I Thomas Fretton Cowleach of the Parish of Horndon on the Hill in the County of Essex, being in a weak bodily state but of sound mind and disposing memory do make this my Last Will and Testament (revoking all former Wills made by me at any time) in manner following

First I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Susannah Fretton after all my just debts and funeral expenses are paid all my estate both real and personal and all my household furniture stock in trade and effect whatsoever or wheresoever for and during her natural life and after her decease , my will is that the whole of my estate and effects shall be sold, at the discretion of my executors and executrix hereafter mentioned and the money arising from the sale of the same to be equally divided amongst my children hereafter mentioned, share and share alike Viz.

Thos Fretton

Sarah Sanders wife of Samuel Sanders of Orsett

Ann Slater wife of James Slater of Horndon,

John Fretton,

Elizabeth wife of Robert Garnish of West Thurrock

George Fretton

Martha Fretton

Susannah Fretton and

Henry Fretton

and in case any or either of them shall die before the decease of my wife Susannah Fretton, then my will is that the share of my effects that should have been theirs shall be equally divided amongst the survivors, in case they die without children, but if they have any children their share then to be equally divided amongst their children;

But if through want my wife Susannah Fretton during her life should have occasion to sell my estate before mentioned I hereby impower her so to do but not otherwise,

And I further recommend that my son Henry Fretton should live with his mother and follow the business I have bred him too for mutual support of both, so long as my son Henry Fretton shall continue single, or they can agree

And I hereby nominate and appoint the following persons to be executrix and my executor to this my Last Will and Testament Viz. my wife Susannah Fretton executrix and my son Thomas Fretton and Samuel Westwood junior Carpenter of Horndon on the Hill my executors
the mark X of Thomas Fretton

Signed sealed and delivered this third day of May 1788 being first duly stamped in presence of us
Saml Westwood
Francis Dorrington
Thos Gibbs

Proved on the fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight before the Reverend Evan Lloyd BD Clerk Surrogate and by the oaths of Susannah Fretton the widow and Thos Fretton the son the executrix and one of the executors to whom administration was granted they being first sworn duly to administer Power being reserved of making the like grant to other executrix when he shall lawfully apply for the same.

Wills at the Essex Record Office Chelmsford :-
Ref : 1808 Fretton, Thos, Cowleach., Horndon-on-the-Hill 16/ER/36

Acknowledgement to the Essex Record Office

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