In the name of God Amen I William Knowles of the Parish of Rushden in the County of Northampton Yeoman Being of sound and disposing mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling to Mind the Mortality of my body and knowing it is Appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following That is to say principally and First of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it And my Body I commit to the earth to be Buried in Decent Christian burial at the Discretion of my Executrixes herein after named. Nothing doubting But at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Mighty power of God And as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this Life I give Demise and Dispose hereof as follows – Imprimis I give bequeath and Dispose to my son John Knowles Cordwainer to him his heirs and assigns for ever all that Copyhold Messuage or Tenement Situate in the Little Street of Rushden aforesaid (the Parsonage North and the House heretofore Barrys South) and now in his occupation together with all and singular the rights members of Appurtenances belonging or in anywise appertaining to the same always Reserving nevertheless A Right liberty and privilege of a passage of Egress and Regress Through the said Premises for the Protestant Dissenter to the Meeting House and further I give to my foresaid son John Knowles all those Books in which his name is inserted and the two best suits of my Wearing Apparrel Viz. Coats waistcoats and breeches my best great coat and four good shirts

Item I give devise and bequeath to my Daughter Alice Knowles her heirs and assigns for ever All that Copyhold Messuage or Tenement Situate and being in the parish of Rushden aforesaid and now in the tenure and occupation of William Langley Taylor and Sarah Abbott the house and premises (Now John Masons on the North and west part and thee House of Thomas Ward Labourer South on the South East parts thereof) Together with the Yard or Orchard adjoining and all the Rights Members and appurtenances belonging or appertaining to the same as the now are since the Inclosure took place in Rushden aforesaid – Further I give and bequeath to my forementioned Daughter Alice Knowles all these my Household goods and furniture that I claimed as my Right and Property before the day of Marrige to my present wife – And Half the wood that leave Behind me at my Decease to claim as her property – Item I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Anne Knowles all those goods and Household furniture that she Claimd or her Right and Property Before the Day of my Espousale to Her – I further give and bequeath to my beloved wife Anne and to my said Daughter Alice Knowles Jointly Together all other and Singular the Rest and Residue of my Goods Chattles and wearing apparrel and all my Books and moneys debts dues and Demands with all my Personal Estate Whatsoever and Wheresoever – (eccepting such as are herein before disposed of) Lastly I do Nominate Constitute and Appoint Anne my said wife and Alice my said Daughter Both to be Joint and Sole Executrixes of this my Last Will and Testament Whom I Charge with The payment of all my just Debts and funeral expences. And I do hereby Notify and Confirm This and no other to be my Last Will and Testament in Witness Whereof I have hereunto set My Hand and Seal this twelveth Day of October one Thousand seven Hundred and Ninety three.

Signd Seald Published Pronounced            
and Declared by the Said William Knowles
as his Last Will and Testament in the        
presence of us who in his presence and                                      William Knowles
in the presence of each other have hereto  
Subscribed our names                                  

William Colson

Thos. Pressland       

Proved 06 Feb 1794