This the last Will and Testament of me John Collett of the parish of South Wraxhall in the County of Wilts, farmer being of sound and disposing mind and memory, made the 2nd day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three
First I give devise and bequeath all and every my freehold and leasehold lands and messuage together with all my personal estate whatsoever and where so ever and of what nature kind or quality so ever the same may be after payment of my debts, funeral expenses and expenses of proving this my Will unto and to the use of my dear wife Charlotte Collett during the term of her natural life if she shall continue as a widow but for the sake of my children it is my most earnest request that she will not marry again after my decease
It is also my Will that from and after the death of my said wife that my son William and his heirs and assigns shall have my freehold land and as to all the rest of my before mentioned property it is my Will that it shall be equally divided amongst all my surviving children born of my body by the said Charlotte my wife each of whom shall be entitled to his or her share as he or she shall respectively become of age
And if my said wife shall happen to die during the minority of either of any of my said children that the respective share to which such of my children as are under age shall be entitled, shall be placed out at fair interest on good security and the said interest thereof by applied towards their maintenance and education respectively in such a manner as my trustee herein after named may think best calculated to enable them to succeed in the world and the principal be paid to each as he or she respectively become of age
And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint James Popjoy of the parish of Bathford in the County of Somerset gentleman, his heirs or assigns trustee and my said wife executrix to this my last Will and Testament
Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator
John Collett as and for his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us who,
at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto
John Bath, William Bullock
This Will was proved at Sarum (Salisbury) on 22nd March 1836 before Rev. John Smith Clerk M A lawful servant of Reverend and Worshipful Francis Lear, Clerk B D, Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Sarum, and by him administration of all and singular the goods and chattels of the said deceased, and any ways concerning his Will was committed to Charlotte Collett widow, relic of the deceased and sole executrix named in the said Will (being first duly sworn of the truth of the said Will and faithfully to perform the same, and to pay the deceased’s debts and legacies as far forth as his goods and chattels will thereto extend and the law bind her, and to exhibition a true and perfect inventory of the goods, chattels, and credits of the deceased, and yield a true and just accompt when lawfully required) saving the rights of all persons.
You swear that the contents of the affidavit hereunto annexed, and to which you have subscribed your name are true, to the best of your knowledge and belief; and that the paper writing, also hereunto annexed, doth in it contain the true original last Will and Testament of John Collett late of South Wraxall in the parish of Bradford in the County of Wilts, farmer deceased, as far as you know or believe, that you are the executrix therein named that you will duly execute and perform the same, and pay his debts and legacies, as far forth as his goods chattels and credits will thereto extend, and the law bind you, and that you will make, or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular good chattels and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to your hands possession or knowledge and exhibit the same into the registry of the Archdeaconry of Sarum and pass a just and true account of your executor-ship thereupon, when thereto lawfully required
Your also swear that the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased are under the value of eight hundred pounds, so help you God
Signed by Charlotte Collett at Bradford in the County of Wilts on the twenty second day of March 1836, the oath above written was administered to the above named Charlotte Collett the executrix named in the last Will and Testament of John Collett, deceased, hereunto annexed, and by her duly taken, before me John Smith M A Surrogate
The final note states that probate issued on 11th September 1837, which was two days after Charlotte Collett died.
The final note on the above document states that “probate issued on 11th September 1837”, which was two days after Charlotte Collett died.