This is the last will and testament of me Thomas Gwinne of the parish of Cwmcarvan in the county of Monmouth Yeoman as followeth, First I recommend my soul to almighty God my maker hoping to be saved through the merits of my blessed redeemer and my body to the earth to be decently interred at the direction of my executors herein after named and as to such worldly estate as I shall die seized of or interested unto I dispose of the same in manner, following, First I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my personal estate and after payment thereof I give all the rest and residue of my said personal estate to my beloved wife Dorothy Gwinne for her sole and separate use and I do hereby confirm the jointure or settlement I made on her, and for her better maintenance and provision I do hereby give and devise unto my said dearly beloved wife all my messuages lands and hereditaments whether freehold or copyhold both in possession and which I am entitled to in reversion situate lying and being in the several parishes of or hamlets of Cwmcarvan, Mitchel Troy, Treleg and Penalt or elsewhere in the county of Monmouth to hold to her and assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease. Then I give and devise the said messuages lands and hereditaments to my brother in law William Jones of Treowen and my nephew Thomas Rosser of Cwmcarvan Yeoman their heirs and assigns forever upon trust and confidence that they or the survivor of them or the heirs of such survivor shall or will by sale or mortgage thereof or of some part thereof raise and pay the sum of two hundred pounds for portions for my five daughters Mary, Patience, Elizabeth, Anne & Sarah to be paid them share and share alike within six months after the decease of my said wife their mother and in case any or either of them die before the death of the said mother the share of her or them so dying shall go to and amongst the survivors and survivor of them and from and after payment of the said legacy's or portions to my daughters. I give and devise the remainder of my said real estate over and above what will be sufficient for raising the said two hundred pounds for my daughters portions to my son John Gwinne his heirs and assigns forever and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said brother in law William Jones and the said Thomas Rosser my nephew joint executors and trustees of this my will in witness whereof I the said Thomas Gwinne the testator have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of November one thousand and seven hundred and forty five.
Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence subscribed our names as witnesses thereto - Wm Williams, J Williams, X The mark of Phillip Watkins.
The Mark of Thomas Gwinne X
October the 9th 1753
William Jones one of the executors in this will named was sworn well and faithfully to execute the same to exhibit an inventory and to render an account, power being first reserved to Thomas Rosser the other executor if he shall apply for the same before me. William Harris surrogate.
This will was proved at Abergavenny on the ninth day of October in the year of our lord Christ 1753, before the Reverend William Harris Clerk, Master of Arts, the chancellors' surrogate, by William Jones one of the executors in this will named, who was first on the holy evangelists personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same exhibit an inventory and to render a just account of his administration thereof when thereunto lawfully required.