Transcript of Excerpt of Will of John Rowlands
I John Rowlands of Old Dole Farm Charlton Kings being of sound mind .........
And in the first place I desire that and bequeath all my household Goods - Furniture Chattels and effects with all my Farm implements - Farming Stock - Waggons Carts - Corn - Hay - Cattle - Horses - Sheep - Pigs - or any and every article growing or otherwise belonging to me to my Dear Wife Joannah during her life or Widowhood - and after her decease to be regularly and equally divided - among my Several Children - Benjamin - Elizabeth - Mary - Sarah - John - and William.
I also do hereby give and bequeath to my Dear Wife Joannah during her life or Widowhood and after her decease to *Benjamin the Eldest of* our several Children above named all my interest in a House & Garden situate and being in the village of Naunton in the County of Gloucester - and now occupied by Mr William Gorton and extending to the Baptist Chapel in the above named village and Parish on one side thereof subject to every legal demand thereon.
I also do hereby give to my Dear Wife Joannah during her life and widowhood all my interest in an Orchard situate and being in the village of Naunton above named and being also in the possesssion of the aforesaid William Gorton subject to a Mortgage thereon with a right of Road to it through the land belonging to the house above named and after her decease to my Son John - subject to the Mortgage - if such be not paid beforehand. And any thing of which I may be possessed at the time of my decease which is not herein specified I give and bequeath to my Dear Wife Joannah during her life and Widowhood - and after her decease to be equally and severally divided among our Children.
And that this my last will and Testament shall be carried into effect in a just and proper manner - I appoint as my Executor my Brother Robert Rowland now residing at Naunton aforesaid - and Mr Richard Collett Cordwainer now residing at Notgrove in the County of Gloucester with Mr W Midwinter now residing at Farmcoat near Winchcombe and I do hereby declare this to be my last Will and Testament as witness my hand this twenty second day of September One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Eight.
Signed John Rowlands
Witnesses Robert Rowlands
The mark of Wm Newman
**Other words leaving the cottage to be shared between all the children were crossed out and the words *Benjamin the Eldest of * were inserted but the changes were signed by the testator and witnessed by Wm Newman.
8th November 1856
Appeared personally Richard Collett
Will of John Rowlands who died on or about the *9th Day of December 1856*
Sworn under £200
W L Coghlan Surrogate
** Date of death after date of probate??
Also dated 8th November 1856
William Newman appeared personally - stated that all the alterations were done before the will was signed.
Transcribed from the original document Ref 1856/272 held at Gloucester Archives 