Will of James Morris, peruke maker, 1811 (proved 1812)

Herts RO 248 AW7

This is the last will and testament of me James Morris of Winslow in the county of Bucks Peruke Maker. First I give and devise unto my Niece Elizabeth Gibbs all that my messuage cottage or Tenement situate standing and being in the Markett Square of Winslow aforesaid and now in the occupation of Richard Sharpe with the respective Rights members and appurtenances thereunto belonging used or in anywise appertaining (which said Premises are copyhold of Inheritance held of the manor of Winslow with its members in the county of Bucks and have been or \are/ intended to be surrendered to the use of my Will) to hold the same unto and to the use of the said Elizabeth Gibbs her Heirs and assigns forever.  Also I give and bequeath unto my Nieces Ann Morecraft, Widow and Penelope the Wife of James Hall the Legacy or sum of thirty pounds apiece which I direct to be paid to them respectively by my Executrix hereinafter named within twelve months next after my decease.  And as to my houshold goods and furniture ready money and securities for money goods chattels rights credits personal estate and effects whatsoever and wherever I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof and all my estate and interest therein and thereto unto my said Niece Elizabeth Gibbs to hold the same unto the said Elizabeth her executors administrators and assigns subject nevertheless and charged and chargeable to for and with the payment of all such debts as I shall justly owe at the time of my decease, my funeral and testamentary expenses and the several legacies or sums of money by me hereinbefore given and bequeathed. And I do hereby make ordain constitute and appoint my Niece the said Elizabeth Gibbs my full and sole executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made In witness whereof I the said James Morris the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand and eight hundred and eleven.
[signed] James Morris

Signed sealed published and declared by the said James Morris the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as the witnesses thereof.
[signed]
Richard Gibbs
James Hazzard
Charles Willis

[another hand] This fifteenth Day of December 1812 Elizabeth Gibbs, the sole executrix of this will, was duly sworn as such, and the personal effects of the Testator was sworn to be under Two Hundred Pounds before me
[signed] Jonathan Brigges
Surrogate

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Notes

James Morris was buried on 24 March 1812 aged 78. He was baptised in 1733, son of James and Mary Morris. His sister Hannah (will proved 1811) married John Gibbs, maltster, and was the mother of the three nieces mentioned in the will. The messuage which he left to Elizabeth Gibbs was 25 Market Square, which he bought in 1789. He seems to have lived at 20 High Street before his death, one of the properties in which Hannah had left him a life-interest. He also had property interests in London, probably as a trustee:

Royal & Sun Alliance insurance policy; LMA, CLC/B/192/F/001/MS11936/366/568418 (19 April 1790; there is also a policy from 1785) 
George Clark, gent, and Robert Shotten, hatter, both of Uxbridge Middlesex, and James Morrice, Winslow, Buckinghamshire, peruke maker
5 to 9 Turmill Street Clerkenwell (Scott widow, Sarah Wild), Francis Deal, Parleman, George Elison); 2 and 3 (dealer in shoes, dealer in offal), 4 to 6 (dealers in iron), 7 to 9 (locksmith, dealer in clothes, chandler), 10 to 13 (smith, muffin seller, dealers in clothes); the Bulls Head at 16 and 17 (John Dymock victualler); 18 to 26 Peter Street; Peter Street (Stewart boxmaker; Hall butcher); Paradise Row Peter Street (widow Bayly)