In the name of God Amen I William Griffiths of the parish of Landenny in the County of Monmouth, yeoman, do make this my last will and testament in manner following (that is to say) I give and devise all my real estate to my sons Charles and William, their heirs and assigns as tenants in common and not as joint tenants subject to the payment of the several sums of eight hundred pounds and two hundred pounds charged thereon by way of mortgage to Mr William Rees and Mr Thomas Prothero. And also subject to the payment of two hundred and forty pounds to all and every my daughters to be equally divided between them share and share alike and payable at their respective ages of twenty one years and if either or any of them shall happen to die before she or they attain her or their age or ages of twenty one years, then I direct that the share or shares of her or them so dying as aforesaid shall be paid to the survivor or survivors of them, and I do hereby direct that the legal interest of the said sum of two hundred and forty pounds shall be in the mean time and until they shall severally attain their said ages of twenty one years be paid them in equal proportions for their support and maintenance. And I do hereby give and bequeath to each of my said daughters a feather bed, bolster, two sheets and a bedstead. And I do hereby give and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my goods, chattels and personal estate to my said sons Charles and William to be equally divided between them share and share alike. And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said sons executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former will and wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety. The mark of William Griffiths

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto. James Hopkins of Landenny; the mark of Nicholas Poiskins of Landenny; --? Baron, clerk to Mr Prothero, Usk; Charles Cadogan of Landenny

13 June 1794. William Griffiths the natural & lawfull son and one of the executors in this will named was sworn to the truth thereof & to the faithfull performance of the same & that the goods, chattles & credits of the said ddeceased do not amount in value to the sum of one hundred pounds ---? ---? being first reserved. Thos Price, Surrogate

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

NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 20 August 2000