In the name of God Amen I David Lewis of the Town of Usk in the County of Monmouth, yeoman, being sick in body but of sound mind, memory and understanding do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. I give, devise and bequeath unto my wife Hannah Lewis all my real and personal estate, goods and effects of what nature or kind soever to hold, use, occupy and possess the same for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give, devise and bequeath all my said real and personal estate, goods and effects unto my daughter Maria Lewis now resident at Cardiff in the County of Glamorgan and to my step daughter Sarah the wife of Thomas Lewis of the said Town of Usk, black smith, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever share and share alike as tenants in common. And I do hereby make, nominate, constitute and appoint my said wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former will and wills at any time heretofore made and do declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord 1797. David Lewis

Signed, sealed, declared and published by the above named David Lewis the testator as and for his last will and testament. (The word "what" being first interlined between the fifth and sixth lines) in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witness in the presence of each other. Mary Jenkins; Rebeca Kinsey; --? Davies, Usk

Benjamin Hall, Doctor in Divinity, Vicar General and Official Principal of the Right Reverend Father in God Richard by divine permission Lord Bishop of Landaff lawfully constituted To our well beloved in Christ Meredith Williams & John Saunders, Clerks, respectively residing in the County of Monmouth and Diocese of Landaff jointly and Severally Greeting Whereas David Lewis late of the Town of Usk in the County of Monmouth and Diocese of Landaff, yeoman, deceased, whilst living & of sound mind, memory and understanding duely made and executed his last will & testament in writing hereunto annexed and did therein name Hannah Lewis, his relict, sole executrix and afterwards died. We do therefore empower you jointly & severally to swear the said Hannah Lewis as well to the truth of the said will as to the faithful performance of the same and to make a true & perfect inventory of all & singular the goods, chattles and credits of the said deceased & to tender a true & just account thereof & to exhibit the same into the Registry of the Consistory Court of Landaff when thereunto lawfully required. And you are likewise enjoined to do in the premises what shall be needful & that such oath being administered you duly transmit --? Our Surrogate or some other competant Judge in this behalf the whole proceedings thereon --? --? proper hands of one or more of you on or before the last day of this instant --?. Given under our seal of Office the third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred ninety eight.. Edward Pearson?, --?

The oath to be administered to the executrix laying her right hand on the New Testament.

Your oath is that you believe the paper writing --? You --? The last will and testament of David Lewis late of the town of Usk in the County of Monmouth & Diocese of Landaff, deceased, that you are the executrix therein named,that you will faithfully execute the same by paying the debts of the sd deceased then the legacies in the said will mentioned as far as the goods, chattles & credits of the said deceased well thereunto extend and the law require. That you will make & exhibit in the Registry of the said Consistory Court of Landaff a true & perfect inventory of all & singular the goods, chattles and credits together with an account of your said administration thereof when thereunto lawfully required and moreover that the sd goods, chattles & creditsof the said deceased do not amount in value to the sum of one hundred pounds so help you God.

This Commission was executed the above oath administered according to the form & effect thereof this sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1798. By & before me John Saunders, Clerk

3 March 1798 Let this commission pass the Seal. Benj Hall, Chancellor

31 March 1798 Let probate pass the Seal. Benj Hall, Chancellor

Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales

NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 22 August 2000