Will of Robert Nurse of Hanham Green, 4 Mar 1819

Considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof and being (blessed be God) in tolerably good health of body and of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding I Robert Nurse of Hanham Green in the hamlet of Hanham within the parish of Bitton in the County of Glouceter do make ordain and publish this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say)

I give and devise unto my nephew Robert Nurse son of my late brother Samuel Nurse all and singular my two third parts or shares (the same to be considered as if divided into three equal parts or shares) of and in all that freehold messuage or dwelling house together with the malt house and garden and other appurtenances behind and belonging thereto situate at Hanham Green aforesaid now in my occupation to hold the said two third parts or shares and premises unto and to the use of him my said nephew Robert Nurse his heirs and assigns for ever charges and chargeable nevertheless

And I do hereby charge and subject the same respectively with the payment thereout of the sum of sixty pounds unto my housekeeper Ann White payable to her in two months next after my decease

And likewise the sum of five pounds to Sarah Sweet the same to be paid to her within 3 months next after my decease

And which said sums of sixty pounds and five pounds I give and bequeath to each of them the said Ann White and Sarah Sweet accordingly

Also I give and bequeath unto the said Ann White my parlour and three bedrooms over in my house at Hanham Mills together with one moiety or halfpart of the garden orchard and small wood behind together with joint use with my nephew Samuel Nurse of the several offices and appurtenances thereto belonging to whom I intend next after to give the other and remaining parts thereof the whole of which house garden orchard wood offices and appurtenances I hold by lease bearing date the fourth day of December one thousand seven hundred and ninety four from Henry Creswick late of Hanham Court esquire for the sum of four score and nineteen years determinable on the deaths of three lives one whereof is my own then aged fifty two years the other is William Dolman Nurse then aged about sixteen years and the other is Joseph Nurse then aged about nine years (sons of Samuel Nurse of Hanham aforesaid Inn Keeper) subject to the yearly rent of one pound six shillings and eight pence payable half yearly during the said term determinable on the deaths of the said three lives and also a joint use with the said Samuel Nurse of all such right and benefit of renewal on the death of either of the said three lives as I have therein and also the like moiety part or share of all other my estate and interest of and in the said whole house garden orchard wood offices and appurtenances respectively to hold the same rooms moiety part or share and premises unto her the said Ann White her executors administrators and assigns for and during all the remainder of my term estate and interest therein to come at my decease

I give and bequeath unto my said nephew Samuel Nurses the remaining parts of my said house and also the other moiety or remaining part or share of the said garden, orchard and wood and also the like joint use with the said Ann White of the said several offices and appurtenances and of such right and benefit of renewal as last aforesaid and also the remaining moiety of all other any estate and interest of and in the said whole house garden orchard wood offices and appurtenances respectively to hold the said remaining parts or share of my said house moiety and premises unto him the said Samuel Nurse his executors administrators assigns for and during all the remainder of my term estate and interest therein to come at my decease

Also I give unto my nephew Robert Nurse my cart and mare generally used in such cart and also one large round mahogany flap table two very large standing looking glasses near six foot high each two glass cupboards and two other cupboards one large chest and a half round settle in and about the said messuage or dwelling house in my occupation first above described and also my silver coat and waistcoat buttons

Also I give to the said Ann White one silver cream jug and a pair of silver tongs and two small mahogany tables the one a square flap table and the other a round box table and six winsor chairs my best quilt and my looking glass in the parlour one tea chest two silver table spoons and six silver tea spoons one book entitled the life of Christ by Fleetwood and my large folio bible by Harrison in one volume and my best bedstead and curtains and one large mahogany night chair

Also I give unto my nephew William Nurse my clock and case and one large mahogany square flap table in the parlour one small silver cream jug one counterpane six mahogany bottom chairs and my best bed and bedding thereunto belonging and also my History of England in one large folio volume by Sydney Temple

Also I give to my said nephew Samuel Nurse my History of Europe in one large folio volume by Percival Barlow and one standing looking glass one silver half pint one silver punch ladle and two silver table spoons

Also I give unto my nephew Joseph Nurse my bed and bedding that I usually sleep on and one large oak chest one kitchen table one oak flap dining table one round elm table and all my chairs in the kitchen together with all my pewter and earthen ware and also all my wearing apparel of every sort and kind

Also I give unto my niece Rachel wife of John Coates (Couch) of Hanham aforesaid quarrier all my china (except my large china cup herein afterwards given to my friend William Fry) and all my glasses and pictures of every sort and kind

Also I give unto the said John Coates (Couch) Rutters History of Gloucestershire in one large folio volume

Also I give all the remainder of my furniture unto my said nephew Joseph Nurse

Also I give unto my friend William Fry who I hereinafter appoint executor of this my will to see the same performed my large china cup and all my stock and goods in trade

And all the rest residue and remainder of my monies goods chattels and personal estate of every sort and kind (after and subject to the payment and discharge of all my just debts and funeral expenses the charges of proving this my will and other incidental disbursements) I give and bequeath the same and every part and parts thereof unto my said nephew Robert Nurse

And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said friend William Fry and John Couch of Hanham quarrier to be executors of this my last will and testament to see the same performed according to the true intent and meaning of this my said will

And lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills and testaments by me heretofore made except a will or codicil in favour of the said Ann White which I do hereby confirm and do declare this only to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said Robert Nurse (the testator) have to the first three sheets of this my last will and testament (the same being contained in this and the three preceding sheets of paper) set my hand and to the fourth and last my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of march in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen

Signed sealed published and declared by the testator Robert Nurse as and for his last will and testament in the presence of use three who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunder subscribed our names as witnesses thereto

George Burgess Queens Head Wilsbridge
Harry Burgess ditto

N Wasbrough Solic Wilsbridge

29th March 1820

The within named William Fry one of the executors proven being reserved for the other wherein named duly sworn before me

under £450

Edwd Jones Surrogate

Codacil of Robert Nurse of Hanham, 25 Apr 1816

I Robert Nurse of Hanham Green in the County of Gloucester Maltster do make publish and declare this to be a codicil to my last will and testament bearing date on or about the nineteenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and twelve

I give and bequeath to my housekeeper Ann White an annuity of five pounds to be paid and payable to her by equal half yearly payments without deduction for and during the term of her natural life and I do hereby subject and charge the dwelling house wherein I now reside with the payment thereof and do hereby will and direct that in case of non payment the said Ann White shall have and be entitled to the same power remedies and authorities enforcing payment of the same as in the cases of rent in arrears and I do hereby direct the executor or executors for the time being of my aforesaid will to receive and pay such annuity to the said Ann White according to my direction above expressed

I also give and bequeath to the said Ann White my watch all the carpets in my dwelling house the washhand stand basin and jug in or used in my bedchamber six pair of the best knives and forks and also all my table linen blankets and sheets to and for her proper use and benefit

In all other respects I ratify and confirm my aforesaid will

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty fifth day of April one thousand eight hundred and sixteen

Robert Nurse

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Robert Nurse as and for a Codacil to his will in the presence of

N Wasbrough Solic Wilsbridge