In the name of God Amen  I Thomas Leedham of Stanton Ward in the county of Derby Yeoman being in good health and of sound and disposing mind and memory (praise be God) do make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner following (that is to say) I assign my Soul to Almighty God who gave it Trusting through the Meritts and intercession of my Saviour Jesus Christ to obtain remission of my sins and to inherit Eternal Life  And my Body I commit to the Earth to be devoutly interred at the Discretion of my Executor hereafter named  And as to such Worldly Estate as it has pleased God to bless me with I dispose thereof as followeth

 

First I do will and devise that all my just Debts be well and truly paid  And I do give and devise All that my Messuage  Cottage or Tenement with the Appurtenances situate in Rosleston in the County of Derby wherein Francis Chambers do now inhabitt and dwell To my Cousin Thomas Wittingham the Elder  and his Heirs and assigns for ever  And I do give and devise all that my Close in Rosleston aforesaid and called the Wood Close with its appurtenances unto Thomas Wittingham and William Wittingham (sons of the aforesaid Thomas Wittingham) and to their heirs when and as they shall attain their severall and respective ages of One and Twenty years To take as Tennants in Common  And it is my will and desire that in the meantime and untill they shall severally  attain the age aforesaid the yearly Rents and profitts of the said Close and premisses  shall be had taken received and enjoyed by the said Thomas Wittingham the Elder  his Executors Administrators or Assigns  And in Case either of the aforesaid Thomas Wittingham the Younger and William Wittingham shall happen to dye before he shall attain the said age of one and twenty years Then I hereby give and devise the Moity or share of the said Close of him so dying to the survivor of them and his Heirs  And in case they shall both happen to dye before they attain the age aforesaid  Then I do give and devise all the said Close with its appurtenances to the said Thomas Wittingham the Elder his Heirs and assigns forever 

 

And I do give and devise all that my other Messuage and Cottage or Tenement with the Appurtenances thereof situate in Rosleston aforesaid wherein Mary Smith widow doth now inhabit and dwell unto the same Thomas Wittingham the Elder his Executors Administrators and Assigns untill his daughter Susannah Wittingham shall attain the age of one and twenty years  And immediately from and after she shall attain that age Then I do give and devise the said last mentioned Messuage with the Appurtenances to the said Susannah Wittingham her Heirs and assigns for ever

And I do give and bequeath to my nephew Thomas Leedham (Son of my brother Edward Leedham) the sum of Ten pounds to be paid him within twelve months after my Decease

 

And to my nephew Joseph Leedham (Son of my brother William Leedham deceased) Ten pounds to be paid him within two years after my Decease

 

And to my nephew William Leedham (Son of my brother Stephen Leedham) Five pounds

 

And to my nephew John Farmer (Son of my sister Mary Farmer) Five pounds both which last mentioned sums to be paid within three years of my Decease

 

And I do give devise and bequeath All the rest and residue of my Estate whatsoever both Reall and personall not herein before disposed of (after my Debts Legacies and Funerall Charges are fully satisfied and paid) unto the said Thomas Wittingham the Elder his Heirs Executors Administrators and assigns for ever 

 

And I do hereby Constitute and appoint him the said Thomas Wittingham the Elder Sole executor of this my last Will and Testament  And do revoke and make void all former wills by me made  In Witness whereof I have hereunto putt my hand and Seal this Twenty Seventh day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Thirty Seven

 

Signed Sealed published and Declared by the above named Thomas Leedham to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto in the Testator’s presence

 

Henry Charlton

 

Eliz Charlton

 

Richard Nicholls

 

 

 

 

his

Thomas          Leedham

Mark