Will of William Pratt
Occupation
- 168: Carpenter, Joiner
Location
Carpenter of Henley
| Document reference: | TNA PROB 11/579 |
| First date: | 31 January 1720/21 |
| Probate date: | 03 April 1721 |
| Probate court: | London |
Executors, Witnesses and Court Officials etc.
| Executor: | Henry Stevens |
| (Serjeant at Law [of Culham Court]) | |
| Executor: | John Freeman |
| (of Fawley Court) | |
| Executor: | William Pratt |
| (son of Testator) | |
| Witness: | Jonathan Stevens |
| Witness: | William Martin |
| Witness: | Francis Blandy |
| Court Official: | Berney Branthwayt |
| Court Official: | John Bettesworth |
Bequests
To: Elizabeth Pratt (Wife)
To my wife Elizabeth Pratt my property in Hog Lane now in the possession of Richard Austin for life and after her death to my son Thomas Pratt; all my household goods, furniture and plate (subject to exceptions) and the interest of three hundred pounds to be paid to her half yearly for life for the maintenance of our children, provided she leaves the house within six months of my death and she gives the excepted goods, other than the Jack and Table, to my son Henry Pratt and if she fails to give up the house and excepted goods then she forfeits the legacies. I give my wife fifty pounds to be paid immediately after my death. Providing she complies with the terms of the will she can dispose of the legacy of three hundred pounds as she sees fit to any of my children and if she dies without actioning such then it will be shared equally amongst the surviving children. I give my wife all my firewood in my premises except the three stacks or piles of Beech Billett in Bell Pitts. My wife to receive the interest on the legacies of one hundred and fifty pounds each to be paid to my son Thomas and daughter Anne towards their support and maintenance until they are paid to them at the age of twenty one.
Bequest Types
Location of property
Names
To: William Pratt (Son)
To my son William Pratt the property in Fisher Row now in the possession of ... Peck Iron Monger, and the sum of fifty pounds and my stock of timber and boards around my property also the timber in the Bell Pitts. I also give him my property in Hog Lane now in the possession of Thomas Barney
Bequest Types
Location of property
Names
To: William Pratt (Grand son)
To my grandson William Pratt the sum of fifty pounds to be paid to his father William to be paid with interest when he reaches the age of twenty one
Bequest Types
Names
To: John Pratt (Son)
To my son John Pratt three hundred pounds
Bequest Types
Names
To: Christopher Pratt (Son)
To my son Christopher Pratt the sum of two hundred pounds to be paid in three years after my death and also my property in Hog Lane where Ralph Burnham now lives
Bequest Types
Location of property
Names
To: Elizabeth Lambden (Daughter)
To my daughter Elizabeth Lambden forty pounds
Bequest Types
Names
To: Henry Pratt (Son)
To my son Henry Pratt two hundred pounds to be paid when he is twenty one; all my property where I now live in Henley; two Coppers, Mash Fatt, two Coolers, the Writing desk in the Closett, the bed and bedding in the little room, two pairs of sheets and all the kitchen goods, except the Jack and the largest table; also my silver watch and chain; and all my working tools
Bequest Types
Location of property
Names
To: Thomas Pratt (Son)
To my son Thomas Pratt one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid at the age of twenty one but in the meantime the interest to be paid to my wife Elizabeth, for his support and maintenance
Bequest Types
Names
To: Anne Pratt (Daughter)
To my daughter Anne Pratt one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid at the age of twenty one but in the meantime the interest to be paid to my wife Elizabeth Pratt towards my daughter's support and maintenance
Bequest Types
Names
To: Richard Pratt (Son)
To my son Richard Pratt all my property and the three granaries now in the possession of Sarah Peck, spinster, and my own possession in Fisher Row; and the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds to be paid at the age of twenty one with the interest in the meantime being paid to him
Bequest Types
Location of property
Names
Transcript
| 0001: | In the Name of God Amen |
| 0002: | I William Pratt of Henley upon Thames in the County of Oxon Carpenter |
| 0003: | being weak in body but of a good and perfect Mind memory and Understanding |
| 0004: | (thanks be given to God therefore) and calling to Mind the certainty of Death |
| 0005: | and uncertainty of the tyme when and to avoid all disputes which may |
| 0006: | happen after my decease as farr as in me lies Do make and Ordaine this my |
| 0007: | last Will and Testament in manner and form following (vizt) First I com[m]end |
| 0008: | my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it trusting to obtaine |
| 0009: | Salvac[i]on through the Merits Death and Passion of Jesus Christ my ever blessed |
| 0010: | Saviour and Redeemer And my Body to the Earth from whence it came to be |
| 0011: | decently buried at the Discretion of my Executors hereinafter named And as |
| 0012: | for my Worldly Estate which God in his mercy hath bestowed on me I dispose |
| 0013: | thereof as followeth Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my dear and |
| 0014: | loving Wife Elizabeth Pratt All that my Messuage or Tenement now in the |
| 0015: | possession of Richard Austin in Hog Lane in the said Parish of Henley upon |
| 0016: | Thames for and dureing the Terme of her natural Life and from and after her |
| 0017: | decease I give and bequeath the same Messuage or Tenement unto my Son |
| 0018: | Thomas Pratt his Heirs and Assignes for ever. Item I give and bequeath |
| 0019: | unto my said dear and loveing Wife Elizabeth Pratt all my Household goods |
| 0020: | and Furniture and Plate in and belonging to my now Dwelling House in the |
| 0021: | Parish of Henley aforesaid (except my two Coppers, Mash Fatt two Coolers |
| 0022: | the Writing Desk in the Closett the Bed and Bedding in the little Room, two |
| 0023: | pair of Sheets and all the Goods belonging to the Kitchin (Except the Jack |
| 0024: | and largest Table) Item I give to my said dear and loving Wife the |
| 0025: | Interest of Three hundred pounds to be paid her by my Executors herein |
| 0026: | after named as soon as they conveniently can halfe yearly during the Term |
| 0027: | of her naturall Life the better to Enable her to provide for and maintaine |
| 0028: | the Children by me begotten on her Provided always and my Will and |
| 0029: | meaning is that my said deare and loveing Wife shall and Will within |
| 0030: | Six Months next after my decease quietly give up and leave the possession |
| 0031: | of the Messuage or Tenement wherein I now live and the before excepted |
| 0032: | Goods (except the Jack and Table) before menc[i]oned unto my Son Henry Pratt |
| 0033: | and also acquitt release and for ever Discharge all my Freehold Estate |
| 0034: | whatsoever of and from all Dower and Thirds att the Common Law which |
| 0035: | She shall or may clayme at any time after my decease, But if my said Wife |
| 0036: | shall refuse to give up and leave the said Messuage and excepted Goods as |
| 0037: | aforesaid and also her right and Title to Dower and Thirds as afore said |
| 0038: | Then my Will and meaning is that all the Legacies herein by me before |
| 0039: | given to my said Wife shall cease determin and become utterly void to all |
| 0040: | Intents and purposes whatsoever. Item I give and bequeath unto my said |
| 0041: | dear and loveing Wife Elizabeth Pratt the Sum[m]e of Fifty pounds to be |
| 0042: | paid her by my Executors imediately after my decease. Item itt is my |
| 0043: | Will That my said Wife (observing and [↑per]forming the contents of the Proviso |
| 0044: | herein before menc[i]oned) shall and may att or before the time of her Death |
| 0045: | have the sole power of disposeing of the said Three Hundred pounds to |
| 0046: | any of my Children as She shall by any Writing purporting to be her last Will |
| 0047: | and Testament think fitt to direct and appoint and in such Shares and |
| 0048: | proportions as She shall think fitt And in Case She should dye without any such |
| 0049: | appointment by her Will Then my Will and Mind is That the said Three |
| 0050: | Hundred pounds shall be equally divided amongst such of my Children as |
| 0051: | shall be then liveing at the time of her Decease equally Share and Share |
| 0052: | alike. Item I give and bequeath unto my said dear and loveing Wife |
| 0053: | Elizabeth Pratt all my Fire Woods in my Backside and Outhouses (except |
| 0054: | the three Stacks or Piles of Beech Billett in and about the Bell Pitts) |
| 0055: | Item I give and bequeath unto my son William Pratt and his Heirs for |
| 0056: | ever the Messuage or Tenement in the Fisher Row in Henley aforesaid |
| 0057: | now in the possession of [left blank] Peck Iron Monger. Item I also give |
| 0058: | and bequeath unto my said Son William Pratt the Sum[m]e of Fifty pounds |
| 0059: | and all my Stock of Tymber and Boards which shall be in and about my |
| 0060: | Houseing and Backside where I live at the tyme of my Decease and also |
| 0061: | my said three Stacks or Piles of Beech Billett in the Bell Pitts as aforesaid |
| 0062: | Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson William Pratt Son of my Son |
| 0063: | William Pratt the Sum[m]e of Fifty pounds to be paid into the hands of his |
| 0064: | Father within Twelve Months next after my decease whose Discharge |
| 0065: | shall be a good and legall Discharge for the same and to be Paid by him |
| 0066: | to my said GrandSon with lawfull Interest for the same so soon as he |
| 0067: | shall have attained his Age of One and Twenty years. Item I also give |
| 0068: | and bequeath unto my said Son William Pratt and his Heires for ever all |
| 0069: | that my House or Tenement in Hog Lane aforesaid now in the Possession |
| 0070: | of Thomas Barney. Item I give and bequeath unto my Son John Pratt the |
| 0071: | sum[m]e of Three hundred pounds of lawfull British money to be paid him |
| 0072: | by my Executors as soon as the same can conveniently be raised. Item I |
| 0073: | give and bequeath unto my Son Christopher Pratt the sum[m]e of Two hundred |
| 0074: | pounds to be paid him by my Executors in three years time after my decease |
| 0075: | as my Executors hereinafter named shall think fitt. Item I give and |
| 0076: | bequeath unto my said Son Christopher and his Heirs for ever all that my |
| 0077: | Messuage or Tenement in Hog Lane aforesaid wherein Ralph Burnham |
| 0078: | now Dwelleth. Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth |
| 0079: | Lambden the sum[m]e of Forty pounds to be paid her within Twelve Months |
| 0080: | next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Henry Pratt |
| 0081: | the Sum[m]e of Two Hundred pounds to be paid him at his age of one and |
| 0082: | Twenty years. Item I give and bequeath unto my said Son Henry Pratt his |
| 0083: | Executors Administrators and Assignes all that my Cottage or Tenement with |
| 0084: | the Outhouses yards backsides and Appurtenances thereto belonging wherein |
| 0085: | I now Dwell in Henley aforesaid. Item I also give unto my said son Henry |
| 0086: | all and Singular the before Excepted Goods (except my Jack and Table as |
| 0087: | aforesaid) and also my Silver Watch and Chaine and also all my Working |
| 0088: | Tools. Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Thomas Pratt the Sum[m]e of |
| 0089: | one Hundred and Fifty pounds to be paid him at his Age of one and |
| 0090: | Twenty years by my Executors. Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter |
| 0091: | Anne Pratt the Sum[m]e of One Hundred and Fifty pounds to be paid her att |
| 0092: | her Age of one and Twenty years. Item I give and bequeath unto my |
| 0093: | said loveing Wife the Interest of the said One Hundred and Fifty Pounds |
| 0094: | given to my said Son Thomas Pratt and the Interest of the said One Hundred |
| 0095: | and Fifty pounds given to my said Daughter Anne till they respectively attain |
| 0096: | the Age of one and Twenty years towards their support and maintenance |
| 0097: | Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Richard Pratt all that my Messuage |
| 0098: | or Tenement and three Granaries and Appurtenances thereto belonging now in |
| 0099: | the possession of Sarah Peck Spinster and my own possession in the Fisher Row |
| 0100: | aforesaid To Hold to my said Son Richard Pratt his Heirs and Assignes for ever |
| 0101: | Item I give and bequeath unto my said Son Richard Pratt the Sum[m]e of Two |
| 0102: | Hundred and Fifty pounds to be paid him by my Executors att his Age of one |
| 0103: | and Twenty years with such Interest in the mean time to be paid him |
| 0104: | Annually as my Executors can conveniently obtain. Item I do Appoint my |
| 0105: | Honoured Masters Henry Stevens Serj[ean]t at Law and John Freeman of |
| 0106: | Fawley Co[u]rt in the County of Bucks Esq[ui]r[e] and my Son William Pratt to be |
| 0107: | Executors of this my last Will and Testament . Item I give unto my said |
| 0108: | Executors full power and authority to Advance all or any parte of the said |
| 0109: | Legacies by me hereby bequeathed and given to any of my said Legatees |
| 0110: | att such tymes and in such parts or proporc[i]ons as they shall think proper |
| 0111: | Item my Will and meaning is That in Case my Estate should amount to |
| 0112: | more than what I have by this my Will given and bequeathed Then I give |
| 0113: | the same surplus equally to be divided between all my Children Share |
| 0114: | and Share alike And in Case my Estate should not amount to so much as the |
| 0115: | Legacies hereby given and bequeathed Then itt is my Will That whatsoever |
| 0116: | Sum[m]e shall be wanting to make the same good shall be equally deducted |
| 0117: | out of the Sum[m]es of money given to each Legatee as aforesaid And in Case |
| 0118: | any of my said Children should happen to dye before their respective |
| 0119: | Legacy become due or be Paid them by my Executors Then such Legacy |
| 0120: | shall be equally divided among my Surviving Children. Item I give and |
| 0121: | bequeath unto my Brother Robert Pratt the Sum[m]e of Ten pounds to be |
| 0122: | paid him by my Executors. Item my Will and meaning is that my said |
| 0123: | Executors shall save harmlesse and deduct to themselves by and out of my |
| 0124: | said Estate all Costs Charges Damages and Expences which they or either |
| 0125: | of them shall or may be att or put unto for or by reason or means of the |
| 0126: | execuc[i]on of this my Will or the Trust by me herein reposed in them neither |
| 0127: | shall they be accountable for any more than they shall respectively actually |
| 0128: | receive nor the one for the other nor with or for the Receipts Acts of Defaults |
| 0129: | or Disbursements of the other but for their own Acts only And Whereas there |
| 0130: | are several Debts due to me that may Prove doubtfull or desperate And |
| 0131: | Whereas I have severall Accounpts unsettled with severall Persons I do hereby |
| 0132: | give my Son William Pratt with the Consent and Approbac[i]on of my good Friends |
| 0133: | Mr Serj[ean]t Stevens and Mr Freeman or either of them full power to Settle |
| 0134: | Compound and Agree the same which I do hereby declare shall be binding |
| 0135: | to my Wife and all my Children. And in Case any accident shold happen to |
| 0136: | prevent my said good Friends Mr Serj[ean]t Stevens and Mr Freeman to Act as |
| 0137: | my Executors with my said Son William Pratt Then I desire them to be Overseers |
| 0138: | of this my last Will and Testament and to be aiding and assisting to my Wife |
| 0139: | and Children and particularly to Settle and determine all Disputes and differences |
| 0140: | that may arise betweene and amongst them concerning any Parte of my Estate |
| 0141: | And I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made |
| 0142: | and do publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament and no other |
| 0143: | In Witness whereof I the said William Pratt the Testator have to this my |
| 0144: | last Will and Testament Sett my hand and Seale this last day of January in |
| 0145: | the Seventh year of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord George by the Grace |
| 0146: | of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith |
| 0147: | etc Annoq[ue] D[omi]ni 1720 |
| 0148: | William Pratt |
| 0149: | |
| 0150: | Signed Sealed published declared |
| 0151: | and delivered by the said William Pratt the Testator as and for his last |
| 0152: | Will and Testament in the presence of us (and then attested by us in his presence) |
| 0153: | having putt his hand to the two first Sheets and his hand and Seal to the last |
| 0154: | Jonathan Stevens |
| 0155: | Will[iam] Martin |
| 0156: | Fran[cis] Blandy |
Preparation of this entry
| Post status: | Published |
| Transcript by: | the author |
| Author: | Hilary Fisher |
| Checked by: | Cynthia Robinson |
| Date posted: | 06th March 2013 |
| Date modified: | 09th May 2014 |