Will of Thomas Dawtrey, of Petworth, 22 Dec 1729

In the Name of God, Amen

I Thomas Dawtrey of More in the parish of Petworth in the County of Sussex being of sounds and perfect mind memory and understanding God be praised for the same do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following

First and principally I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God from whom I received it hoping to be saved through the ______________ Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ my body to the earth whereof it was made to be buryed amongst my Ancestor in the Chancel adjoining to the parish Church of Petworth aoresaid in such discrete and private manner as to my Executor shall be thought fit and convenient and as concerning that worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to make me his Steward and Dispose of I will devise and bequeath the same as followeth

First my will is that all my Debts Legacys and funeral charges be paid and discharged by my Executor within six months next after my decease

Item I give and bequeath to my Son in Law Edward Luther Esquire and to my GrandSons Richard Luther and William Luther and to my Granddaughters Charlotte Luther Rebecca Luther and Amy Luther to each and every one of them twenty Guineas to buy them mourning and a Ring of one Guinea value

Item I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter Amy Luther the sum of three hundred pounds and a Ring of a Guinea value

Item I give and bequeath to every one of the Sons and Daughters of my Sister Perrot deceased a Ring of a Guinea value

Item I give to my Sister Mary Dawtrey and to my Sister Jane Dawtrey to each of them twenty Guineas to buy them mourning and each of them a Ring of one Guinea value

Item I give cousin William Gratwick and his Lady to each of them mourning and each of them a Ring of one Guinea value

Item I give to my cousin Anthony Luther and to his Lady to each of them a Ring of a Guinea value

Item I give to my cousin Thomas Gratwick twenty pounds

Item I give to six of my neighbours and friends in the county of Essex to each of them a Ring of a Guinea value

Item I give to the six Gentlemen that shall bear my pall to each of thema Ring of a Guinea value and to the parson of Petworth a Ring of a Guinea value

Item I give to my Lord ____ and my old Lady ___ and to my young Lady ___ to each of them a Ring of a Guinea value

Item I give to Mr William Puras of Dodo and to his two sons John Puras and Abraham Pura and to his Granddaughter Sarah Porly to each and every one of them a Ring of a Guinea value

Item I give to my servant John Hampton the Sum of ten pounds

Item I give to my servant Edward Newburn the Sum of forty pounds and my wearing apparel

Item I give to every one of my servants that are with me at the time of my decease twenty shillings

Item I give to Elizabeth Shallett the sum of ten pounds

Item I give to the poor of the parish of Petworth twenty pounds to be distributed amongst them by my Executir

Item I give to the porr of the parish of Doddinghurst twenty pounds to increase the poors bread Money and I give to the present poor of the said parish of Doddinghurst five pounds to be distributed amongst them by my Executor

Item all the Rest and Residue of my Estate whatsoever both Real and Personal I give to my son William Dawtrey and his heirs forever, My desire is nonetheless if my said Son William Dawtrey shall happen to dye without lawful issue that then and in such ____ do give by his Will all that my estate in Sussex and Essex to my Grandson Richard Luther and all my Estate in Suffolk to my GrandSon William Luther but of this I make no ________ but do have him absolutely free to act and as in all things to him shall seem most convenient and to his own consent and satisfaction and Lastly I do make constitute and appoint my said Son William Dawtrey sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke all former Will or Wills by me made at any time heretofore And I do appoint this to be my last Will and Testament I witness whereof I the said Thomas Dawtrey have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of December Anno Dom 1729.

Thomas Dawtrey

Signed sealed published and declared to tbe the last Will and Testament of the said Thomas Dawtrey Esquire the Testator in the presence of

James Osburne
Andrew Burton
William Pond
Samuel Moody