I Thomas Chick of Chillington, in the County of Somerset, yeoman, do make my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say. First I direct and order that all my estate formerly Osbornes shall be disposed of according to my marriage articles with Betty Archer? my late wife. Also I give my leasehold estate late Osborne my freehold orchard called Long Orchard adjoining to an orchard of Mr George Mathews? called Croft Orchard all that house, garden and little plot or land I lately purchased of Thomas Phelps all close plots of lands I formerly purchased of Robert Perry, Thomas Hill And William Mathews all my share of the goods in the house formely Pittes? my cyder press, apple mill, four hogsheads marked WT, one three quarter vessel, two quarter barrels and one brass crock unto Robert White of Minster? in the said County and William Singleton of Chillington aforesaid and to the survivor of them and to the executors and administrators of such survivor upon the trusts following (that is to say) that out of the said premisses they pay all my just debts and funeral expences and that out of the estate late Osbornes now build on the life of Joseph Gilbert of Exeter? they pay the sum of fifty pounds --? to --? --? --? (vizt) Honor? the wife of John Henry?, Betty the wife of Zachary --? and my daughter Thomazin Chick and my will is that the clear suplus of the said estate late Osborn’s be yearly divided between them my said three daughters, their executors, administrators and assigns until the same sums shall be paid as aforesaid. And I also charge the said estate called Osborn with the payment of the clear sum of one shilling and six pence weekly and every week unto my said daughter Thomazin until she shall attain the age of twenty one years. Also my will is that if any interest in the estate called Osborns shall? remain after payment of the said legacies --? --? shall be fully paid off as aforesaid that they ---? shall be equally divided between --? --? Thomas, Robert and the said Thomazin . Also my will is that my said son Robert shall receive the rents, issues and profits of all my said orchard called Long Orchard until he shall attain the age of twenty one years and from and immediately after he shall attain to the said age of twenty one years I give the said orchard called Long Orchard to my said son Robert, his heirs and assigns for ever but my will is that my said son Robert shall not live to the age of twenty one years that then and in such case the said orchard called Long Orchard shall be equally divided between my son Thomas and Thomazin and for their lives and after the death of either of them the same shall go to the survivor of them, his or her heirs and assigns. And my will is that my wife Betty Chirk shall possess and enjoy all that my house, garden and little plot of land I lately purchased of Thomas Phelps for and during her natural life. And from and immediately after her my wife’s death I give the said house, garden, orchard and little plot of land to my said son Thomas and his heirs. Also I give unto my said wife Betty Chirk and her assigns all my leasehold estate in Thomcombe? in the County of Devon for all the term and interest I shall have therein at the time of my death and also I give unto her my said wife Betty Chirk the sum of five pounds to be paid her by my said executors in three months next after my death. Also I give unto my said son Thomas and his heirs all those my said plots of land I formerly purchased of Robert Perry, Thomas Hill and William Mathew. Also my will is that my son William shall have all my share of the goods in the house formerly Pikes?. And also my cyder press, apple mill, four hogsheads marker WC?, one three quarter vessel and two quarter barrels on condition that he pays to my residuary? legatees hereafter named the sum of ten pounds within two years next after my decease or to my said trustees for his use --? shall --? be then of age and my will is that if my said son William does not accept of the said last mentioned goods and things when offered to him by my said executors in trust and the conditions aforesaid that then my said executors shall sell the same for the use of my said residuary legatees. Also I give to my daughter Betty one brass crock that was her mother’s. Also all the rest, residue and remainder of my moneys, securities for moneys, lands, tenements and hereditaments and effects that I shall be possessed of or intitled unto at the time of my death and not therein and hereby disposed of. I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my son Robert Chick, his heirs and assigns subject nevertheless to the payment unto my said executor in trust of all money and expences as they shall necessary lay out or expend in and about the said trust. And lastly I hereby make and appoint them the said Robert White and William Singleton joint executors in trust of this my will and revoke all former wills by me made and declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the sixteenth day of January one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. The mark of Thomas Chick.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Thomas Chirk the testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses. George Notley, Joseph Chick, J? Wanlen?

On the nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three administration (with the will annexed of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of Thomas Chick late of Chillington in the County of Somerset deceased was granted to Betty Chick widow, the mother and executrix & guardian late fully assigned to Robert Chick, an infant the natural and lawfull son of the said deceased and residuary legatee named in the said will for the use and benefit of the said infant and until he shall attain the age of twenty one years she having been first sworn by commission duly to administer. Robert White one of the executors named in the said will having appeared by his --? he --? not take upon him the execution thereof and William Singleton the other executor named in the said will having been duly cited to --? or refuse the --? and execution of the said will with the usual --? but in no wise appearing

(This will is in very poor condition. It looks as if the ink from the reverse has bled through the paper and has made a mess. DW)

Transcribed from a poor photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales

NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 28/29 August 2000