WILL OF JOSEPH SMITHSON, 1679. ROLL 10, No. 136 HONOR COURT OF KNARESBOROUGH.

In the Name of God, Amen.

Joseph Smithson, in the psh. of Fewston, co. Yorke, I bequeathe and comend my soule into ye handes of Allmighty God, my maker and Redeemer, hopeing yet by ye merrets of his only Sonne, my onely Saviour Jesus Christ, I shall have free remission and pardon for all my sinnes, and my body to be buried in ye psh. churchyard of Fewston.

Unto Joshua Smithson, my naturall sonne, £60, to be paid by Samuel Smithson, my eldest sonne, when he shall be 22 years of age.

Unto Benjamin Smithson, my youngest son, £60, to be pd by said Samuel when he is 21 years of age – or if his education do require above the value of £6 p Ann. in tableing cloaths and other necessaries, yet then there shall be an abatement of the said overplus of and from ye said £60, with lawful consideracon according to ye time.

Unto Mary Smithson, my only daughter, £50, when she shall attain ye age of 21.

But if default of any of the said filial portions be made, then my estate of ffreehold landes, and also ye Barne upon the Comon thereunto neare adjoyning, shall according to the proportion of their severall porcons be equally divided amongst them, or a proportionable part to any of them to whom default of the said sums or any part thereof shall be made.

But if any of said three children – Joshua, Mary, or Benjamin – shall dy before they shall accomplish the ages aforesaid, their part or porcon shall redound to all the rest of my surviving children.

Unto Anne Smithson, my well-beloved wife, £8 yearely, to be pd out of my Lands, Goods, and Buildings at two halfe yearely payments for her life. She shall have the ordering and disposing of all my goods and buildings and lands towards the education of my children till Samuel, my eldest sonne, shall accomplish the age of 21, if she continue so long unmaryed; and afterwards that Samuel, my said sonne, in consideracon of his owne filial porcon and dischargeing of ye former Sums, as also for the further education of my said younger children, shall have and possess said Lands, Goods, and Buildings to his owne use and behoofe, to him and his heires for ever, excepting one Table and a Feathered bed, both standing in the Low parlour, and all ye bedding thereunto belonging, as also two chaires of the best save one, one safe, two pewter dubleres of ye best save one, which shall be given to Mary, my said daughter.

My beloved wife, Anne Smithson, and my said sonne, Samuel Smithson, to be joynt exors.

Dated 24th August, 1674.
‘ JO’EPH SMITHSON.’
Witnesses: PHILIP CAWDRAY x his marke
THOMAS FURNIS.