In the name of God Amen. I Thomas Deaton of Rushden in the county of Northampton shepherd being of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say, First, I give and bequeath all and singular my personal estate of what kind or nature soever and wheresoever which I may be possessed of at the time of my decease and of whatever the same may consist unto my beloved wife, Mary Deaton to and for her own use and benefit absolutely she paying out of the same all my just debts and funeral expenses and the expenses of proving this my will. Also I give devise and bequeath unto my said wife Mary Deaton all and singular my copyhold messuages lands and tenements situate and being in the parish of Rushden aforesaid which I have duly surrendered to the use of my wills and also all other my real estate and estates whatsoever and wheresoever and the rents … and profits thereof and every part thereof for and during her natural life without impreachment of waste. And after her decease I do give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Deaton or his legal representatives the sum of twenty pounds. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Daniel Deaton or his legal representatives the sum of twenty pounds. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Voss or her legal representatives the sum of ten pounds. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecca Cooper or her legal representatives the sum of ten pounds. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Moring or her legal representatives the sum of ten pounds. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lucy Deaton or her legal representatives the sum of ten pounds. Also I give and bequeath unto my grandson William Clarke the sum of one pound and one shilling which said several and respective legacies I do will and direct to be paid by my executors hereinafter mentioned out of my said real estate or estates within six months after my said wife’s decease. And from and after my said wife’s decease I do give devise and bequeath all … my said real estate and estates whether freehold copy hold or bondhold unto my two sons Wiles Deaton and John Deaton share and share alike their heirs and assigns forever subject nevertheless to the payment of the abovementioned legacies, and I do hereby charge all my said estates with the just payment of the same. And I do hereby nominate and constitute my aforesaid two sons Wiles Deaton and John Deaton joint executors of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby revoke and make void all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare these presents only to be and contain my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Thomas Deaton the Testator have to this my will set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven.

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Deaton the Testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as witnesses thereto. Ri.d Midgley, Wiles Codbrook, William Hanks (or Hawks)

The mark of Thomas Deaton

---

On the twenty sixth of April 1799 – Wiles Deaton and John Deaton the within nam’d executors were then sworn well and faithfully to fulfill the within written will according to law, and that the goods chattels and credits of the within nam’d deceas’d do not amount to the sum of twenty pounds – before me.
Jos. Watson L.L.B, Surrogate