In the name of God Amen, I John David of the parish of Cumcarvan in the County of Monmouth and Diocess of Landaff do make and ordaine this my last will and testament in writing in manner and form following
First I recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God hopeing through the meritts of my blessed saviour to have free pardon for my sins, and my body to be buried in a Christian buriall according to the direction of my executrix. And as to what temporall blessing God hath been pleased to bless me with I give and bequeath as followeth
First I give unto Mary Lewis daughter to Thomas Lewis of the parish of Lantrishen in the County Monmouth one feather bed and bed stead with the appurtenances thereunto belonging to be delivered her after my wifes decease. Item I give unto my sister Elizabeth David one shilling. Item I give unto my sister Elinor Griffiths one shilling. Item I give unto Christopher David one shilling. Item I give unto John David my nephew one shilling. Item I give unto Anne Howell my neece one shilling. Item I give unto Mary the daughter of James David one shilling. Item I give unto his two sons one shilling each. And as to the rest and residue of my personall estate not here before bequeathed I give unto my loveing wife Elizabeth David all the rest and residue of my personall estate of what kind soever. Lastly I do appoint my loveing wife Elizabeth David sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness hereof I have hereunto put my hand and seale this nineteenth day of May in the year of our Lord 1735. The marke of within testator John David
Sighned, sealed and published in the presence of the testator and at his request by us James Woodward; William Nicholas senior; William Nicholas junior
October the 7th 1740. Elizabeth David the relict & executrix nam’d in this will was sworn well and faithfully to execute ye same to ye truth of the inventory &c & to render an account &c, before me William Harris, Surrogate
This will was proved at Abergavenny upon the seventh day of October in the year of our Lord Christ 1740 before the Reverend Mr William Harris, Clerk, the Chancellor’s Surrogate by Elizabeth David the relict and executrix in this will named who was first upon the holy Evangelists personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same to the truth of the inventory &c and to render a just account of her administration &c when thereunto lawfully required
An inventary of all and singular the goods, cattle and chattles of John David late of the parish of Cwmcarvan in the County of Monmouth and Diocese of Landaffe, deceased, made, valued and appraised the twenty sixth day of September 1740 by James Woodward and Thomas James, appraisers as follows
First: two cows, one two year old beast, one one year old beast, one mare, one yearling colt and three sheep and four pigs at 8 10 0
Also wheat and oates in the barn unthrashed at 1 10 0
Also his wearing apparel valued at 0 10 0
Also in the kitchin ten pewter dishes, 7 pewter plates, four pewter porringers, one pewter candlestick, six patty pans, one warming pan, twelve trenchers, one bacon rack, one long table, four chairs, one bench, one joint stool, some old brass, two spitts and three iron potts at 1 10 0
Also in the dairy, milk vessels and other lumber at 0 5 0
Also in the celler, old vessels and other lumber at 0 10 0
Also in the chamber two feather beds and bed steeds, one chaff bed and bedstead, three rugs, three blanketts, six pair of sheets and one chest of drawers at 2 0 0
Lastly some working tools in an outhouse at 0 5 0
15 0 0
Exhibited at Abergavenny upon the seventh day of October 1740 by Elizabeth David, the relict and executrix for a true and perfect inventary &c but under protestation of adding &c if any more of the decedents assetts shall hereafter come to her hands, possession or knowledge
Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales
NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 20 August 2000