In the name of God Amen, I Blanch Arney of the Town of Caerleon in the County of Monmouth and Diocese of Landaff, widow, being weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following, viz
First I will that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid and discharged.
Also I give, devise and bequeath unto my loving daughter Blanch the wife of Richard Williams of Caerleon, and Mary the daughter of the said Richard Williams and Blanch his wife (whom I likewise constitute to make and ordain my joynt executrixes and residuary legatees of this my last will and testament) all and singular my personal estate, goods and chattells, bills and bonds, and all other debts due to me from other persons wheresoever they are to be found, or by what name or names they are known, by them freely to be possessed and enjoyed. And I do hereby revoke, disallow and disannul all former will or wills by me heretofore made willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of November in the year of our Lord 1760 and three. Blanch Arney.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Blanch Arney as her last will and testament in the presence of us Evan Evans, Clerk; Thomas Evans, --?
November the 19th 1763. Blanch Williams (wife of Richard Williams) the natural and lawfull daughter, one of the executrixes in this will named, was sworn well and faithfully to execute the same &c to the truth of the inventory &c and to render an account &c (power being first reserved &c) before me Nath’l Wells, Surrogate
This will was proved at Landaff on the nineteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty three, before the Reverend Mr Nathaniel Wells, Clerk, Master of Arts, the Chancellor’s Surrogate, by Blanch Williams (wife of Richard Williams) the natural and lawfull daughter, one of the executrixes in this will named, who was first on the holy Evangelists personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same and to the truth of the inventory &c and to render a just account of her administration thereof, when thereunto lawfully required (power being first reserved to Mary Williams the other executrix in this will named when she applys for the same)
An inventary of all and singular the goods and chattles of Blanch Arney late of the Town of Caerleon in the County of Monmouth and Diocese of Landaff, widow, deceased, made, valued and appraised on the seventeenth day of November in the year 1763, by Charles Mathew and Henry Williams appraisers as foll: that is to say
£ s d
First her wearing apparell valued at 0 2 6
Also one bedstead, one feather bed and bolster at 0 10 0
One rug, 2 sheets and 2 blanketts at 0 2 6
One shovel, one tongs and four candlesticks at 0 5 0
One round table and one square table at 0 5 6
One chest of drawers at 0 5 0
One old chest at 0 1 0
One old cupboard, five old chairs and lumber at 0 2 6
One brass pan at 0 4 0
Lastly – Arrears of rent due to the said deceased from Anne Francis,
Widow, the sum of 2 10 0
________________
£4 8 0
Exhibited at Landaff on the nineteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty three by Blanch Williams (wife of Richard Williams) the natural and lawfull daughter one of the executrixes &c for a true and perfect inventary &c but under protestation of adding &c if any more of the assetts of the said deceased shall hereafter come to her hands, possession or knowledge. James Davies, Reg’r
Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales
NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 24 September 2000