In the Name of God Amen
I George Exton of Walkern in the County of Hertford Grocer being weak of Body but of sound and perfect memory and understanding do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following That is to say first my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretiion (?) of my Executor hereafter named in my own Burying place by the Graves of my Mother and my Wife And my worldly Godes [sic] and Estate I give and dispose as followeth In primis I give and devise my burying place in the parish of Walkern aforesaid to all my Children and to their heirs and assigns for Ever to bury in attending as is specifyed and mentioned in one Indenture and Bond of performance between William Britten of Walkern aforesaid Cooper and me the said George Exton for me and my Assignes to have free leave of ingress egress and regress to go and come and to digg Graves and mend up the old Graves at any time without paying or allowing any thing for diging [sic] within the burying Ground aforesaid Also my Will is that none of my poor Debtors shall be sued at Law for their Debts but my Executor to receive what he can of the same without Law charges and the remainder of such Debts (if the person or persons so owing them are not in a condition fully to pay the same) I freely forgive them Item I give and devise unto my Son John Exton all my two pasture Closes of Freehold Ground and one Tenement thereunto adjoyning with the appurtenances to the same Closes and Tenement belonging now in the several occupations of Henry Freeman Richard Harvey (?) and George Humberstone and lying and being within the parish of Walkern aforesaid To hold to him my said son John Exton for and during his naturall Life and to his Male heir begotten of his Body and for want of such Issue I give and devise all the aforesaid House and two Closes of pasture to my son peter Exton for and during his natural Life and to his Male heir begotten of his Body and for want of such issue I give all the aforesaid House and two Closes of pasture to George Exton (son of my Son Francis Exton deceased) and to his Heirs for Ever Item I give and devise unto my Said Son peter Exton all those three Acres of Copyhold Land lying in Six Several peices [sic] four Acres whereof lying in Hundon Feild and the other two peices in Church end Feild within the said parish of Walkern Also I give and devise unto my said son peter Exton one Close of Freehold pasture ground called Wild Cats in the parish of Walkern aforesaid for and during his natural Life and to his Male heir begotten of his Body and for want of such issue to my Grandson George Exton the son of my said son Francis Exton for and during his natural Life and to his Male heir begotten of his Body and for want of such issue I give and devise all the aforesaid three Acres of Land and Close of pasture ground called Wildcats to my said Son John Exton and to his heirs for Ever Item I give and devise unto my said son peter Exton all my Copyhold House & (?) Tenement in Walkern aforesaid wherein I now live with the appurtenances to the same belonging for and during his natural Life and to his Male heir begotten of his Body and for want of such issue to my said Grandson George Exton Son of my Said Son Francis Exton at his full Age of One and Twenty years and to his Male heir begotten of his body and for want of such issue then to my Said Son John Exton and to his heirs for Ever Item I give and devise unto my Daughter Mary Freeman all my Tenement and Orchard with the appurtenances lying and being in the parish of Gravely in the said County of Hertford for and during her natural Life and from and after her decease I give and devise the same House and Orchard with the appurtenances unto my Said Grandson George Exton Son of the said Francis Exton and to his heirs for Ever Item I give and devise unto my Said Daughter Mary Freeman all that my Tenement in the parish of Anesty [sic] in the said County of Hertford with two pightles of pasture with the appurtenances thereunto belonging in the possession of Samuel Sell for and during her naturall Life and from and after her Decease I give and devise the said Tenement and two pightles of pasture with the appurtences [sic] thereunto belonging unto her Daughter Mercy Freeman and to the Heirs of her Body to be begotten and for want of such issue I give the said Tenement and two pightles of pasture with the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto my said Son peter Exton and to his heirs for Ever Item I give and devise unto my said Daughter Mary Freeman all that my peice or parcell of Freehold Land comonly [sic] called or known by the name of Marlow Crofte containing by estimation one Acre more or less lying and being in the parish of Anestye aforesaid (which I lately purchased of one Mary Jarrard) to hold to her the said Mary Freeman for and during her natural Life and from and after her decease I give the said peice or parcell of Land last mentioned with the appurtenances to the same belonging unto my Gra??? Daughter Mary Freeman and to the heirs of her Body to be begotten and for want of such issue I give the same unto my Said Son peter Exton and to his heirs for Ever Item I give and devise unto my said Daughter Mary Freeman all that my little Cottage or Tenement in the possession of Thomas Browne in the said parish of Anestye for and during her natural Life and from and after her decease I give and devise the same to my said Grandaughter Mary Freeman and to the Heirs of her Body to be begotten and for want of such Issue I give the same unto my said Grandaughter Mary Freeman and to the Heirs of her Body to be begotten and for want of such issue then to my said Son Peter Exton and to his Heirs for Ever Item I give and bequeath unto my said Grandson George Exton Son of my said Son Francis Exton the sume of One hundred pounds of good and lawfull Money of Great Britain to be paid to him at his full Age of One and Twenty years by my Executor here after named out of the Rents of all my Freehold House arable Land and pasture ground in Anestye aforesaid Except the Tenement and Cottage pightles of pasture ground and peice of Land last above mentioned given to my said Daughter Mary Freeman But if the said sume of One hundred pounds be not paid by my Executor or his assigns to the said George Exton at the Age aforesaid then and from thenceforth I give and devise all my freehold House Land and pasture (Except as before excepted) to the said George Exton and to his Male heir begotten of his Body and for want of such issue I give all my Freehold house Land and pasture last mentioned to my Said Son Peter Exton and to his Male heir begotten of his Body But in case my said Executor peter Exton or his Assigns do and shall pay the said Sume of One hundred pounds as aforesaid then I give the same Freehold House Land and pasture with the appurtenances unto my said Executor peter Exton and to his Male heir begotten of his Body but for want of such Issue I give the same last above mentioned premisses with the appurtenances to my said Grandson George Exton and to his Heirs begotten of his Body for Ever Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Margaret Brand one Chest of Drawers one Feather bed one pair of Feather pillows two pillowbeers one Feather bolster and one Still and after her decease my Will is that her Daughter Mary Brand may have the same Goods given to her Mother aforesaid Item I give and bequeath unto my Said Daughter Mary Freeman one large Chest now in her use and one small Ovall Table one potshelf together with my Clock and Furnace Item all the rest of my Household goods which at the time of my Decease shall be found in the Chamber wherein I now lye my Will is that the same may there continue and remain for the entertainment of my Children or any of them Item I give unto the poor which at the time of my Decease or for Ever after Shall receive Collection of the said parish of Walkern the sume of Four shillings yearly to be given and distributed to them in Bread at four times in Every Year in the Winter Season at the charge of my Said Son peter Exton his Heirs and assigns for Ever And my Will further is that in case my Son and Daughter Freeman shall happen to dye before their Children or either of them shall attain the full Age of One and Twenty years that then my Said Son peter Exton shall receive and take the Rents of those Houses and Lands which I have given to my said Daughter Mary and her Children and bring up the said Children and put them to School and keep the said Houses in repair untill they and either of them come to the Age of One and Twenty years Also my Will is that in case any thing of difference between any of my Children shall happen concerning any thing in this my Will that then all such difference shall be put to Such as my Said Children Shall choose of good honest report and not concerned in the Law (to the End such difference may be ended between them And if in Case any of my Said Children between whom such difference shall or may at any time arise do neglect or refuse to choose their Man or Men after having had notice Twenty Days before Witness that all or any such Child or Children so refusing to choose their Man or Men or for not standing to such Mens agreement being so chosen) shall have and receive but Twenty shillings for his her or their part in this my Will Lastly I give and bequeath unto my Said Son peter Exton all Bonds Bills Debts Leases Rents and Arrears of Rent whatsoever due to me at my Decease and all Goods Chattles and Money that is not herein above mentioned to be given away Except only the Rents and arrears of the same which at the time of my Decease shall be found due and owing for any of my Houses and Lands above mentioned given to any other of my Children as aforesaid which said Rents and arrears of the Same my Will is shall be taken and received by such Child or Children to whom such Houses or Lands are given and devised as above mentioned And I do make constitute ordain and appoint my Said Son peter Exton full and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament Likewise I appoint my Said Son John Exton and my Son in Law Henry Freeman Trustees to oversee my Will that it may be performed And I do hereby revoke disanull and make void all former Wills and Testaments by me in any wise heretofore made or declared In Witness whereof I the said George Exton to this my last Will and Testament have sett my hand and Seal this Sixteenth Day of March in the fifth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord George by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoq3 doni 1718. | George Exton .|. Signed Sealed published and declared by the above named George Exton as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereto Thomas Kent George Skegg John Oliver .|.
Probatum fuit hujus modi Testamentum apud London coram venerabili viro Gulielmo phipps Legum Dottore Surrogato venerabilis et Egregij Viri Johannis Bettesworth Legum etiam Doctoris Curia praerogativa Cantuariensis Magistri Custodis sive Commissarij legitime constituti Septimo die Mensis Octobris Anno Domini Millesimo Septingentesimo decimo nono per Affirmationem sive Solemen Declarationem petri Exton Executoris in dicto Testamento nominati Cui commissa fuit Administratio omnium et singulor[um] bonorum jurium et creditorum dicti defuncti Declaration praedict in praesentia Dei omni potentis juxta Actum parliamenti in ea parte Editum de bene et fideliter administrando eadem per dictum Executorem prius facta.| ex

In the name of God Amen the fifth day of June in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred seaventy & eight I Francis Exton of Walkerne in the County of Hertf Grocer being ancient and weake of Body But of sound and perfect mind memory and vnderstanding I prayse God therefore And Considering the vncertaine estate of this transitory life doo make this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following (that is to say) First and principally I Committ my Soule into the hands of Allmighty God Believeing to receiue (?) forgivenesse of my sins through the meritts of my Saviour Jesus Christ And my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken there to be buried according to the discretion of my Executors herein afternamed And as touching such wordly [sic] estate as the Lord in mercy hath bestowed vpon me my mind and meaning is that the same shall be disposed of as followeth Imprimis I doe give and bequeath to my loveing Wife Margarett Exton the annuall sum[m]e of Six pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid vnto her or her Assignes by my Executo' yearely and every yeare dureing her naturall life on the five and twentith [sic] day of March the four and twentith day of June the nine and twentith day of September and the five and twentith day of December or within seaven dayes respectively next ensueing every of the said dayes by foure even & equall porc[i]ons or payments Also I will that my said Wife shall haue the Use of so many of my goods and housholdstuffe [sic] as shall be necessary and convenient for her dureing her naturall life And when shee dyes or departs this life (haueing survived me) That my Executo' shall beare pay and discharge all her funerall Charges Item I give and bequeath to my Grandchildren Mary Exton John Exton Elizabeth Exton Susan Exton and Hester Exton the Sonn and Daughters of my Sonn John Exton ... the severall sumes of Five pounds a piece of lawfull money of England to be paid them by my Executo' within Six months next after the severall deceases of me and the said Margarett my Wife Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Frances Nicholson now Wife of Robert Nicholson of Hertford the sum[m]e of Five pounds of like money to be paid her within nine months next after the severall deceases of me and my saide Wife Item I give and bequeath to my Grandaughter Frances Bond the Wife of Thomas Bond the sume of five pounds of like money to be paid her within twelve months next after the severall deceases of me and my said Wife Item I give and bequeath to mellinsalem Nicholson sonn of the said Robert Nicholson the sum[m]e of Five pounds of like money to be paid him within fifteene months next after the severall deceases of me and my Said Wife Item I give and bequeath to Martha Exton John Exton Mary Exton Francis Exton Edward Exton and Elizabeth Exton Sonns and Daughters of my Sonn Thomas Exton the severall sum[m]es of Five pounds a piece of lawfull money of England to be paid vnto them respectively in manner following (that is to say) to the eldest of them five pounds within eighteene months next after the severall deaths or deceases of me and the said Margarett my Wife If such eldest of them shall then be of the age of one and twenty yeares ^other??? when he attaines to that age^ And afterwards to the rest of them severally five pounds a piece at the end of every three months successively according to their seniority and as they atttaine to their severall ages of one and twenty yeares till their said sum[m]es or legacies of five pounds a piece be paid to them respectiuely Item I give and bequeath to my Sonn George Exton Five shillings in lieu and full satisfacc[i]on of all the share or part that he may haue or clayme of in or to my personall estate or any part thereof And also to the foure eldest Children now liveing of my said Sonn George Exton the severall su[m]mes of Five pounds a piece of like money ~???~ to be paid them in manner following (that is to say) to the eldest of them five pounds within thirty six six [sic] months next after the severall deceases of me and the said Margarett my Wife if such eldest Child be then of the age of one and twenty yeares otherwise when he attaine to that age And afterwards to the other three of them severally five pounds a piece according to their seniority and as they attaine to their severall ages of one and twenty yeares at the ends of three months successively till their said severall Five pounds be paid them respectively Provided Allwayes and my mind and will is That if my Stocke goods chattells and personall estate or the money thereby to be made after the deaths of me & my said Wife shall come short and not be sufficient to pay off and cleare in full the said severall payments of Five pounds by me bequeathed & as aforesaid (over aboue and besides my debts funerall charges and severall Legacies of Five and twenty pounds herein after menc[i]oned) That then a proporc[i]onable abatement shall be made in the same severall payments or Legacies of Five pounds And my mind and Will further ^is^ I doe hereby appoint That the said severall sum[m]es or Legacies of five pounds vntill the severall times before limited & appointed for the payment of the same shall remaine and be in the hands and possession of my said Sonn John Exton his executo's Adm's or Assignes Item I doe give and bequeath vnto my said Sonns John Exton and Thomas Exton the severall sum[m]es of twenty and five pounds a piece of lawfull money of England Item I make constitute appoint & Ordaine my said Sonns John Exton and Thomas Exton joint executo' of this my last Will and Testament And (for the enabling them to pay off and discharge my funerall Charges Debts Legacies and to performe this my Will) I doe give and bequeath vnto them their exec' Adm' & Assinges All and singul' my goods Chattels Stocke Ware Comodities [sic] Houshold stuffe Implements of houshold and husbandry moneys debts dues Rents to be due at my decease Leases Bills Bonds moveables and personall Estate whatsoever (Except the vse of such goods & houshold stuffe as shall be necessary for my said Wife dureing her naturall life as aforesaid) to sell and dispose of the same As they shall thinke most convenient and with the same or the profitt threof or the money thereby to be made faithfully to pay off and discharge my said funerall Charges Debts Legacies and bequests aforesaid According to the direcc[i]ons of this my last Will & Testament and my true intent & meaneing herein And Lastly I doe Revoke and make void All other Wills by me heretofore made And doe publish and Declare this to be my last Will and Testament In witnesse Whereof I haue herevnto sett my hand and Seale the day and yeare first abouewritten
Fra?is Ecston
Subscribed Sealed published William Cuttredy
and declared in the p[re]sence of
Tho: Sell:
the marke of | Henery Goodin the marke of + William loremer