JOSEPH LEONARD LL 1855/34
In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Leonard of the Hamlet of Rogerston in the Parish of Bassaleg in the County of Monmouth, Tiler, do make this my last Will and Testament in form and manner following, that is to say, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Ann Leonard all my goods Chattels and credits Whatsoever and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said wife sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament I also give, devise and bequeath to my said wife during her natural life or during her widow-hood only should she marry again, all my copyhold lands, houses, gardens, and all appur-tenances thereunto belonging situate and being in the Hamlet of Rogerston aforesaid to her use and management for the support and maintenance of herself and our children and for their education And on the death or marriage of my said wife whichever shall first take place I give and devise to my four daughters Eleanor, Mary, Ann, and Elizabeth their heirs and assigns forever all my four houses together with the gardens and other appurtenances thereunto respectively belonging situate and being near to and abutting upon the Western Valleys Railway on the south side, also the Independent’s Ebenezer Chapel near Pie Corner, all in the said Hamlet of Rogerston, the Rents and proceeds thereof to be equally divided between my said daughters, share and share alike.
Also upon the death or marriage of my said wife I give devise and bequeath to my four sons John, Joseph, Edward, and James their heirs and assigns forever all the rest residue and remainder of my copyhold lands houses, & gardens, together with all rights and appurtenances thereunto respectively belonging, situate and being within the said Hamlet of Rogerston, the rents and proceeds thereof to be equally divided between them, share and share alike.
I also hereby will and ordain that should either of my said daughters die without issue then her share shall go to her sisters or their representatives equally, and so with respect to my said sons and their respective shares – the share of any one of them dying without issue shall go to the others or their representatives to be divided between them in equal parts – the representatives of any one brother taking between them only what would have been that brother’s share had he lived.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of January 1854
Signed sealed and declared by the the Mark of
Testator as and for his last Will & X
Testament in the presence of us, who Joseph Leonard
present at the same time have in his
presence and at his request, subscribed the same
as witnesses
Hugh Williams Bassaleg Vicarage, Clerk
Thomas Morgan, Rogerston, Shopkeeper