Will of William Walker of Buckingham, butcher, 1815 (proved 1816)

Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies Ms Wills Pec 63/74/125

This is the last Will and Testament of me William Walker late of Winslow in the County of Bucks Butcher but now residing at Buckingham in the same County made and published this thirtieth Day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen as follows: First I Give and devise unto my son John Walker and his Assigns for and during the Term of their natural Life All that my Messuage or Tenement and Premises situate in Winslow aforesaid (being Copyhold and already surrendered to the Use of this my Will) now in the Tenure or Occupation of him the said John Walker With all Appurtenances thereto belonging And from and immediately after his Decease I Give and devise the said Messuage or Tenement Hereditaments and Premises with their Appurtenances unto and to the Use of such Sons of the said John Walker as at the time of the Decease of him … shall be his Eldest and only surviving Son and to the Heirs and Assigns of such Son for ever But if there shall \be/ no such Son … then living I in that Case give and devise the same Messuage … (from and after such the Decease of … John Walker) unto and to the Use of the Daughters of him the said John Walker then living in equal Parts Shares and Proportions as Tenants in Common and not as jointenants [sic] (if more than one) and to her or their Heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and Bequeath unto my said Son John Walker All my right and Interest in the Household goods and Furniture in and about the said Premises And I Give bequeath and release unto my Son Richard Walker the sum of sixty Pounds in which he now stands indebted to me with all interest that may be due thereon at

the mark of the Testator William Walker

[verso] the Time of my Decease and all the rest residue and remainder of my Monies debts Securities Goods Chattels and Personal Estate whatsoever (remaining after Payment and Satisfaction of my just Debts and Funeral and Testamentary expences) I do hereby give and bequeath unto my Son William Walker to and for his Use and Benefit and I hereby nominate constitute and appoint him my said Son William Walker to be sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Will by me made In Witness whereof I the said William Walker the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained in two Sheets of Paper to each Sheet thereof set my hand and Seal the Day and year first above written

Signed sealed published and declared by
the said William Walker the Testator as and for his Last Will                          The mark of
and Testament in the Presence of us who in his Presence                            the Testator
at his request and in the Presence of each other have                                    William Walker
have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto

Tho(mas) Hearn Jun(ior)
Edm(un)d Hedges Cl(er)k to Mr Hearn
Ann Wells Servant to Mr Walker Buckingham

Sept 20th 1815
William Walker sole Executor
named in the Will was duly sworn
on the holy Evangelists and that
the Personal Effects do not amount
in Value to 200£
before me W Eyre Surrogate

[endorsed] Proved the 20th day of September 1815 before the Reverend William Eyre Clerk Surrogate by the oath of William Walker the sole Executor to whom administration was committed he being first duly sworn to administer

[on cover] Dated 30th January 1815
Will of Mr William
Walker of Buckingham
1816 March 11th  Sent probate
to Mr Pryce by Union Coach

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Notes

William Walker's son Richard Walker (d.1833) was a butcher at 12 High Street, which he bought in 1803; perhaps that was when his father lent him money. Richard was trading in his own name by 1800, when he started taking apprentices.

The property mentioned in the will was 4 The Walk. William bought it from Thomas Tattam in 1775. It was in William's own occupation in 1795 and John's in 1805 (Land Tax).

William's will was proved by the Vicar of Buckingham on behalf of the Archdeacon of Buckingham, which was the wrong jurisdiction as his property was in Winslow.

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The following case probably refers to the same William Walker:

Bucks Quarter Sessions, Easter 1764 (Centre for Bucks Stuides Q/SM/5)

Recognizances: John Walker of Northmarston Labourer £10, William Walker of Winslow Labourer £10, John Walker of Winslow Labourer £10
For the appearance of Wm Walker to answer any Bills of Indictment
William Walker of Winslow Labourer £40 for the appearance of the said William Walker to prosecute his Traverse

Midsummer 1764
Traverse tried between the King and William Walker for exercising the Trade of a Butcher not having served an apprenticeship to the same.
Thomas Bates sworn, says he knows William Walker & that he has exercised the Trade of a Butcher at the Time mentioned in the Indictment.
George Elliott gives the same Evidence.
William Walker found Guilty, fined £4