Will of John Harding of Aylesbury, gentleman, 1750

Centre for Bucks Studies MsWillsPec 26/1/31

In the Name of God Amen I John Harding of Aylesbury in the County of Bucks Gentleman being indisposed in body but of sound and perfect mind memory and understanding (Thanks be given to Allmighty God for the Same Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to Say) First I Commit my Soul to God and my body to the Earth to be decently interred in such manner as my Executor hereinafter named shall think fitt And as for such worldly Estate As it hath pleased Allmighty God of his infinite mercy to bless me with I Give and dispose of the Same as followeth First I Give Devise and bequeath unto my Dearly beloved wife Jane Harding and to her heirs and Assigns for Ever All and Singular my Customary or Coppyhold Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever with their and every of their Appurten(an)ces Scituate lying and being in the parish of Winslow in the said County of Bucks which I hold by Copy of Court Roll of the Mannor of Winslow aforesaid and which I have already surrendered to the use of this my last will ...

Notes

The rest of the will mentions property in Stoke Mandeville, Bierton, Dinton, Aylesbury and Walton Field. John Harding left bequests to his sisters Amy Hunt widow and Sarah Watford widow, and to his nephews Thomas Watford of Aylesbury draper (and his wife Maria), Richard Watford of Aylesbury grocer (named as executor), and Nathaniel Watford of Dinton yeoman. His late nephew John Harding Watford had three children: Thomas, Amy and Sarah, all under 21.

The will is dated 15 May 1750, proved 20 Aug 1750. Jane Harding, nee Gyles, was the granddaughter of William Gyles the Baptist; John was her third husband. They were married in 1744, when John was aged 50. He had not been married before.

John and Jane Harding were admitted as tenants of The Red Bull on 23 Feb 1748/9. They were probably responsible for rebuilding it after a fire.