In the name of God Amen, I William Paske of Comcarvan in the County of Monmouth, yeoman, being infirm with old age but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and forme following, that is to say, I recommend my soul to Almighty and my body to be interred as hereafter is directed. First I give to my wife the yearly rent charge or sume of ten pounds to be payd and payable unto her and her assignes dureing her naturall life charged & chargeable out of my whole estate by equall proportions and payable quarterly the first quarter to begin at the expiration of three months next after my deceased freed from all taxes and deductions whatsoever. Also I give to her her bed and furniture with one iron crocke and one skillet. Item I give and devise my two meadowes Gworloed y Menuyer? Vawr and Gworloed y Menuyer? Vach. Also a tenement and land kalled Kae Mayn Yssa and Kae Mayn Ycha and the lands called Kae Vellyn Yssha and Kae Vellyn Ycha to my eldest son William and the heirs of his body and for want of such issue I give and devise the same to my second son Charles and the heirs of his body and for want of such issue I give and devise the same to my daughter Eleanor, the wife of Francis Lewis and the heirs of her body and for want of such issue to my own right and next heirs. Also I give and devise to my sayd Charles and the heirs of his body all that my tenement of lands arrable pasture and wood as now enjoyed by me called Kae yr tuerne? with two little meadows called The two? Garddees with the house and orchard thereon or thereunto belonging. Also one other meadow called Perllan Ucha and two small pieces of pasture and wood called Spouts with one other small piece of arrable land called Crofte? Loyd. And for want of such issue I do give and devise the same to my son William and the issue of his body and for want of such issue to my daughter Eleanor & the heirs of her body and for want of such issue I doe give the same and also the above devised premisses to my cozen James Paske of Lanvyhangell and the heirs of his body and for want of such issue to my own right heirs for ever. Also I do give to my said daughter the sume of five pounds to be payd her within one year after my decease and the further sume of five pounds to be payd her at the end of three years next after my decease. Also I give to her my best feather bed, bolster and furniture and two pair of sheets, one of my cows, one brasse kettle, a brasse pot, a brasse pan, four pewter dishes and a pair of iron andirons with brasse heads. And in case she shall have any child or children I give to the eldest of such children ten pounds to the second ten pounds to be payd & payable at their respective ages of six years & then to be kept out at interest. And all the rest and residue of my personall estate whatsoever I give to my sayd two sons equally to be divided between them. And I do desire & direct that they may bury me & my sayd wife with decency but no great expence. In witnesse whereof I have hereto put my hand and seale this second day of August in the year of our Lord 1744. The marke of the sayd testator William Paske.
Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of us who subscribed our names in the presence of the testator, M Catchmayd; the marke of Sarah Phillips; E? Catchmayd.
October the 9th 1744. William Paske and Charles Paske the sons and residuary legatees in the above will named were sworn well and faithfully to administer to the truth of the inventary &c & to render an account &c before me William Harry, Surrogate
Transcribed from a photocopy by Dave Woolven, 2 Aspen Way, Malpas Park, Newport, South Wales.
NP20 6LB Tel 01633 858 359 16 September 2000