PREROGATIVE COURT OF CANTERBURY

WILLIAM BOWERS - BAY DE VERDE - 1739

The Last Will and Testament of WILLIAM BOWERS, Carpenter of Bay Da Verd, bearing date May the twenty third and in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and thirty nine. In the Name of God Amen. I WILLIAM BOWER of the Harbour of Bay De Verds Carpenter being weak in Body but of sound and perfect mind and knowing the uncertainty of this life I give and bequeath first my Soul to God who gave it me in hopes of a certain Resurrection through the Mercy of Jesus Christ and my Body to the Earth from whom I came to be decently buried according to my Exrs. will. Imprimis ffirst I give and bequeath unto MR. NICHOLAS BELBIN my Bed and Bedding and likewise my watch and my chest of cloaths and a chest of tools and likewise the money that is due from MR. STONE to me and MR. BELBIN to pay unto MR. NORSERY? the money I owe him and to the son of MR. BELBIN whose name is SLADE and him the money that is mine now remaining in the hands of HENRY SANDERS MERCER at the town of SHAFTSBURY in DORSET and a small Bed that is over at MR STONES. I give unto THOMAS CROUCH? and likewise a chest that is at MR. ABRAM PERKINS that GEORGE COX had of me to MR. NICHOLAS BELBIN who is my lawfull Executor to this my last Will and Testament as Witness my hand and seal the Day above written.

WM BOWER

Signed and Sealed in the presence of STEPHEN BLAKE ./. JAMES MEDCEF ./. GEORGE GILLINGHAM

This Will was proved at London before the Right Worshipfull JOHN BETTESWORTH Doctor of Laws and Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the twenty third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fforty two by the oath of NICHOLAS BELBIN the Sole Executor named in the said Will to whom was granted administration of all and singular the goods Chattells and Credits of the said Deceased being first sworn by Commission duly to administer the admon.