The Will of Elizabeth Bell of Bourton, widow

Signed 1st June 1775 and Proved 19th March 1790

In the name of God Amen, I Elizabeth Bell of Bourton within the parish of Gillingham in the county of Dorset, widow do make my Will in manner following that is to say: First I give to my two sisters all my wearing apparel both linen and woollen. Also I give and devise unto my grandson William Bell son of my late son James Bell deceased all that my messuage or dwelling house outhouses and gardens and appurtenances thereunto belonging wherein I now live To hold to my said grandson William Bell his Executors Administrators and Assigns for and during all my Estate __ and Interest therein. Also I give and bequeath unto my friends Edward Read of Thorngrove within the parish of Gillingham aforesaid Gentleman and Mr. Francis Brixey of Bourton aforesaid All the rest and residue of my personal estate, monies and securities for money, goods, chattels and effects whatsoever and wheresoever in trust. Nevertheless that the said Edward Read and Francis Brixey and the survivor of them his Executors and Administrators do and shall put and place the same out at interest and the interest thereof and such part of the principal as shall be necessary do apply to and for the education maintenance and benefit of my said grandson William Bell until he shall attain the age of twenty one years or marriage which shall first happen. And from and after his attaining that age or marriage then I give and bequeath all such principal and interest unto my said grandson William Bell. But in case my said grandson William Bell shall die before he shall attain that age or marriage and not otherwise then I will and dispose of my said personal estate in manner following that is to say: I give unto my brother John Doggerel the sum of twenty pounds and unto all the children of my said brother John Doggerel I give the sum of ten pounds each. Also I give unto Mary Doggerel widow and relict of my late brother Thomas Doggerel deceased the sum of twenty pounds. And unto the two children of my said late brother Thomas Doggerel I give the sum of ten pounds each. Also I give unto my sister Mary Hughes the sum of twenty pounds And unto all her children that shall be living at the time of my decease I give the sum of ten pounds each. Also I give unto my sister Joannah (the wife of Thomas Adams of Milton) the sum of twenty pounds And unto the three children of my said sister Joannah I give the sum of ten pounds each. Also I give unto William Bell of Gillingham, son of my late brother in law William Bell the sum of five pounds. Also I give unto my God-daughter Ann (one of the daughters of my said brother in law William Bell) the sum of fifteen pounds. And I give unto all other the children of my said brother in law William Bell the sum of ten pounds each. Also I give unto Martha the wife of William Bourton of Zeals the sum of twenty pounds. Also I give unto Mary the wife of William Hayter of Silton the sum of ten pounds. Also I give unto Lawrence Cox of Mere weaver the sum of ten pounds. And I give unto such poor persons of the hamlet of Bourton aforesaid (who receive no relief) the sum of five pounds to be distributed amongst them by the Overseers of the hamlet aforesaid in such manner as they shall think proper. All which said several legacies my will is shall be paid by my Trustees Edward Read and Francis Brixey or the survivor of them or the Executors or Administrators of the survivor of them within one year next after the decease of my said grandson William Bell. And all the rest and residue of my said personal estate (In case my said grandson shall happen to die before his attaining the age of twenty one years and unmarried as aforesaid) but not otherwise I give and bequeath the same unto my brother John Doggerell and my two sisters Mary Hughes widow and Joannah the wife of Thomas Adams equally between them share and share alike and if either of them shall die in the lifetime of my said Grandson I give the share of him her or them so dying unto his her or their respective Executors Administrators and Assigns. And I do hereby nominate and appoint the said Edward Read and Francis Brixey Executors in Trust of this my Will during the minority of my said Grandson And when my said Grandson shall attain the proper age I appoint him Executor of this my Will. And lastly I hereby revoke all former and other Wills made by me at any time heretofore made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five. Elizabeth Bell

Witnessed by:

William Jukes

Moulton Messiter

This Will was proved at Sarum on the 19 ^th day of March 1790.

Admon granted to Francis Brixey the surviving Executor in Trust

Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office