Will of Mary King

Wills are generally written without any punctuation or abbreviations. There is often alternative spelling of some words and using upper case letters which do not always mean the start of a new sentence. Neither are they divided into paragraphs but are continuous lines of writing This can make documents difficult to read or understand.

This post shows the Will exactly as it was written with no attempt to break it down into paragraphs. Done in this way it shows exactly how the original document is written. As the documents are sometimes very large each line of writing in the document sometimes takes up two lines when it is transcribed in to the web site.

1. In the name of God Amen I Mary King late of Wivenhoe but now of Colchester in the
2. County of Essex being of sound and disposing mind memory and Understanding (thanks be
3. Given to Almighty God for the same Do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following
4. (that is to say) First my Will is and I do desire to be buried at Wivenhoe and that my ffuneral be in
5. As plain and private a manner as possible and I do direct that my Coffin be made by Jeremiah Hearsom
6. Of Colchester aforesaid Carpenter And as to the temporal Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me
7. I dispose hereof as follows Item I give and bequeath unto my Niece Hannah Best of Colchester
8. Aforesaid Spinster my Chest of Drawers , together with all my Wearing Apparel and Linnen (except
9. With part thereof as I shall hereafter otherwise dispose of Also I give and bequeath unto the said
10. Hannah Best my Diamond Ring and Gold Medall and also a set of blue and white China which is now
11. At her ffathers Item I give and bequeath unto my Nephew Thomas Best my Executore with three
12. Pair of Sheets two pair of pillowbiers three Table Cloths one dozen of Napkins marked with the
13. Letters T M K and a pallam pore otherwise a Coverlid together with my Fathers picture a Chimney
14. Glass and two small pictures which are now at his ffathers dwelling house Also I give and bequeath
15. To my said Nephew my Gold Seal and four Mourning Rings And as to the remaining part of my
16. Household Goods and ffurniture, plate and China I give and bequeath to be equally divided between
17. The said Thomas Best and Hannah Best Item I give and bequeath unto my said Nephew Thomas Best
18. The Sum of three hundred pounds and all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate whatsoever and
19. Wheresoever I give and bequeath unto the said Hannah Best and her Assigns she paying thereout my
20. Just Debts ffuneral Expenses and the Charges of proving and attending the execution of this my Will and
21. Also the sum of ten pounds to her ffather Captain Thomas Best for Mourning And lastly I do hereby
22. Nominate and appoint my Brother in Law the said Captain Thomas Best sole Executor of this my Will
23. And hereby revoking all former and other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made I publish
24. And declare this to be my last In Witness whereof I the said Mary King to this my last Will and
25. Testament contained in one Sheet of Paper have set my hand and Seal this seventh day of September in
26. The Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and sixty nine.

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Mary King

the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in our

presence and by us attested and subscribed as Witnesses in

her presence

Mary Smith

Wm Mason Junr

The second day of april 1773

Thomas best Brother in Law of the Deceased and the sole Executor within named

Was sworn to the Truth of this Will and to the due performance thereof before me

The Testator died the 25^th of March last in St Botolphs Colchester

This Will of Mary King late of this Parish of Saint Botolphs Colchester in the County of Essex Spinster deceased was Proved on the

Second day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy three Before the Reverend Nathaniel ffoster clerk

Surrogate by the Oath of Thomas Best Brother in Law of the said deceased and Sole Executor to whom administration of all and

Singular the Goods Chattles and Credits of the said deceased was granted and commited on the Sixth day of the Same month he being first

Sworn duly to Administer

A summary of names, relationships, places and properties mentioned in the will of Mary King

Name                                                      Relationship/Status        Line

Jeremiah Hearsom                                                                                     5

Hannah Best                                               Niece                                       7, 10, 17, 19

Thomas Best                                               Nephew                                 11, 15, 17

Thomas Best                                               Son in Law                             21, 22