461. John MASON of Wivenhoe, Plumber and Glazier, 1763. D/ACW 31/6/27

In the name of God Amen I John Mason of Wivenhoe in the County of Essex Plumber and
Glazier being of sound and disposing mind and memory (thanks be given to Almighty God for the same) Do make
publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I
commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping through the merits of Jesus Christ
my Redeemer to inherit everlasting life and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the
discretion of my Executors herein after named, and as to the Wordly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to
bless me I do dispose thereof in the following manner (vizt) First I give and bequeath unto my two sons
William Mason and James Mason, All my Stock in Trade, Goods, Chattels and personal Estate of what
nature or kind so ever and wheresoever to and for their equal benefit (except such part thereof as I shall
hereafter otherwise dispose of) And I will that my said two Sons shall enter into partnership in their
Business if they shall think proper to be by them jointly carried on, and the profits arising thereby to be
equally divided between them, But if they should not chuse to carry on the said Business together, and
should agree to be separate in their said Business, That then and in such case I will that the whole of the
said Stock in Trade together with the said Goods and Chattels be equally divided between them as near as
possible.  Item my Will is that my said Sons shall pay thereout unto my two Daughters Sarah Butcher
Widow, and Elizabeth the Wife of John Goldsmith the sum of twenty four pounds apiece, at six pounds a
year each, the first payment thereof to be made at the end of one year next after my decease.  I also give to
my said Daughters all the Cloths Linnen and Wearing apparel which were my late Wife’s (except such as
she gave to my said son James) to be equally divided between them share and share alike, And I give to
each of my said Daughters a Blue Bed with the Furniture thereto belonging to and for their own separate
use.  Item I give to my Son John Mason of John Mason of Dedham in the said County Glazier my large new Bible only,
he having before received his proportion with the rest of my children.  And Lastly I do nominate and appoint
my said two Sons William and James Executors of this my Will and I do hereby desire them to discharge all my
just debts, Funeral Expences and the Charges of executing this my Will and do hereby revoke all former Wills by me at
any time heretofore made.  In witness whereof I the said John Mason have to this my last Will and Testament
contained in one Sheet of paper set my hand and Seal the second day of October in the Year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and sixty three.

John Mason

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said Testator
as and for his last will and Testament in our presence and
in his presence attested and subscribed by us.

John Griffin
Peter Conway
Wm. Nason Junr.

Dec: 8, 1763 Sworn this day before me William Mason & James Mason that the within writing contains to
the best of their knowledge & belief the last Will & Testament of John Mason their Father deceased
& that they will truly & to the best of their knowledge perform the Office of Executors

C. Lind Surr.

William Mason
James Mason

This Will was proved on the Eighth Day of December in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty
Three Before the Reverend Charles Lind Doctor in Divinity Surrogate &c by the Oaths of William Mason James Mason Sons of
the Deceased and Executors to whom Administration of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of te Said Deceased was Granted
and Committed on the Sixteenth day of the said Month of December they being first sworn duly to Administer.