576. John COLLEER senior of Wivenhoe, Shipowner, 1844. D/ABW 136/2/91

This is the Last Will and Testament
Of John Colleer Shipowner of
Wivenhoe in the County of Essex
I charge all my Real and personal
estate of what nature or kind soever
with the payment of all my debts
funeral expenses and legacies
I give and bequeath and devise
to my two Executors upon trust
at a reasonable time after my decease
and interment to cause to be sold
for the best possible price that can
be obtained or ascertain the fair
and just price and if any one of
my sons John Samuel James
William and Joseph can purchase
the same for them to have the preference
of my Schooner the Royal Adelaide of
the port of Colchester and smack
Betsey with all boats stores and
materials belonging, but if my sons
decline to complete the purchase of
these vessels the same to be sold and
the property equally divided between
them. – I give and bequeath to my
sons William and Joseph a good feather
bed each the Remainder of my household
furniture and effects of whatever
nature or description to be Sold and
shared equally alike amongst my
sons John Samuel James William
and Joseph equally share and share
alike, and I nominate constitute
and appoint David Durrell Sailmaker
of Wivenhoe, and James Colleer Senr.
of Wivenhoe my two executors to this
my last Will and Testament and
revoking all other Wills I declare
this to be my last in witness I
the said John Colleer the testator
have set my hand and seal this
twenty ninth day of November in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty four

Signed Sealed and
Declared to be the last
Will and Testament
Of the said John Colleer
Who in his presence at
His request have in
Each others presence
Subscribed our names
as witnesses

William Candler
William Woodward

David Durrell and James Colleer the Executors within
Named were sworn to the truth of this Will and to the
True performance thereof And that to the best of their knowledge
And belief the Goods Chattels and credits of the deceased
Do not amount to the sum of Six hundred pounds
And that the deceased died in the parish of Wivenhoe
Within mentioned the 14^th day of December 1844 this
Twenty first day of December one thousand eight hundred
And forty four

Horace Roberts M. A. Surrogate

Proved on the 27^th Day of December 1844
Before the Revd Horace Roberts M. A. Clerk
Surrog: &c by the oaths of David BDurrell
& James Colleer the Exors to whom Admon
&c was granted they being first sworn
Duly to adminr