427. John DAVIS of Wivenhoe, Shipwright, 1745. D/ACW 29/6/4

In the Name of God Amen the twenty and fifth day of
September One thousand Seven hundred and Forty five I John Davis of Wivenhoe in
The county of Essex Shipwright being well in health and of good and perfect mind and
Memory thanks be to almighty God calling to remembrance the uncertainty of this transitory
Life do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme following
First being penitent and sorry for all my Sins desiring most humbly forgiveness for the
Same, I commend my soul to almighty God my Saviour and redeemer in whom and whose
Merits I trust to have full remission and forgiveness of all my Sins and to inherit the kingdom
Of Heaven and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried att the discretion of my
Trustees herein after named and for my temporal state as such goods chattels and debts owing to me
As it hath please God to bestow upon me I do order give and dipose in manner and forme following
Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ann the sum of thirty and two pounds
in consideration and in lew of a marriage bond which I gave her for the afores[ai]d sum bearing date
the eight day of February 1733/4
Item I give and bequeath unto my wife Ann all that coppyhold tenament lying and being
in Wivenhoe which I lately purchased called and knowne by the name of the smiths Forge and
taken up in court the fine paid for her life and the surrender left in Court she keeping it in good
tenantable repaire during her life (she finding it so) together with what goods she my s[ai]d wife
shall think proper to take to furnish the above s[ai]d house for her owne use, and my desire is an inve[n]
=tary shall be taken of the afores[ai]d goods and left in some friends hands and the s[ai]d goods to be
distributed to my children att her decease as shall be then living, (but notwithstanding rather
then my wife should want she to sell the goods or some part as is her occation may be then in her
posesion giving an account to those that have the inve[n]tory to be indorsed on the back thereof.
I give to my beloved wife all such my Servants time as shall be apprentis[e]d att my decease
Item I give and bequeath all such goods as my Wife shall not think proper to take nor
Before or hereafter reserved to be shared equally amongst all my children directly not making
A publick sale of them
Item I give and bequeath to my Youngest Daughter Sarah the sum of five pounds if
she should be in servis to be paid to her if not in servis to be paid her mother for her board
as it becomes dew till such time she may provide her a servis what part of the five pounds then
left to be paid to her
Item that if for want of cash to performe such as above mentioned I desire that my debts
owing me may be called in and any my goods as my wife shall have notwithstanding before
reserved and stock to be sold to the best advantage to pay the above said sumes together with my
Funeral charges & to pay and discharge all just debts dew from me to any one then when all as
Above satisfied if anything left to be equally shared amongst my children.
Item I Give and bequeath to my son Thomas that coppy hold tenament as above mentioned directly
after my Wifes aforesaid Decease he paying to each of his brothers and sisters as shall be then Living
one guinea.at or within a twelve month after his mothers decease
And Thereby make and appoint my loving Wife and my loving friend John Green my trustees
of this my Will and testament hereby revoking disanuling and makeing voide all former wills
and bequest by me made and Declaring this only to be my last will and testament In
Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and yeare above written
Jno Davis

Testators
George Hall
Robt Hall
Mary Hall.
Proved 8 Mar 1745/6 by Ann Davis one of the trustees or executors before Ph Morant Surrogate