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WILL of SUSANNA BERKELEY - 1733/4

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Susanna Berkeley of Apthorpe in the County of Northampton Widow being of perfect understanding do make this my last Will & Testament in form following.

In the first place I recomend my Soul into ye hands of Almighty God & my body to be buried in such decent manner as my Executor herein after named shall think fitting

Item I give & bequeath to my Eldest Son Maurice Berkeley of Biggin my Wedding Ring & to his Wife my best Suit of cloaths. To Katherine Berkeley their Eldest Daughter one Silver Tankard. Item I give my Trunk of Linnen to be divided equally between the sd. Katherine & her two Sisters Jenny & Mary. Item I give to my Grandson Rowland Berkeley Son of my Son Thomas deceased two Silver Salts & two Silver Spoons. I give to my Grandson Thomas Gates two Silver Spoons & two Silver Salts. Item to my Grand daughter Elizabeth Robinson one Silver porringer. Item I give to my Son Robert Berkeley of Westminster the Sum of twenty pounds due to me from my Son Maurice Berkeley. Item to the Eldest Daughter of the sd. Robert Berkeley one Silver two ear'd cup. Item I give to my Grandson Maurice Berkeley of Apthorpe a Blue Sattin Mantle & it is my Will that it shd. Descend & be pofsefsed by the Eldest Son of the name & family of Berkeley in being. It is tac'd with a silver lace. I also give to Susanna Berkeley [crossed out] Harrison sometime Wife to my Son Thomas my Black Cloth Gown & Petticoat & all my Waring Apparel except my best suit. I also give to the Widows Lake, Deacon, Smith, Canner, & the Wife or Widow of Peter Green all of Apthorpe one shilling each to be given unto them upon the day of my Burial. Item I give to the Rev'd. Mr. Hugh Owen Curate of Apthorpe one Guinea. Item I give to my Grandson Robert Berkeley Son of my son William deceased two Silver Spoons. Item I give to my Grand Daughter Mary Daughter of my Son Maurice one old Silver Spoon, three Silver Tea spoons & my Silver Snuff Box. Item I give to my Grandson Maurice Berkeley of Apthorpe aforsd. My silk Bed which is now at his House with all that belongs to it.

And I do hereby name constitute & appoint my Son Maurice Berkeley of Biggin aforesd. Sole Execut of this my last Will & Testament, & it is my Will that he shall inherit & enjoy all my __ Houshold Goods & all other things to me belonging & not otherwise dispos'd of by this my last Will & Testament upon condition that he discharge & pay off all my Debts & all the Legacies giv'n & bequesth'd in & by this present writing & also defray my Funeral expences. It is my Will & desire that my sd. Son Maurice shd. at the time of his Decease at furthest shd. relinquish & give up his claim & pofsefsion of my Cottage House & Meadow & Homestead to his Son & my Grandson Maurice Berkeley of Apthorpe or to his Heirs. And lastly I publish & declare this present Writing to be my last Will & Testament. In Witnefs whereof I have set to it my and & seal this ninth day of March in the year of our Lord 1733/4.

Sign'd Seal'd & published to be ye last Will & Testament of Susanna Berkeley in the presence of us who have subscrib'd our Names in the presence of the Testatrix.

Ed ___, Henry Croson, Ann ___

Sufanna Berkley