The Will of Joseph Elderfield (1707-1792)

This is a transcription of the last will and testament of Joseph Elderfield of East Garston dated 17th October 1791. The Right Honourable Sir William Wynne then proved it on 7th July 1792 at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

No doubt, there are errors in the transcript because of difficulties in deciphering the handwriting. The transcript may not be entirely accurate.

The Original Text | Improved Readability | Summary of Bequests | All Saints Church, East Garston

The Original Text

Where the handwriting is difficult to decipher, the assumed word is presented in bold italics.

In the Name of God Amen I Joseph Elderfield of East Garston in the County of Berks Yeoman being of sound mind memory and understanding God be praised do make and ordain this writing to be and contain my last will and testament in manner following whereby ffirst and principally I committed my soul to Almighty God my Creator who gave it and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently interred in a plain and Christian like manner according to the usage of my ffamily by my executor hereinafter appointed out of my effects and afsitts and as an for my worldly estate which the Lord in his mercy hath blefsed me with I do order and dispose the same as followeth that is to say I direct that all my just debts and ffuneral expenses be well and truly paid so soon after my decease as conveniently can be out of my personal estate / and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my nephew Thomas Mabberly of East Garston aforesaid yeoman wholl and sole executor hereof / and I do hereby give devise and bequiath unto Thomas Mabberly the younger son of my nephew Thomas Mabberly all those my two ffreehold estates houses tenements lands commons outlets buildings and appurtenances to be the same estates belonging and appertaining situate lying at East Garston aforesaid Co hold to him the said Thomas Mabberly the younger and to his heirs and afsigns from my decease forever subject neverthelefs to and I do hereby make the said ffreehold estates and each of therin liable and chargeable with the payment of the yearly sum or annuity of two pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid by two half yearly payments that is at Michaelmas of Lady Day to the church wardens of the parish of East Garston aforesaid for the time being and by them to be paid to some proper person for teaching four poor children of the same parish to read till they can read well in the Bibel so that his or her age dothnot exceed ten years the first half yearly payment or sum of twenty shillings to become due and to be paid at the Michas or Lady Lady Day twelve months that shall happen next after my decease and to continue the same half yearly payment or sum twenty shillings every half year for ever for that purpose such children to be chosen and recommended by the said church wardens or one of them and if default shall be made in payment of the said annuity or sum of fforty shillings by half yearly payments as the same shall become due and payable as aforesaid that then the said church wardens or their succefsors for the time being shall and I do hereby empower and authorise them to enter upon the said estates or either of them and to distrain for the said annuity and all arriars thereof in ten days after due and lawful demand made and for want of sufficient difstrufs then to keep detain and hold the said estates as in case of landlord and tenant till all annuities and arrriars thereof are satisfied and paid according to the time intent hereof and I do hereby give devise and bequiath unto my nephew William Mabberly of East Garston aforsaid yeoman the sum of ffity pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain and to his son William Mabberly the younger of the same place yeoman I give the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money and to William Elderfield of East Garston aforesaid yeoman I give the sum of ffifty pounds of like lawful money and to Henry Elderfield of Ecchinswell in Hampshire yeoman I give the sum of ffity pounds of like lawful money and to Mary Bath sister to the said Henry Elderfield the sum of fifty pounds of like lawful money and to Sarah Mabberly daughter of the said Thomas Mabberly the elder I give the sum of ffity pounds of like lawful money and to John Mabberly Henry Mabberly and Ann Mabberly three other children of the said Thomas Mabberly the elder I give each the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful and to Mary FFoisberry my said brother William Elderfield’s grant daughter I give the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money and to my kinsman John Crofs of Wantage in Berkshire labourer I give the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money and to his sister Ann Hosier the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money and to another sister Priscilla Elliot I give the sum of five pounds of like lawful money and to Ffrances Pound wife of Henry Pound of East Garston aforesaid yeoman I give the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money and to John Canners Thomas Canners Elizabeth Canners Ann Canners Sarah Canners Mary Canners Hannah Canners seven children of my niece Mary Mabberly deceased I give each the sum of ffive pounds of like lawful money all which legacies I hereby order and direct shall be paid to the respective legatees or to their respective lawful representatives within one year next after my decease by my executor out of my personal estates and effects and I do hereby give and bequiath to the poor of the parish of East Garston aforsaid the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money to be to the church wardens of that parish for the time being and by them to be distributed in bread to the poor within one month next after my decease and I do hereby order and direct that my executor do cause to be erected and put up a handsome grave stone to my remembrance in the church yard at East Garstone as near to goodness and effort as my brother Henry Elderfield’s as soon as convenient after my decease and I do hereby give and bequiath unto my kinswoman Ann now wife of Joseph Symmonds of East Garston aforesaid labourer the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to her or her lawful representative within one year next after my decease by my executor and lastly revoking and making void all former and other wills by me hereforto made I do publish and declare this writing containing two sheets to be and contain my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeeth day of October one thousand seven hundred and ninty one Joseph Elderfield signed sealed published and declared by the said Joseph Elderfield the testator the ffirst sheet only signed this sheet signed and sealed as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at the testators request and in his presence as also in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnessed hereto the word (ffity) above the eighth line from the bottom first interlined Roger Puzey Tho Woodrouffe Dinah Pettit

This will was proved at London on the ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two before the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne, Knight, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted, by the oath of Thomas Mabberly, the nephew of the deceased and sole executor named in the will, to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased, having been first sworn by commission duly to administer.

Improved Readability

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, Joseph Elderfield of East Garston in the County of Berks, Yeoman, being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, God be praised, do make and ordain this writing to be and contain my last will and testament in the following manner:

First and principally, I commit my soul to Almighty God, my Creator, who gave it, and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently interred in a plain and Christian-like manner according to the usage of my family by my executor hereinafter appointed, out of my effects and assets.

As for my worldly estate, which the Lord in His mercy has blessed me with, I do order and dispose of the same as follows:

I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be well and truly paid as soon after my decease as conveniently can be, out of my personal estate.

I hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my nephew, Thomas Mabberly of East Garston aforesaid, Yeoman, whole and sole executor hereof.

I give, devise, and bequeath unto Thomas Mabberly the younger, son of my nephew Thomas Mabberly, all my two freehold estates, houses, tenements, lands, commons, outlets, buildings, and appurtenances, situate at East Garston aforesaid, to hold to him, the said Thomas Mabberly the younger, and to his heirs and assigns from my decease forever, subject nevertheless to the payment of the yearly sum or annuity of two pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain, to be paid by two half-yearly payments, at Michaelmas and Lady Day, to the church wardens of the parish of East Garston aforesaid for the time being, and by them to be paid to some proper person for teaching four poor children of the same parish to read until they can read well in the Bible, provided that his or her age does not exceed ten years.

The first half-yearly payment or sum of twenty shillings is to become due and be paid at Michaelmas or Lady Day twelve months after my decease, and the same half-yearly payment or sum of twenty shillings is to continue every half year forever for that purpose. Such children are to be chosen and recommended by the said church wardens or one of them.

If default shall be made in payment of the said annuity or sum of forty shillings by half-yearly payments, as the same shall become due and payable as aforesaid, then the said church wardens or their successors for the time being shall, and I do hereby empower and authorize them to enter upon the said estates or either of them and to distrain for the said annuity and all arrears thereof in ten days after due and lawful demand made, and for want of sufficient distress, then to keep, detain, and hold the said estates as in the case of landlord and tenant until all annuities and arrears thereof are satisfied and paid according to the intent hereof.

I give, devise, and bequeath unto my nephew, William Mabberly of East Garston aforesaid, Yeoman, the sum of fifty pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain, and to his son, William Mabberly the younger of the same place, Yeoman, I give the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money.

To William Elderfield of East Garston aforesaid, Yeoman, I give the sum of fifty pounds of like lawful money, and to Henry Elderfield of Ecchinswell in Hampshire, Yeoman, I give the sum of fifty pounds of like lawful money.

To Mary Bath, sister to the said Henry Elderfield, I give the sum of fifty pounds of like lawful money, and to Sarah Mabberly, daughter of the said Thomas Mabberly the elder, I give the sum of fifty pounds of like lawful money.

To John Mabberly, Henry Mabberly, and Ann Mabberly, three other children of the said Thomas Mabberly the elder, I give each the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money.

To Mary Foisberry, my said brother William Elderfield’s granddaughter, I give the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money.

To my kinsman, John Cross of Wantage in Berkshire, Labourer, I give the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money, and to his sister, Ann Hosier, I give the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money, and to another sister, Priscilla Elliot, I give the sum of five pounds of like lawful money.

To Frances Pound, wife of Henry Pound of East Garston aforesaid, Yeoman, I give the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money.

To John Canners, Thomas Canners, Elizabeth Canners, Ann Canners, Sarah Canners, Mary Canners, and Hannah Canners, seven children of my niece Mary Mabberly, deceased, I give each the sum of five pounds of like lawful money.

All these legacies I hereby order and direct shall be paid to the respective legatees or to their respective lawful representatives within one year next after my decease by my executor out of my personal estates and effects.

I give and bequeath to the poor of the parish of East Garston aforesaid the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money, to be given to the church wardens of that parish for the time being, and by them to be distributed in bread to the poor within one month next after my decease.

I order and direct that my executor do cause to be erected and put up a handsome gravestone to my remembrance in the church yard at East Garstone as near to goodness and effort as my brother Henry Elderfield’s, as soon as convenient after my decease.

I give and bequeath unto my kinswoman, Ann, now wife of Joseph Symmonds of East Garston aforesaid, Labourer, the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of Great Britain, to be paid to her or her lawful representative within one year next after my decease by my executor.

Lastly, revoking and making void all former and other wills by me heretofore made, I do publish and declare this writing containing two sheets to be and contain my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one.

Joseph Elderfield

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Joseph Elderfield, the testator, the first sheet only signed, this sheet signed and sealed as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who, at the testator’s request and in his presence as also in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.

The word (fifty) above the eighth line from the bottom first interlined.

Roger Puzey

Tho Woodrouffe

Dinah Pettit

This will was proved at London on the ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, before the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne, Knight, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper, or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted, by the oath of Thomas Mabberly, the nephew of the deceased and sole executor named in the will, to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased, having been first sworn by commission duly to administer.

Summary of Bequests

The executor is Thomas Mabberly, nephew of Joseph.

Beneficiary	Relationship to Joseph Elderfiend	Legacy	Conditions
Thomas Mabberly (the younger)	Great-nephew	Two freehold estates, houses, tenements, lands	Subject to payment of annuity
William Mabberly	Nephew	£50 (worth about £7700 today)	None
William Mabberly (the younger)	Great-nephew	£20 (worth about £3000 today)	None
William Elderfield	Nephew	£50 (worth about £7700 today)	None
Henry Elderfield	Nephew	£50 (worth about £7700 today)	None
Mary Bath	Niece	£50 (worth about £7700 today)	None
Sarah Mabberly	Great-niece	£50 (worth about £7700 today)	None
John Mabberly	Great-nephew	£20 (worth about £3000 today)	None
Henry Mabberly	Great-nephew	£20 (worth about £3000 today)	None
Ann Mabberly	Great-niece	£20 (worth about £3000 today)	None
Mary Foisberry	Great-niece	£20 (worth about £3000 today)	None
John Cross	Kinsman	£10 (worth about £1500 today)	None
Ann {Hosier}	Sister of John Cross	£10 (worth about £1500 today)	None
Priscilla Elliot	Sister of John Cross	£5 (worth about £770 today)	None
Frances Pound	Niece-in-law	£20 (worth about £3000 today)	None
John {Canners}	Great-nephew	£5 (worth about £770 today)	None
Thomas {Canners}	Great-nephew	£5 (worth about £770 today)	None
Elizabeth {Canners}	Great-niece	£5 (worth about £770 today)	None
Ann {Canners}	Great-niece	£5 (worth about £770 today)	None
Sarah {Canners}	Great-niece	£5 (worth about £770 today)	None
Mary {Canners}	Great-niece	£5 (worth about £770 today)	None
Hannah {Canners}	Great-niece	£5 (worth about £770 today)	None
Poor of East Garston	N/A	£10 (worth about £1500 today)	To be distributed in bread within one month after decease
Ann Symmonds	Kinswoman	£10 (worth about £1500 today)	To be paid to her or her lawful representative within one year after decease
Church Wardens of East Garston	N/A	Two pounds annuity for teaching four poor children to read (worth about £300 today)	Payments at Michaelmas and Lady Day, for children under ten

All Saints Church, East Garston

This plaque, in All Saints Church, records Joseph’s bequest of £2 per annum to pay a teacher to teach four children to read.