Bittadon

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Date of will. 7th July 1719.
Proved 22nd August 1722 by Katherine Harder.
Exeter, Barum (Barnstaple) Archdeaconry.

To my wife Katherine the tenement in Kings Heanton in Marwood wherein I dwell, for her life if my estate therein so long continue subject to payment of an annuity of Three pounds to my daughter Katherine Treble, and of a like annuity to my daughter Elizabeth Harder unless she lives with and is maintained by my said wife.

To my said daughter Elizabeth my tenement in Kings Heanton after her mother's death, subject to payment of an annuity of six pounds to my daughter Katherine Treble during the residue of my term therein.

Residue to my wife Katherine whom I make my Executrix.

Trustees, Mr Richard Horwood, Rector of Combmartin, Mr Thomas Peard of Westdown, and Mr Thomas Witheridge of Berrynarbor.

Witnessed, John Colk (?), Robert Wiles (?), Mary Baker.

This is an extract made by Miss Moger before most of the Devon wills were destroyed during the bombing of Exeter in 1942.

John Hearder appears in Murray's Devon Clergy, a copy is in the collection of the Devon and Cornwall Record Society in Exeter. The entry reads:- John Hearder, Rector, Bittadon, 13 October 1682. Parish Clerk, Pilton, 1699-1712. Will, 1722.

His gravestone is in the chancel of Bittadon church, the inscription reads:- To the memory of the Rev John Harder, Rector of this Parish 40 yrs, son of Henry Harder Gent of West Buckland, who departed this life the 2nd day of Aprill 1722. Aetatis suae (age) 72. Also here lyeth the body of Katherine his wife at his left side. She departed this life the 25th August AD 1738 aged 80 yrs.

Last updated - Brian Randell, 25 Feb 2009