In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Collet of Oddington in the county of Gloucestershire yeoman being far advanced in age but in health of body and disposing condition thanks be to God for the same do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following
First I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God in hopes of forgivings of my sins through the merits of Jesus Christ and my body to be buried in a decent manner without pomp at the discretion of my Executor herein after named. And as to my worldly estate I dispose as followeth
Item I give to Joseph
Collet now living as a Prentice with Thomas Reeve of Stow in the Wold, baker
the sum of three hundred pounds to be paid him one half when he arrives to the
age of 21 years and the other half within two years after. I further give to the said Joseph Collet ten
shillings to be paid him every calendar month from the time of my decease to his
being twenty one years of age
Item I give to my cousin
Joseph Fletcher of Evenlode in the County of Worcester Husbandman the sum of
fifty pounds and to Thomas Fletcher of the same and Brother to the said Joseph
Fletcher the like sum of fifty pounds to be paid them within one year of my
decease
Item I give and devise to
William Collet of Oddington aforesaid the house he now liveth in, which I
purchased off William Cross, to him and his heirs forever
Item I further give and
devise unto the said William Collet all my lands and tenements with the
appurtenances in Oddington aforesaid unto him the said William Collet for and
during his natural life without impeachment for waste by him committed and from
and after his decease unto the heirs of his body lawfully begotten or to be
begotten and their heirs and assigns forever and if it should so be the said
William Collet should die leaving no lawful issue
Then I give and devise my said lands and tenements unto
the above-said Joseph Collet for and during his natural life And from and after
his decease and unto the heirs of the body of him the said Joseph Collet and
their heirs and assigns forever and if it should so be that the said Joseph
Collet should die leaving no lawful issue the I give and devise all my said
lands and tenements unto my abovementioned kinsmen Joseph Fletcher and Thomas
Fletcher jointly to them and their heirs and assigns forever
Item all the rest and residue of my goods chattels and personal estate whatsoever I give to the said William Collet And I make constitute and ordain him the said William Collet to be my whole and sole executor to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said Thomas Collet have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this twentieth day of July and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight
Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator as and for this last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names
Named as written thereto. Signed at London 14th April 1780 before the judge by the oath of William Collet the sole executor