In the name of God Amen, I Elizabeth Jones of the parish of Newchurch West End in the County of Monmouth, widow, being weak in body through age but in health and of sound mind, memory and understanding (praised be to God) do make and ordain this my last will in manner and form following, that is to say. First I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor herein after named in the parish church or chancell of the church of Newchurch aforesaid in or near the grave my husband was buried in and as to my worldly effects I dispose thereof thus.
I give and bequeath unto John Pritchard the Elder of Newchurch aforesaid the sum of two pounds ten shillings of lawfull money to be paid him in twelve months next after my decease. I give, devise and bequeath unto Elizabeth the wife of Edward Lewis of Newchurch aforesaid the sum of two pounds ten shillings of like lawfull money to be paid as aforesaid. I give, devise and bequeath unto Walter Davies of Lanvaches and unto Barbara Morgan wife of William Morgan of Newchurch aforesaid and unto Mary the wife of Edward Lewis of Chepstow the sum of five shillings each payable as aforesaid. I give, devise and bequeath unto Elizabeth the daughter of James Waters hereinafter named and unto James his son the sum of five pounds each payable as aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto Mary Giles, Nicholas Giles, Reece Harris, Mary Harris and Hester Davis the sum of four shillings each payable as aforesaid. I give and bequeath and it is my will that the sum of twenty shillings should by my executor hereinafter named be expended towards the burying Elizabeth Phillips of Penhow, widow, when tis please God to call for her. I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Daniel the sum of four shillings, Mary Collins two shillings and to her son ten shillings payable as aforesaid. I give and bequeath to Ann and Elizabeth daughters of Walter Rosser the sum of two shillings and six pence each payable as aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto Ann the wife of James Waters the sum of forty shillings. I give to be distributed in bread at the discretion of my executor herein after named at my funeral the sum of fifteen shillings. All the rest and residue of my house hold stuff, goods, chattels, effects and personall estate, money and all debts due to me whatever. I give, devise and bequeath unto James Waters of Newchurch aforesaid who now lives with me in my dwelling house who I constitute, nominate and appoint sole executor of this my last will and testament and hereby annulling, revokeing and making void all other and former wills by me made do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this eighteenth day of March one thousand seven hundred and forty six. The mark of Elizabeth Jones
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testatrix Elizabeth Jones as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto sett our hands as witnesses to the due execution hereof. Edward Lewis, James Davies, George Kemeys junr
I Elizabeth Jones of the parish of Newchurch West and in the County of Monmouth, widow, do this twelfth day of June in the twenty third year of the Reign of our Sovreign Lord George the Second, King of Great Britain and so forth and in the year of our Lord 1749 make and publish this my codicil to my last will and testament in manner following – that is to say – whereas I have in and by my last will and testament bearing date the eighteenth day of March 1748 given, devised and bequeathed unto Elizabeth the wife of Edward Lewis of Newchurch two pounds ten shillings payable as therein sett forth I do hereby declare that my will is that the said sum of two pounds ten shillings shall not be paid according to my said will and I do hereby make void the said legacy and my will is that the same shall sink into my personall estate and it is my will and desire that this present codicill be made and taken as part of my last will and testament to and in all intents and purposes. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal the day and year aforesd. The mark of E Jones
Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of us Charles Vaughan, George Holmes.
Oct ye 29th 1750. James Waters the sole executor in this will named was sworn well and faithfully to execute the same, and to the truth of the inventory by him exhibited, and to render an account &c before me. William Harris, Surrogate
This will (with the codicill hereunto annexed) was proved at Caerleon on the twenty ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty before the Reverend Mr William Harris, Clerk, Master of Arts, the Chancellor’s Surrogate, by James Waters the sole executor in this will named, who was first on the holy Evangelists personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same and to the truth of ye inventory by him exhibited and to render a just account of his administration thereof, when thereunto lawfully required
An inventary of the goods & chattels of Elizabeth Jones late of Newchurch in the County of Monmouth & Diocese of Landaff, widow, deceased, exhibited into the Consistory Court of Landaff the 29th day of Nov 1750 by James Waters executor named in the last will & Testamt of the said deceased on his corporal oath vizt:
The deceased’s waring apparel valued at 0 15 0
One old feather bed, bolster & pillow, two rugs, 3 sheets, blankett pillow case, bedsteed & curtains at 2 0 0
One --? Table & straw chair at 0 5 0
2 kilderkins, one tub & a chest at 0 7 6
One iron pott & two brass kettles 0 6 0
Two pewter dishes, one candlestick & a dripping pan at 0 2 6
Three ewes & one lamb at 0 11 0
One other old --? feather bed at 0 5 0
Separate & desporate debts due to the deceased from sundry persons ye sum of 12 0 0
Sum total 16 12 0
The mark of James Waters; party exhibant
Transcribed from a photocopy of the poorly written original by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales. NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 16 August 2000