Will of John Waddup of Evenley, gentleman, 1709 (proved 1715)

National Archives, PROB 11/548/206

In the name of God Amen I John Waddup of Imley [Evenley] in the County of Northampton Gentleman being aged and infirme of body but of perfect mind and memory praised be God do make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner following Imprimis I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping and assuredly beleiving to be saved by the sole meritts of my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ and my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named And as to that worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bestow upon me I dispose thereof as followeth Imprimis I give devise and bequeath unto my loving daughter Elizabeth Dudley wife of Benjamin Dudley of Winston [Winslow] in the County of Bucks draper all my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments with the appurtenances in Preston Bisset in the said County of Bucks To hold and enjoy the same unto my said daughter and her assignes for and during the terme of foure years next ensuing at the time of my decease And I give devise and bequeath unto my grandson John Dudley eldest son of the said Benjamin Dudley and Elizabeth All that the reversion and remainder of my said messuages . . . in Preston Bissett aforesaid to hold and enjoy the same unto the said John Dudley and his heirs and assignes for ever to his and their proper use and behoofe He the said John Dudley his heirs and assignes paying unto or for the benefitt of his mother the said Elizabeth Dudley at the end of the aforesaid terme of foure years unto such person and persons and for such uses and purposes as she by any writing under her hand whether sole or during coverture testifyed by two or more credible witnesses shall direct or appoint the full sum(m)e of one hundred eighty three pounds seventeen shillings and sixpence But my will and meaning is that her said husband shall not have power of disposall or do intermeddle with the aforesaid legacys given to my said daughter and in default of such direction or appointment by her I do give and bequeath the same mony to be paid by my said grandson his heirs and assignes unto his said mother Elizabeth Dudley her Executors and Administrators at the end of the said foure years . . . [a similar legacy of his messuages, tenements etc in ‘Evenly alias Imley’ is bequeathed to his grandson John Burrows son of John Burrows of Bicester draper subject to him paying] . . . unto or for the use or benefitt of my said daughter Elizabeth Dudley unto and for such purposes and with like directions as is abovementioned for her other legacy . . .  the full sum(m)e of sixteen pounds two shillings and sixpence to make up the same other legacy full two hundred pounds and also that he the said John Burrows my grandson . . .  paying unto my grandsons William Dudley Benjamin Dudley the younger Gabriel Burrows and George Burrows the severall sum(m)es of fourty pounds apeice and also unto my grandaughters Sarah Dudley Elizabeth Dudley the younger Mary Dudley and Mary Burrows the severall sum(m)es of thirty pounds apiece all the aforesaid legacys to be paid by my grandson . . . John Burrows . . . at the end of three years ensueing my decease . . . [bequests to the poor of Evenley and Preston Bissett and to various servants] . . . Item I will and require that all my debts owing by me at time of my decease shall be paid and discharged equally share and share alike alike [sic] by my said two grandsons John Dudley and John Burrows their heirs and assignes And I do hereby charge each of my two said freehold estates in Imley and Preston Bisset aforesaid with the payment of one moyety or half part thereof Item I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth Dudley my best bed bedstead and beding and furniture thereunto belonging and a paire of my best sheets with the Holland sheet and to her daughter the said Sarah Dudley my third best bed bedstead and beding and furniture thereunto belonging and a paire of flaxen sheets . . . Item I give and bequeath to each of my said grandsons John Dudley and John Burrows  a pair of sheets Item I give and bequeath unto and among all my grandchildren except the said John Dudley and John Burrows the younger (equally to be divided between them) all my linnen not before bequeathed Lastly all the rest and residue of my goods chattells and reall and personall estate whatsoever not before bequeathed my debts legacys and funerall expences being first paid and discharged I give and bequeath unto my said two grandsons John Dudley and John Burrows the younger whom I make and appoint Executors of this my last Will and Testament . . . I do hereby revoake and make void all former Will or Wills by me made In witness whereof I the said John Waddup have hereunto sett my hand and seale this twenty seventh day of December in the eleventh yeare of the reigne of our sovereign lady Queen Anne over Great Brittaine &c. Annoq Domini 1709 Seal of John Waddup

Signed sealed and published in the presence of us who subscribed the same in the Testators presence as witnesses thereof William Topping Edward Hawtin John Welchman

Proved at London 27 Sep 1715 on the oaths of John Dudley and John Burrows.

Notes

Elizabeth Waddup married Benjamin Dudley (d.1742) before 1692 when their eldest son John was baptised. She was buried at Winslow in 1713.