I William Hall of English Bicknor in the County of Gloucester, farmer, do make this my last will & testament whereof I appoint John Bigham of Llanerthill in the County of Monmouth, my sole executor & trustee.
It is my wish that as soon after my death as may be convenient a sale shall be made of my interest in a place at the Common Grass, now in the occupation of William Prowen and of so much of my stock & furniture as shall be sufficient to pay all my just debts. That the remainder of the stock & property shall be valued and the amount or the produce thereof if sold, together with the freehold property I purchased of the Crown, and situate in the village of English Bicknor shall be for the sole use and benefit of my wife Frances Hall for the term of her natural life and after her death be divided in equal parts between so many of the seven persons hereafter named as shall be alive at the decease of my wife namely James, William & Joseph, sons of John Hall of Llanthomas, James & Eliza son & daughter of Joseph Hall of Joyford, Easter & Elizabeth daughters of Charles Herbert of Llangoven.
I also declare that it is my will and intention that if my wife Frances, through age or other infirmity shall require any part of my property to be sold, or otherwise disposed of for her necessary maintenance during her life time, it shall be lawful for my trustee to raise money thereon and apply it for that purpose and divide the remainder between the persons before mentioned, and in the manner before described.
It is also my wish that the property at Bicknor which I purchased of the Crown should be sold if necessary for the payment of my debts, or for the maintenance of my wife during her life time, and at all events at her death in order that the proceeds may be divided as hereinbefore mentioned. Dated this fourteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1831. William Hall
Signed, published & delivered by the above written William Hall in the presence of James Machen, Eastbach Court; William --?, Pen’r English Bicknor; H Davies, Banker, Monmouth
A b--? of renouncing the burden of the last will and testament of William Hall late of the parish of English Bicknor in the County of Gloucester, farmer, deceased, made by John Bingham [sic] the executor named in the last will and testament of the said deceased.
On the twenty sixth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two before the Worshipful Edwin Maddy Esquire, Master of Arts, Principal Surrogate and Judge of the Epis--? Consistory Court of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Gloucester pre--? the Notary Public under written. Upon which day appeared personally the said John Bingham [sic] and alleged that the said deceased whilst he was living and of sound mind memory and understanding --? made his last will and testament in writing and therein and thereof nominated constituted and appointed him the said John Bigham sole executor and afterwards departed this life and that for divers good causes and considerations him thereunto specially moving he doth expressly hereby renounce the burthen of the execution of the said will.
Wherefore he prayed and the said Surrogate did --? his petition he being first sworn concerning the truth of the said will as also that he hath not intermeddled nor doth intend to intermeddle with any part of the said deceased’s effects and doth renounce the execution of the said will without any view of fraud or collusion in this behalf) admit this his renounciation as far as by law it may be admitted and enacted and thereupon decreed Letters Testimonial to be granted. Edwin Maddy, Principal Surrogate.
This I attest John Bigham. Thos Holt, NP, Joint Dep Reg’r
NOTE – The above renounciation hasn’t quite made the photocopier, the edge of the document is missing. DW
26th day of July 1832. On which day appeared personally Frances Hall of English Bicknor in the County & Diocese of Gloucester, widow, and alleged upon oath that William Hall late of English Bicknor aforesaid, farmer, departed this life on the thirteenth day of January now last past having first duly made and published his last will and testament in writing bearing date the fourteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty one and thereof appointed John Bigham sole executor and trustee. That the said John Bigham hath legally renounced the probate and execution of the said will (as on references to his renounciation hereunto annexed will more fully and at large appear) That the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased are under the value of one thousand and five hundred pounds, that he had no personal estate and effects at the time of his decease within the province of Canterbury save as aforesaid which are in the Diocese of Gloucester. That she the said Francis Hall is the lawful widow and relict of the said deceased.
Wherefore she prayed that Letters of Administration with the will annexed might be granted and committed to her upon giving such good and sufficient security as in this behalf is required and so forth.
Let Admon pass as prayed. Edwin Maddy, Principal? Surrogate.
Effects sworn under £1500. All which I attest Thos Holt NP
26th July 1832. Admon with the will annexed was this day granted to Frances Hall the widow and relict, the executor having renounced the probate and execution thereof. Edwin Maddy, Principal Surrogate.
Which I attest Thos Holt, Joint Dep Reg’r
Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales. NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 24 March 2001