This is a transcript of a will from the Probate records of the Diocese of York, which are preserved at the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research, York.
Copyright of this transcript remains with Dave King, and it must not be reproduced or republished without prior permission.

Will of Thomas Preswick, Guisbrough, Yorks, Yeoman 

 Dated  27.11.1769, proved 5.7.1771 at York.

I Thomas Preswick of Guisbrough in Cleveland in the County of York Yeoman do make this my last Will and Testament as followeth, that is to say, 

I give to my Sister Grace Chapman widow the yearly sum of six pounds to be paid yearly on the first day of May and the first day of November in every year by equal portions for and during the term of her natural life without any deduction for Taxes or otherwise The first payment thereof to be made on such of the said days as shall first happen after my death. 

I give to my Cousin Isabel Scrafton widow the yearly sum of thirty shillings to be paid yearly on the days aforesaid by equal portions for and during the Term of Ten years to be computed from the day of my death without any Deductions as aforesaid, The first payment thereof to be made on such of the said days as shall first happen after my decease, but the same to cease if she die before the end of the said term. 

I give to my Nephew Christopher Preswick Son of my late Brother Robert Preswick deceased Sixty pounds to be paid to him within six months next after my death and the further sum of sixty pounds to be paid to him at the end of twelve months next after my Death 

I give to my Nephews and Niece, the three children of my said Sister Grace Chapman, to wit, George William and Grace Twenty pounds a piece to be paid to them respectively at the end of six months next after my death, And the Further Sum of Twenty pounds a piece to be paid to them respectively at the end of Twelve Months next after the death of my said Sister Grace Chapman. 

I give to such children of my Brother Oliver Preswick as shall be living at my death, The Sum of One Hundred and Forty pounds to be equally divided amongst them at the end of Twelve Calendar Months next after my Death; And my Will is that the share or shares of such of them as shall happen to die in the mean time shall be equally divided amongst the surviving Children of my said Brother Oliver 

And my Will is that my Cousin Margaret Lincoln shall or may inhabit, and live in my House with the Appurtenances which is now in her Occupation in Guisbrough aforesaid during the term granted in the Lease thereof by the late William Chaloner Esquire, if she so long live, paying the yearly Rent of Ten Shillings for the same to my said Brother Oliver and his Assigns on the first day of May in every year from the time of my Death and maintaining the same premises in good Repair, But my Will is that my said Brother Oliver Preswick shall pay the yearly Rent to the Lord for the same during the said term, and also all Taxes and Parish Assessments which shall during that term become due for or in respect of the same. 

I give to my said Cousin Margaret Lincoln Twenty pounds to be paid to her at the end of Twelve Months next after my Death, if she be then living but not otherwise. 

I give to William Weatherill Son of my late Niece Ann Weatherill deceased the Sum of Ten pounds to be paid to him at the end of twelve months next after my Death. 

I give to each of the Sons and Daughters of the late Mrs Hannah Jackson widow deceased a Mourning Ring. 

I give to Mrs Ann Edwards a Mourning Ring. 

I give to my said Cousin Margaret Lincoln a Mourning Ring. 

I give all that my Sixteenth part of the Ship, Pink or Vessel called the Mary and Jane of Whitby, with the Stocks and Profits thereof, to Luke Gallilee, Thomas Gallilee, John Gallilee, Ann the wife of John Hill, Elizabeth the Wife of Matthew Robinson, and Mark Mary and Margaret Postgate, the three Children of John Postgate in the following proportions, that is to say, One sixth part thereof to and equally amongst the said Mark Mary and Margaret Postgate, and to each of the said other Five persons One full Sixth part thereof. 

I give and Devise to my Nephew James Bird the House or Building in which he usually works at his Business of a Fellmonger in the Yard belonging and ajoining to the Dwellinghouse wherein I now inhabit in Guisbrough aforesaid with liberty to hang Skins in the said Yard as he now usually does and way leave to and from the said House or Building and Yard at all reasonable times in the say time in the same Manner as he now enjoys the same To Hold the same premises to him the said James Bird his Executors Administrators and Assigns during the Residue of the Term granted to me in the Lease thereof, which shall be then to come and unexpired, without paying any Rent for the same 

I give and devise and Bequeath all my Messuages Lands hereditaments and real Estate, and also all my personal Estate to my said Brother Oliver Preswick his heirs Executors and Assigns, subject to and charged nevertheless with the payment of all my just Debts, the Annuities and Legacies before mentioned and my Funeral Expences and also such Legacies as I shall give by any paper writing to be signed with my own Hand. 

I appoint my said Brother Oliver Preswick Executor of this my Will. In Witness whereof I have hereunto, and to a Duplicate hereof, set my Hand and Seal the twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Sixty nine.

Signed sealed etc..........
Thomas Teasdale
Josiah Wilson
John Matthews jun



PROBATE BOND:

binds 

Oliver Preswick of Guisbrough, Merchant
Thomas Weatherill of Guisbrough, Weaver

Oliver Preswick to Execute & perform the last will and Testament of Thomas Preswick late of Guisbrough, Yeoman.