Will of Frances Harris, widow, 1764 (proved 1765)

Centre for Bucks Studies D/A/Wf/95/35

[endorsed] 1765 
Will of Francis [sic] Harris
 Sent out by Mr W(ilia)m Batchelder of Amersham
The 29th day June of 1765

In the Name of God Amen I Frances Harris of Winslow in the County of Bucks Widow being Sick and Weak in Body but of Sound and perfect Mind Memory and Understanding (Praised be God for the same) do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in  Manner and form following (that is to say) First and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping through the Merits of Jesus Christ to obtain Pardon and Remission of all my sins and to Inherit Everlasting Life And my Body I commit to the earth to be Decently Buried at the discretion of my Executor herein after named And as to the Worldly Goods and Temporal Estate which God hath given me I devise and dispose thereof as followeth First I Give and bequeath unto my Nephew Joseph Wingfield and to my Nieces Ann Wingfield and Elizabeth Wingfield Five pounds apiece of Lawful Money of Great Britain Also I give unto my Niece Catherine Packer Wife of Mr W(ilia)m Packer and to my Niece Mary Turner One Guinea Each of like Lawful Money of Great Britain All which Legacys so given by me as aforesaid my Will meaning and desire is that the same shall be paid by my Executor herein after named within Twelve months next after my Decease Also I give unto Susanna Wife of my Nephew Charles Wingfield my Brown Poplin Gown, One Cap, One Silk Handkerchief One Muslin Apron and a pair of Ruffles Also I Give unto my said Niece Ann Wingfield my Bible my Cardinal One Pair of Sheets and a Pewter Dish I Give unto my said Niece Elizabeth Wingfield One Pair of Sheets and a Pewter Dish Also I further give unto my Nieces Ann Wingfield and Elizabeth Wingfield All the rest of my Wearing Apparel whatsoever to be Equally Divided between them Share and Share alike And as for the rest residue and remainder of my Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever (not herein before Given or bequeathed) I do Give and bequeath unto my said Nephew Charles Wingfield his Executors Administrators and Assigns And I do charge my said Personal Estate so given to him as aforesaid with the true payment of all my Just Debts Legacys and Funeral Expences and I do Nominate Constitute and appoint my said Nephew Charles Wingfield full and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament And Lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do publish and declare this and no other to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Twentieth day of December In the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Four

The Mark of Frances Harris

[signed] Catherine Turner
Joseph Hunt

Signed sealed Published and Declared by the said                           
Testatrix Frances Harris as and for her last Will and
Testament in the presence of us who at her request
and in her presence and also in the presence of each
other have Subscribe our Names as Witnesses thereto

9th May 1765
Sworn the Executor above named before me J Cleebury AM Sur(rogate)
No inv(entory) NB the Testatrix lived at Cublington – was only a Visitor at Winslow

Notes

Frances Harris must have come to Winslow to stay with the Turner family. Catherine Turner who witnessed the will seems to be her sister-in-law, and the nieces Catherine Packer and Mary Turner were her daughters; she also had a son called Harris Turner. The will was proved at the Buckingham Archdeaconry Court.