LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of ISAAC TAVERNER
Writing (School) Master of Poole (c1672 Bay de Verde, Newfoundland - 1719 Poole)

In the Name of God Amen. I Isaac Taverner of the Towne and County of Poole Writing Master being sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory Thanks be given to Almighty God and considering the uncertainty of this transitory Life and how that we are but dust and shortly shall be dissolved am minded to make my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say)

First and principally I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping through the merits death and passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my Sins and to inherit everlasting life and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix herein after named

And as touching the distribucon of all such temporal Estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and dispose thereof as followeth

Item. I give to my brother William Taverner one shilling

Item. I give unto my Sister Mary Woodford all such moneys as is due unto me from James Woodford her husband and more I give unto my said Sister Mary Woodford the sume of Thirty Pounds to be paid unto her within two months next after that my Executrix shall receive of my brother William Taverner two Bond debts one of one hundred forty and six pounds principal and the other of ten pounds principal due to me with interest for the same and not before

Item. I give unto my Sister Elizabeth Corbin the sume of ten pounds to be also paid to her within two months next after the receipt of the said two Bonds before menconed due from my said brother William Taverner there being due over and besides the said two Bond Debts from my said Brotehr the sume of one hundred and fourteen pounds and upwards on accounts on my book

All the rest and residue of my personal Estate goods and chattells debts rights and credits whatsoever or wheresoever not before given I give unto my loving Sister Rachel Lester now wife of Francis Lester who I make my full and sold Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke disanull and make void all former Wills and Testaments heretofore by me made and do ordaine this to be my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this ninth day of January Anno Domini 1718 and in the fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George by the grace of God of Great Britaine France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith etc

Isaac Taverner

Signed sealed published and declared to be the last Will and Testament of the said Isaac Taverner in the presence of

William Rogers
Mary Sarritt
James Stevens

Proved at the PCC in London by Rachel Lester, wife of Francis Lester, sister and executrix named in the Will, on the third day of March 1718/19.

National Archives Ref.: PROB 11/568/13
Transcribed by Kim Parker

NOTES:

The Free School of Poole in Thames Street was established around 1628 on the bequest of Thomas Roberts, but the earliest recorded master is Isaac Taverner. It appears that as schoolmaster he was responsible for teaching 22 boys. On his decease, Christopher Derby was appointed to the post.

Isaac was buried at Poole on 31 January 1718/19