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Will of Richard Stevens of Granborough, gentleman, 1799
National Archives, PROB 11/1325/99
In the Name of God Amen I Richard Stevens of Grandborough in the County of Bucks Gentleman do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form Following that is to say I give and devise unto my Kinsman Luke Dancer of Northmarston in the County of Bucks Yeoman all those my Several inclosed Closes of Meadow or Pasture ground situate lying or being in the Parish of Quainton in the said County of Bucks with their and every of their Appurtenances To hold the same unto and to the use of my said Kinsman Luke Dancer his heirs and assigns for ever
[p.2] Subject nevertheless and Charged and Chargeable to and with the Payment of the two Several and respective Legacies hereinafter next mentioned (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto Robert Dancer and James Dancer the two Brothers of my said Kinsman Luke Dancer the Legacy or Sum of Fifty Pounds each of lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to each of them with in twelve Months next after my decease Also I give and devise unto my Kinsman Joseph Bowden of Grandborough aforesaid Yeoman all those my Freehold inclosed Closes of Meadow Pasture or Furze ground Situate lying or being in the Parish of Grandborough aforesaid now in the Tenure or Occupation of John Austin with their and every of their Appurtenances late the Estate of my Sister in Law Sarah Lucas deceased To hold the same unto and to the use of my said Kinsman Joseph Bowden his heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and devise unto my housekeeper Mary Bradbery all that my Messuage Tenement or Farmhouse Situate standing and being in Grandborough aforesaid wherein I now dwell with the Homestead Orchard and several inclosed Closes of Meadow or Pasture ground there unto adjoining and belonging with their and every of their Rights Members and Appurtenances To hold the same unto and to the use of the said Mary Bradbery her heirs and assigns for ever Also I likewise give and devise unto the said Mary Bradbery all those my Several Freehold inclosed grounds called or known by the Name of Biggin Farm ground with all and every the Appurtenances there unto belonging To hold the same unto and to the use of the said Mary Bradbery her heirs and assigns for ever Subject nevertheless and charged and chargeable with the annual Payments or Sums of Money hereinafter next mentioned (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto the Minister and Churchwardens of Grandborough aforesaid and their Successors for the time being for ever one Annuity clear Yearly Rent or Sum of Five Pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain Free of Taxes and all other Deductions whatsoever to be issuing and payable out of all and every the said last mentioned Messuage or Tenement Closes Lands Hereditaments and Premises and to be paid and payable yearly and every year on the feast day of Saint Thomas the Apostle to be laid out in Bread and to be Distributed amongst the poor of the parish
[p.3] of Grandborough aforesaid on Saint Thomas day in every year in such manner as the Minister and Churchwardens of the Parish of Grandborough aforesaid for the time being shall direct for the benefit of the poor people who do not receive Alms of the Parish Also I give and bequeath unto my three Kinsmen Joseph Bowden John Bowden and Robert Bowden the Legacy or Sum of three hundred Pounds each of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to each of them out of my personal Estate within twelve Months next after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto John Dudley of Winslow in the said County of Bucks Draper the Legacy or Sum of Four hundred Pounds of Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to him out of my Personal Estate within twelve Months next after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto my Servant Man Richard Higgins of Grandborough aforesaid Labourer the Legacy or Sum of Sixty Pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain to be Paid to him out of my Personal Estate within twelve Months next after my decease And Lastly as to for and Concerning all the rest and Residue of my real and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what Nature or kind soever (after payment of my just Debts Legacies and Funeral Expences) I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said Housekeeper Mary Bradbery her heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns And I do hereby nominate Constitute and Appoint the said John Dudley and James Burnham the Younger of Winslow aforesaid Gentleman joint Executors and Trustees of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making Void all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do publish and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament And I do hereby declare that it shall be lawful for my said Executors and Trustees and each of them their and each of their Executors and Administrators to reimburse him and themselves all such Costs Charges and Expences as he they or any of them shall Sustain expend or be Put unto for or by reason of the Performance of this my Will or the Trusts hereby in them reposed or the management and Execution hereof or any other thing in any wise relating thereto In Witness whereof I the said Richard Stevens the Testator have to this my Will contained
[p.4] in Four sheets of Paper to the three first Sheets thereof set my hand only and to the fourth and last my hand and Seal this Sixteenth day of February in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety Nine.
Richard Stevens
Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said Richard Stevens the Testator as and for his Last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who have hereunto Subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto at the request and in the Presence of the said Testator and also in the Presence of each other.
Robert Mayne Benj(amin) Dudley James Burnham the Elder
Proved at London 30th May 1799 before John Sewell Doctor of Laws by the oaths of John Dudley and James Burnham the Younger Executors to whom Administration was granted.
Notes
Richard seems to be the son of Robert Stevens (d.1739). He was baptised in 1726. He was evidently the end of his branch of the Stevens family, which had been established in Granborough since at least the 16th century.
Biggin Farm Ground was the land called Jeanes's Ground and Furzen Close in his father's will, previously part of Biggin Farm, on the Granborough side of the brook.