In the Name of God Amen I John Smith of Rushden in the County of Northampton Labourer being well in Health But calling to mind the Mortality of my Body Do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Principally and first of all I recommend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it and hope thro the Merits of Christ to find Mercy and as for my Body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the Discretion of my Executor hereinafter named And as for the Worldly Estate where with it has pleased God to bless me with I give and Dispose of the same as follows I give Devise and bequeath unto my Wife Mary my Cottage Messuage or tenement where I now dwell with all its Appurtenances belonging or in anywise appertaining to the same for and during the Term of her Natural Life I also give Devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary another Cottage Messuage or Tenement now in the tenure and occupation of Thomas Chambers with all its Appurtenances belonging or in anywise Appertaining to the same for and during the Term of her Natural Life both the above mentioned Houses are standing in the South end of Rushden above said And in Case my Wife has no Child or Children by me Then I give the above mentioned Houses to my Daughter Rappitts two children That which I now live in I give to my grandson David and the other house which is now in the tenure of Thomas Chambers I give to my other Grandson Jonathan Rappitt after my wife’s decease In case my Wife should have a Child or Children by me then my Will and mind is that such Child or Children should have the above Mentioned Houses after my Wifes decease I give the above mentioned Houses to my men Child or Children to them their Heirs and or Assigns for my mind and Will is that what is left after the Decease of my Wife of my Personal Estate that was mine when my Executrix has paid all my Just Debts and funeral Charges I give to my Daughter Martha Rappitt if she is then living or in Case she is not then to her Children or Child My mind and Will is that what goods or moveables my wife brings she shall have the Dispose of them And I do Nominate Constitute and Ordain my Beloved Wife Mary Sole and only Executrix of this my last Will and Testament also my mind & will is that all my wearing Apparel Linen & Woollen be parted betwixt my two Grandsons David and Jonathan Rappitt

In Witnes whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twenty fifth day of February in the year of Our Lord 1764

John Smith
his X mark

Sign’d Seale’d Published and Declared
by the s’d John Smith the Testator for and
as his last Will and Testament In the presence
of us three who in his Presence and at his
request have set our Names as Witnesses

John Fisher

William Hooper

Lewis Lantoff
his X mark

Probate granted 31 July 1777 and the Executrix Mary Smith made oath not worth more than thirty pounds; she to make a true inventory and exhibit it on or before 31 Jan 1778