This is the Last Will and Testament of me Sarah Thorpe of Shouldham Thorpe in the County of Norfolk single woman made the twenty eighth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five

First I give and devise unto my daughter Sarah the wife of Robert Edwards of Shouldham Thorpe aforesaid Miller and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life all and singular my messuages lands tenements hereditaments and premises with their appurtenances situate lying and being in Shouldham in the said County of Norfolk copyhold of the Manor of Shouldham and which I have duly surrendered to the use of my Will (the rents and profits of the said premises I do desire shall be received by Sarah my said daughter during her life whose receipt shall be a sufficient discharge to the tenant or tenants occupying the said premises)

And from and immediately after the decease of my said daughter I give and devise the said premises unto such children as the said Sarah my daughter shall leave or have living at the time of her decease and to their heirs and assigns as tenants in common and not as joint tenants And if but one child the whole of the said estate to him or her and to his or her heirs and assigns forever

But in case the said Sarah my daughter shall die without leaving any issue of her body lawfully begotten then my will and mind is, and I hereby give and devise the said premises unto William Butter of Shouldham in the County aforesaid Miller his heirs and assigns Upon the trusts and under and subject to the directions and for the intents and purposes hereinafter declared (that is to say) Upon trust that he the said William Butter or his heirs do and shall immediately after the decease of my said daughter if she dies without issue as aforesaid sell and dispose of the said premises for the best price or prices that can or may be had or obtained for the same And the money from such sale or sales (after deducting all reasonable charges) my will and mind is and I do hereby desire and require the said William Butter and his heirs to pay and divide equally to and amongst the persons following as such of them as shall be living at the time of the decease of my said daughter without issue as aforesaid (that is to say) Elizabeth Thorpe, Mary Coe, and Susannah Coe

Also I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Sarah two gold rings and marked - S.T., three silver table spoons, pap spoon, six tea spoons, and a pair of sugar tongs, all marked - S.T.

Also I give and bequeath all my money and securities for money goods chattels and all other my personal estate of what nature or kind soever (after payment of my just debts funeral expenses, probate of this my Will, and other incidental charges and expenses) unto my said daughter Sarah her executors and administrators

And lastly I do make constitute and appoint my said daughter Sarah executrix of this my Last Will and Testament In witness whereof I the said Sarah Thorpe the testatrix have to this my Last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper, to the first sheet set my hand, and to the last sheet my hand and seal the day and year first above written
Sarah Thorpe her mark

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Sarah Thorpe the testatrix as and for here Last Will and Testament, in the presence of us who in her presence and at her request, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
Jas Sewell, Margaret Bray her mark, Hannah Newton her mark

Proved by executrix 1 February 1798 before the Revd Jos Forby ? Surrogate to the Worshipful Willm Yonge.

Archdeaconry of Norfolk Wills - Sarah Thorpe, Shouldham, 1798
Acknowledgments to the Norfolk Record Office

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