Transcription of the Will of Richard Abbs dated 13 November 1831
This is the last will and testament of me Richard Abbs of Runton in the County of Norfolk Farmer. First, I appoint Herbert Jarrett Johnson of Runton aforesaid Gentleman the Executor of this my Will and I give the said Herbert Jarrett Johnson the sum of five pounds besides and in addition to all his receivable professional costs fees and charges and also all his necessary expenses in attending to and in and about the execution of this my will. And I direct all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid out of my personal estate and as soon as conveniently can be after my decease. And I give and bequeath all my household goods furniture provisions plates china dining and beverage utensils unto my dear wife absolutely. And I give and bequeath all my farming stock implements of husbandry and cash money and securities for money and all other my personal Estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto and to the use of the said Herbert Jarrett Johnson his Executors administrators and assigns Upon trust that he or they do and shall as soon as conveniently can be after my decease sell and dispose of and convert the same into money (except so much thereof as shall then consist of money) and pay divide and apply the money arising therefrom And also so much of my personal Estate as shall then consist of money equally unto and among all and every my Children who shall be living at the time of my decease and the issue of such of my Children who shall have departed this life leaving issue then living such issue of of any of my said Children to take such part or share as their parent would have taken if living as tenant in common. And I give and devise to my said wife all that my messuage or cottage now in the occupation of my Sons Richard and Francis and all my land situate at Runton aforesaid And also all other my real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever with the rights members and appurtenances belonging to the same To hold the same unto my said wife and her assigns during her natural life she or they keeping the buildings in good and tenantable repair. And from and after the decease of my said wife I give and devise all the freehold part and parts of my messuage lands hereditaments and real Estate whatsoever with their appurtenances unto the said Herbert Jarrett Johnson and his heirs upon trust that he or they shall and do as soon as conveniently may be after the decease of my said wife sell and dispose of the same by public Auction or private contract for the most money that in his or their judgment can be had or gotten for the same. And I do hereby authorize empower and direct the said Herbert Jarrett Johnson his Executors or administrators as soon as conveniently may be after the decease of my said wife in like manner as hereinbefore mentioned to make sale and dispose of the Customary of Copyhold part and parts of my said Messuage land hereditaments and real Estate whatsoever with their appurtenances. And I do hereby will and direct that the said Herbert Jarrett Johnson his heirs executors and administrators do and shall pay apply and divide the money arising from the sale of my said freehold and copyhold Estates as aforesaid equally unto and amongst all and every such of my Children who shall be living at the time of the decease of my said wife and the issue of such of my Children who shall have departed this life leaving issue then living such issue taking their respective parents share as tenants in common. And I do hereby declare that the receipt or receipts of the said Herbert Jarrett Johnson his Executors or administrators shall be a good and sufficient discharge or good and sufficient discharges to the purchaser or purchasers of the said real Estate to be sold as aforesaid or of any part thereof for such of the purchase money as shall be therein expressed to be received And that such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obliged to see to the application nor be answerable or accountable for the misapplication or nonapplication of the same or any part thereof. And I do declare that the said Herbert Jarrett Johnson or his executors administrators and assigns shall be charged and chargeable for such money only as he or they shall actually receive by virtue of the trusts hereby in him reposed and that it shall be lawful for him and them notwithstanding the aforesaid legacy to retain to and reimburse himself and themselves all costs charges damages and expenses which he or they shall or may suffer sustain expend be at or be put unto and all his reasonable professional costs charges and fees which he may deserve and charge in or about the execution of this my will and the trusts aforesaid. And I do hereby revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this to be my last. In witness whereof I the said Richard Abbs the testator have to the first sheet of this my will contained in two sheets of paper set my hand and to this second and last sheet my hand and seal this thirteenth day of November One thousand eight hundred and thirty one.
/s/ Richard Abbs (seal)
Signed sealed published and disclosed by the said Richard Abbs the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.
/s/ Francis Abbs /s/ Robert Curties /s/ Mary Ann Cox