John Archer the Elder, Ossett, Will dated 1757

WILL: This is the transcript of the will proven in 1774:

The Will of John Archer the Older of Ossett.

In the name of God Amen, I John Archer the older of Ossett, in the parish of Dewsbury in the County of York Blacksmith do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following, whereas I have by my writing of surrender bearing even date herewith surrendered and given up with a Shaw into the hands of the Lord of the Manor of Wakefield in the said County according to the custom of the said Manor, all my copyhold messuages, cottages closes lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever, standing lying and being in the Graveship of Ossett aforesaid or elsewhere within the said Manor with their and every of their rights members privileges and appurtenances To the Due and behoof of such person and persons and to and for such itents an d purposes as I the said John Archer Should in and by my last Will and Testament give devise and bequeath or Limit and Appoint the same as in and by the said in part recited writing of surrender relation thereto being had will more fully appear Now it is my Will and Mind and I do hereby give devise and bequeath all and singular the said recited to be surrendered Tenements and premises and Also all my freehold messuages cottages closes lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever standing lying and being in Ossett Aforesaid or elsewhere within the said County of York with them and every of their rights members privileges and appurtenances in manner following (that is to say) As for and concerning All that one close of Land Arable Meadow or Pasture lying and being in Ossett Aforesaid and commonly called or known by the name of the Runting Pighill and also half a Land lying and being in the Westffield of Ossett Aforesaid on a certain Shutt there called Barraclough with the rights members privileges and appurtenances to the same Testaments and promises belonging or in any wise appertaining I give and devise the same unto my daughter Sarah to hold to her heirs and assigns forever also as for and concerning all those two Rooms wherein my son John Archer now inhabits and dwells commonly Called the House and the Chamber over the same standing and being in Ossett Aforesaid with the rights members privileges and apputenances to the said two Rooms belonging I give and bequeath the same unto my said Daughter Sarah To Hold to her and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life In case she shall so long keep unmarried And from and immediately after her decease or Intermarriage whether shall first happen I give and devise the same unto my said Son John Archer To Hold to him his heirs and assigns forever And as for and concerning All The residue and remainder of my said Real Estate I give and devise the same Unto my said son John Archer To Hold to him his Heirs and assigns for ever Also I give and bequeath all that one sitting in a certain Pew or Seat standing and being in the Chapel of Ossett Aforesaid Which said Pew or Seat is marked number one Unto my said daughter Sarah To Hold to her her heirs executors administrators and assigns for ever Also I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Sarah the legacy or sum of one guinea to be paid to her by my executor herein aforementioned immediately after my decease  also I give and bequeath all my Household Goods linnen and ffurniture standing and being in the dwelling house wherein I now dwell unto my said Daughter Sarah To Hold to her her executors administrators and assigns for ever And as for and concerning all the residual and remainder of my Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever I give and bequeath the same unto my said son John Archer he paying thereout all my just debts funeral expenses and the said legacy or sum of money to my said Daughter And lastly I do hereby make constitute and appoint my said son John Archer sole executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of February in the year of our Lord 1757 Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed our Names as Witnesses

Joshua Thorns

Ann Thorns

Edward Sykes

Will transcribed by Christine Widdall from a photocopy of the copy of the will held on microfiche at the Borthwick Institute York