Ancestors of Mandy Willard

The Will of

John KNOWLES (1766-1837)

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Knowles of the Parish of Cuckfield in the County of Sussex Labourer in manner following that is to say I will order and direct that all my just Debts funeral Expences and probate of this my last Will be fully paid by my Executor hereafter named First I will devise and bequeath unto John Gainsford of the Parish of Clayton in Sussex aforesaid Miller his Heirs Executors and Assigns All that my Copyhold Land with the Houses thereon erected called Lower Ansty or by what other name or names soever the same may be called containing about two acres of Land more of less and five Tenements thereon with their Appertenances situate in the Manor and Parish of Cuckfield aforesaid and adjoining Ansty Farm on the East and the Lane leading from Ansty Cross to Slough Green on the West together with all other property of what nature or kind soever I may die possessed of on the following Trust that the the said John Gainsford shall within twelve months next after my decease sell and convert into money my said Copyhold Estate and all other Property I may die possessed of and invest the proceeds on good Security at Interest for the sole Use and Benefit of my Wife Sarah Knowles during her Life and at her decease On further Trust that he the said John Gainsford shall get in the said monies and divide the same into six equal Shares and pay unto Sarah Widow of Thomas Reeve on Share unto my Son William Knowles on Share but if my said Son William Knowles should die before his wife then or before his Share becomes due then such Share so due to my Son William Knowles to be paid out at Interest and the said Interest to be paid to his Widow untill his youngest Child shall attain the age of twenty one years and then divided equally amongst his serviving Children One Share unto my Daughter Mary Wife of William Tullett which said Share is to be paid out at Interest for her my said Daughter Mary to receive the Interest during her Life and at her decease to be equally divided amongst her surviving Children by paying unto Ann Tullett Knowles her part with equal with the rest she being Illegitimate Daughter of my said Daughter Mary Tullett One Share unto my Daughter Elizabeth Wife of John Picknall One Share to Amelia Wife of James Simmonds which Share is to put out at Interest for her Life and at her decease to be divided equally amongst his surviving Children but out of this my Daughter Amelia Share Ten Pounds is to be paid to her Illegitimate Son John Charles Field Knowles when he shall attain the Age of twenty one years One Share to my Daughter Frances Wife of Edward Wilford and I hereby declare that any Monies that shall be owing by any of my said Children to me at my decease shall be taking and considered as so much of their Shares who owe it And I further direct that at the death of any of my said Children who may not have received their respective Shares that the Share of such so dying shall be equally divided to their Children share and share alike And that the said John Gainsford may if he thinks proper put out Apprentice any of my Grand Children whose parents may be dead with the Money that may fall to such Grand Child And I hereby appoint the said John Gainsford sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament And do declare that his Recipt or his Heirs Executors and Assigns Shall be a full and sufficient Discharge to any purchase money of my said Copyhold Estate or other Property and that such person shall not be accountable for any ??? application or nonapplication of such pruchase Money In Witness whereof I the said John Knowles have to this my last Will and Testament set my Hand and Seal this twenty sixth day of February in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty six.  John Knowls X his Mark (LS) Signed sealed  published and declaried by the said Testator John Knowles as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witness hereto George Tester Auctioneer Edward Norris Bricklayer Wm Hammond Victular

Be it known to all Men by these Presents that I John Knowles of Cuckfield in the County of Sussex Labourer have made and declared my last Will and Testament in Writing bearing date the twenty sixth day of February One thousand eight hundred and thirty six I the said John Knowles by this present Codicil do ratify and confirm my said last Will and Testament and do further direct and order that if either of the Husbands of my Daughter Mary or my Daughter Amelia should die before them I will and order their Shares to be paid to to my said Daughters Mary and Amelia as soon as it can be done after the death of either of their said Husbands provided they should die before them my said Daughters Mary and Amelia And my Will and Meaning is that this Codicil be adjudged to be a part and parcel of my last Will and Testament and that all Things therein mentioned and contained be faithfully and truly performed and as full and amply in every Respect as if the same were set down in my said last Will and Testament Witness my Hand this second day of March One thousand eight hundred and thirty six John Knowles X his mark (LS signed in the presence of us

George Tester     Wm Hammond

The Will and Codicil of John Knowles late of Cuckfield within the Archdeaconry of Lewes Labourer deceased were proved the twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven Before the Reverend John Seobell Clerk Surrogate and so forth Upon the Oath of John Gainsford the sole Executor in the said Will named To whom was as committed the Administration of the Goods ?? ?? being first sworn well and faithfully to adminster the same and so forth Sworn also that the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased do not amount in Value unto Twenty Pounds

Reference:  East Sussex Record Office A79 pages 520-523

KNOWLES