Will of John Gibbs, glover and victualler, 1788 (proved 1834)

Herts RO 270AW4

In the name of God Amen  I John Gibbs of Winslow in the County of Bucks \Glover and/ Victualler being in good health of Body and of a sound and disposing mind memory and understanding praised be God for the same calling to remembrance the uncertainty of this life do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following   First and principally with all humility I resign my Soul to Almighty God and my Body to be buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereinafter named And as to such temporal estate wherewith it hath pleased the Divine Providence to bless me I dispose of the same as follows (that is to say) First I give and devise unto my loving Wife Elizabeth Gibbs All and every my Freehold and Copyhold Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever situate lying or being in the said Parish of Winslow or elsewhere with their and every of their rights members and Appurtenances To hold the same unto and to the use of my said Wife Elizabeth Gibbs and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life she keeping the same Premises in good and sufficient tenantable repair and from and immediately after her decease I give and devise all and every my said Freehold and Copyhold Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments with their and every of their Appurtenances unto and to the use of my two Children Rebecca Gibbs and John Gibbs and all and every other the Child or Children of me the said John Gibbs lawfully begotten or to be begotten as shall be living or which my said Wife shall be ensient with at the time of me decease To hold the same unto and to the use of my said Children Rebecca Gibbs and John Gibbs and all and every other the Child or Children of me the said John Gibbs lawfully begotten or to be begotten as shall be living or which my said wife shall be ensient with at the time of my decease

[page 2] Their Heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Elizabeth Gibbs for and during the term of her natural life the free use and enjoyment of all my Household Goods Furniture Linnen Plate China and Implements of household whatsoever likewise the free use and enjoyment of my Brewing Coppers Vessels Barrels Casks Tubs and all other my Brewing Utensils whatsoever   And from and immediately after the decease of my said Wife Elizabeth Gibbs I give bequeath all and every my said Household Goods Furniture Linnen Plate China and other Implements of Household together with my Brewing-Coppers Vessels Barrels Casks Tubs and all my other Brewing Utensils whatsoever unto and amongst my said Children Rebecca Gibbs and John Gibbs and all and every other the Child or Children of me the said John Gibbs lawfully begotten or to be begotten as shall be living or which my said Wife shall be ensient with at the time of my decease to be equally divided between them share and share alike   And as to for and concerning all the rest and residue of my personal Estate Ready Money Debts and Securities for Money Chattels Rights Credits and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever (not hereinbefore by me given and disposed of)  whereof or wherein I shall be any ways possessed of or interested in at the time of my decease (after payment of my just Debts and funeral Expences) I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said Wife Elizabeth Gibbs her Executors Administrators and Assigns to and for her and their own use and benefit absolutely   And I do hereby make constitute and appoint my said Wife Elizabeth Gibbs sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me heretofore made   In Witness whereof I the said John Gibbs the Testator have to this my Will contained in two sheets of Paper to the first sheet thereof set my hand only and to the second and last my hand and seal the Ninth - day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight

[signed] John Gibbs

Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Gibbs the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses, at the request and in the presence of the said Testator and also in the presence of each other   

[signed]
Mary Burnham
John Rose
James Burnham

Notes

John Gibbs owned the Windmill Inn. He married Elizabeth Gibbs at Winslow on 15 Sep 1777 (witnesses John Haniford & Robert Gibbs). By the time of his death 46 years after he made his will, he had 3 children: John Gibbs of Cuddington, butcher; Rebecca Dawney of Winslow widow; Margaret, wife of Robert Biggerstaff of Westminster, gentleman.