Totnes Contents & Search

[Note by K. Barnett - there is no punctuation in the original document. Where a word is difficult to read, I have placed my best guess in square brackets, thus [ ]. Where a letter or letters within a word cannot be deciphered, I have placed a dash, thus - .]

In the Name of God Amen I, Richard Cranch of Totness in the County of Devon Dyer being in health and of sound mind God be praised do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say First I commend my Soul to God and my Body I commit to the Earth in hopes of a joyful resurrection to life Eternal and as touching my Worldly Goods and Estate I dispose of the same as Follows I do give and bequeath unto my Son Richard Cranch the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds to be paid to him within Six Months after my decease and I also give my said Son my Silver Punch Bowl and the two Mourning Rings one of which I had for my Father and the other for Mrs Palling Also I do give unto my dearly beloved Wife Susannah Cranch all that Messuage and Tenement situate and lying in the lower quarter of the Town and Borough of Totness aforesaid and the Herb Garden and Orchard thereunto belonging for her natural life and from and after her decease I do also give and bequeath unto my Son James Cranch his Executors Administrators Heirs and Assigns all that aforesaid Messuage and Tenement situate and lying in the lower quarter of the Town and Borough of Totness aforesaid and the Herb Garden thereunto belonging and also the Moiety or Halfendeal and all other my Freehold Estate and Interest of and in the Orchard lying in Totness aforesaid near or adjoining the said Messuage and Premises or some part thereof with their and every of their Appurtenances Also I do give and bequeath unto my said Son his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns all that my other Moiety or Halfendeal of the said Orchard with its Appurtenances for and during all the residue and remainder of the term of two thousand years and all other the Estate Term and Terms of Years and Interest which I have in the same all which said Messuages Tenement and Premises I purchased of one Edward Hallwell deceased Also I do give and bequeath unto my Son Richard Cranch all the Vats Coppers Pumps Utensils and Implements and all other things used and necessary for Working in and carrying on the Trade of a Dyer for ever Also I do give unto my Daughter Elizabeth Michell separate from her Husband Thirty Pounds to be paid her within Six Months after my decease Also I do give unto my Grandson John Nosworthy Michell his Great Uncle's, Rowland Nosworthy Gentleman deceased, Mourning Ring given to my Father and by him to me and I do also forgive and discharge my said Grandson and his Brother Richard Michell and their Father and each and every of them of and from all Claims and Demands which my Executrix may have or form on or against them or either of them for or by Reason or means of they having lived with me or my having found and provided them with diet and Maintenance Also I do give and bequeath unto each of my Grand Children that shall be living at my decease One Guinea each to be paid within Six Months after my decease and all the rest and residue of my Goods Chattels Personal and Testamentary Estate whatsoever not before given or disposed of I do give and bequeath unto my said Wife for and during her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I will that the same shall remain and go and I do give and bequeath the same unto my said Son Richard Cranch his Executors Administrators and Assigns as his and their own for ever and I do Constitute and appoint my said Wife whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke all other Wills by me heretofore made In witness whereof I the said Richard Cranch the Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal this third day of July in the Seventeenth year of the Reign of King George the third and in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Seven Richard Cranch (plus seal) Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Richard Cranch the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto
Sam^l. Predam, John Hamling, Wm. Pradam.

This Will was proved at London the thirtieth Day of June in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Four before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Susannah Cranch Widow the Relict of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattells and Credits of the said deceased was granted she having been first sworn by commission duly to Adm^r.

Last updated - Brian Randell, 6 Oct 2005