Will of William Tofield, baker, 1748 (proved 1753)
Herts RO 191 AW11
In the name of God Amen I William Tofield of Winslow in the county of Bucks Baker being very Sick and Weak in Body but of Perfect mind and Memory thanks be given unto God for the same I make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First and Chiefly I give my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God who gave it me and my Body I commend to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God. Item I do give and bequeath All the Freehold revertion and Inheritance of the Lands and premises given and bequeathed unto me after my Grandfather Stephen Biggs of Winslow decease (by Edward Bigg late of Swainbourn in the said County of Bucks Farmer Deceased) lying and being in the Common Fields and Parish of Mursley in the said County of Bucks to my Loving Mother Ann Tofield aforesaid Widdow her Heirs and Assignes for ever after my Grandfather Stephen Biggs decease And I do constitute, Ordaine and appoint my said Loving Mother Ann Tofield Executrix of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my Hand and Seal this Thirtieth Day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty eight.
The mark of William Tofield
Signed Sealed Published and declared by the above named Willam Tofield the Testator as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us
[signed]
Richd Redull
Charles Bowler
Jno Gurner
Commission of probate for William Tofield, baker, 1753
Herts RO 191 AW11
George Paul[?] Master of Laws Commissary and official in and throughout the whole Archdeaconry of Saint Albans and diocese of London lawfully constituted to our well-beloved in Christ John [blank] Rawbone and Purchase Denchfield * Clerks Joyntly and severally Greeting Whereas William Tofield late of Winslow in the County of Bucks within the Archdeaconry of St Albans aforesaid deceased did make his last will and testament hereunto annexed and did therein name Ann Tofield natural and lawfull Mother of the said deceased executrix and dyed We therefore by these presents impower you Joyntly and Severally to Swear the said Ann Tofield as well of the truth of the said will as of the faithfull performance thereof And to make a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the Goods Chattells and Credits of the said deceased And to render a true and just Accompt and to Exhibit the same into the Registry of the Archdeaconry of St Albans And ye are hereby enjoyned further to do in the premisses as shall be needfull And that such oath being Administred you duely transmit to us as our surrogate the said will and the whole proceedings therein Subscribed with the proper hand or hands of one or more of you on or before the last day of April next ensuing together with these presents Provided nevertheless that this Commission shall be of no effect unless so transmitted before the said time Given under the seal which we use in this behalf the Sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three
[signed] Hugh Barker Bell notary publick
The Form of the oath to be Administred to the said Ann Tofield laying her hand upon the Booke you shall swear that the Paper or Parchment writing hereunto annexed contains the last Will and Testament of William Tofield late of Winslow aforesaid your late Son deceased so far as you know or beleive And that you are the Executrix therein named and will Execute and perform the same by paying the debts and legacies therein mentioned as far as his Goods rights Credits and Chattells all Extend and the Law shall bind you And that you will Exhibit or Cause to be Exhibited a True and perfect Inventory of all and Singular his Goods Rights Credits and Chattells indifferently appraising whatever[?] came to your Custody or [illegible] And will render a true and just Account of your office of Executrix when you shall be thereunto lawfully called or required so help you God and by the Contents of this Booke [blank] Then she is to kiss the booke.
The above named Ann Tofield was sworn according to the Tenor of this Commission the Nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Fifty three by me
[signed] Jno Rawbone Curate of Winslow
Notes
William Tofield was buried on 4 Sep 1748, so there was a long delay in proving his will. He was bap. 4 June 1721, the son of Joseph Tofield and his wife Ann, nee Bigg. Grace Tofield (d.1764) was his sister.
Purchas(e) Denchfield was the vicar of Little Horwood.
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