ABRAHAM CHAMPION'S WILL

My thanks to Julie Chedgzoy for sending me a copy of the will and to Steve Champion for supplying the transcript.

The last will and testament of Abraham Champion

In the name of god, Amen! This is the last will and testament of me Abraham Champion of Stoke St Gregory in the county of Somerset, Mason and Glazier. I give unto my son William Champion the sum of five pounds to be paid within twelve months after my decease. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Chidgoy the sum of five pounds; also I give unto my said daughter Mary, one bedstead, one bed and all the furniture thereunto belonging , the money to be paid within twelve months after my decease and the bedstead, bed and all the furniture thereunto belonging to be delivered immediately after the decease of my wife Unity Champion. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Champion the sum of ten pounds; also I give unto my said daughter Elizabeth, one bedstead, one bed and all the furniture thereunto belonging, the money to be paid when she attain the full age of twenty one years or on the day of her marriage, and the bedstead, bed and all the furniture thereunto belonging to be delivered immediately after the decease of my wife Unity Champion. It is also my Will that my said daughter Elizabeth do live and abide in my now dwelling house (without hindrance or molestation) during the time she keeps herself single and unmarried, and no longer. I give bequeath and devise my now dwelling house, gardens, outhouses with the appurtenances unto my dear wife, Unity Champion, during the term of her natural life and her remaining my widow sole, and unmarried, and from and after the death or marriage of my said wife Unity Champion I give bequeath and devise my now dwelling house, gardens, outhouses with the appurtenances unto my son Abraham Champion, his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give unto my said wife Unity Champion the use of all my plate, household goods and furniture whatsoever which shall be in my dwelling house (or elsewhere) at the time of my death, during the term of her natural life and her remaining my widow sole, and unmarried, and from and after the death or marriage of my said wife Unity Champion I give and bequeath my said plate, household goods and furniture (except what I have before given unto my daughters Mary Chidgzoy and Elizabeth Champion) unto my said son Abraham Champion his executors, administrators and assigns. And as for and concerning all the rest residue and remainder of my goods, chattels, ready money, debts, security for money and all my other personal estate whatsoever wheresoever or of what nature, kind or quality soever (after paying all my debt legacies and funeral expenses). I give and bequeath the same unto my said wife Unity Champion. During the term of her natural life and her remaining my widow sold, and unmarried. And from and after the death of my said wife Unity Champion I give and bequeath the same unto my son Abraham Champion and his executors, administrators and assigns. But in case my said son Abraham Champion should die before he attain the full age of twenty one years or without lawful issue I give bequeath and devise my said dwelling house, gardens, outhouses with the appurtenances unto my daughters Mary Chidgzoy and Elizabeth Champion their heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants. Also if my said son Abraham Champion should die before he attain the full age of twenty one years I give and bequeath my said plate, household goods and furniture unto my said daughters Mary Chidgzoy and Elizabeth Champion their executors, administrators and assigns to be equally divided between them "share and share alike". Also if my said son Abraham Champion should die before he attain the full age of twenty one years I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my goods, chattels, ready money, security for money and all the rest of my personal estate unto my said daughters Mary Chidgzoy and Elizabeth Champion their executors, administrators and assigns to be equally divided between them "share and share alike". I do hereby constitute, ordain and appoint my wife Unity Champion and Mr Thomas House of Stoke St Gregory, their executors, administrators and assigns, guardians and trustees, unto my son Abraham Champion and my daughter Elizabeth Champion during their respective minority's. And I do also appoint my son Abraham my sole executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said Abraham Champion have to this my last will and testament put my name and set my seal this seventh day of May in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety two (1792) and in the thirty second year of the reign of our sovereign lord George the Third by the grace of god of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King defender of the faith and so forth -

Abraham Champion (signature).-

Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at the request of the said tesator have attested the execution thereof - Richard Peddle (sig.) Richard Brewer (sig.) William Brewer (sig.).

Whereas I Abraham Champion of Stoke St Gregory, in the county of Somerset, mason and glazier have made and duly executed my last will and testament, in writing bearing the date 7th day of May 1792. Now I do hereby declare this present writing to be a codicil to my last will, and do hereby direct the same to be annext thereto and to be taken as part thereof. Whereas in my last will I bequeath my son William Champion the sum of five pounds to be paid him in twelve months after my decease, now I do thereby will, order and ordain that the said legacy be paid unto my son William in twelve months after the decease of my wife Unity Champion, and not before. Also by my last will I bequeath to my daughter Mary Chidzoy the sum of five pounds to be paid in twelve months after my decease, I do also will, order and ordain that the said legacy be paid unto my said daughter Mary in twelve months after the decease of my wife Unity Champion, and not before. And whereas I did, in, by my said will bequeath unto my daaughter Elizabeth Champion the sum of ten pounds. Now I do hereby revoke the said legacy and do give unto her my said daughter Elizabeth, the sum of five pounds, and no more, to be paid in twelve months after the decease of my wife Unity Champion and not before. And I do hereby verify and confirm my said will in all the other particulars thereof, In witness whereof I the said Abraham Champion have to this codicil set my hand and seal this 5th day of July 1797 - Abraham Champion (sig.)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator Abraham Champion as and for a codicil to be annext to his last will and testament and to be taken as part thereof in the presence of us- R. Peddle (sig.) Richard Brewer (sig.).

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