Giles Merefield, Beaminster. Dorset WILL 20 Oct 1742 PROB 11/

This is the last will and testament of me Giles Merefield of Beaminster in the County of Dorset. Esquire, written all with own hand hereby revoking all former or other wills heretofore by me made. Imprimis I give and bequeath to my eldest daughter Lucia the sum of three hundred pounds to be paid to her when she shall arrive to her full age of one and twenty years and my intent and meaning is that lawfull interest shall be yearly paid and allowed for the same by my executor herein after named for her support and maintenance and the reason of my not making other provision for my said daughter Lucia is upon a supposition that my wife out of her large jointure will add to her portion and yearly maintenance being her great favorite. Item I give and bequeath to my second daughter Anne the sum of seven hundred pounds to be paid to her when she shall attain her full age of one and twenty years and my intent and meaning is that lawful interest shall be yearly paid and allowed for the same by my executor hereinafter named for her maintenance and education and in case my said daughters or either of them shall happen to die before they arrive to their respective ages of one and twenty years then my will is that the legacies so given to them respectively as aforesaid with the produce thereof shall remain and be for the use of my executor herein after named and whereas it is in the election and power of my said wife to claim my copyhold lands and tenements lying at Beaminster aforesaid to hold the same for her life pursuant to a settlement of them made before my intermarriage with her or for her widowhood according to the custom of the respective mannors in which they lie (and according to the custom of which said respective mannors I have nominated my son Robert Merefield to be the Lords next tenant after my decease to all those lands and tenements) my request and advice is that my said wife would take the same for her widowhood and wave the said settlement as being less expensive to herself and most beneficial for my posterity, and in case of her compliance with this my request. I give and bequeath to her the use of all my household goods. Plate and linen during such time as she shall continue a widow but in case she refuses to claim the same lands for her widowhood and relies on the said settlement before marriage then my will and desire is that all my said household goods (my plate and linen only excepted) shall be sold within the space of one year next after my decease for the benefit of my executor hereinafter named. Item the rest and residue of my goods and chattells and personal estate of what kind and quality soever. I give and bequeath to my said son Robert Merefield whom I do make whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament and do constitute and appoint my brother Robert Merefield guardian to my children during their minority hereby empowering him to take out Letters of Administration with this my will annexed for the better performing the same. Lastly my will and desire is that my funeral expenses might not exceed the sum of twenty pounds of British money. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1734. Giles Merefield.

Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the said Giles Merefield in the presence of us whose names are underwritten so attesting the same and subscribing our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator. James Daniel, John Painter. Henry Daniel

On the seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty five issued forth a Commission to Robert Merefield the brother and testamentary guardian named in the last will and testament of Giles Merefield late of Beaminster in the County of Dorset Esquire deceased to administer the goods. chattels and credits of the said deceased according to the tenor and effect of the said will for the use and benefit of Robert Merefield an infant, the son sole executor and residuary legatee named in the said will until he shall attain the age of seventeen years he being first sworn well and truly to administer the same for that the said executor is in his infancy so that the execution of the said will is not yet by law to be granted to him

(NOTE - the following is a margin note which has not photocopied very well. DW)

On the 20(26?) October 1742 --? with the will annexed of the --? --? --? Giles Merefield late of Beaminster in the County of Dorset Esqr dece’d was --? to Ann Merefield, widow, the mother & adm’r of the goods of Robert Merefield an infant deceased -? -? -? Residuary --? afore named in the said will being first sworn by --? duly to adm’r the said Robert Merefield surviving the said testator but dying before he had taken --? him the execution of the said will and Letters of Adm’n with the said will annexed granted in October 1735 to Robert Merefield the testamentaly guardian for the use and benefit of the said infant being --? and --? by reason of the said infants death

Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales. NP2O 6LB Tel 01633 353359 29 May 2000