ID: MARG_255

TitleWill of John Cooper, Farmer, of West Mersea, 1746
AbstractWill of John Cooper, Farmer, of West Mersea 16 March 1746 transcribed from National Archives PROB 11/785/213.

Transcription, abstract etc by Trevor Hearn (January 2022)

Abstract
John Cooper, Farmer, of West Mersea

Date of will: 16th March 1746
Date of death: unknown
Date of Probate: 22nd January 1750

John Cooper bequeaths his entire estate, both real and personal, to his son John upon him attaining the age of sixteen. In the meantime Thomas Cooper, brother of John senior, is to act as guardian of John junior and manage the business until the latter reaches the requisite age. Both John junior and Thomas are appointed joint executors.

The will is signed and sealed on 16 March 1746 and witnessed by Thomas Cooke and W. Mayhew.

The will is proved in London on 22 January 1750 when administration is granted to the surviving executor (see footnote for apparent ambiguity as to which executor survives).

Transcription of the will

Page 1

1   I John Cooper of Westmersea in the County
2   of Essex Farmer make my last Will and Testament in manner
3   and form following that is to say I give and bequeath all that
4   the Lease of my Farm I now occupy in Westmersea aforesaid
5   and all my Farming Stock both Quick and dead and all my
6   Interest in the Decay I have there and hold in partnership
7   with Mr Thomas Cooke and all my Goods and Chattels whatsoever
8   and wheresoever and all my personal Estate unto my loving

Page 2

1   Son John Cooper his Executors Administrators and assigns for ever
2   but it is my Will nevertheless and I do hereby order direct and appoint
3   that my Brother Thomas Cooper shall act as Guardian to my said
4   Son John and manage the Business for him until he shall attain
5   his age of sixteen years and I devise to him the Guardianship of
6   my said Son accordingly 'till he attains his said age of sixteen years
7   rendering him my said son John then a just Account and I will that
8   my said Brother have a reasonable Satisfaction for his care and
9   trouble therein and I do hereby nominate and appoint the said
10   John Cooper my Son and the said Thomas Cooper my Brother
11   Executors of this my Will and revoking all other by me made I declare
12   it to contain my last In Witness whereof I the said John Cooper have
13   set my hand and Seal this sixteenth day of March in the
14   twentieth year of the Reign of King George the Second and in the
15   year of our Lord 1746 [signature of John Cooper] Signed Sealed Published and
16   declared by the said John Cooper as and for his last Will and Testament
17   in the presence of us and by us attested in his presence [Tho: Cooke]
18   [W: Mayhew]

19   This Will was proved at London before the Right
20   Worshipfull John Bettesworth Doctor of Law Master Keeper or
21   Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
22   constituted the twenty second day of January in the year of our
23   Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty by the Oath of
24   Thomas Cooper the Son [Note 1] of the deceased and surviving Executor
25   named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of
26   all and sungular the Goods Chattells and Credits of the said deceased
27   being first sworn by Commission duly to administer

Note 1 There is an error here: Thomas Cooper is the brother of John Cooper, not the son; it is unclear whether the brother or son have survived as the sole executor.

Published22 January 1751
SourceMersea Museum
IDMARG_255