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Will of Charles Bowler, cordwainer, 1798 (proved 1802)
Herts RO 238 AW1
This is the last Will and Testament of me Charles Bowler of Winslow in the County of Bucks Cordwainer made in manner following that is to say first I Give and Devise unto my wife Mary Bowler all and every my Messuages Cottages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever both Freehold and copyhold the copyhold parts whereof I have surrendered to the use of my Will To Hold the same and every part thereof unto my said Wife Mary Bowler and her assigns for and during the Term of her natural life and from and immediately after her Decease I Give and Devise all and every my said Messuages Cottages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever unto my two Daughters Sarah the Wife of George West of Winslow aforesaid Currier and Mary Bowler to be equally divided between them share and share alike as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants Subject nevertheless and I do hereby expressly charge all my said Messuages Cottages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments to and with the Payment of the Sum of Seven Shillings a week of lawful money of Great Britain unto my Son Thomas Bowler for and during the Term of his natural life or until such time as he my said Son Thomas Bowler shall be seised and possessed of or intitled unto my Copyhold Estate situated in Weedon in the said County of Bucks in which I have a life Interest and also subject to and charged and chargeable with the Payment of the sum of Two Hundred Pounds of like lawful money unto my said Daughter Mary Bowler at her age of Twenty one years or day of Marriage which shall first happen provided such Marriage be had by and with the consent and approbation of my said wife Mary Bowler and I do hereby subject and charge all my said Messuages Cottages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments to and with the Payment of the said weekly [deletion] sum of Seven Shillings and the said Legacy also I Give and bequeath all my ready money and securities for money Stock in Trade Household Goods and Implements of Household Plate Linnen China Chattels personal Estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever unto my wife Mary Bowler and her Assigns and during the Term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said two Daughters Sarah the Wife of the said George West and Mary Bowler to be equally divided between them share and share alike and I do hereby nominate Constitute and appoint my said Wife Mary Bowler full and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Testator Charles Bowler have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and Seal the Seventh day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight
Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Testator Charles Bowler as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto
Wm Mayne
Thos. Bowler [signed] Charles Bowler
Lan: Wyatt
[another hand] The 23rd Day of July 1802 Sworn Mary Bowler, the Executrix abovenamed, and that the personal Effects do not amount to three Hundred Pounds
Sworn before me Jonathan Briggs Surrogate
Notes
Charles Bowler's parents Charles Bowler (d.1774, son of Charles Bowler d.1735) and Dinah Hogson were married in 1722, and he was baptised 31 Oct 1725. His first wife's name was Sarah; he married his second wife Mary Janes in 1774. His son Thomas (d.1839) was the only child of his first marriage. See the will of his daughter Mary Bowler (d.1847) for more information; she eventually inherited the property but only after Thomas died. See also Sarah West (d.1830). Despite his job description, Charles was a substantial property owner. His copyhold property held at his death was listed at the 1802 manor court (the extent of his freehold property and his property in Weedon isn't recorded):
- he held to himself and his heirs by Sarah his former wife deceased 4 undivided 1/21s of close called Bowlers Ground at Shipton now in occ of William King; admitted at court on 29 Oct 1764 on the surrender of Daniel Elliott & Hannah his wife. Rent 1s. Shipton Enclosure 3.
- he also held a messuage (heretofore 2 messuages) with orchard & garden in Sheep Street formerly in the occupation of John Crockett, John Dimmock & Henry Burley, now of Mary Bowler, 2nd wife and now widow of Charles; admitted at the court on 29 Oct 1754 under the will of his aunt Sarah Quarringdon. Rent 3d.
- a close of pasture in Shipton in Licehill Field cont 1a 3r 12p, Shipton Cow Pasture east, and a Piece of Sweard Ground in Shipton Cow Pasture adjoining Dirty Mead Close cont 3r 12p now in the occupation of William King; admitted at court on 26 May 1773 on the surrender of Richard Bigg & Joyce his wife. Rent 9d.
- Also 10 other 1/21s of Bowlers Ground to which he was admitted as only son of Charles Bowler lately deceased at court on 30 Sep 1774. Rent 2s 2d.
- 2 messuages now 1 in Sheep Street with orchard or pightle of pasture adjoining, formerly in the occupation of Hemens Jackman & Henry Bradbury, now of Thomas Yates; admitted at the court on 26 Oct 1780 on the surrender of Hemens Jackman. Rent 4d.
- 2 messuages in Hobhouchin Lane formerly in the occupation of Joseph Smith & Thomas King, now of William Warner & Edward Taylor; admitted at the court on 26 Oct 1781 on the surrender of Hemens Jackman. Rent 4d.
- A messuage in Hobhouchin Lane formerly in the occupation of William Warner & James Dobson, now of Widow Warner & James Dobson; admitted at the court on 30 Oct 1786 on the surrender of Thomas Wright. Rent 4d.
The estates not having been surrendered to the use of his will descended to Thomas Bowler of Winslow cordwainer his son and heir by Sarah his first wife who desires to be admitted. Thomas then surrenders to the use of Mary Bowler widow for her life, paying Thomas £31 4s p.a. in weekly payments [i.e. the 7s per week specified in the will]. Chargeable along with Charles’ freehold estates with a legacy of £200 to Charles' daughter Mary when she is 21. On the decease of Mary Bowler widow, to the use of Sarah West and Mary Bowler spinster. - He also held a Cottage in Sheep Street formerly in his own occupation, then William Edwin's, and 3 1/21s of Bowlers Ground; admitted at the court on 1 Oct 1774. Thomas Bowler his only son and heir was admitted tenant. Rent 1½d & 8d. Fine 11s.
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