Will of Anna Maria Willis, spinster, 1852 (proved 1857)

National Archives, PROB 11/2259/260

This is the last Will and Testament of me Anna Maria Willis of Winslow in the County of Bucks Spinster  I give and devise unto my Brother David Thomas Willis and to his heirs and assigns for ever  All that my Copyhold messuage or tenement near the Church  Yard in Winslow aforesaid in the occupation of The Reverend James Thomas with the yard garden outbuildings and appurtenances thereto belonging or appertaining  I give and devise unto the said David Thomas Willis and my Brother Frederic Willis and to their respective heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in common All other the real estate if any of which I may be beneficially seised at the time of my death  I devise all the real estate which shall at my decease be vested in me as mortgagee or trustee to my said Brothers David Thomas Willis and Frederic Willis their heirs and assigns subject to the trusts and equities affecting the same respectively  I bequeath unto the said Frederic Willis the legacy or sum of three hundred pounds sterling to be paid out of my Personal estate within six Calendar months next after my death  I bequeath to my said Brothers David Thomas Willis and Frederic Willis and to their respective executors administrators and assigns in equal shares and proportions  All my household goods and furniture, Plate Linen China and other the Personal Estate and Effects of which I may die possessed subject to the payment of my just debts my funeral expenses the charges of proving and establishing my will and the legacy hereinbefore bequeathed  And I appoint my said Brothers David Thomas Willis and Frederic Willis to be Executors of my Will In Witness whereof I the said Anna Maria Willis the Testatrix have hereunto set my hand this twenty sixth day of January in the year of our Lord  One thousand eight hundred and fifty two                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                Anna Maria Willis

Signed by the said Anna Maria Willis the Testatrix in the joint presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof
Tho(mas) Perkins  
Benj(ami)n Cole  Clerks to Mr D. T. Willis Sol(icitor) Winslow

Proved at London 21st Oct(ober) 1857 before the Worshipful Maurice Charles Merttius Swabey Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oaths of David Thomas Willis and Frederic Willis the Brothers the Executors to whom Adm(inistratio)n was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.


Notes

Bucks Herald, 11 July 1857
WILLIS. - On the 8th inst., at her residence in Winslow, Anna Maria Willis, daughter of the late Mr. Charles Willis, solicitor, after a long illness, sincerely regretted by all who knew her, aged 45 years.

At the time of the 1851 Census, Anna Maria Willis was staying at a boarding house at Hastings. She was described as a fundholder, aged 39, born at Winslow. Mary Ann Jones from Winslow with her daughter and Jane Gurney from North Marston were there with her.

James Thomas was the curate of Winslow, and in 1851 was living in some style in Church Street with his wife and 4 servants including a butler. The house in Church Street must have become Pear Tree Cottage but was evidently a much larger dwelling.

More on the Willis family

Copyright 6 June, 2015