The Will of John Brydges of New Inn, London, 1742

Summary:  Transcription of the probate copy of the Will of John Brydges of New Inn, London, the owner of The Races [later The Razees, now Bosbury House], dated 29th June 1742 listing as beneficiaries his nephew, also John Brydges, and other family members. The probate copy is held at The National Archives, Kew reference 11/720. Note: John and his nephew are recorded on the memorial in Bosbury Church shown above (see also Church Memorials page entry 3).

    In the name of God Amen. I, John Brydges, of New Inn in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, being of a sound and disposing mind and memory and in understanding, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in writing in manner and form following, that is to say, first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God trusting through the merits and mediation of my Blessed Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ, to have pardon and forgiveness of my sins and to inherit everlasting life. My body I commit to the earth top be decently (but privately) buried in the chancel of the parish Church of Bosbury in the county of Hereford (if it please God I die in the Country). But if it should happen otherwise, then I leave it to the discretion of my executors and overseers of my will hereafter named or either of them to deposit and bury it where he or they shall think fit. And as to that Worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to bestow upon me, I give and dispose hereof as followeth. Item I direct and appoint my funeral expenses and debts in the first place shall be paid out of my Estates as well Real as Personal. Item I give to the Poor of the parish of Dymock, ten pounds. To the Poor of the Parish of Bosbury ten pounds. To the poor of Colwall and Coddington five pounds a piece to be paid them six months after my decease by my executor hereafter named.

Item also I give, devise and bequeath unto my nephew John Brydges of Leadbury [sic], son of my brother, Thomas Brydges of Ledbury aforesaid, and to his heirs forever all that my Messuage, Tenement or Farm called The Races [now Bosbury House] in Bosbury aforesaid in the said county of Hereford with all and singular the Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments thereunto belonging and also all that my farm called the Hall Place with the lands thereunto belonging lying in Bosbury aforesaid and now let together with the Races, to one Ambrose Kendrick as Tenant thereof and all my Estate and Title therein. Item I also further give devise and bequeath to the said John Brydges and his heirs all other my freehold as well as Copyhold Messuages, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments and also all that my Moiety or half part of the Great Tithes of Corn, Grain and Hay and other Tithable matters and things arising in the Manor of Upleadon and Bosbury aforesaid and all other my Freehold and Copyhold Messuages, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments as well in Bosbury aforesaid or elsewhere in the Kingdom of Great Britain and and all my Estate Right and Title therein ( my said Copyhold Messuages, Lands and Tenements having been duly surrendered to the use of my last will ) together with all Deeds, Writings, Copies of Court Rolls and other papers that relate to the title thereof.
Item I give to my nephew Richard Brydges ten pounds to buy him Mourning.
Item I give to my nephew Thomas Brydges four hundred pounds.
Item I give to my Niece Elizabeth Jones, wife of Harford Jones Esquire, four hundred pounds to be paid into her own hands and for her own separate use distinct and apart from her husband and not to be subject to his control or disposal.
Item I give to my Nephew William Brydges the sum of four hundred pounds.
Item I give to my Nephew the Reverend Mr. John Brydges Minister of Cowarne the sum of five hundred pounds.

And it is my will and meaning that all and every the Pecuniary Legacies hereby given and bequeathed to the Children of my said brother William Brydges be paid them in twelve Months after my decease or sooner if it can be done by sale of so much of my Government Securities, East India Bonds or trading Stock as shall be sufficient for that purpose. But in case any deficiency shall happen whereby the same are lessened in value then my will and meaning is that all and every of them my Legatees shall abate in proportion out of their respective Legacies.
Item I give to Michael Biddulph Esquire and to my Brother, Thomas Brydges, ten pound apiece for Mourning who I appoint Overseers of my will.
Item I give to my Sister [in law] Mrs. Elizabeth Brydges ten pounds to buy her Mourning.
Item I give to my Sister [in law] Mrs. Margaret Brydges ten pounds to buy her Mourning.

And Lastly I do hereby constitute, nominate and appoint my Nephew, the said John Brydges, son of my Brother, Thomas Brydges of Ledbury aforesaid, full and sole Executor and Residuary Legatee of this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke and make void all and every other will and wills, testament and testaments whatever at any time heretofore by me made and published and hereby declare this to be my only last will and testament in writing whereof I the said John Brydges have to this my last Will and Testament (being contained and written on one sheet of paper on the foreside thereof only) subscribed my Name and set my Seal this twenty ninth day of June in the Sixteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty two.

John Brydges

Memorandum that the above written Will was the day and year last above written, signed, sealed and published and declared by the above named Testator, John Brydges, as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereof.
   John Connell
   Wiliam Betts
   Thomas Pake

Transcribed by Barry Sharples, 2013 and checked by Catharine Knott, 2015
See also Will of William Brydges