| Will of Thomas Great Apothecary of Colchester, 30 May 1760 transcribed from National Archives PROB 11/874/325
Transcription by Elaine Barker January 2022
Abstract
Thomas Great, apothecary, of the Parish of St. Nicholas in Colchester leaves his wife Elizabeth copyhold property and land in Peldon for life, the farm is tenanted by William Martin. Following her death he requires this property be used to pay debts he has as Executor of the will of Charles Sanders. He leaves Elizabeth his own house and an Inn called The Bear [on Colchester High Street] with the adjacent Barbers Shop (both tenanted) with the proviso that any further debts be paid from any proceeds from the buildings should his personal estate not be sufficient. He leaves his wife all his household goods and appoints her sole executrix. There are no other beneficiaries.
The Will is dated 30 May 1760 and witnessed by Mary Saradine? Samuel Wall and Thomas Dye (Clerk to Mr: Wall).
Thomas Great died 10 January 1762
The Will was proved 30 March 1762
Transcription
This is the last Will and
Testament of me Thomas Great of the Parish of Saint
Nicholas in the Town of Colchester in the County of Essex
Apothecary being of Sound Mind and Memory thanks be
to Almighty God for the Same made in manner following
that is to say/ Imprimis I desire to be privately buried
in the Parish Church of Saint Nicholas in Colchester
aforesaid as near my Ancestors as Conveniently may
be Item I ratify and confirm unto my loving and
Affectionate Wife Elizabeth my Agreement which I made
with her previous to my Marriage Item my desire is
that all my just debts which I shall owe at the time of
my decease shall be paid and satisfied as soon as
Conveniently may be Item I give and devise unto my
said Wife her Heirs and Assigns forever all that my
Copyhold or Customary Messuage or Tenement and
Farm and all the Lands Rights Members and
Appurtenances thereunto belonging situate lying and
being in Peldon in the County aforesaid now in the
Occupation of William Martin or his Assigns (all which
said Premisses I have surrendered to the use of my Will
subject nevertheless and I do hereby Charge the said
Lands and Tenements from and immediately after the
decease of my said Wife with the payment of all such
sum and sums of Money as now are or shall be due
from me as acting Executor of Charles Sanders late
of Colchester aforesaid Grasier and Farmer deceased to
any person or persons whomsoever Item I give and devise
unto my said Wife all that my Messuage or
Page 2
Tenement Yards Gardens Rights Members and Appurt[enance]s
thereunto belonging situate lying and being in the said
Parish of Saint Nicholas in Colchester aforesaid now in
my own Occupation and also all that my Messuage or
Tenement and Inn called the Bear with the Houses
Outhouses Stables Yards Rights Members and Hereditaments
thereunto belonging situate lying and being in the said
Parish of Saint Nicholas in Colchester aforesaid now in
the Occupation of James Unwin or his Assigns and also
all that my Messuage or Tenement and Barbers Shop
thereunto belonging adjoyning to the said Messuage or
Inn called the Bear and all the Rights Members and
Hereditaments thereunto appertaining situate lying
and being in the said Parish of Saint Nicholas in
Colchester aforesaid and which I purchased of Francis
Freshfield Merchant and Likewise all and every other
my Real Estate whatsoever to hold unto my said Wife
her Heirs and Assigns forever subject nevertheless and
I do hereby Charge all and every the said Lands and
Tenements last mentioned with the Payment of all
my just debts in Case my Personal Estate shall not
be sufficient for that purpose/ Save and Except the debts
I shall owe as Executor of the said Charles Sanders with
the payment of which I have charged my said Estate in
Peldon aforesaid Item I give unto my said Wife Entirely
at her own disposal All my household Goods Linnen
Furniture China Plate Jewells and all other my Personal
Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and Lastly I nominate
and appoint my Said Wife Sole Executrix of this my Will
and revoking all others I do declare this to be my last
In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and
Seal this thirtieth day of May in the Year of Our Lord
One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty. Tho[mas[ Great. Signed
sealed Published and declared by the said Thomas Great
the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the
presence of us and by us attested in his Presence. Mary
Saradine? Samuel Wall. Tho[mas] Dye Clerk to Mr: Wall
This Will was Proved at London the thirtieth day of
March in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred
and Sixty two before the Right Worshipful Sir Edward
Simpson \knight/ doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary
of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted
by the Oath of Elizabeth Great Widow the Relict of the
deceased and Sole Executrix named in the said Will to
whom Administration was granted of all and Singular
the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased having
been first Sworn by Commission duly to administer./.
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