Last Will and Testament of

Matthew Emerson – 1718 

In the name of God Amen  I  Matthew Emerson  of Vange in the County of Essex Gent being weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and disposed memory praised be Almighty God for the same do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following First and principally I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping through the merits of Jesus Christ to be saved and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter named and as touching the worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bestow upon me I give and dispose as followeth 

Imprimis where I have lately bargained and sold unto John Coleman of Rumford in the County of Essex Peruke Maker all that my farm and lands with the appurtenances called Lances situate lying and being in the several Parishes of Vange Basildon Pitsey and Nevenden in the County of Essex containing eighty five acres more or less as the same is now in the occupation of William Fulsher or his assigns for the consideration of the sum of six hundred pounds agreed by the said John Coleman to be paid unto me for the same the writings of which said estate being now out of my hands so that I could not at present complete and make perfect the said bargain and sale with the said John Coleman now therefore my will is and I do order authorize constitute and appoint my loving wife  Mary Emerson together with my brother in law James Stilleman whole and sole trustees and do give them full power to perform the said bargain unto the said John Coleman and to convey the said farm and lands to him and his heirs forever upon receipt of the said six hundred pounds by such writings as shall be advisable or if he refuses to have the same that then my said trustees shall forthwith sell the said farm and lands with all the appurtenances to some other purchaser for the best price that can be gotten and that out of the money thereby arising they pay to Elizabeth Highland vid (widow?) all such principle interest money as shall appear due to her upon a mortgage made to her of the said land and that with overplus money shall remain after the said mortgage is paid shall be applied towards the payment of my debts 

Item my will and do further authorize and appoint my trustees forthwith to make sale of all that my Salting Marsh situate lying and being in Canvey Island in the said County containing fourteen acres more or less with the appurtenances as the same is now in the occupation of Henry Haggetter his assigns and adjoining to the Scarhouse Farm for the best price which can be got and that they apply the money thereby arising likewise towards the paying of my debts and I do hereby satisfy and make firm whatsoever my said trustees shall do in the sale of all the said lands as if the same had been done by my self 

Item all my ready money debts due and owing to me and all my goods and chattels and all my personal estate whatsoever and which money shall arise upon the sale of the said lands and for the rents thereof until sale be made as aforesaid after all my debts and funeral charges are fully paid and discharged whatever shall then remain I give and bequeath unto my said loving wife Mary Emerson 

And I do make constitute and appoint my said loving wife Mary Emerson together with my said brother in Law James Stilleman whole and sole executors of this my Last Will and Testament 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of September in the fifth year of King George one thousand seven hundred and eighteen……Matthew Emmerson 

Signed sealed published and declared to be the Last Will and Testament of the said Matthew Emerson in the presence of……..Char Freman, Lord Charles Freman, Sarah Fillpot, Thomas Silvester 

Probated 17 October 1718

Acknowledgment to the Essex Record Office Chelmsford :- D/ABR 17/256