This is the last Will and Testament of me Elizabeth Ward resident in the parish of Fremington in the County of Devon Widow. First I will and direct that my just Debts shall be fully paid and satisfied and I give and bequeath to my Daughter Charity Ward the Sum of two thousand six hundred Dollars, now in the Hands of my Son John Ward of the Garrison of Gibraltar, Current Money of the said place to be paid to her in six Months after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Cock widow the Interest Money arising from the Capital Stock of four hundred pounds now standing invested in my Name in the South Sea annuities for her use and During her natural Life only. Item I give and bequeath the said Capital Stock of four hundred pounds after the demise of my said Daughter Elizabeth Cock to her Daughters Sophia and Rebecca Cock and their Heirs for ever to be equally divided between the said Sophia and Rebecca Cock. Item I give and bequeath to my said Daughter Elizabeth Cock all such Debt or Debts as may be due to me after my decease (after reserving the abovementioned two thousand six hundred Dollars for the purpose already declared) by any person whatsoever or whomsoever hereby declaring that my Intention more particularly is that my said Daughter shall be intitled to the Moneys now due to me in the Hands of
| Mrs. Edwards of Barnstaple Widow | £50 |
| Mr. John Nash of Penhill | 30 |
| Elizth. Huxtable of Fremington | 5 |
| £85 |
being in all eighty five pounds over and above the Interest on the Stock before mentioned and in case the whole or any part of the said Debts shall or may be received before my decease my will nevertheless is that the said Eighty five pounds together with every other Debt or Debts shall devolve to my said Daughter Elizabeth Cock that may be due to me at the time of my decease to be paid her out of such Cash or Effects as may be on Hands after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Charity Ward all such Ready Money, the above Eighty five pounds or such part thereof as may be reserved before my decease excepted, together with the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever that may be in my possession at or before the time of my decease and I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me made and published and declare this to be my last Will and Testament and do constitute and appoint my Daughter Charity Ward Executrix hereof. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty five.
Elizabeth Ward her Mark --- Signed Sealed published declared by the abovenamed Elizabeth Ward as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto in her presence and in the presence of each other, the word 'excepted' being first interlined in the Body of this Will.
Charles Hill - H. Ward - J. Ward Junr.
This Will was proved at London on the twenty third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty six before the Right Worshipful George Hay Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Charity Ward Spinster the Daughter of the said Deceased and sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration of the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased was granted She having been first sworn by him duly to administer.
[Some punctuation added by the transcriber.]
content last revised 24 Dec 2010