Samuel Gwinnett of Gloucester, 1780

In the name of God, Amen, I Samuel Gwinnett of the City of Gloucester, innholder, being weak in body but of sound mind and understanding do hereby make my last will and testament in manner following (that is to say):

I give and bequeath all my stock consisting of horses and chaises, household furniture, ready money, book debts, plate, linen, and personal estate of what nature or kind soever unto Samuel Bubb of Barnwood and Laurence Mills of Hucclecote both in the county of Gloucester, gentlemen, their executors, administrators and assigns, in trust  (after payment of my just debts) to permit my wife Nancy Gwinnett to hold and enjoy the same so long as she continues my widow.

But in case of my said wife’s death prior to my daughter Harriott’s attaining her age of twenty one years then I will and require my said trustees or the survivor of them or the executors or administrators of such survivor to sell and dispose of so much of my said personal estate as they shall think most advantageous to my said daughter and place the same out at interest and pay the same together with the residue of my said estate to her at the age of twenty one years.

And in case my said wife shall marry again then I will and require my said trustees or the survivor of them or the executors or administrators of such survivor to raise out of my said personal estate the sum of two hundred pounds and to apply the same in the same manner as my personal estate is directed to be applied in case of the death of my said wife.

And I do hereby appoint my said wife together with the said Samuel Bubb and Laurence Mills joint executors and executrix  of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of October in the nineteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the grace of God, King of Great Britain and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine.

Saml. Gwinnett

Signed, sealed and published by the said testator, Samuel Gwinnett as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto:  W. Piff, Attorney at Law, Gloucester, John Jordan

30th Day of March 1780.

The within named Nancy Gwinnett the relict and one of the executors was duly sworn before me.  James Benson, Chancellor

G.A Ref: 1780/47