Will of Samuel Leonard of Hanham, 22 Aug 1774

In the Name of God, Amen.

I Samuel Leonard the Elder of the Hamlet of Hanham in the County of Gloucester Yeoman being of a Sound and Disposing mind Memory and Understanding thanks be to God for it Do make this my Last Well and Testament in manner and form following

First and principally I commend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty god who gave it hoping for Remission of all my Sins through the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer and my body to the Earth to be decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executors and Trustees herein after Named And as for my worldly Estate Goods and Effects which god hath blessed me with or what I shall be Seized or otherwise intitled into at the time of my Decease I give Devise and bequeath as follows that is to say

First I give and Bequeath unto my son William Leonard (who is now abroad) A Ground at Lorgens Green in the Parish of Bitton Containing by Estimation about Two Acres and now Let to Samuel Lapham at Three Pound Ten Shilling Yearly by Deed to be by him the said William Leonard and his Heirs Occupied and enjoyed for ever after his Arrival in England. But the Same to be Occupied and enjoyed by my Two Sons Robert and Samuel Leonard for their own use and benefit until his Arrival in England

Secondly I give unto my son Robert Leonard the House Garden and Orchard in which I now dwell and thereunto belonging except the Household goods all which I hold by Lease from Esq. Newton to be by him and his Heirs enjoyed by their own use and benefit clear of all Payments Concerning this my Will

Thirdly I give unto my Daughter Hannah Williams The Sum of Two Pounds Yearly and Every Year for and during the Term of her Life

Fourthly I give unto my Daughter Diannah Bush the Sum of Two Pounds Yearly and Every Year for and during her Natural Life

Fifthly I give unto my Daughter Hesther Bayley the Sum of Two Pounds Yearly and every year for and during the Term of her Natural Life, all three Legacies which I give and Bequeath unto my Three Daughters Hannah, Diannah and Hesther is to be paid them Yearly and Every Year as the same becomes due from time to Time after my Decease for and during the Term of Their Natural Lives only and no Longer and the same to be paid them by my Two Sons Robert and Samuel Leonard out of that part of my Estate which shall Particularly Bequeath unto them in this my Will and in Case of none Payments then the Same to be Levied out of the Said bequeathed Premises according as the Law Shall Direct in Such cases

Sixhly I give Devise and Bequeath unto my Two Sons Robert and Samuel Leonard the Lands and Premises following (that is to say) The Ground in Home Mead, Muckles Mead in Hanham field a House Smith’s Shop Garden and Orchard at Longwards Green a Ground called Panniers Corner by Home Mead, a House and Garden on Jefferies Hill a Ground called Late Heights and all belonging or appertaining to me in the County of Gloucester or elsewhere Except what is bequeathed separately unto my Two Sons William and Robert and my Three Daughters, also Except my Household Goods Furniture and wearing Apparel and my Will is that my Three Daughters Legacies be punctually paid them out of the Lands and Tenements which I have bequeathed unto my Two Sons (Robert and Samuel Leonard) Jointly according to the true intent and meaning of this my Will

Seventhly I give Devise and bequeath all my Household goods to be Equally Divided between my Three sons and Three Daughters Share alike and my Wearing apparel to be equally Divided between my Three Sons but in case my son William doth not arrive in England in any reasonable time, then the said wearing apparel to be equally Divided between my Two Sons Share alike

Lastly I do hereby request and make Mr Jacob Leonard and Mr Solomon Leaonard Trustees of this my Will

And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my Sons Robert Leonard and Samuel Leonard to be Joynt Executors of this my Last Will and Testaament hereby Revoking all Wills by me heretofore made.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twenty second Day of August In the Year of our Lord One thousand and Seven hundred and Seventy Four.

Samuel Leonard

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Said Testator Samuel Leonard the Elder as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have all set our hands and Names hereunto as Witnesses in the Presence of the Said Testator and of each other

Thomas Williams
Charles Hudd
Tomas Watkins

This Will was proved the 14th August 1782 by Commission Before the Reverend Charles Elives Clerk commissioner appointed by the Worshipful and Rev James Benson Doctor of Laws Vicar General in Spiritual of the Right Rev Father in God James by divine Permission) Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Gloucester and of his Episcopal Consistory Official principal Lawfully constituted by Robert Leonard and Sam Leonard the Sons and joint Executors to whom they having first Sworn with and faithfully to Administer to the said will and also to exhibit an Inventory and Render an Account.