In the name of God Amen, I Griffith John of Headknolls in the Hundred of Saint Briavels in the County of Gloucester, yeoman, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, but mindful of my mortality do make this my last will and testament in form and manner following. That is to say. First I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ann John the dwelling house wherein I now live together with all the out houses adjoining and belonging thereto, also garden, orchards and in short, all the land which I am now possessed of about six acres be the same more or less. I also give, devise and bequeath unto my said wife the Chapel Cottage with all the land and premises belonging to the same, the last mentioned property I lately bought of Benjamin Worgan and now in the occupation of one Michael Williams as tenant thereof the whole of the said property is lying and being in Headknolls in the Hundred of Saint Briavels aforesaid and all the profits arising from the same I give and bequeath unto my said wife during her natural life, and after her decease to be divided as follows. I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Thomas John my said dwelling house, barn, garden, the piece before the barn, and a piece called the Upper Orchard unto him during his life time. Also I give, devise and bequeath unto my son John John the Chapel Cottage, together with the garden, orchard and premises belonging to the same, unto him, his heirs, administrators and assigns, subject nevertheless to the payment of twenty pounds sterling within twelve months after my wife’s decease, for the use of my grand daughter Ann, the daughter of my son George John, my meaning is that the said sum of twenty pounds shall be put in some Savings Bank to bear interest until my said grand daughter shall attain the age of twenty one years. I give, devise and bequeath unto my son George John the piece of arable land adjoining certain lands belonging to William Bullock and through which there is a path way leading from my house towards the house of the above named William Bullock and a piece of arable land above unto him, his heirs, administrators and assigns. I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Edmund John a piece of land called the Far Corner the piece above it and adjoining to the last mentioned, and also another piece called the three corner patch unto him, his heirs, administrators and assigns. I give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Mary a piece of land which I lately bought of Warren Hathaway and another piece of land called little Alex unto her during her natural life, and after decease, I give, devise and bequeath the same unto her son William John unto him, his heirs, administrators and assigns. I give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Catherine Baker my cider mill, the smith shop, the lower orchard, the moor, & the patch that leads to the well unto her, her heirs, administrators and assigns. After? the decease of my said son Thomas, I give, devise and bequeath the whole of the property I have bequeathed to him to be equally divided between all my children who shall be living at the time to be share and share alike between them. And in case they cannot agree in the division as aforesaid, it is my particular wish for my children to appoint some indifferent person to divide it between them, and whose decision shall be final. I give and bequeath unto my said wife Ann John all my house hold furniture, stock, crop, money in hand, and money due and in a word, all my personal property not mentioned to be enjoyed by her and disposed by her in any manner she may think proper. Lastly I constitute and appoint my son George John to be sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal the 20th day of November in the year of our Lord 1838?. Griffith John by his mark
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator Griffith John as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us as witnesses. David Jones, Rector of Wolvesnewton; Hannah Jones; John Cobner
17th December 1851?
Appeared personally George John of Hewelsfield in the County of Gloucester, labourer, and alleged that this paper writing contained the true last will of Griffith John late of Headknolls in the Hundred of Saint Briavels in the said County of Gloucester deceased, who died on the 2d day of January 1851? That he was the sole executor named in the said will, that he would well and faithfully perform the trusts thereof and pay the debts of the deceased and render an inventory and account when required. That the goods, chattels and credits of the deceased were under the value of one hundred pounds and that he had no leasehold estate. Wherefore he prayed probate. Probate decreed, Thomas Evans, Surrogate. Sworn under £100
(NOTE: This document was written in a poor scribbled hand and the figures in the dates are almost unreadable. DW)
Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales.
NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 22 August 2000