301. William SMITH of Wivenhoe, Seafaring Man, 1695. D/ACW 22/54

In the name of God Amen I William Smith of Wivenhoe in the County of Essex
Seafaring man being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed
be God therefore doe make and declare this my last will and Testament in manner
and forme following (That is to say) First I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty
God hoping to be saved through the alone merits of my Saviour Jessus Christ And my
body to the Earth to be decently buried according to the discretion of my Executor
hereafter nominated Item I give and bequeath unto my Three Children Mary
Prat Hannah Huggins and Elizabeth Redhead my Two Copyhold Messuages or the
Tenem[en]ts Lying in Wivenhoe the one in my owne occupation And the other in the occupation
of John Prat and William Redhead to them and their Heires for ever to be equally
divided betweene them as Tenants in Common and not as Joynt Tenants And my will
is that every one of my said Children shall have their equall shares of the Rents and
Profits of the said Two Tenements share and share a like Item I give and bequeath
All my Household stuffe Plate parts of shipping and all other my Moveables
whatsoever as well without doors as within to be sold And equally to be divided
betweene my wife Elizabeth Smith And my said three Children share and share
alike And lastly I doe make and ordaine my loving son in Law John Prat
sole Executor of this my last will and Testament and my loving friend
Richard Humphreys supervisor desiring him to see that my will be performed
Item I give unto my said Wife Elizabeth Smith One Gold Ring Revoaking
all other wills I doe ordaine this my last In witnes whereof I have to
this my last Will and Testament set my hand and Seale this ninth
day of February And in the second year of the Reigne of our sovereigne
Lords and Lady William and Mary King and Queen of England
Scotland France and Ireland King Defenders of the Faith &c.
Annogt D[omi]ni 1690

Signed Sealed publisched
declared to be the last will.
and Testam[en]t of William Smith 
in presence of

John Unthink 
Tobias Brownrigg
Robart King 

Memorand[um] before
the Sealing & delivery
hereof my will
is that my supervisor
shall have Ten
shillings to be paid
by my Executor to
Buy himselfe
A ring 

John Adams my
will is to have
Ten Shillings 

the mark of William Smith (X)

27 June 1695
That John Prat Executor of the last Will & Testam[en]t of William 
Smith late of Wivenhoe in Essex was sworn well & truly to adm-
nister &c
before me W H Shelton Sur[rogate]