Yeovil's Virtual Museum

The 1751 will of Thomas Shean

Gentleman

 

This will is interesting since Thomas Shean, gentleman, leaves his entire estate to 6-year-old Elinor Pudding (baptised at St John's church on 15 July 1745) and recorded in the parish register as the bastard child of Elinor Pudding Deceased.

 

 

This is the last Will and Testament of I Thomas Shean of Yeovill in the County of Somerset Gentleman living in perfect health Sound mind memory and understanding do make and declare this to be my last Will in the words following (that is to say) First my Will is that all my Just Debts and Funeral Expences be paid by my Executors In Trust herein after named Item I give and bequeath unto Elinor Pudding Daughter of Elinor Pudding late of Yeovill in the County of Somerset Singlewoman deceased All my Real and Personal Estate situate lying and being within the Parish or Town of Yeovill for and during her natural life and also all my Household Goods and Chattels whatsoever and wheresoever And my Will is and I do hereby Charge the said Elinor Pudding when she is Possessed of the Premises above mentioned not to fell root up or cutt down any Timber or other Trees that are likely to become Timber other than what shall be used up on the same Premisses Item I give unto my Brother John Shean the Sum of ten Pounds to be paid within twelve Months after my decease Item I give unto my Brother in Law Thomas Hewlett the Sum of five Pounds to be paid also within twelve Months after my decease and all my Wearing Apparell both Linnen and Woollen Item I give unto my Brother in Law Francis Lewis one shilling to be paid also within twelve Months after my decease Item I give unto Betty otherwise Elizabeth Lewis Daughter of my Brother in Law Francis Lewis and Joan his Wife the Sum of five Pounds to be paid also within twelve Months after my decease Item I give unto my Brother in Law Benjamin Vining of Wincanton one Shilling to be paid also within twelve Months after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto Benjamin Vining Son of the aforesaid Benjamin Vining by Elinor his Wife the Sum of five Pounds to be paid also within twelve Months after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto Elinor Vining Daughter of the aforesaid Benjamin Vining by Elinor his Wife the Sum of five Pounds to be paid also within twelve Months after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto John Shean Son of Thomas Shean of Corton by Joan his Wife the Sum of ten Pounds to be paid also within twelve Months after my decease Item I give to my Uncle Joshua Shean of Corton one Gold Ring worth one Guinea And I do hereby Charge the said Estate above mentioned as soon as the said Elinor Pudding shall be Possessed thereof with the Payment of the Legacys above mentioned Item I give and bequeath unto my said Brother John Shean all my Estate both Real and Personal above mentioned to be situated and being in the parish or Town of Yeovill aforesaid from and immediately after the decease of the said Elinor Pudding and to the Heirs Male of the said John Shean lawfully to be begotten and for want or in default of such Issue Male I give and bequeath the same unto my Cousin John Shean of Corton and his Heirs for ever Item I give unto W[illia]m Newman of Preston in the said County of Somersett Yeoman and Thomas Hewlett of Yeovill in the same County Mason one Guinea each for to buy them Rings And lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint the said William Newman and Thomas Hewlett Executors In Trust of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the eighteenth day of May in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty one

Thomas Shean

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the above named Thomas Shean the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament who at his request and in his presence have Subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto

Tho[ma]s Bartlett Junr     Nathaniel Davis     Mary Bartlett

 

This Will was Proved at London the fourteenth day of June in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty five before the Right Honourable Sir George Loe Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Thomas Hewlett one of the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased having been first Sworn by Commission duly to administer Power reserved to make the like grant to William Newman the other Executor named in the said Will when he shall apply for the same

 

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn