The Will of John Maberly the elder of East Garston, 1762

In the name of God Amen, I John Maberly the Elder of Eastgarston in the county of Berks Yeoman, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say I command my soul into the hands of almighty God and my body to the earth to be interred at the discretion of my executor hereafter named and as to my worldly estate I give and dispose thereof as followeth first my will and mind is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied by my executor and administrators and assignees.

I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Maberly his executors and administrators and assignees, all those arable lands lying and being dispersed in the common ffield of East Garston aforesaid commonly called Whitepitt Land or by what so ever other name or names the same is or hath been usually called or known counting by Estimation twenty six acres be the same more or less and all other my leasehold land whatsoever which I hold by lease granted by Sir John Moore Baronet and all the all the term and estate which shall be to come therein att the time of my death.

Also I give and bequeath unto my son William Maberly his executors administrators and assignees all that my leasehold messuage or tenement in East Garston aforesaid now in the tenure or occupation of the widow Adnams and all houses outhouses additional Buildings and appurtenances therefore belonging as the same is now hedged, staked out and divided from a maintained garden now in the tenure or occupation of one Henry Garlick thereto adjoining and also all those four acres of arable land to the said messuage or tenement belonging lying and being dispersed in the common fields of Eastgarston aforesaid,(that is to say) two acres part thereof in East Garston North ffield and two acres residue of the said ffour acres in East Mondshill ffield, To hold the said messuage or tenement now in the tenure or occupation of the said widow Adnams, the said garden thereto adjoining and belonging and the said ffour acres of land with the appurtenances unto my said son William Maberly his executors administrators and assignees for and during all such estate term and interest as shall be to come therein att the time of my decease.

Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary now the wife of Thomas Cannon her executors administrators and assignees that now existed messuage or tenement now in the tenure or occupation of the said Henry Garlick situated in East Garston aforesaid and adjoining to the west end of the said messuage or tenement now in the occupation of the widow Adnams, together with the Garden hereto belonging as it is now hedged staked out and divided from the said garden in the occupation of the widow Adnams together with all out houses buildings and appurtenances to the same belonging To Hold the same unto my said daughter Mary her executors Administrators and assignees for and during all such estate terms and interests as shall be to come therein at the time of my death.

Also I do hereby devise order and direct that the premises herein before given unto my said son William shall stand and remain charged and chargeable with the payment of the annual sum of two shillings and one penny to the lord of the manor being part of the quitt rent payable to him, as well for the same promise as for those by me given unto my daughter Mary and that those promises by me given to my daughter Mary shall stand and remain charged and chargeable with the payment of the annual sum of two shillings to the Lord of the Manor being the residue of such Quitt rent.

Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary my best box and bedstead together with the curtains valance, blankets sheets quilts, rugs and every thing to the bed and bedstead belonging and my best chest of draws all now standing in my best chamber also I bequeath unto my daughter Mary the sume of twenty pounds to be paid her within one year next after my decease by my executor hereafter named. Also I give to my son John Maberly one shilling.

All the rest and residue of my goods and chattels stock in husbandry my house and personal estate whatsoever and where so ever not herein before by me disposed of I do give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Maberly and do hereby constitute and appoint him my said son Thomas full and sole executor of this my last will and testament and do revoke all former and other wills by me made.

In witness whereof to this my last will and testament I have sett my hand and sealle the nine and twentieth day of March in the thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the second, by the grace of God of Great Britain ffrance and Ireland King defender of the ffaith and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ffifty seven

Duly sealed published and declared by the above named John Maberly the elder as and for his last will and testament aforesaid and in his presence and att his request hereto subscribed by us, Francis Cruse and William Young

The mark of John Maberly the elder (M)

This Will was proved at Newbury the Ninth

Day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand

Seven Hundred and Sixty-two before the worshipful

William Spry Doctor of Law and official of the

__ the Archdeacon of Berks & lawfully constituted

by the oath of Thomas Maberly son of the said deceased

and sole Executor in the said Will named to whom was

committed the Administration of all and singular the

goods and chattels of the said deceased he being first sworn

of the truth of the said will and of well and truly

performing the same and Exhibiting a true and perfect

Inventory of all the goods and Chattels of the said deceased

and rendering an account thereof when required.