Will of Abel Duck
of Pickwick, Corsham - 1839
This is the last Will and Testament of me Abel Duck of Pickwick in the Parish of Corsham in the County of Wilts Carpenter and which I make and publish in manner and form following (that is to say) First I Give and Devise unto my dear Wife Susanna Duck All that my Copyhold Messuage or Tenement with the Garden and appurtenances thereto belonging situate lying and being in Pickwick within the Manor of Corsham aforesaid now in my own Occupation To hold the same to my said Wife Susanna Duck and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life And from and immediately After her decease Then I Give and Devise the same Copyhold Messuage or Tenement with the Garden and appurtenances thereto belonging unto my Son Edward Duck To hold the same unto my said Son Edward Duck his heirs and assigns in fee for ever according to the custom of the Manor of Corsham aforesaid And as Concerning All and every my Stock and Trade Household Goods and Furniture Plate Linen China Book Debts Monies Securities for Money and all other my Personal and Testamentary Estate and Effects whatsoever (after payment of my just Debts my Funeral expenses and the Costs and Charges of the proof and execution of this my will and subject thereto) I Give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my Son Isaac Duck Upon First that he my said Son Isaac Duck Do and shall within one month next after my Decease have my Stock and Trade Household Goods and Furniture Plate Linen and China valued by some competent person or persons And the amount of such valuation as well as all my Book Debts Monies and other my Personal Estate I hereby direct shall be disposed of as follows in twelve Calendar Months next after my decease. To my Brother Cain Duck the sum of Five Pounds. To my Sister Ann Dew Wife of James Dew Five Pounds and to my Niece Eliza Dew Daughter of the said Ann Dew Five Pounds and all the residue to be equally divided between my children the said Isaac Duck and Thomas James Duck and Elizabeth Ann the Wife of George Pullen And I do hereby request my said Son Isaac Duck to continue and carry on my Business at Pickwick aforesaid for his own benefit and to allow my said Wife thereout for and during the term of her natural life to and for her own use and benefit the sum of Six shillings per week the first payment to her made in one week next after my Decease And I hereby appoint my said Son Isaac Duck the sole Executor of this my will And I do hereby declare that my said Son Isaac Duck shall be answerable only for such monies as he shall receive by virtue of this my will In witness whereof I the said Abel Duck the Testator have to this my last will and Testament contained in two Sheets of Paper to the first Sheet set my Hand and to this second Sheet set my hand and seal this twentieth day of July One Thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
Abel Duck
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Abel Duck the Testator as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses Thereto
Thomas Hulbert
Robert Hulbert Jnr
James Thorngate
This Will was proved on the twenty sixth day of September One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Two by the Oath of Isaac Duck the Sole Executor to whom administration was granted he having been first Sworn duly to administer
W C Bennett