This is the last will and testament of me Sarah Dixon of Cockfield in the County of Durham widow who being of sound mind memory and understanding do make the same in manner and form following (that is to say) I give and devise to my son Thomas Dixon all my messuages lands and tenements which I lately purchased of Thomas Waistell the elder and Thomas Waistell the younger situate and being in Hespaby Lane in the same County to hold the same to him his heirs and assigns for ever. I give devise and bequeath unto my sons George Dixon, John Dixon and Thomas Dixon all my estate term right title share and interest of in and to all that colliery or coal mine and seams of coal as well opened and not opened commonly called or known by the name of Greenfield Colliery situate and being in the township of Westauckland in the said County held by lease under the Bishop of Durham, also all my estate term right title share and interest of in and to all that colliery or coal mine seam or seams of coal as well opened as not opened commonly called or known by the name of Humber Beck otherwise Bildershaw Colliery in the said County and held by lease under the late John James deceased, and also all my estate right title share and interest of in and to all that colliery or coal mine seam or seams of coal as well opened as not opened commonly called or known by the name of Racley? Fell Colliery in the said County and held by lease under Richard William Peirce Esquire, and also all my estate right title share and interest of in and to all that colliery or coal mine seam or seams of coal as well opened as not opened commonly called or known by the name of Bitchburn Colliery in the said County held by lease under the said Richard William Peirce, and also all my estate right title share and interest of in and to all those mines and quarries of stone as well opened as not opened situate and being in the township of West Auckland aforesaid and held by lease under the Bishop of Durham and also all my estate right title share and interest of in and to all those other mines and quarries of stone as well opened as not opened situate and being in and within the several manors townships or places of Boudgate, Hamsterly? and Ricknal Grainge in the said County and held by lease under the said Bishop of Durham, to hold the same and every part and parcel thereof unto my said sons George Dixon, John Dixon and Thomas Dixon their heirs executors administrators and assignes according to the several natures and tenures thereof, not as joint tenants, but as tenants in common or as near thereto as the nature of the said several collieries and premisses, or the rules of law or equity will admit of, charged and chargable nevertheless with the payment of the several legacies or sums of money hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) to my daughter Elizabeth the wife of George Langstaff the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid her twelve calender months next after my decease, and also charged and chargable with the payment to my fifteen grand children (viz) Hannah, George and Sarah, son and daughters of my said son George Dixon; to Mary, Sarah, Ann, George and Elizabeth son and daughters of my said son John Dixon; to George, son of my said son Thomas Dixon; to Mary, Hannah, John, Elizabeth and Sarah, son and daughters of my daughter Sarah Langstaff; to Sarah, daughter of my said daughter Elizabeth, the sum of ten pounds apiece to be paid them respectively at their several and respective ages of twenty one years, with interest in the mean time after the rate of five pounds per cent per annum, to be applied in their respective maintainances, provided that in case any of my said fifteen grand children shall happen to die before they attain their respective ages of twenty one years, then I give the legacy of him or her so dying unto the survivor or survivors of them share and share alike with the like interest in the mean time as aforesaid and to be paid to such survivor or survivors at his her or their respective ages of twenty one years, provided also that in case all my said grand children shall happen to die before they attain the said age of twenty one years then I will and direct that the said fifteen several legacies shall not be paid to their or any of their executors or administrators but such for the benefit of all my executors hereafter named whereas I am possessed of a certain promissary note bearing date the fifth day of June one thousand seven hundred and ninety four given by my said daughter Sarah Langstaff by her then name of Sarah Greenwell to me for securing the sum of fifty pounds and interest as therein is mentioned now I do hereby order and direct my executors hereinafter named immediately after my death or as soon after as conveniently may be, to deliver the same note to my said daughter Sarah without asking demanding recovering or receiving the principal or interest money thereon due or to grow due, I also give and bequeath to my said daughter Sarah Greenwell the sum of fifty pounds to be paid her twelve calender months next after my decease. I give and bequeath to my said two daughters Sarah Langstaff and Elizabeth Langstaff all my right share and interest of in and to all the household furniture, plate, linnen and china which shall be remaining in my dwelling house at Cockfield aforesaid at the time of my death equally to be divided between them share and share alike. And as to all and every sum and sums of money securities for money (except the said note) colliery stock and materials, outstanding debts and all other my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever or of what nature kind or quality so ever the same to be or consist of not hereinbefore devised or bequeathed, I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said sons George Dixon, John Dixon and Thomas Dixon equally to be divided amongst them share and share alike (subject to the payment of my just debts and funeral expences and legacys aforesaid) and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said sons George Dixon, John Dixon and Thomas Dixon joint executors of this my said will and testament hereby revoking all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made. In witness whereof I the said testatrix Sarah Dixon have to this my said last will and testament contained in three sheets of paper annexed together at the top, to the first and second sheets set my hand, and to this last sheet seting hand and seal this twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six. Sarah Dixon

sealed published and declared by the said testatrix as and for her last will and testament in the presence and at her request and in her presence, and in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses John Glover; John Raylton; Edward Chadton?

The thirtieth day of May 1797 on which day John Glover one of the subscribing witnesses to the above written will was duly sworn to the truth and due execution thereof, and George Dixon, John Dixon and Thomas Dixon the natural and lawful sons of Sarah Dixon the executors therein named gave their solemn affirmation well and faithfully to execute &c and the goods chattles and credits of the said deceased did not in the whole amount to the value or sum of one thousand pounds. Before me Thos Capstick, Surrogate

Under £1000, Wood, Proctor

Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales. NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 23 April 2001