In the name of God Amen, I William Jones of the parish of Langwm Ucha in the County of Monmouth, farmer, being weak in body but of perfect mind, memory and understanding (thanks be given to almighty God) therefore considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do think it necessary to make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I will that all my just debts and funeral expences be fully paid and satisfied; and as to such worldly goods and effects as it hath pleased God to bless me with, I give and bequeath the same in the following manner and form, I give and bequeath unto Mary Williams, spinster, my present housekeeper, all my houshold stuff and furniture the better to enable her to take care of, and bring up the children begotten by me of her body. I give and bequeath unto my two sisters Elizabeth Godwin and Mary Williams the sum of one shilling a piece to be paid them at the end of one month after my decease, all the rest, residue and remainder of my worldly goods and effects, all my live stock of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, ready money and all whatsoever else to me appertaining and not by me before bequeathed, I give and bequeath the same unto my children and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said children namely George, Elizabeth and Anne executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made, my will and desire is that Mr William Evans & Mr Isaac Hall both of the parish of Langwm Ucha should be joint guardians with the children’s mother, in order to see that they are justly and honestly dealt with according to my full intent and meaning in this my last will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy. The mark of William Jones
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses. William Evans, Isaac Hall, R Davies
December 8th 1770. William Evans and Mary Williams two of the testamentary guardians of George Williams and Elizabeth Williams, spinster, minors, and Anne Williams, an infant, the executors named in the within written will were duly sworn, before me Nath’l Wells, Surrogate
On the 8th day of December 1770 Letters of Administration (with the last will and testament annexed) of all and singular the goods, chattles and credits of William Jones late of the parish of Langwm Ucha in the County of Monmouth and Diocese of Landaff deceased was granted and committed to William Evans and Mary Williams two of the testamentary guardians of George Williams, Elizabeth Williams, minors, and Ann Williams, an infant, the executors named in the said will for the use and benefit of the said minors and infant and until they or one of them shall attain the age of seventeen years, they having been first sworn duly to administer
Know all men by these presents that we William Evans of the Parish of Langwm Ucha in the County of Monmouth, yeoman, Mary Williams of the same parish, spinster, John Williams of the town of Newport in the County of Monmouth aforesaid, gunsmith, and William Thomas of the Town of Newport aforesaid, maltster are become bound unto the Right Reverend Father in God Shute by divine permission Lord Bishop of Landaff in the sum of two hundred pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Brittain to be paid to the said Lord Bishop or his lawfull attorney, his ex’rs, adm’s, successors or assigns for the good and faithfull payments of which sum well and truly to be made we bind ourselves and each of us jointly and severally for the whole our heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated the eighth day of December in the year of our Lord 1770
The Condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounden William Evans and Mary Williams two of the testamentary guardians of George Williams, Elizabeth Williams, minors, and Anne Williams, an infant, the executors named in the last will and testament of William Jones late of the parish of Langwm Ucha in the County of Monmouth and Diocese and Landaff deceased and administrators (with the said last will and testament annexed) of all and singular the goods, chattles and credits of the said deceased during the minority of the said minors and said infant and untill they or either of them shall attain the age of 17 years do make or cause to be made or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to their hands, possession or knowledge: And the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of the Consistory Court of Landaff at or before the last day of March next ensuing. And the same goods, chattels do well and truly administer, that is to say, do pay the debts of the said deceased, which he did owe at his decease. And then the legacies contained in the said will, annexed to the said Letters of Administration so to him committed as far as his goods, chattels and credits will thereto extend, and the law charge. And further do make or cause to be made a true and just account of their said administration when they shall be thereunto lawfully required. And all the rest and residue of the said goods, chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon their said accompt and not otherwise disposed of in the said will examined and allowed of by the judge of the said Court for the time being, shall distribute and dispose in such manner and form as shall be limited by the discretion of the said judge. And lastly do at all times hereafter clearly aquit, discharge and save harmless the above named Lord Bishop the said judge and all the other officers of the said Court, against all persons having or pretending to have any right, title or interest unto the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased. Then this obligation to be void and of none effect, or else to remain in full force and virtue. Wm Evans, the mark of Mary Williams
Sealed and delivered in the presence of James Morgan
John Williams, the mark of William Thomas
Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales. NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 7 Nov 2000