Transcription of the Last Will and Testament of Richard Abbs, proven at the Norfolk Consistory Court at Cromer on 11 July 1791:
This is the Last Will and Testament of me Richard Abbs of West Runton in the County of Norfolk, yeoman. First, I give and devise all and every my Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever with their and every of their appurtenances situate lying and being in West Runton aforesaid and Towns adjoining unto John Abbs, my Son, for and during the Term of his natural life Lo the said John Abbs keeping the Messuages and Buildings of and belonging to the said demised premises in good and Tenantable repair and committing no waste. And, from and after the decease of the said John Abbs, I give and devise the said Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments and Premises with their and every of their Appurtenances unto Richard Abbs, my Grandson, second Son of the said John Abbs, to hold to him the said Richard Abbs and his heirs forever; Upon Condition nevertheless that lo the said John Abbs during the Term of his natural Life and that the said Richard Abbs after his decease do and shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto Ann, my wife, one annuity or clear yearly sum of Two pounds and ten Shillings of good and lawful money of Great Britain - clear of all deductions for Taxes of otherwise howsoever - to be paid for by equal half yearly payments in every year during all the term of her natural Life. The first payment thereof to be made at the end of six Calendar months after my decease. And also upon Condition nevertheless that lo the Said Richard Abbs do and shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid the sum of seven pounds which I give and bequeath unto my Daughter, Jane, the Wife of Thomas Cook. Also seven pounds which I give and bequeath to my Daughter, Mary, the wife of Robert Lound, to be paid them within six calendar months next after my decease. Also upon condition nevertheless that the said Richard Abbs do and shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto my Daughter, Hannah, the wife of William Stimpson, the sum of five pounds by weekly payments of two shillings a week for every week until the same shall be fully paid and satisfied, the first of which payments to commence at the Expiration of the first week next after my decease. And that the receipt of the said Hannah shall be a sufficient discharge for the same But in Case the said Hannah my Daughter shall not live to receive the whole of the said Legacy Then I give and bequeath the residue thereof unto all and every the Child and Children of her said Hannah as shall be living at the decease to be squarely divided amongst them share and share alike. And in case default shall be made in payment of the Said Annuity and Legacys at the time and times the same shall respectively become due and payable Then and from thenceforth it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Annuitant Legatee or Legatees to whom default of payment shall be made to enter into and upon have hold and enjoy the said Messuages Lands Tenaments and Hereditaments before devised until he shall or they be paid or satisfied his or their respective Annuity Legacy and Legacys and all costs and charges occasioned thereby. Also I give and bequeath subject to the payment of all my just debts funeral charges probate and Execution of this my Will all and every my goods chattels Stocks Effects said personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature and kind soever (except my right title and interest of and in the term of years yet to come and unexpired in and by a certain Indenture of Lease of a Messuage farm and premises situate lying and being in West Runton aforesaid in my occupation granted by Paul Johnson of East Runton in the said County Gentleman to me and the said John my Son) unto the aforesaid Thomas Cook In Trust that he the said Thomas Cook do and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my decease sell and dispose thereof for the best price and most money that can be had and obtained for the same. And the money arising by Sale thereof I Give and bequeath in manner following (that is to say): One fourth part thereof unto the said Ann my wife; One other fourth part thereof to be equally divided unto and amongst all and every the Childs and Children of Susanna Bayfield my Daughter deceased as shall be living at the time of my decease share and share alike; one other fourth part thereof unto my said Daughter Jane the Wife of the said Thomas Cook; And one other fourth part thereof unto my said Daughter Mary the Wife of Robert Lound, to be paid unto my said Legatees by the said Thomas Cook within six calendar months next after my decease. Also I give and bequeath unto the said John Abbs my Son all that my aforesaid right title interest of and in the Term of years yet to come and unexpired in and by the said Indenture of Lease of the Messuage farm and premises situate lying and being in West Runton aforesaid granted to me and the said John Abbs by the said Paul Johnson. And Lastly I do hereby Nominate constitute and appoint the said Thomas Cook Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me heretofore made and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I the said Richard Abbs the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper to the first set my hand and to this last sheet my hand and seal the second day of March in the year of our Lord 1784.
/s/ Richard Abbs.