now the Wife of Charles Maisey of Naunton Aforesaid my chest of drawers and swing glass now in my own bed room and one small barrel for her own absolute use and benefit. And I also give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Ann Dowler the Wife of Thomas Dowler of Naunton aforesaid Labourer my ash dining Table, oak tea Table and Brass Boiler for her own absolute use and benefit. And I give and bequeath all the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattels effects book debts and personal estate not hereinbefore by me disposed of unto my two friends Richard Collett of Notgrove in the said county of Gloucester and John Oakey the Younger of Naunton aforesaid Mason In Trust that they and the Survivors of them his executors and administrators shall and do immediately after my decease sell collect get in and receive the same and do and shall dispose of the monies arising therefrom in part payment and discharge of my just debts and funeral and Testamentary expences. I give and devise unto the said Richard Collett and John Oakey All that my messuage or tenement and dwelling house brewhouse and garden with the appurtenances which I now occupy situate at Naunton aforesaid, And also all those my three other Cottages or Tenements gardens outhouses and premises with the respective appurtenances thereunto belonging also situate at Naunton aforesaid and adjoining my said dwelling house, two whereof are now in the respective occupations of John Haines and Charles Maisey and the other late of Robert Crook. And also all that piece of garden ground situate at Naunton aforesaid bounded on the East by the property of John Buliver on the South by the Brook or River on the West by my said gardens and on the North by part of the said Garden which I have hereinafter devised to my Son William Rowlands. To hold the same and every part thereof with their respective appurtenances unto the said Richard Collett and John Oakey and the Survivor of them his heirs executors administrators and assigns Upon Trust that they and the Survivor of them do and shall receive and take the rents issues and profits of my said messuages or Tenements gardens piece of garden ground and hereditaments with the appurtenances and do and shall stand possessed thereof In Trust to pay annually Three pounds part thereof to my said dear Wife Elizabeth Rowlands and the residue of the said rents issues and profits for and towards payment of all my just debts and funeral and Testamentary expences and in diminution and discharge of my Mortgage debt of Eighty two pounds and Interest which I owe unto the said Richard Collett and when and so soon as they the said Richard Collett and John Oakey and the Survivor of them his heirs executors or administrators shall have fully paid and discharges all my just debts funeral and Testamentary expences and my said Mortgage debt of Eighty two pounds and Interest out of and by the said rents issues and profits. Then I give and devise all that my said Messuage or Tenement and dwelling house brewhouse and garden with the appurtenances which I now occupy unto my said Son William Rowlands his heirs and assigns for ever Subject nevertheless and charged and chargable with the payment of the sum of five pounds Sterling unto his said Brother Robert Rowlands and the annual payment of the sum of Eighteen shillings per annum unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Rowlands for the Term of her natural life. And then I give and devise all that my said cottage or Tenement woodhouse garden and premises with the appurtenances now in the occupation of the said John Haines unto my said Daughter Mary Ann Dowler her heirs and assigns for ever Subject nevertheless and charged and chargable with an annual payment of Ten shillings and sixpence unto my said dear Wife Elizabeth Rowlands during her life. And then I give and devise all that my said Cottage or Tenement garden outhouses and premises with the appurtenances adjoining my said dwelling house late in the occupation of Robert Crook unto my Son Joseph Rowlands his heirs and assigns for ever subject to and charged and chargable with an annual payment of Ten shillings and sixpence unto my said dear Wife during her life. Then I give and devise all that my said piece of garden ground with a Right of road of the width of _______ feet to the common Street of Naunton aforesaid through and over the garden which I have hereinbefore given and devised to my said Son William Rowlands to my said Son Robert Rowlands his heirs and assigns for ever subject nevertheless and charged and chargable with the payment of the annual sum of Ten shillings and sixpence unto my dear Wife during her life. And I direct that my Son the said William Rowlands shall pay the said sum of Five pounds unto his said Brother Robert Rowlands within three months next after the said William Rowlands shall come into possession of the said Messuage or Tenement and premises. And then lastly I give and devise all that my said Cottage or Tenement garden woodhouse and premises with the appurtenances now in the occupation of the said Charles Maisey unto my said Daughter Elizabeth Maisey her heirs and assigns for ever Subject nevertheless and charged and chargable with the payment of the annual sum of Ten shillings and sixpence unto my said dear Wife Elizabeth Rowlands during her life. And it is my Will and I do hereby order and direct that that the road to the Cottages or Tenements which I have hereinbefore devised into my said Daughters Mary Ann Dowler and Elizabeth Maisey and my said Son Robert Rowlands shall be remain and continue as it is now staked out and that the road on the West side of the said gardens shall be and continue for the equal use and benefit of my said Sons and Daughters and their his and her heirs and assigns except my said Son Robert who will have his road upon his own ground. And I further direct that my Trustees and Executors hereinafter appointed shall pay unto my said dear Wife the said sum of Three pounds part of the said rents issues and profits Quarterly till all my said Debts funeral and Testamentary expences and Mortgage money and Interest are fully paid and then that they my said Sons and Daughters their his and her heirs and assigns do and shall pay their said annual payments of eighteen shillings and four other payments of Ten Shillings and sixpence each making together the sum of Three pounds per annum to her by four quarterly payments. And it is my Will and I further order and direct that each of my said Sons and Daughters shall and do pay unto my said Trustees and Executors when they come into possession of their Cottages or Tenements and hereditaments hereinbefore by me given and devised to them the sum of One pound each towards defraying the expence of administration and other incidental expences. And I hereby nominate and constitute and appoint the said Richard Collett and John Oakey, Trustees and executors of this my Will. I empower my said Trustees to give receipts for all monies and effects to be paid or delivered to such Trustees or Trustee by virtue of this my Will and declare that such receipts shall exonerate the persons taking the same from all liability to see the application or disposition of the money or effects therein mentioned. And I declare that my said Trustees shall be answerable for their own respective acts receipts and defaults only and shall be at liberty to retain and to allow to each other out of monies coming to their hands by virtue of this my Will all expences incurred in executing the Trusts thereof. Lastly I revoke all other Wills and Testamentary dispositions by me at any time heretofore made. In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament contained in three sheets of paper set my hand and seal that is to say my hand to the two first sheets thereof and to this third and last sheet thereof my hand and seal this Eighth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty five.

Signature of Joseph Rowlands and seal

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Joseph Rowlands in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other present at the same time have hereunto inscribed our names as Witnesses thereto

Signature of Joseph Hall Naunton Carpenter
Signature of William Gorton Naunton Baker

14th October 1845
Appeared personally Richard Collett of Notgrove in the County of Gloucester Cordwainer and John Oakey of Naunton in the same County Stone mason and alleged upon oath that this paperwriting contains the true original last Will and Testament of Joseph Rowlands late of Naunton aforesaid Tailor deceased who died on the 30th day of August 1845 leaving Goods Chattels and Credits wholly within the Diocese of Gloucester and Bristol under the value of One hundred pounds. That they are the joint Executors therein named. That they will well and faithfully perform the same tender an Inventory and Account. Wherefore they prayed probate
Set Probate pass
Signed Edwin ??????
Principal ??????

Sworn Under £100 Before me
Edwin ??????
Principal ??????

Transcribed from the original document Ref 1845/198 held at Gloucester Archives