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            In the name of God Amen I William Keene of the Town of Newport in the County of Monmouth sadler, being of sound and disposing mind and memory (praise be to God for the same) and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs, do make and publish this my only last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) I commit my body to the earth from which it was taken to be decently interrd at the discretion of my executors herein after named.  As to my worldly effects I dispose of in manner and form following (that is to say) I give and bequeath to my loving wife Ann Keene all my goods and chattels of what kind soever.

Item:     I give devise and bequeath to my loving wife Ann Keene all those two tenements with their appurtenances lying and being in Eugane Street on the parish of St Phillips and Jacob in the Hundred of Barton Reges in the County of Gloucester for her natural life.

Item:     I give devise and bequeath to my said wife one tenement with its appurtenances lying and being in the parish of Langibby in the County of Monmouth for her natural life and at her own disposal.

Item:     I give devise and bequeath to my said wife Ann Keen two tenements with their appurtenances lying and being in the Town of Newport in the County of Monmouth now in the t…? of Edward Tamplin and John Edwards for all my term and interest therein.

Item:     I give devise and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Anne Keene one tenement with its appurtenances lying and being in Corn Street in the said Town of Newport to hold to her for her natural life.

Item:     I give devise and bequeath to my loving wife Ann Keen one ruind house garden and orchard by estimation two acres be the same more or less lying and being in the parish of Langovan in the County of Monmouth joining to the lands of William Morgan Esqr and to the lands of Arnold Powell and to the main road leading from the four ashes to the town of Monmouth for all my term and interest therein and for want of such heirs to William Keene son of Cadogan Keene hallier in the City of Bristol to him and his heirs.  And I do hereby bequeath to Mary Howell, Elizabeth Keene and Hannah Williams one shilling each to be paid to them by my executors herein after named and I do nominate and appoint my loving wife Anne Keene sole executrix of this my last will and Testament.  And I do also revoke annul and make void all former Wills by me made or executed.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of February and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four.  Wm Keene.

 

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named testator before us who in the presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.  John Bateman;  John Williams;  Richard Prescot;  Francis Sutton

 

20th April 1785.  Anne Keene, widow, the relict and sole executrix in this will named was sworn to the truth thereof and to the faithful performance of the same and that the goods chattles and credits of the dec’d do not amount in value to the sum of three hundred pounds.  Before me Benj Hall, Surrogate.

 

This Will was proved at Abergavenny on the twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five before the Revd Benjamin Hall, Clerk, BD, the Chancellor’s Surrogate by Anne Keene, widow, the relict and sole executrix in the within written 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       5/6 December 2002