In the name of God Amen I David Lewis of the Town of Usk in the County of Monmouth, Gent, being of perfect mind, memory and understanding do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following (that is to say) First and principally I commend my soul into the hands of my redeemer Jesus Christ hoping through his merits to have remission of my sins and my body to be buried in the most private manner in my own seat in Usk Church and as to what worldly substance God has been pleased to bestow upon me I give, bequeath and devise as follows. First I give and devise to my son Thomas Lewis all that piece of meadow land and premises situate in the parish of Lanishen in the said County of Monmouth which I purchased of the trustees of His Grace the Duke of Beaufort to hold to him my said son Thomas Lewis, his heirs and assigns forever. I give and bequeath unto my said son, his executors, administrators and assigns all that messuage water corn grist mill, lands and premises situate in the parish of Landenny in the said County of Monmouth which I hold by lease from his late Grace the Duke of Beaufort with all my interest, right, title and term of years to come and unexpired in the same by virtue of a surrender me thereunto enabling I give and devise all that my customary hold messuage or tenement and smith shop with all the lands and appurtenances there unto belonging unto my grandaughter Mary Lewis all which said promises are comonly called and known by the name of Eviow Pensydan and are situate, lying and being in the said parish of Landenny and manor of Ragland in the said County of Monmouth and which I purchased of Roger Jones of Bucklands Esqr dec’d to hold to her my said grandaughter Mary Lewis, her heirs and assigns forever. I give and bequeath unto my grandaughter Elizabeth Lewis the sum of twenty pounds payable by my exectrix herein after named in five years next after my decease. I give my nephew David Lewis, currior, the sum of twenty pounds payable by my said executrix in twelve months next after my decease. I give and devise to my daughter Mary Lewis all the advowson Rectory or impropriate Church of Lanbaddock in the said County of Monmouth with the perpetuall presentation or nomination of the Curate thereof with all tythes, easter and other dues, offerings, oblations, obventions and rights thereunto belonging together with the piece of land I purchased of Dorothy Stephens, widow, to hold to her my said daughter, her heirs and assigns forever. I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Mary, her executors, administrators and assigns all that leasehold estate, lands and premises situated in the severall parishes of Lanbaddock and Usk in the said County which I hold by lease for three lives from the trustees of His Grace the Duke of Beaufort with all my estate, right, title, interest and term of years to come and unexpired. I also give and bequeath unto my said daughter Mary all the rest and residue of my personall estate, goods, chattells and effects whatsoever and of what kind or nature soever for and towards payment of all my debts and legacys. And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said daughter Mary sole executrix of this my last will and testament revoking and making void all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I the said David Lewis have to this my last will and testament sett my hand and seal this ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and seventy. Da: Lewis
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said testator David Lewis as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have hereunto set our hands as witnesses to the due execution hereof. Richd Vaughan Norman; H? Harris, J? Davies
20th April 1770. Mary Lewis, spinster, the daughter and sole executrix named in the within written will was sworn to the truth thereof and to her faithful performance of the same, before me Nath Wells, Surrogate
This will was proved at Landaff on the twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy before the Reverend Nathaniel Wells, Clerk, Master of Arts, the Chancellor’s Surrogate, by Mary Lewis, spinster, the natural and lawfull daughter, the sole executrix in this will named who was first on the holy Evangelists personally sworn well and faithfully to execute the same, to exhibit an inventory &c and to render a just account of her administration thereof, when thereunto lawfully required.
Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales
NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 19 August 2000