Will and Probate – Elizabeth Harris 1749

Name:	Elizabeth Harris
Residence:	Egham
County:	Surrey, England
Date of Will:	4 Mar 1749
Beneficiaries:	Elizabeth Bartholomew, Francis Bartholomew, Ann Bartholomew, Mary Bartholomew, John Bartholomew, Mary Clear, Rebecca Clear, Roger Cleare, Elizabeth Clear and Rebecca Stone: grandchildren Ann Harris, daughter
Witnesses:	R Phelps at time of signing Francis Bartholomew by sworn affidavit
Executor:	Ann Harris, daughter
Probate Date:	26 Sep 1753
Commissary:	the Wor. Arthur Collier, Surrogate
Court:	Prerogative Court of Canterbury

Will & ProbateTranscription

The following transcription retains the grammatical form of the original handwritten document, including use of capital letters, unusual spelling and scarcity of punctuation. Any words that could not be deciphered are represented using the character ‘~’.

This is the last Will and Testament

of me Elizabeth Harris of Egham in the County of Surry widow

I give and bequeath to my Grand Children Elizabeth Bartholomew, Francis Bartholomew, Ann Bartholomew, Mary Bartholomew, John Bartholomew, Mary Clear, Rebecca Clear, Roger Cleare, Elizabeth Clear and Rebecca Stone the sum of ten pounds each to be paid to them respectively within twelve months after my decease by my Executrix herein after named. All the rest and residue of my Goods, Chattels, Plate, Monies and Effects of what nature or kind soever I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Harris whom I do hereby make and appoint sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke all and every Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty nine – Elizabh Harris – signed by the above Testatrix and by her declared to be her last Will and Testament in the presence of R: Phelps.

September 20^th 1753

Which day appeared Francis Bartholomew the Elder of the parish of Egham in the County of Surry Farmer and by vertue of his Corporal Oath deposed that he knew and was very well acquainted with Elizabeth Harris late of the parish of Egham in the County aforesaid widow deceased for twenty years and upwards, during which time he frequently see her write and subscribe her Name, and thereby became well acquainted with her manner and character of hand writing, and having now seen and carefully perused the paper writing hereunto annexed beginning thus “This is the last Will and Testament of me Elizabeth Harris” and ending thus “this fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty nine” and thus subscribed “Elizabh Harris” also this deponent doth swear and depose that he verily believes in his conscience that the name Elizabh Harris wrote at the bottom of the will hereunto annexed was made by the proper hand writing of the said Elizabeth Harris widow deceased – Fra . Bartholomew – the said Francis Bartholomew was sworn the truth of the promises before me – Arth . Collier, surrogate – present Rob Longden.

This Will was proved at London the twenty sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three before the Worshipful Arthur Collier Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir George Lee Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Ann Harris Spinster the daughter of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first sworn duly to administer.

Transcription by Stephen P. Townsend, great^6 grandson of Elizabeth Harris, 21 Aug 2020