Will of Robert Stevens of Granborough, gentleman, 1738/9 (proved 1739)

National Archives, PROB 11/698/356

In the name of God Amen I Robert Stevens of Grandborough in the County of Bucks Gentleman being weak in Body but of Sound and perfect mind and memory for which I bless God do make this my last Will and Testament recommending my Soul into the hands of Almighty God [blank line] trusting for Salvation by and through the merits of my only Saviour Jesus Christ (that is to say) I give devise and bequeath unto my loving wife Elizabeth Stevens All that my Inclosed Close of pasture Ground Scituate in the parish of Grandborough aforesaid called Jeanes’s Ground with the Appurtenances which I Formerly purchased of John Deverell To hold the same to my said Wife Elizabeth for the Term of her natural life And after her decease I give and bequeath the same unto my youngest son Richard Stevens and his heirs and Assignes for ever  Also I give devise and dequeath [sic] unto my said wife Elizabeth all those my two Inclosed Closes of Meadow or Pasture Ground Scituate in the parish of Quainton in the \said/ County of Bucks a Lane called Carter Lane lying  the west side of the same to hold the same unto my said wife Elizabeth for the Term of her natural life And after her decease I give and bequeath the two last mentioned Closes unto my said Son Richard Stevens and his heirs for ever Subject Nevertheless to the payment of severall Legacies mentioned and charged thereon in and by the last Will of Mr. Richard Betham deceased I give and devise unto my Eldest Son Robert Stevens and to his heirs for ever All that my Inclosed Close of pasture Ground in the parish of Grandborough aforesaid called the Furzen Close now divided into two Closes and four individual plotts of Meadow Ground lying in Sow Meade in the parish of Grandborough aforesaid with all the Appurtenances thereto belonging provided and my mind nevertheless is that my said Son Robert Stevens and his heirs shall pay unto my said Son Richard Stevens the sum of Fifty pounds within six months next after the decease of my said Wife

[p.2] Elizabeth out of the said Furzen Close or Closes soe by me devised to him as aforesaid  And I doe hereby charge the same last mentioned Close or Closes with the payment of the said sum of Fifty pounds Accordingly and whereas I have made a Surrender of all those my several peices parcells and ridges of Arrable Land Meadow Ley and Pasture with the Appurten(an)ces lyeing in the Common Feilds and parish of Grandborough aforesaid and the Reversion of a Messuage or Tenement in \Winslow aforesaid held in the Mannor of/ Winslow afores(ai)d and in the said Surrender more particularly mentioned and described To such uses intents and purposes as I should mention expresse and declare in and by my last Will and Testament Now I doe Declare my mind and Will to be and I doe accordingly hereby give devise and bequeath unto my said Son Richard Stevens and to his heires and Assigns for ever All and every my said severall peices and parcells of Arrable Land . . .  lying dispersedly in the open and Com(m)on Feilds and parish of Grandborough aforesaid within the said Mannor of Winslowe containing by estimation three acres and an half (more or less) and Common of pasture for one Cowe to be had and taken in the Common Feilds and parish of Grandborough aforesaid and all other the Appurtenances thereto belonging which I lately purchased of Thomas Botley and all those my Five Ridges of Arrable Land with the Hades thereto belonging lyeing also dispersedly in the Common Feilds . . . of Grandborough . . .  with the appurtenances . . . which I purchased of Thomas Mountague and the Reversion Expectant on the decease of William Franklin of in and to All that the Messuage and Tenement Scituate in the Markett Place of Winslowe aforesaid now in the Occupation of William Franklin and James Morrice their undertenants or assignes with all the appurtenances thereto belonging and I doe hereby give and bequeath all my Goods Chattels and personal Estate whatsoever to my said Wife Elizabeth Stevens whom I doe hereby make and appoint sole Executrix of this my last Will hereby revoking all former Wills & doe declare this only to be my last will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett  my hand and Seal the Fifth day of January in the Twelfth year of the reigne of King George the second over Great Britain and so forth and in the year of our Lord God 1738. Robt. Stevens - Signed Sealed published and declared in the presence of us who have hereunto Subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the said Testator and each other. John Markham Benedict Holland Robert Maynwaring

This Will was proved at London the Twenty ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred thirty nine before the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Elizabeth Stevens widow the Relict and sole Executrix named in the said Will To whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first sworn by Commission duly to Administer.

Notes

Robert Stevens was buried at Granborough on 4 Feb 1738/9. He married Elizabeth Betham at North Marston in 1732. They were described as "of Townsend" when their sons Robert and Richard were baptised in 1723 and 1726 respectively. Richard Stevens died in 1799, apparently without close relatives.

The messuage in Winslow Market Place was 12 Market Square, which Robert had inherited from his sister Hester Franklin who was buried at Granborough in 1718.

Jeanes's Ground and Furzen Close were previously part of Biggin Farm, on the Granborough side of the brook.

Copyright 1 October, 2020