1741 - John DOCWRA of Ware, Herts.

Will was written on 16 July 1741
Will was proved on 6 August 1741

In the Name of God Amen I John Docwra of Ware in the County of Hertford Malster being weak in Body but of sound and disposing mind and memory Praised be God Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following

ffirst I give devise and bequeath unto my Son John Docwra and to his Heirs All my Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever Scituate (Saving and Except my Land in Brickhillfield and two Cow Leases or Pasture for two Cows or one Horse in Amwell otherwise Northerhoe Marsh in the Parish of Amwell) I also Give unto my Son John ffourteen hundred pounds to be paid to him in manner following that is to say the Sum Six hundred pounds part thereof with Interest for the same after the rate of ffour pounds for every hundred pound for a year within three months next after my decease, the Sum of ffour hundred pounds (further part thereof) with Interest for the same after the same rate within Six months next after my decease And the Sum of ffour hundred pounds (residue thereof) with Interest for the same after the same rate within twelve months next after my decease

Also I I[!] give devise and bequeath unto my Son Thomas Docwra and to his Heirs forever All my Land in Brickhillfield and two Cow Leases in Amwell Marsh aforesaid I also give to my Son Thomas ffourteen hundred pounds and my Iron Chest and Books of Accompts

Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Docwra ffourteen hundred pounds to be payd to her in manner following that is to say the sum of ffour hundred pounds part the rest with Interest for the same after the rate of ffour pounds for every hundred pound for ayear within Six months next after my decease The Sum of ffour hundred pounds (further part thereof) with Interest for the same after the same rate within twelve months next after my decease the Sum of three hundred pounds further part thereof with Interest for the same after the same rate within Eighteen months next after my decease And the Sum of three hundred pounds (residue thereof) with the like Interest within two years next after my decease

I also give to my Daughter Mary the ffurniture of the best Chamber and half my Linnen and half my China Also I give and bequeath unto the Children of my late Brother Joseph Docwra All the money that is due to me from my Brother Thomas Docwra being about One hundred and Eighty pounds which I payd for my said Brother Thomas to Henry Izard and Hannah his Wife and for taxes and Quitrent

Also I give and bequeath unto my Loving Wife Mary Docwra All the household Goods Linnen and Plate that she had at the time of her Marriage I also give to my Wife twenty Guineas But my Will is that if my personal Estate is not worth ffour thousand ffour hundred pounds at the time of my decease besides Houshold Goods and what my said Brother Thomas giveth to me that my Children shall bear an Equal Loss

I also give and bequeath unto my Son Thomas the ffurniture in the Gatehouse Chamber

Also I give and bequeath unto my said Sons John and Thomas Docwra and to my said Daughter Mary Docwra all my old Coins equally to be divided amongst them Share and Share and Share alike

All the rest of my houshold Goods and Books I give unto my Son John Docwra

Lastly all the residue of my personal Estate I give to my Son Thomas Docwra

And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said Son Thomas Docwra and Dame Susanna Dimsdale of the Town of Hertford in the said County of Hertford Widow Executor and Executrix of this my Will and hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made I do declare this my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I the said John Docwra the Testator to this my last will and Testament contained and written in two Sheets of paper have sett my hand to Each Sheet thereof and to the last Sheet thereof have put my Seal this Sixteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and fforty one. Jno. Docwra. Signed Sealed published and declared by the said John Docwra the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have sett and Subscribed our Names as Witnesses to the same at his request and in his presence - Francis Graty Thos Green James Windus.

This Will was proved at London the Sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Seaven hundred and fforty one Before the Worshipfull Edward Kingston Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth Doctor of Laws Master Reever of Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted By the oaths of Thomas Docwra Son of the deceased and Dame Susanna Dimsdale Widow Executors in the said will named to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattells and Creditts of the said deceased They being first Sworn duly to administer.

PRO, catalogue reference: PCC Prob/11/711, will of John Docwra, maltster of Ware, Hertfordshire, (proved) 6 August 1741 (dated 16 July 1741).

Transcription by Odd Ottesen, Kristiansand, Norway, 7 September 2003.

Transcriber's Note: John Docwra was husband of Mary Docwra of Ware, whose will is also in this section.