The will of James Hawcutt of Brixworth, made 1741

 

Background

           

The Brixworth parish register includes these burials: 

•  4 January 1742/3 - Ann, wife of James Howcott

•  10 February 1742/3 - James Howcott, a miller

 

Text

 

In the name of god Amen I James Hawcutt of Brixworth in the County of Northampton Miller being weak in body but of sound mind and memory praise be to god for the same Doe make and ordayn this my last will and Testament in manner following that is to say first I Commit my soul into the hands of almighty god that gave it and my body to the Earth to be desently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named and as to such worldly Estate as it hath pleased god to give me I dispose of the same as followeth

Item I give and Devise to my loveing wife Anne Hawcutt and her heirs all my messuages Cottages Closes Lands Tenements Watermills windmills hereditaments and premises with their appurts scituate lying and being in Brixworth aforesaid and Holcott in the said County of Northton to sell and Dispose of them and every of them to the best bider within one year after my decease first for the payment of all my Just Debts and the remainder to be distributed to and amongst my said wife and Children share and share alike

 

Item I give to my said wife Anne all my goods and personall Estate whatsoever and I doe hereby make my said wife sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament

 

In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this Twenty second day of October 1741.

 

The marke "J" of James Hawcutt

 

Signed sealed published and Declared by the Testator James Hawcutt as his last will and Testament In the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in the presence of the said Testator and att his request.

 

[signed] E[ll?]en Stoakes, William Allen, William Uppington

 

Further details

 

This will was deposited at Northampton Archdeaconry Court and is endorsed "The will of James Hawcutt late of Brixworth deced. proved" [the final word being crossed out]. This is followed on the next line by the date "21 Oct 1741", which is a slightly inaccurate version of the date on which the will was made.

 

At the bottom of the section that contains the endorsement is written (upside down) "Mr Thos. Ward of Pisford [i.e. Pitsford] Manager for the Children".

Presumably, the will was not proved because the executrix had died before the testator.

 

Transcribed by Francis Howcutt from scanned images of the original.