Will of Richard HELDER (-1719)
National Archives File Reference PROB 11/567/483
In the name of God Amen. I Richard HELDER of Little Offley in the parish of Offley in the County of Hertford Esquire being sick and weak in Body but of perfect and sound memory thanks be to God, do therefore make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say, first and above all things I commended my soul into the hands of almighty God my creator hoping and assuredly believing through the sole merits of Jesus Christ my saviour to have remission of my all sins as for and concerning my body I commend the same to the earth to be buried in such seemly manner as my executors herein named shall think fit. And as for and concerning my temporal estate wherewith it have pleased God to bless me I dispose thereof in manner and form following that is to say Imprimis.
I give and bequeath to the poor of the Parish of Offley five pounds to be within one month after my decease distributed amongst them as my executors herein named shall think fit.
And whereas I have lately made a surrender to the use of my last Will and Testament of all my copyhold lands tenements and hereditaments with the appurtenances lying and being in the Manor of Lilley in the parish of Lilley in the said County of Hertford according to the Custom of the said Manor. Now in pursuance thereof I do hereby give and devise declare and appoint the uses of all and singular the said Copyhold lands and premises with the appurtenances in manner and form following that is to say. So much of the said lands as are in the possession of my tenant John STONE to the use and behoofs of my dear Wife for and during the term of her natural life to be held as they now are with my farm at Little Offley which my said Wife is to enjoy for her jointure.
Item I do give and devise all that cottage pasture closes and wood with the appurtenances now in the possession of Robert WALLER in the said Parish of Offley. And also all those tithes and tenths of corn and grain in the possession of William HANOKS and James GREGORY unto my good and dear brother Richard SHEPPARD esquire and his heirs and assigns to the intent and purpose to pay and satisfy my said Brother a certain debt with interest I owe him upon Bond. And I do hereby give full power and authority to my said brother SHEPPARD to order and fell with timber as may be best spared and as he shall think fit and from my farm and estate at Little Offley in order to pay such debt or debts as I shall truly and justly owe to any person or persons whatsoever.
And as to all the furniture goods and [chattels?] belonging to my dwelling house at Little Offley of all sorts whatsoever except my library of books I do hereby desire order and prove my Brother SHEPPARD to take a true account and inventory thereof and the same so inventoried to remain as standards to my said house for the use and benefit of my said dear Wife during the term of her widow hood.
Item I give unto my good and faithful servant John BOWN five pounds over and above the wages I owe him or such further sum not exceeding ten pounds as my brother SHEPPARD shall approve of. And I also give unto him the said John BOWN all and singular my wearing apparel as I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease both woollen and linen and my two hats except my morning Gown which I lately bought which I give unto my servant Sarah BURGESS.
Item I give unto my servant Ann JACKSON my silk Morning Gown.
Item I give and bequeath unto my
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Good friend Mr Penam DORWZA my silver watch with the silver chain and triangular steel seal hanging thereto.
Item I give and bequeath unto my nephew Harry CROSSE all my furniture in my Chambers in Grayes Inn in the County of Middlesex except my Library of books which I order to be sold by my Executors hereafter named. And the moneys thereby arising to be applied for payment of the arrears duties of the house as shall be owing by me at the time of my decease. And also what I owe to one Mr CURTIS a Carpenter and to his son a bricklayer and to Mr STANTON a stone Cutter near Saint Andrews Church. And as to my right of renewing or enlarging my interest in my said Chambers according to the ancient customs and usage of the said house of Grayes Inn I give and devise unto my Brother in Law Samuel BROWNING Esquire one of the Masters in Chancery in order to settle his eldest son therein if he shall think fit. And as to for and concerning my said copyhold estate lying and being in the manner of Lilley so much thereof which I have given to my said Wife as aforesaid. I give and devise after her decease and also the remaining part of my copyhold estate lying in the said manor undisposed of immediately from and after my decease amongst other things in manner and form following that is to say together with all my estate lands tenements and hereditaments with the appurtenances both freehold and copy hold lying and being in the parishes of Offley Lilley and Pullox Hill or elsewhere in the Counties of Hertford and Bedford which I have in Law or equity in possession reversion or remainder one moiety thereof unto my dear sister Katherine CROSSE Widow of Mr Harry CROSSE and the other moiety unto my dear sister Ann SHEPPARD the wife of Richard SHEPPARD and to the said Richard SHEPPARD for and during the term of their natural lives and from after the decease or deceases of my said sister CROSSE and also the decease of my Brother and Sister SHEPPARD I give and bequeath their respective moieties of all and singular the aforesaid lands tenements hereditaments and premises with the appurtenances unto my nephew Harry CROSSE the youngest son of my said sister CROSSE for and during the term of his natural life and from and after his decease then to the first son of his body lawfully begotten. And to the heirs Males of such issue lawfully begotten and for want of such issue then to the second son of my said nephew Harry CROSSE and to heirs male of such issue lawfully begotten. And for want of such issue then to the third fourth and fifth sons in like manner according to seniority and priority of age and for want of such issue then the remainder to the right heirs of my said brother SHEPPARD and their heirs for ever. And if it shall happen my said Sister CROSSE and brother and sister SHEPPARD shall outlive my said Wife then I do hereby order and it is my Will and please that my said sisters and brother cohabit together here in my dwelling house at Little Offley and that it shall not be in the power of either my sisters or brother to let or demise their parts or shares of what I now [enjoy?] and excepted out of my tenant STONES lease It being my earnest desire as they would live together and enjoy in [?] what I the said Richard HELDER now do. And that in case either and or other of my said sisters or brother shall do part and live elsewhere that then the person or persons living here in my Capital
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Messuage where I now dwell shall be no ways accountable for the profits or advantages as may arise or accrue to the person or persons living here out of the estate excepted out of my said tenant STONES lease to the person or persons as shall depart and not live here according to this my Will and intention. And I do hereby order and appoint all my library of books which I shall have in my dwelling house at the time of my decease shall remain as standards for the use of the family for the time being. All the rest of my goods and chattels real and personal unbequeathed I give and bequeath my debts and funeral expenses being paid and discharged I give and bequeath unto to said sister CROSSE and Brother and sister SHEPPARD whom I do hereby ordain make and appoint executors of this my last Will and testament. And I do hereby revoke annul and make void all other and former Wills by me made. In witness whereof I the said Richard HELDER have to this my last Will and Testament contained in three sheets of paper to each of which I have set my seal and subscribed my name the nine and twenty day of January in the year of our Lord 1718. Richard HELDER. Signed sealed published and declared as the last Will and Testament of the said Richard HELDER testator in the presences of us who have here unto set our hands as witnesses in the presences of the said testator Arthur WORBOYS Thomas KNOWLTON John CHALKLEY John ELLIOTT {Junior?}
[Proved in Latin]
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