The Will of John Collett (Ref. 31L8) of South Wraxall

was made on 2^nd March 1833

and later proved at Salisbury on 11^th September 1837

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Collett of the Parish of South Wraxall in the County of Wilts, farmer being of sound and disposing mind and memory, made the Second Day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three

First I give devise and bequeath all and every of my freehold and leasehold lands and messuages together with all my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or quality so ever the same may be after payment of my debts, funeral expenses and the 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 after my decease.

It is also my Will that from and after the death of my said wife that my son William his heirs and assigns shall have my freehold land and as to all the rest of 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 come of age and if my said wife shall happen to die during the minority of either or 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 shall be applied towards their maintenance and education respectively in such manner as my trustee herein after named may think best calculated to enable them to succeed in the world and the principal to paid to each as he or she shall 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 witness thereunto

Signed by John Collett in his own hand

Signed by John Bath, Jno Lings Bath and Hn Bullock

Written at the bottom of the Will is the following note, made after the death of John Collett on 22^nd August 1835. “Bradford Will 22^nd March 1836. This is the Will or paper writing referred unto in the affidavit of Charlotte Collett sworn before me and hereunto accepted” The actual affidavit is provided below.

Only the eldest son of John Collett, William Batten Collett (Ref. 31M8), is named in his Will.

William was only eighteen years of age when the Will was written, so had not reached full age.

The Affidavit of Charlotte Collett (Ref. 31L8)

was made on 22^nd March 1836

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 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, a 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 the goods chattels and credits of the deceased which have or shall come to your hands, possession or knowledge and exhibit the same into the Registry of the Archdeaconry of Sarum pays a just and true account of your Executorship thereupon, when thereto lawfully required, you 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 (in her own hand)

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

Probate issued 11^th September 1837