Providing historical probate information for people from the Henley area

Will of Sarah Lane

Occupation

  • 414: Status only, no stated occupation. Use for Widow, Gentleman, Esquire, Indweller etc., if no occupation is given.

Location

Spinster of Henley upon Thames

Document reference: TNA PROB 11/589
First date: 03 August 1722
Probate date: 15 February 1722/3
Probate court: London

Executors, Witnesses and Court Officials etc.

Executrix: Elizabeth Smith
(Daughter of Elizabeth Robbinson, niece of testatrix)
Witness: Moses Higgs
Witness: Francis Lewen
Witness: Thomas Kilner
Court Official: William Strahan
(Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Court of Canterbury)
Court Official: John Bettesworth
(Doctor of Laws of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury)
Other: Daniel Ashford
(Trustee and Overseer of will. Clerk of Hurley, Berkshire)
Other: Robert Blake
(Trustee and Overseer of will. Wharfinger of Reading.)
Other: Thomas Taylor
(Trustee and Overseer of will. Maltster of Henley upon Thames.)

Bequests

To: Elizabeth Robbinson (Niece)

I give to Daniel Ashford, Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor my leasehold property and estates in or near Grazeley, Berkshire,  now occupied by John Cowdrey and Richard Cowdrey, and formerly by their late father Ralph Cowdrey, for the remainder of the term of the lease to pay the net rents from them after my death to my niece Elizabeth Robbinson, wife of Heneage Robbinson merchant of London, during her lifetime and into her own hands.  After her death,  unless she directs otherwise, they shall hold the property for the benefit of her sons Heneage and William Robbinson in equal shares.  If either of the sons dies before reaching the age of twenty three, the bequest passes to the survivor.  If they both die before reaching this age, the bequest passes to Elizabeth Robbinson's  daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah Smith in equal shares.

Bequest Types

Location of property

Names

To: Elizabeth Robbinson (Niece)

I give to my trustees Daniel Ashford, Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor one hundred and fifty pounds within six months of my death to be placed out at interest to pay this interest to my niece Elizabeth Robbinson for her lifetime into her own hands, separately from her husband.  After her death, the money shall be disposed of according to her will or similar document and failing this, it will pass to her sons Heneage and William Robbinson in equal shares when they reach the age of twenty three;  before they reach this age, it is to be used for their education and maintenance.  If one of them dies before reaching this age, the bequest passes to the survivor and if both die, it passes to the kinswoman of the testatrix, Elizabeth Smith.  My trustees are not to be held liable for non-fraudulent losses or for the acts of the other trustees, but may reimburse them selves for any costs incurred in management of the legacy.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Elizabeth Smith (Great neice)

I confirm the settlement of my property and lands Aldworth, Berks on Elizabeth Smith, daughter of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson.

Bequest Types

Location of property

Names

To: Sarah Smith (Great neice)

I confirm the settlement of about thirty two acres of meadow land in Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire, onto Sarah Smith, daughter of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson.

Bequest Types

Location of property

Names

To: Daniel Ashford; Robert Blake; Thomas Taylor (Friends)

I  bequeath to Daniel Ashford, Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor five pounds each for executing their trusts.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Heneage Robbinson (Kinsman)

I forgive to my kinsman Heneage Robbinson, husband of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson,  all such money as he owes me at the time of my death.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Thomas Smith (Great nephew)

I forgive to my kinsman Thomas Smith, son of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson, all the money he shall owe or be indebted to me at the time of my death, either for moneys lent him or for his board and education.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Heneage Robbinson; William Robbinson (Grand nephew)

I give to Heneage Robbinson and William Robbinson, sons of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson, one hundred pounds each to be paid to them when they reach the age of twenty three;  the interest earned on it in the meantime goes to my executrix [Elizabeth Smith].  If either of them dies before reaching this age, then his legacy shall pass to the survivor of them.  If they both die before reaching this age, the legacy shall pass to my executrix.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Sarah Smith (Kinswoman)

I give to Sarah (one of the daughters of my kinsman Thomas Smith of Hanley Hall near Newcastle under Lyme in Staffordshire) one hundred pounds on her marriage or when she reaches the age of twenty one, if sooner;  the interest on this sum in the mean time goes to my executrix [Elizabeth Smith].  If Sarah dies before she is entitled to receive this legacy, it passes to her sister Margaret, on marriage or reaching the age of twenty one.  If she also dies before this time, the legacy passes to her brother Jeremiah Smith, when he reaches the age of twenty one.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Elizabeth Robbinson (Niece)

I give to my niece Elizabeth Robbinson, her husband and daughters Elizabeth Smith and Sarah Smith, and to my kinsman Thomas Smith, son of Elizabeth Robbinson, and his wife eight pounds each to buy them mourning to be paid to them at my funeral.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Sarah Smith (Great neice)

I give to my kinswoman Sarah Smith, one of the daughters of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson, one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid to her within twelve months of my death.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Sarah Smith (Great neice)

I give to my kinswoman Sarah [Smith], one of the daughters of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson, a half share of my houshold goods, linen and plate within two months of my death.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Poor

I order that my executrix as soon as convenient after my death distributes five pounds among such of the poor of Henley upon Thames as she shall think fit.

Bequest Types

Names

To: Elizabeth Smith (Great neice)

I give to my kinswoman Elizabeth Smith, daughter of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson, my two-thirds of the mansion house and farm called Youngs, alias Paulings, and all my other land and property in the parish of Bray in Berks.  This bequest is subject to the payment of all the pecuniary legacies in my will, other than what I have appointed to be paid out of the rents and profits of my estate in Grazeley.

Bequest Types

Location of property

Names

To: Elizabeth Smith (Grand niece)

I give to my kinswoman Elizabeth Smith, daughter of my niece Elizabeth Robbinson, all the rest of my goods, chattels, lands, property and Estate, subject to the payment of my debts, legacies and funeral expenses.

Bequest Types

Names

Transcript

0001: In the Name of God Amen
0002: the Third day of August in the Ninth year of the Reign of our
0003: Soveraign Lord George by the grace of God King of Great Britain
0004: France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c And in the year of our Lord
0005: God one Thousand seven hundred and Twenty two I Sarah Lane of Henley
0006: upon Thames in the County of Oxon Spinster being of sound and perfect
0007: mind and disposing memory (thanks be given to God therefore) and
0008: calling to mind the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time
0009: when and to avoid all disputes which may happen after my decease
0010: as far as in me lies Do make and ordain this my last Will and
0011: Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I recommend my
0012: Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it trusting to obtain
0013: Salvation through the merits death and passion of Jesus Christ my
0014: ever blessed Saviour and Redeemer And my Body to the Earth to be
0015: decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix herein after
0016: named And for the charges of my Funeral I do order that the same
0017: shall not exceed the sum[me] of Thirty pounds And as for the worldly
0018: Estate which God in his mercy hath bestowed upon me I dispose
0019: thereof as followeth Imprimis I give devise and bequeath unto
0020: Daniel Ashford of Hurley in the County of Berks Clerke Robert Blake
0021: of Reading in the said County of Berks Wharfinger and Thomas
0022: Taylor of Henley upon Thames aforesaid Malster All that my Leasehold
0023: Messuage or Tenement Farm and Lands with the appurtenances And
0024: all other my Leasehold Estates scituate lying and being in or near
0025: Greisley in the said County of Berks with all the Rights Members
0026: and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining
0027: now in the occupac[i]ons of my Tennants John Cowdrey and Richard
0028: Cowdrey by vertue of a Lease by me to them thereof granted and
0029: which late were in the occupation of their late Father Ralph Cowdrey
0030: deceased And all my Estate Right Title and Interest therein To hold
0031: to them the said Daniel Ashford Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor
0032: their Executors and Administrators for and during the residue and
0033: remainder of such Term and number of years as I shall have therein
0034: at the time of my decease In Trust Nevertheless that they the said
0035: Daniel Ashford Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor and the Survivors
0036: and Survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of such
0037: Survivor shall immediately from and after my decease at all times
0038: from thenceforth during the continuance of my Term and Estate
0039: therein stand and be possessed thereof To and for the several uses
0040: intents and purposes and subject to the several limitations and
0041: Conditions herein after mentioned (that is to say) That they the said
0042: Daniel Ashford Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor and the Survivors
0043: and Survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of such
0044: Survivor shall and do answer and pay the clear rents issues and
0045: profits of the aforesaid premisses (all reasonable deductions being first
0046: made) to my Niece Elizabeth Robbinson Wife of Heneage Robbinson
0047: Merchant of London from time to time yearly and every year or
0048: oftner if conveniently may be for and during so many years and for
0049: so long time of my term and estate therein as she my said Niece
0050: shall live for her sole seperate use and benefit And so that the same
0051: or any part thereof shall not be subject to the Disposic[i]on Debts
0052: Forfeitures Engagements or Contracts of her said Husband or of any other
0053: Husband hereafter to be taken and that all such sum[me] and sum[me]s of money
0054: as shall be paid unto her during her Coverture shall be paid into her own
0055: hands And that her own Receipt shall be a sufficient Discharge for the
0056: same unto my said Trustees notwithstanding her Coverture And from
0057: and after the decease of my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson Then they
0058: the said Daniel Ashford Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor and the
0059: Survivors and Survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of
0060: such Survivor shall stand and be possessed of the aforesaid premisses To
0061: and for such use or uses intents or purposes as my said Niece Elizabeth
0062: Robbinson whether Covert or sole by any Deed in writing under her
0063: hand and seal attested in the presence of two or more credible
0064: Witnesses or by her last Will and Testament in writing only executed
0065: and attested as aforesaid shall limit direct and appoint And for want
0066: of such limitac[i]on direction and appointment Then my said Trustees
0067: and the Survivors and Survivor of them and the Executors and
0068: Administrators of such Survivor shall stand and be possessed of the
0069: aforesaid premisses during the then residue of my Term and Estate
0070: therein To and for the sole use and benefit of Heneage Robbinson
0071: and William Robbinson Sons of my said Neice Elizabeth Robbinson
0072: equally share and share alike and of their respective Executors and
0073: Administrators But if either of them the said two Sons of my said Niece
0074: shall depart this Life before he shall attain to the Age of one and
0075: twenty years Then my Will is that all and singular the aforesaid
0076: premisses shall remain and be and my said Trustees shall stand
0077: possessed thereof during the then residue of my Term therein To the
0078: Use of the Survivor of them two his Executors and Administrators But
0079: if it shall so happen that both of the said two Sons of my said Niece
0080: shall depart this Life before they or either of them shall attain to the
0081: Age of one and twenty years Then my Will is that my aforesaid
0082: Trustees shall stand and be possessed of the premisses for the then
0083: residue of my Estate term and Interest therein To and for the only Use
0084: and benefit of my Kinswomen Elizabeth Smith and Sarah Smith Daughters
0085: of my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson equally share and share alike and
0086: to their respective Executors Administrators and Assignes Item I
0087: further give devise and bequeath unto the said Daniel Ashford Robert
0088: Blake and Thomas Taylor the sum[m]e of One hundred and fifty pounds
0089: to be paid unto them by my Executrix within six Months next after
0090: my death to be by them placed out at Interest in their Names or
0091: in the Name or Names of the Survivors or Survivor of them upon
0092: the best Security or Securitys that they can get for the same To
0093: the intent and purpose that they the said Daniel Ashford Robert
0094: Blake and Thomas Taylor and the Survivors and Survivor of them
0095: and the Executors and Administrators of such Survivor shall and
0096: may stand and be possessed thereof and of the Securities that shall
0097: from time to time be had or taken for the same and of the moneys
0098: thereon due To and for the several Uses and subject to the Trusts
0099: and Conditions herein after mentioned concerning the same one
0100: hundred and fifty pounds (that is to say) That they the said
0101: Trustees and the Survivors and Survivor of them and the Executors
0102: and Administrators of such Survivor shall and will pay the Interest
0103: and product of the said one hundred and Fifty pounds unto my said
0104: Niece Elizabeth Robbinson during the term of her natural Life seperate
0105: and apart from her said Husband or of any other Husband hereafter
0106: to be taken and soe as the same or any part thereof shall not be
0107: subject to the Disposition Debts Forfeitures Engagements or Contracts
0108: of her said Husband or of any other Husband hereafter to be taken
0109: but that all such sum[me]s of money as shall be paid unto her during
0110: her Coverture shall be paid into her own hands and that her Receipt
0111: shall be unto them a sufficient Discharge for the same And that from
0112: and after the Death of my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson Then my
0113: said Trustees and the Survivors and Survivor of them and the Executors
0114: and Administrators of such Survivor shall stand and be possessed of
0115: the said One hundred and Fifty pounds and of the Securitys that shall
0116: be then had or taken for the same and of the money thereon due To
0117: and for such Use or Uses intents or purposes as my said Niece
0118: Elizabeth Robbinson whether Covert or sole by any Deed in Writing
0119: under her hand and Seal attested in the presence of two or more
0120: credible Witnesses or by her last Will and Testament in writing
0121: duly executed and attested as aforesaid shall limit direct and
0122: appoint And for want of such Limitation Direction and appointment
0123: Then my said Trustees and the Survivors and Survivor of them and
0124: the Executors and Administrators of such Survivor shall stand and be
0125: possessed thereof and of the securitys that shall be then had or taken
0126: for the same and of the moneys thereon due To and for the sole Use
0127: and benefit of the aforesaid Heneage and William Robbinson Sons of
0128: my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson equally share and share alike
0129: to be paid unto them as they shall severally attain to the Age of Three
0130: and twenty years And if either of them two Sons shall depart this
0131: Life before that Age That then the part therein of him so dying shall
0132: remain to the Survivor of them Two And if both of them the said
0133: two Sons shall depart this Life before they or either of them shall
0134: attain that Age Then my Will is that the said One hundred and fifty
0135: pounds shall remain and be to my said Kinswoman Elizabeth Smith
0136: being my Executrix herein after named Nevertheless my Will is
0137: That in case my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson shall depart this
0138: Life without making any Limitation or Direction touching the said
0139: One hundred and Fifty pounds That in such case the Interest
0140: thereof made after such the death of my said Niece shall be paid
0141: by my Trustees towards the Educac[i]on and maintenance of her said
0142: two Sons in such manner as my said Trustees shall think fitt untill
0143: such time as the said principal sum[m]e of One hundred and fifty
0144: pounds shall grow due to be paid as aforesaid Provided nevertheless
0145: and my Will is that my said Trustees or any or either of them
0146: shall not in any wise be answerable or accountable for all or any
0147: part of the said sum[m]e of One hundred and fifty pounds which they
0148: any or either of them do and shall without any fraud place out
0149: at Interest on Security or Securitys which shall prove bad or
0150: insufficient whereby the same or any part thereof shall happen
0151: to be lost Neither shall my said Trustees or any one or either of
0152: them be answerable or accountable for the management Act or
0153: Deed of the other or others of them touching or concerning any of
0154: the aforesaid Trusts but each of them for his and their own respective
0155: Acts and Deeds only and for such moneys only as shall come to his
0156: their and each of their own respective hands And my Will and
0157: meaning is And I do hereby order and direct That my said Trustees
0158: and the Survivors and Survivor of them and the Executors and
0159: Administrators of such Survivor shall be saved harmless and deduct
0160: to themselves by and out of my said Estate and Estates so devised unto
0161: them as aforesaid All such costs charges Damages and Expences as
0162: they or any of them shall bear pay sustain or be put unto by reason
0163: of the premisses and the Trusts by me in them reposed or in the
0164: execuc[i]on or management thereof or in any wise touching or
0165: concerning the same And in case of any defect or loss in the
0166: Settlement of my Messuages Lands and Tenements in Aldworth in
0167: the County of Berks on the said Elizabeth Smith Daughter of my
0168: said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson and her Heirs I give and confirm
0169: the same unto the said Elizabeth the Daughter and her Heirs And
0170: likewise In case of any Defect or loss in the Settlement of my Two
0171: and Thirty Acres or thereabouts of Meadow Ground in Rotherfield
0172: Grays in the said County of Oxon on the said Sarah Smith
0173: Daughter of my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson and her Heirs
0174: I give and confirm the same unto the said Sarah Smith and her
0175: Heirs Item I do hereby devise and bequeath to the said Daniel
0176: Ashford Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor the sum[m]e of Five pounds
0177: apiece for their care and pains to be taken in the Execuc[i]on of the
0178: Trusts in them hereby reposed Item I do hereby forgive and
0179: discharge to my Kinsman Heneage Robbinson Husband of my
0180: said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson all such sum[m]e or sumes of money
0181: as he shall any ways owe or be indebted to me at the time of my
0182: decease either by Bond or otherwise Item I do also hereby forgive
0183: and discharge to my Kinsman Thomas Smith Son of my said Niece
0184: Elizabeth Robbinson All such sum[me] or sum[me]s of money as he shall
0185: any ways owe or be indebted to me at the time of my decease either
0186: for moneys lent him or for his Board and Education Item I give
0187: and devise unto the said Heneage Robbinson and William Robbinson
0188: (sons of my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson) the sume of One hundred
0189: pounds apiece to be paid unto them at their several Ages of Three
0190: and twenty years by my Executrix And that the Interest in the
0191: mean time thereof made shall remain to my Executrix And my
0192: Will is that if either of the said two Sons of my said Niece Elizabeth
0193: Robbinson shall depart this life before he attain the said Age of
0194: three and twenty years Then his Legacy so dying shall remain and
0195: be paid by my Executrix to the Survivor of them Two on such Survivor
0196: his attaining his said Age of Three and twenty years But if both
0197: the said last named two Sons of my said Niece shall depart this Life
0198: before they or either of them shall attain to the said Age of Three
0199: and twenty years Then my Will is that their said last menc[i]oned
0200: Legacies shall remain to my Executrix Item I give devise and
0201: bequeath unto Sarah (one of the Daughters of my said Kinsman
0202: Thomas Smith of Handly Hall near New Castle under Line in Staffordshire)
0203: the sum[m]e of One hundred pounds to be paid by my Executrix unto her
0204: at the day of her Marriage or at her Age of one and twenty years
0205: which first shall happen And if she the said Sarah shall depart
0206: this Life before she attain her said Age of one and twenty years or
0207: be married Then I give the same One hundred pounds to her Sister
0208: Margaret But if her said Sister Margaret shall depart this Life
0209: before she attain the like Age of one and twenty or be married Then
0210: I give the same One hundred pounds to her Brother Jeremiah
0211: Smith at the like Age And that the Interest thereof in the mean time
0212: made shall remain to my Executrix Item I give devise and bequeath
0213: unto my aforesaid Niece Elizabeth Robbinson and to her said Husband
0214: and unto my aforesaid Kinsman Thomas Smith Son of my said
0215: Niece and to his Wife and to my said Kinswomen Elizabeth Smith
0216: and Sarah Smith Daughters of my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson
0217: the sum[m]e of Eight pounds apiece to buy them Mourning to be paid
0218: unto them respectively at my Funeral Item I do hereby give devise
0219: and bequeath to my said Kinswoman Sarah Smith (one of the Daughters
0220: of my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson) the sum[m]e of one hundred and
0221: fifty pounds to be paid unto her by my Executrix within the space
0222: of Twelve Months next after my Death Item I give devise and
0223: bequeath to my said Kinswoman Sarah (one of the Daughters of my
0224: said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson) the one half part of my houshold
0225: Goods Linnen and Plate to be delivered to her by my Executrix
0226: within two Months next after my Death Item I do order and appoint
0227: that my Executrix so soon as conveniently may be after my Death
0228: do distribute and give the sum[m]e of Five pounds to and among
0229: such of the Poor of Henley upon Thames aforesaid as she shall
0230: think fit Item I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my said
0231: Kinswoman Elizabeth Smith (Daughter of my said Niece Elizabeth
0232: Robbinson) and to her Heirs and Assignes for ever All those my two
0233: parts (the whole in three equal parts to be divided) of all that Manc[i]on
0234: House Capital Messuage or Tenement and Farm com[m]only called or
0235: known by the Name of Youngs al[ia]s Paulings scituate lying and being
0236: in the Parish of Bray in the said County of Berks And all other my
0237: Lands Tenements and Hereditaments in Bray aforesaid Chargeable
0238: Nevertheless And I do order that my said Two parts (in Three) of
0239: the said Mansion House Capital Messuage or Tenement and Farm
0240: and all other my Lands Tenements and Hereditaments in Bray
0241: aforesaid shall stand and be subject and liable to the payment of all
0242: and every the pecuniary Legacies and sum[m]es of money by me given
0243: directed or appointed to be paid (other than what I have above devised
0244: and appointed to be paid out of the rents and profits of my estate in
0245: Greisley aforesaid) Item I do hereby give devise and bequeath to
0246: my said Kinswoman Elizabeth Smith (Daughter of my said Niece
0247: Elizabeth Robbinson) and to her Heirs Executors and Administrators All
0248: the rest and residue of my Goods chattells Lands tenements hereditam[en]ts]
0249: and Estate whatsoever and wheresoever both real and personal not
0250: before by me given and disposed of (Subject nevertheless to the paym[en]t
0251: of my Debts Legacies beforemenc[i]oned to be by her paid and Funeral
0252: expences) And I do [↑hereby] make ordain constitute and appoint my said
0253: Kinswoman Elizabeth Smith (Daughter of my said Niece Elizabeth Robbinson)
0254: full and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament And I doe
0255: hereby appoint my loving Friends herein before named (vizt) Daniel
0256: Ashford Robert Blake and Thomas Taylor Overseers of this my last
0257: Will and Testament desiring them to be aiding and assisting to my
0258: Executrix in the performance thereof And I do hereby revoake
0259: all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do publish
0260: and declare this to be my last Will and Testament and no other And
0261: Lastly In case any of my Legatees shall com[m]ence any Suit in Law or
0262: Equity against my Executrix for any matter concerning this my Will
0263: without applying two Months before the commenceing of such Suit unto
0264: my Trustees the Survivors or Survivor of them for a determinac[i]on of
0265: such matter in Dispute Then I will and devise That the Expences of such
0266: defence shall be abated and deducted by my Executrix out of the Legacy
0267: of such person or persons commencing such Suit or Suits In Witness
0268: whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seal the day and year
0269: first above written.
0270:
0271: Sarah Lane
0272:
0273: Signed sealed published and declared
0274: by the above named Sarah Lane the Testatrix as and for her last Will
0275: and Testament in the presence of us who subscribed our Names as
0276: Witnesses hereunto in the presence of the said Testatrix
0277:
0278: Mos[es] Higgs
0279: Fra[ncis] Lewen
0280: Thom[mas] Kilner

Preparation of this entry

Post status: Published
Transcript by: the author
Author: Tony Lynch
Checked by: Cynthia Robinson
Date posted: 23rd April 2013
Date modified: 15th April 2014