William FLETCHER of Oxford

Will of William FLETCHER of Oxford

Will 21 Jul 1817 Codicils 29 Jul 1817; 7 Oct 1820; 1 Aug 1826 Probate 16 Mar 1827

Source:	TNA no. PROB11/1723/198
Contributed by:	Stephanie Jenkins	Go to Translation	Go to Transcript

Summary.

... I William Fletcher one of the Aldermen of the City of Oxford ...
Name	Relationship	[Comments] or Major Bequests
William FLETCHER		Oxford
Thomas ROBINSON	Nephew Trustee (Exec)
Joseph PARKER	Trustee	Oxford University
Catherine Frances ROBERTS	Niece
Thomas ROBERTS	Legatee	[hus. Catherine]
William ROBERTS	Great-nephew	[assumed s. Thomas & Catherine F]
William Fletcher ROBERTS	Great-nephew	[assumed s. Thomas & Catherine F]
Mary ROBERTS	Great-niece	[assumed d. Thomas & Catherine F]
Rebecca WEST	Niece
James WEST	Legatee	[hus. Rebecca]
Herbert PARSONS	Trustee (Exec)	Oxford
Benjamin BURROW	Legatee	[employee]
Mary MORRIS	Legatee Tenant	Yarnton
Elizabeth JONES	Legatee	[d Mary MORRIS]
Rebecca PHIPPS	Legatee	[d Mary MORRIS]
Ann WILLIAMS	Legatee	[d Mary MORRIS]
William HASKER	Legatee Servant
John Fletcher FRY	Kinsman	WIL Salisbury Deceased
Susanna FRY	Legatee	[w John, with unnamed s & d legatees]
Thomas KEEN	Tenant	Yarnton
William COX	Tenant	Yarnton
Sarah LAY	Tenant	Yarnton
John REYNOLDS	Tenant	Broad St Oxford
Samuel HENLEY	Tenant	Holywell Oxford
William EELEY	Tenant	Yarnton
Widow LINDSEY	Tenant	Yarnton
Mrs COLLIS	Tenant	Broad St Oxford
Rev'd Thomas SAUNDERS	Seller of property
Sir Henry DASHWOOD	Lease-owner
Mrs HORSEMAN	Seller of property
Lydia SEELEY	Seller of property	Deceased?
John IRELAND	Seller of property
Thomas Henry TAUNTON	Witness	Oxford [solicitor]
Robinson BARTRAM	Witness	[solicitor's clerk]
Henry William DAVIS	Witness	[solicitor's clerk]
John ROBERSON	Witness	Oxford
John MATTHEWS	Witness
J PARSONS	Witness
Joseph PHILLIPS	Witness
E HORN	Witness
Sophia WHITE	Witness	[to Memo]

Probate 16 Mar 1827 London (PCC) (with three codicils and a memorandum) ... Herbert Parsons Esq and Thomas Robinson Esq (nephew) the Executors ...

Transcriber's and Editor's Notes

Died 27 Dec 1826, aged 87.
Codicils (and Memos) as transcribed are not in date-order -- perhaps the clerk in the Oxford solicitor's office (or at the PCC) was given a pile of papers to copy, which had been somehow shuffled. In the "Translation" area below (but not in the "Transcript") that has been corrected.
He gave huge legacies to his servants -- Ł100 in 1817 would be about Ł7000 today.
The first two codicils seem not to have been properly attested when they were written, which may be why they were "published afresh" in 1823.
Nieces Catherine F and Rebecca were nee ROBINSON, presumably sisters of Thomas., and there is a May 1776 marriage (at Oxford St Michael) of a Thomas Robinson to a Rebecca Fletcher. Seems quite likely to be the parents,
In the "Memos" he describes the three recipients of Ł1000 as "nephews" and "niece". They are here assumed (in the Summary and Index) to be great-nephews/niece, children of Catherine F, but oddly, although after a 1799 marriage six baptisms are recorded for ch of Thomas & Catherine Roberts, those three are not among them. Users should be aware of the problem.
Solicitor Taunton certainly saw a rich man coming, and made the most of it with a fine collection of unnecessary repetition and circumlocution.
This is a long and complicated will, and the editor is not at all sure that he has "translated" all of it accurately. Users who really care should study the transcript themselves.
The following details are believed to be true but should not be totally relied upon:
Testator: Brother of James Jr (1798 qv)

Translated and paragraphed.
with some of the standard preamble and "legalese" removed.
Go to Glossary

... I William Fletcher one of the Aldermen of the City of Oxford ...

My body is to be interred in the church of Yarnton.
I give the following sums, to be paid within three months after my decease without deduction for any duty on legacies.
- 30 gns to the vicar for his trouble in performing the burial service, and 10 gns to the parish clerk.
- Ł200 to my Executors, Upon Trust to pay it to the Treasurer of a Society called The President and Governors of the Radcliffe Infirmary at Oxford for the relief of the poor from whatever county.
- Ł100 each (see Note) to those of my servants (living with me at the time of my death) who have been in my service for seven years, and Ł50 each to those with less than seven years in my service.
- Ł50 each to the clerk(s) in the service of myself and my partners in the Banking business at the time of my death.
- Ł20 to Benjamin Burrow (if he is in the employment of myself and my partners at the time of my death).
- Ł25 to Mary Morris of Yarnton, widow, and Ł10 each to her three daughters Elizabeth Jones, Rebecca Phipps and Ann Williams.
I give the following to my nephew Thomas Robinson and his heirs etc, according to my various estates and interest in them:
- My three cottages at Yarnton, now in the occupations of Thomas Keen, Mary Morris, widow, and William Cox.
- The rents due from them at the time of my death, after deducting any due outgoings.
- All my books and prints (except any that I may dispose of otherwise by any paper signed by me and found after my decease).
I give the following to my niece Catherine Frances Roberts, wife of Thomas Roberts, and her heirs, according to my various estates and interest in them:
- My leasehold public house called The Vine near the turnpike road at Yarnton, bought from the Rev'd Thomas Saunders and now in the occupation of Sarah Lay, widow.
- The piece of garden ground (also in the occupation of Sarah Lay) on the opposite side of the road, held by lease from Sir Henry Dashwood.
- A piece of ground in the Lot Mead in Yarnton.
- A piece of ground in Osney Mead near Oxford, bought from Mrs. Horseman.
- A messuage in Broad St in Oxford, held by lease under the City of Oxford and now in the occupation of John Reynolds, grocer.
- A messuage in Holywell, held under Merton College and now in the occupation of Samuel Henley.
- The rents due from them at the time of my death, after deducting any due outgoings.
- All the fixtures in the house where I live, and all the household goods and furniture (except any part that I may dispose of by any paper signed by me and found at my decease).
I give the following to my niece Rebecca West, wife of James West, and her heirs, according to my various estates and interest in them:
- The messuages at Yarnton (now in the occupations of William Eeley and widow Lindsey), held by lease from Sir Henry Dashwood and others.
- The piece of meadow ground (late Lydia Seeley's) in Osney Meadow in St Thomas parish.
- The messuage in Broad St (now in the occupation of Mrs Collis) held by lease under the Corporation of Oxford.
- The messuage in St Ebbe parish now used as a school house.
- The rents due from them at the time of my death, after deducting any due outgoings.
- Ł100 in consideration that the goods and furniture are bequeathed to her sister.
I give Ł500 each to my above nephew Thomas Robinson and nieces Catherine Frances Roberts and Rebecca West, to be paid within six months after my decease. I also give them all my plate, linen and china, equally divided between them.
I give the messuage etc where I now reside in St Mary Magdalen parish, held by lease under the City of Oxford, to Joseph Parker of the University of Oxford, bookseller, and my above nephew Thomas Robinson and their heirs etc Upon Trust as follows:
- For the use of my niece Catherine Frances Roberts for life for her own sole use, not liable to the debts etc of her present or any future husband.
- After her decease, In Trust for her husband Thomas Roberts for life.
- After the decease of the survivor of them, In Trust for their eldest (or only) then-living son and his Executors etc, and if no son is then living, In Trust for their eldest (or only) then-living daughter and her Executors etc.
- The premises are to be conveyed to such son or daughter at age 21, and in the meantime the rents etc are to be applied towards his/her maintenance and education.
- If no child is then living, or if they all die without issue before age 21, then In Trust for the Executors etc of my niece Catherine Frances Roberts.
- My niece and her husband are to keep the messuage etc where I now reside in good repair during their lives, renew the lease with the Corporation of the City of Oxford at the usual times of renewal, and pay all the fines and expenses involved.
I give my freehold messuage in St Mary the Virgin parish, bought from Mr John Ireland, to my above Trustees Upon Trust as follows:
- For the use of my niece Rebecca West for life for her own sole use. not liable to the debts etc of her present or any future husband.
- After her decease, In Trust for her husband James West for life.
- After the decease of the survivor of them, In Trust for their eldest (or only) then-living son and his Executors etc, and if no son is then living, In Trust for their eldest (or only) then-living daughter and her Executors etc.
- The premises are to be conveyed to such son or daughter at age 21, and in the meantime the rents etc are to be applied towards his/her maintenance and education.
- If no child is then living, or if they all die without issue before age 21, then In Trust for the heirs etc of my niece Rebecca West.
- My niece and her husband are to keep the messuage in good repair during their lives.
I give Ł50 each to the above Trustees of my two nieces.
After payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, the above legacies and the Government Duty payable on them, I give all the rest of my estate and effects to Herbert Parsons of the City of Oxford, banker, and my above nephew Thomas Robinson (whom I appoint as Executors), Upon Trust as follows:
- To liquidate everything except Canal Bonds and stock in the public funds.
- To divide the proceeds, plus my ready money, Canal bonds and stock in the public funds, into three equal parts.
- To pay one-third part to my nephew Thomas Robinson for his own use and benefit.
- To pay the remaining two-thirds (including two-thirds of my Canal Bonds and stock in the public funds) to the above Trustees of my nieces, Upon Trust that they invest the money for the following purposes:
  - To pay half of the interest etc to my niece Catherine Frances Roberts for life for her sole use, not liable to the debts etc of her present or any future husband, her receipt alone (notwithstanding her Coverture) being a sufficient discharge to my Trustees.
  - After her decease, to assign the principal of that one-third of my total residual estate equally between her children at age 21.
    If any of the children die before 21, their shares go equally between the survivors.
    Until the children's shares become payable, my Trustees may apply the interest etc of their total share, or as much as they in their discretion think necessary, towards their maintenance and education.
  - If Thomas Roberts outlives his wife Catherine, then after her decease to pay him Ł100 pa for life out of the interest etc, by half yearly payments.
  - If Catherine dies leaving no surviving children, or if they all die before age 21 without living issue, to pay the interest etc to her husband Thomas for life, and after his decease to transfer the principal of her one-third part equally between all the children of my nephew Thomas Robinson and my niece Rebecca West [with the same age rules as above]
  - To pay the other half of the interest etc to my niece Rebecca West for life for her sole use, not liable to the debts etc of her present or any future husband, her receipt alone (notwithstanding her Coverture) being a sufficient discharge to my Trustees.
  - After her decease, to assign the principal of that one-third of my total residual estate equally between her children at age 21.
    If any of the children die before 21, their shares go equally between the survivors.
    Until the children's shares become payable, my Trustees may apply the interest etc of their total share, or as much as they in their discretion think necessary, towards their maintenance and education.
  - If James West outlives his wife Rebecca, then after her decease to pay him Ł100 pa for life out of the interest etc, by half yearly payments.
  - If Rebecca dies leaving no surviving children, or if they all die before age 21 without living issue, to pay the interest etc to her husband James for life, and after his decease to transfer the principal of her one-third part equally between all the children of my nephew Thomas Robinson and my niece Catherine Frances Roberts [with the same age rules as above]
  - My Trustees have discretion to dispose of any part of the sums to which the children of my nieces Catherine and Rebecca will be entitled, up to Ł200 each at any time before they reach 21 (whether their parents are living or not) for their advancement in the world, by placing them out to employment (with the approval of their parents if living, otherwise as my Trustees think best for their benefit).
[Usual protection for Trustees and Executors against all but wilful default]
[Permission for Trustees to recover expenses]
I revoke all former wills.
Witnesses Robinson Bartram & Henry William Davis, clerks to Mr Thomas Henry Taunton, Oxford; John Roberson, Oxford

=========================================
Codicil 1 ... 29 Jul 1817

I give Ł500 in Navy 5% Stock to my Trustees Joseph Parker and Thomas Robinson In Trust for the following purposes:
- To pay the interest to Susanna Fry, widow of my late kinsman John Fletcher Fry of Salisbury, towards the maintenance and education of her son and daughter.
- As the children come to the age to be bound apprentice (and not having been apprenticed in my lifetime), to place them out to such trades as they my Trustees think fit, selling for that purpose as much of the stock as they think proper.
- As the children reach 21, to pay each of them one-third part of the remaining stock.
- To pay the interest etc of as much of the stock as remains unspent to their mother Susanna Fry for life.
  After her decease to divide the unspent stock between her children at age 21.
  If one of the children dies under 21 without lawful issue, his/her share goes to the survivor.
- If both children die under 21 without lawful issue and their mother is living, to pay all the interest etc of the rermaining stock to her for life, and at her decease the remaining stock is to sink into the residue of my personal estate and be disposed of as directed in my will.
- The Government Duty on the above bequest is to be paid out of my personal estate.
Re the children of my two nieces, my Trustees may (at their discretion) raise any sum up to Ł1000 per child out of the principal of the shares of the money given In Trust for them at any time before the shares become payable [to each child] and whether his/her parent(s) are living or not, and apply the money towards his/her advancement in life.
But any sums so advanced are to be considered as part of the child's share.
[Rules for appointment of new Trustees for nieces and their children if Joseph Parker and/or Thomas Robinson die or refuse or become incapable etc]
Permission for Trustees to alter investments.
I give Ł20 to my old servant William Hasker.
I give Ł20 each to the parishes of St Michael, St Mary Magdalen and St Peter in the East, to be distributed in bread to the poor inhabitants of each parish as soon as possible after my funeral at the discretion of the churchwardens and overseers.
Witnesses: Thomas Henry Taunton; Robinson Barham; Henry William Davis
Signed sealed and published afresh by the testator 29 Dec 1823 ...
Witnesses: Thomas Henry Taunton; H. W. Davis

=========================================
Codicil 2 ... 7 Oct 1820

In my will I have given several properties in Yarnton and elsewhere [see will] to my niece Catherine Frances Roberts, plus any arrears of rent, also one-third of my plate, linen and china, all the fixtures in the house where I live and all the household goods and furniture.
Now I revoke [all those gifts] and instead I give [all of it] to my Trustees Thomas Robinson and Joseph Parker Upon Trust as follows:
- To pay any arrears of rent and all future rents etc to my niece Catherine Frances Roberts and permit her to have the use of [the above household goods etc] for life for her own sole benefit, not liable to the debts etc of her present or any future husband, her receipt alone (notwithstanding her Coverture) being a sufficient discharge to my Trustees.
- After Catherine's decease to pay the rents etc to her husband Thomas Roberts and permit him to use [the above household goods etc] for life.
- After the decease of the survivor of Catherine and Thomas Roberts, Upon Trust to sell [all the properties and household goods etc] and invest the proceeds, plus any rents that arise before the sale, for the following purposes:
  - To apply as much of the interest etc as they think necessary towards the maintenance and education of Catherine's children until they reach 21, then pay them their share of the principal.
  - If any of the children die before 21, their shares go equally between the survivors.
  - If there are no surviving children, or if they all die before age 21 without living issue, to divide the principal equally between all the children of my nephew Thomas Robinson and my niece Rebecca West [with the same age rules].
In my will I have given several properties in Yarnton and elsewhere [see will] to my niece Rebecca West, plus any arrears of rent, also one-third of my plate, linen and china, and Ł100 because I gave the household furniture to her sister.
Now I revoke [all those gifts] and instead I give [all of it] to my Trustees Upon Trust as follows:
- To pay any arrears of rent and all future rents etc, also the interest of the Ł100 legacy, to my niece Rebecca West, and permit her to have the use of one-third of the plate, linen and china for life, all for her own sole benefit, not liable to the debts etc of her present or any future husband, her receipt alone (notwithstanding her Coverture) being a sufficient discharge to my Trustees.
- After Rebecca's decease to pay the rents etc and the interest on the Ł100 to her husband James West and permit him to use [the above household goods etc] for life.
- After the decease of the survivor of Rebecca and James West, Upon Trust to sell [all the properties and household goods etc] and invest the proceeds, plus any rents that arise before the sale and the Ł100 legacy, for the following purposes:
  - To apply as much of the interest etc as they think necessary towards the maintenance and education of Rebecca's children until they reach 21, then pay them their share of the principal.
  - If any of the children die before 21, their shares go equally between the survivors.
  - If there are no surviving children, or if they all die before age 21 without living issue, to divide the principal equally between all the children of my nephew Thomas Robinson and my niece Catherine Frances Roberts [with the same age rules].
- My Trustees may empower the persons who have a life entitlement to the various properties to let and manage them and receive the rents.
  Those persons are to keep [their] messuages in good repair, renew any leases at the usual times of renewal, and pay all the fines and expenses involved.
  Upon default or neglect of such repairs or renewals my Trustees are to do the repairs and renewals out of the rents etc or by sale or mortgage of all or any part of the relevant premises.
- My Trustees have discretion at any time(s) after my decease to sell all or any part of [the properties].
  If any of the properties are sold before the deaths of the relevant niece and her husband, the proceeds are to be invested (in the names of my Trustees) and the interest etc paid to (or applied for the benefit of) whomever would have been entitled to the rents etc of those properties, and the principal is to be paid (or applied) as described above after the deaths of both parents.
[Usual protection for purchasers or mortgagees]
[Permission for Trustees to alter investments]
[Usual protection for Trustees against all but wilful default]
[Permission for Trustees to recover expenses]
[Rules for replacement of Trustees]
Witnesses Thomas Henry Taunton; Robinson Bartram; John Matthews.
Signed sealed and published afresh by the testator 31 Jul 1823 ...
Witnesses: J Parsons; Joseph Phillips, Thomas Henry Taunton

=========================================
Codicil 3 ... 1 Aug 1826

In my will I have given the residue of my estate and effects to my Executors Upon Trust as follows:
- To transfer one-third part to my nephew Thomas Robinson for his own benefit.
  Now I declare that if he dies in my lifetime my Executors are to hold that one-third part for the trusts or purposes directed in his will, and in default of such direction then Upon Trust to divide it equally between his wife and two sons.
- I have also declared Trusts re the rest of my residuary estate, by which the children of my niece Catherine Frances Roberts will be entitled to one-third and those of my niece Rebecca West to the other one-third (in each case after their mother's death), subject to certain provisions by way of annuity; and in my first codicil I declared Trusts of certain specific properties whereby the children of each niece will be entitled (after the deaths of both parents) to the money to arise from those properties.
  Those portions vest as and when the children reach 21, but there appears to be some doubt as to whether the date also depends on the death(s) of their respective mother(s).
  Now I declare my intention to be that all the portions of the children of my nieces are to become vested in those children at age 21 and be paid and transferred to each child or his/her Executors at that time, or as soon afterwards as the determination of the intermediate life interests will permit, and on the provisions for the husbands of my nieces.
Re the children of my two nieces: in my first codicil I have declared that my Trustees may (at their discretion) raise any sum up to Ł1000 per child out of the principal of the shares of the money given In Trust for them at any time before the shares become payable [to each child], whether his/her parent(s) are living or not, and apply the money towards his/her advancement in life, any such sums being considered as part of the child's share.
Now I add that any sums of money that appear on any Memorandum (in my handwriting or signed by me) will have been advanced by me in my lifetime for those purposes, and are also be considered as part of that child's share.
Any such advancement made either by myself or by my Trustees for the benefit of any child of my nieces is to be deducted from the one-third part of my residuary estate given to that child's mother.
I confirm my will and two codicils in all other respects ... I revoke all other wills and codicils.
Witnesses J. Parsons; E. Horn

Memoranda:

20 Dec 1823 I advanced Ł1000 for my nephew William Roberts.
Witness T. H. Taunton.
3 August 1826 I advanced Ł1000 for my nephew William Fletcher Roberts.
Witness Sophia White.
16 Aug 1826 I advanced Ł1000 for my niece Mary Roberts.
Witness T. H. Taunton.

Probate 16 Mar 1827 London (PCC) (with three codicils and a memorandum) ... Herbert Parsons Esq and Thomas Robinson Esq (nephew) the Executors ...

As transcribed from a copy of the original document.
Original line- and page-breaks are preserved as far as possible.

William Fletcher Esquire

I William Fletcher one of the
Aldermen of the City of Oxford being of sound and disposing mind memory
and understanding Do make this my last Will and Testament in manner
following First I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God
trusting in his mercy and to the mediation of my blessed Redeemer for a
joyful resurrection to Eternal life and my body I commit to the Earth and
desire that the same may be interred in the Parish Church of Yarnton
in the County of Oxford and to the Vicar for the time being of the Church
for his trouble in performing the burial Service I direct that Thirty guineas
may be presented and to the Parish Clerk the Sum of ten guineas I also
I give to my Executors hereinafter named the Sum of Two hundred pounds
Upon Trust to pay the same to the Treasurer of a Society who call themselves
The President and Governors of the Radcliffe Infirmary at Oxford for
the relief of the poor from whatever Countey recommended also I give
each of my Servants who shall be living with me at the time of my
decease and who shall have been in my Service seven years the Sum
of one hundred pounds but if they or either of them shall not have been
seven years in my Service then only fifty pounds each and to the Clerk or
Clerks who may be in the Service of myself and partners in the Banking
business at the time of my decease I give the sum of fifty pounds each and

to Benjamin Burrow if he be in the employment of myself and partners at the time
of my decease I give the sum of Twenty pounds also I give to Mary Morris Widow
of Yarnton aforesaid the Sum of Twenty five pounds and to each of her three Daughters
Elizabeth Jones Rebecca Phipps and Ann Williams the Sum of ten pounds each and my
Will is that all the beforementioned Legacies and Sums of Money shall be paid within
three months next after my decease and without any abatement or deduction for or on
account of any Duty now or hereafter to be in force respecting Legacies or any other
matter or thing whatever also I give and bequeath to my Nephew Thomas Robinson
all those three Cottages with the appurt’s situate at Yarnton aforesaid and now in the
several occupations of Thomas Keen Mary Morris widow and William Cox To hold to
the said Thomas Robinson his heirs Executors adm’ors and assigns according to my
several Estates and Interest therein respectively and I give to the said Thomas Robinson
the Rents due at the time of my decease for and in respect of the said Cottages and
Premises deducting the outgoings due from the same I give to my Niece Catherine
Frances ^Roberts Wife of Thomas Roberts all that Leasehold public house called the Vine
situate near the Turnpike Road with its appurt’s at Yarnton aforesaid which I
purchased of The Rev'd Thomas Saunders now in the occupation of Sarah Lay
Widow and also the piece of Garden Ground with the appurt’s also in the occupation
of the said Sarah Lay situate on the opposite side of the Road and which I hold
on Lease from Sir Henry Dashwood also a piece of Ground in the Lot Mead in
Yarnton aforesaid also a piece of Ground in Osney Mead near Oxford which I purchased
of Mrs. Horseman also a Messuage or Tenement situate in Broad Street in the City
of Oxford held by Lease under the City of Oxford and now in the occupation of
John Reynolds Grocer and also a Messuage or Tenement in Holywell Oxford which
I hold under Merton College and now in the occupation of Samuel Henley with
all the appurt’s to the said ^respective Premises belonging To hold to the said Catherine Frances
Roberts her heirs Executors adm’ors and assigns according to my several Estates and
Interest in the said Premises respectively and I give to the said Catherine Frances
Roberts the Rents due at the time of my decease for and in respect of the same
premises deducting the outgoings due from the same Premises I give and bequeath
to my Niece Rebecca West Wife of James West all those Messuages or Tenements
with the appurtenances situate at Yarnton aforesaid now in the several occupations
of William Eeley and Widow Lindsey and which I hold by Lease from Sir Henry
Dashwood and others also that piece of Meadow Ground late Lydia Seeleys situate
in Osney Meadow in the Parish of St Thomas in the said City of Oxford also all
that Leasehold Messuage or Tenement with the appurt’s situate in Broad Street
in the said City of Oxford now in the occupation of Mrs Collis and which I hold
by Lease under the Corporation of Oxford and also that Messuage or Tenement
situate in the Parish of St Ebbe Oxford now used as a School house with the
appurt’s To hold to the said Rebecca West her heirs Executors adm’ors and assigns
according to my several Estates and Interest in the said premises respectively and
I give to the said Rebecca West the Rents due at my decease for and in respect of
the same Premises deducting the outgoings due from the same Premises also
I give to my said Nephew Thomas Robinson and my said Nieces Catherine
Frances Roberts and Rebecca West the Sum of Five hundred pounds each to
be paid to them within six months next after my decease also I give to my
said Nephew and Nieces all my Plate Linen and China equally to be
divided between them share and share alike I also give to my Niece
Catherine Frances Roberts all the fixtures in the house wherein I live and
all the Household Goods and furniture therein save and except any part
thereof that I may dispose of in any paper signed by me and found at my
decease and I give to my said Niece Rebecca West one hundred pounds
in consideration that the said Goods and furniture are bequeathed to her
Sister I also give to my said Nephew Thomas Robinson all my books and
prints except those books or prints that I may dispose of otherwise by
any paper signed by me and found after my decease I give and bequeath

to my Executors named in this my Will the Sum of Fifty pounds each as an acknowledgement
for the care and trouble they may have in the execution of this my Will and I give the
like Sum of Fifty pounds to each of the Trustees to my two Nieces named in this my Will
for the Trust hereby in them reposed / I give and devise to Joseph Parker of the University
of Oxford Bookseller and my said Nephew Thomas Robinson all that Messuage or Tenement
with the appurt’s wherein I now reside situate in St Mary Magdalen Parish in the
City of Oxford and which I hold by Lease under the said City and also all that freehold
Messuage or Tenement with the appurt’s situate in the Parish of St Mary the Virgin
in the said City of Oxford and which I purchased of Mr John Ireland To hold to the
said Joseph Parker and Thomas Robinson their Heirs Executors adm’ors and assigns according
to the nature of my Estate and Interest in the said Premises respectively Upon the Trusts
nevertheless and to and for the several ends intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned
or expressed of or concerning the same respectively that is to say as to for and concerning
the first mentioned Messuage or Tenement wherein I now reside with the appurt’s In
Trust for my said Niece Catherine Frances Roberts or her assigns for and during the
term of her natural life to and for her own sole and separate use and not to be liable
to the Debts Engagements or control of her present or any future husband and from and after
the decease of my said Niece Catherine Frances Roberts Then In Trust for her
husband Thomas Roberts or his assigns for and during the term of his natural life and
from and after the decease of the survivor of them my said Niece Catherine Frances
Roberts and her husband Thomas Roberts Then In Trust to and for the Eldest Son
of my said Niece Catherine Frances Roberts and Thomas Roberts her husband that may
be then living his Executors adm’ors and assigns and if one Son only then be living
then In Trust for such only Son his Executors adm’ors and assigns and if there be no
Son living at the time of the death of the Survivor of them Then In Trust for their
Eldest Daughter that may then be living her Executors adm’ors and assigns and should
there be only one Daughter living Then In Trust for such only Daughter her Executors
adm’ors and assigns The Premises to be assigned and conveyed to such Son or ~~only~~ such
Daughter as the case may be his or her Executors adm’ors and assigns at his or her age
of twenty one years and in the meantime the Rents and Profits thereof to be applied and
disposed of for and towards his or her maintenance and education and if there should be
no Child of my said Niece Catherine Frances Roberts and her husband Thomas Roberts
living at the time of the Death of the Survivor of them or being such they shall happen
to die before attaining the age of twenty one years without Issue at the time of their
Deaths Then In Trust for the Executors adm’ors and assigns of my said Niece Catherine
Frances Roberts and as for and concerning the said Messuage or Tenement with the
appurt’s which I purchased of Mr. John Ireland In Trust for my said Niece
Rebecca West Wife of James West or her assigns for and during the term of her
natural life to and for her own sole and separate use and not to be subject to the
Debts Engagements or control of her present or any future husband and from and
after the Death of my said Niece Rebecca West Then in Trust for the same James
West her husband or his assigns for and during the term of her [sic] natural life and
from and after the decease of the Survivor of them my said Niece Rebecca West
and her said husband James West Then In Trust for the Eldest Son of my said
Niece Rebecca West and her husband James West that may be then living and his
heirs and assigns and if only one Son be living Then upon trust for such only ~~one~~
Son his heirs and assigns and if there should be no Son living at the death of such
Survivor of them Then In Trust for their Eldest Daughter that may be then living
her heirs and assigns and should there be only one Daughter then living Then
In Trust for such only Daughter her heirs and assigns the said Premises to be
released and conveyed to such Son or ^such ~~only~~ Daughter as the case may be his or
her heirs and assigns at his or her age of twenty one years and in the meantime
the Rents and Profits thereof to be applied and disposed of for and towards his or
her maintenance and education and if there should be no Child of my said

Niece Rebecca West and her husband James West or being such they shall all
happen to die before attaining the age of twenty one years without Issue living at
the time of his her or their death Then In Trust for the heirs and assigns of my
said Niece Rebecca West Provided and my Will is and I do hereby direct that my said
Niece Catherine Frances Roberts and her said husband shall during their respective lives
keep in good repair the said Messuage or Tenement and Premises wherein I now reside
and shall at all accustomed times of renewal renew the Lease thereof with the Corporation
of the said City of Oxford and pay and discharge all the fines and expences incident thereto
and that my said Niece Rebecca West and her Husband shall during their respective lives
keep in good repair the said Freehold Messuage or Tenement and Premises which I purchased
of the said Mr Ireland / and all the Rest and Residue of my Estate and Effects of what
nature or kindsoever or wheresoever after the payment of my just Debts Funeral and
Testamentary expences and the Legacies and Sum and Sums of money hereinbefore
mentioned and the Duty to Government payable thereon I give and bequeath to the Executors
in this my Will named and appointed Upon Trust that they do and shall as soon as
conveniently may be after my decease sell and convert into money all the same Estate
and Effects not being such and not consisting of Canal Bonds and Stock in the public
funds
[The following six short lines in the margin, to be inserted after "funds"]
and the money arising
from such estate and
effects together with
the ready money Canal
bonds and Stock in the
public funds
which I shall die possessed of to divide into three equal parts and pay and transfer
one third part or share thereof to my said Nephew Thomas Robinson to and for
his own use and benefit and the ~~two~~ other two parts or shares thereof do and shall
pay and transfer to the said Joseph Parker and my said Nephew Thomas Robinson
upon the Trusts to and for the several ends purposes and interests hereinafter mentioned
or declared concerning the same that is to say Upon Trust to place out the said two third
parts at Interest on Government or Real Security or Securities and to receive the
Interest Dividends and produce thereof as well as of the said two third parts of my
said Canal Bonds and Stock in the public Funds at my decease and pay the Interest
Dividend and produce of one moiety or half part of such two third parts to my said
Niece Catherine Frances Roberts or her assigns for and during the term of her
natural life for her sole and separate use and not to be liable to the Debts or
Engagements or Control of her present or any future husband and to that end I do
hereby direct that her receipt alone notwithstanding her Coverture shall be a
sufficient discharge to my said Trustees for the same and from and after the decease of
my said Niece Catherine Frances Roberts Upon Trust to pay assign and transfer the
principal of the said Moiety or half part of the said two third parts unto and
amongst all and every the Children of the said Catherine Frances Roberts equally
between them share and share alike and if but one then the whole to such only
Child but not to be assigned or transferred until such Children or Child shall
respectively attain their his or her ages of twenty one years and if any of the same
Children shall happen to die before he she or they shall attain their respective ages
of twenty one years Then the share or shares of his or her so dying shall go and
be transferred to the survivor or survivors equally and I do hereby direct that in the
meantime and until the shares of the same Children shall respectively become
transferrable my Trustees and the survivor of them his Executors and adm’ors shall
and may apply the Interest Dividends and produce of the said moiety or half part of
the said two third parts so bequeathed to the Children of the said Catherine Frances
Roberts or so much thereof and in such manner without attention to the proportion
in which they will be entitled to such moiety as they my said Trustees shall in
their discretion think necessary as the same shall from time to time be received for
and towards the maintenance and education of the same Children Provided and my
Will is that if the said Thomas Roberts shall survive and outlive his said Wife
Catherine Frances Roberts then and in such case from and immediately after her decease
my said Trustees shall pay the said Thomas Roberts by and out of the said Interest
Dividend and Produce the clear yearly Sum of one hundred pounds by half yearly
payments for and during the term of his natural life and if my said Niece Catherine
Frances Roberts shall happen to depart this life without any Children surviving
or having such they shall happen to die before attaining the age of twenty one
years without Issue living at the time of his her or their decease Then upon

Trust to receive the Interest Dividends and Produce of the Moiety hereinbefore given
to the said Catherine Frances Roberts and her Children of the said two third parts and
pay the same to the said Thomas Roberts the husband of the said Catherine Frances
Roberts during the term of his natural life and from and after his decease Upon Trust to
pay assign and transfer the principal of the same moiety of the said two third parts
unto and amongst all and every the Children or Child of my said Nephew Thomas
Robinson and my said Niece Rebecca West at the same age and with the like benefit
of survivorship and in the same manner and with the like powers for maintenance
as herein declared with respect to the same moiety of the said two third parts in case my
Niece Catherine Frances Roberts had left any Child or Children and as for the
remaining moiety of the said two third parts of the said Residue Upon Trust to receive
the Interest Dividends and produce thereof and pay the same to my said Niece
Rebecca West the Wife of the said James West or her assigns for and during the term
of her natural life for her sole and separate use and not to be liable to the Debts
engagements or control of her present or any future husband and to that end I hereby
direct that her receipt alone shall notwithstanding her Coverture be a sufficient discharge
to my Trustees for the same and from and after the decease of my said Niece Rebecca
West to assign and transfer the principal of the said moiety or half part of the said two
third parts unto and amongst all and every of the Children of the said Rebecca
West equally to be divided amongst them share and share alike and if but one then
the whole to such only Child but not to be assigned or transferred until such Children
or Child shall respectively attain their his or her age of twenty one years and if
any of the same Children shall happen to die before he she or they shall attain their
respective ages of twenty one years then the said share or shares as well as the accruing
or surviving share or shares of him or her so dying shall go and be transferred to
the survivor or survivors equally and I do hereby direct that in the meantime and
until the shares of the same Children shall respectively become transferrable my
said Trustees and the Survivor of them his Executors and adm’ors shall pay and
and apply the Interests Dividend and Produce of the said moiety or half part of
the said two third parts so bequeathed to the Children of the said Rebecca West
or so much thereof and in such manner without attention to the proportions in
which they would be entitled to such moiety as they my said Trustees shall in
their discretion think necessary as the same shall from time to time be received
for and toward the maintenance and education of the said Children Provided
always and my Will is that if the said James West should survive and outlive his
said Wife Rebecca West then ~~and~~ in such case from and immediately after her
death my said Trustees shall pay the said James West by and out of the said
Interest Dividends and produce the clear yearly Sum of one hundred pounds by
half yearly payments for and during the term of his natural life and if my said
Niece Rebecca West shall depart this life without any Child her surviving or
having such they shall happen to die before attaining the age of twenty one years
without Issue living at the time of his her or their decease Then Upon Trust
to receive the Interest Dividends or produce of the said Moiety hereinbefore
given to the said Rebecca West and her Children of the said two third parts and
pay the same to the said James West her husband for and during the term of
his natural life and from and after his decease Upon Trust to pay assign and
transfer the principal of the same Moiety of the said two third parts unto
and amongst all and every the Children or Child of my said Nephew Thomas
Robinson and my said Niece Catherine Frances Roberts at the same age and
with like benefit of survivorship and in the same manner and with the like
powers for maintenance and education as herein declared with regard to the same
moiety of the said two third parts in case my said Niece Rebecca West had left
any Child or Children and it is my Will and desire and I hereby direct that
my said Trustees and the survivor his heirs Executors and adm’ors at their and
his discretion shall have full power to dispose of any part or parts of the
respective Sums which the Children of my said Nieces Catherine Frances
Roberts and Rebecca West will be entitled to not exceeding the Sum of Two

hundred pounds to each at any one time or times before they severally attain their
ages of twenty one years and whether their Parents are living or not for the
preferment advancement or benefit in the World of the said Children by placing
them out to any profession business or employment with the approbation of their
respective Parents if then living and if not living then as my said Trustees shall
judge most expedient and for the benefit of the said Children and I do hereby
declare that my said Trustees and Executors shall not be answerable or accountable
for any more of my Estate and Effects or any of the Rents Interest Dividends or produce
thereof than shall come to their respective hands nor shall they or any or either
of them be answerable or accountable for any loss that may happen to the same or
any part thereof so as such loss shall happen without their or any or either of
their wilful neglect or default and that they shall not be answerable for the acts
receipts payments or defaults of the other of them but each for his own acts receipts
payments and defaults only and I do hereby authorize and empower my said Trustees
and Executors respectively by and out of the money and Premises which shall
come into their hands to deduct retain and reimburse himself or themselves all such
Costs Charges Damages and losses as they or either of them shall or may
respectively sustain or be put unto in and about executing the Trust or Trusts aforesaid
or anything relating or concerning the same and I do hereby nominate Herbert
Parsons of the City of Oxford Banker and my said Nephew Thomas Robinson the
Executors of this my last Will and Testament and hereby revoke all former Wills
by me made declaring this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness
whereof I the said William Fletcher have to this my said Will contained in nine
sheets of paper to the Eight first subscribed my name and to the last subscribed my
name and affixed my Seal this 21st day of July in the year of our Lord 1817
W'm Fletcher (O) Signed Sealed published and declared by the said
William Fletcher as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us
who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed
our names as Witnesses thereto. Robinson Bartram - Henry William Davis
clerks to Mr Thos Henry Taunton Oxford - John Roberson of Oxford Schoolmaster

This is a Codicil to be annexed to and taken as part
of the last Will and Testament of me William Fletcher bearing date the 21st day
of July 1817 Whereas I have in and by my said Will given or devised to my Niece
Catherine Frances Roberts a Leasehold public house called the Vine situate at
Yarnton in the County of Oxford and also the piece of Garden Ground situate on
the opposite side of the road and which I hold by Lease from Sir Henry
Dashwood also a piece of Ground in the ^Lot ~~last~~ Mead in Yarnton aforesaid also a
piece of Ground in Osney Mead near Oxford which I purchased of Mrs Horseman
also a Messuage situate in Broad street in the City of Oxford held by Lease
under the City of Oxford and then in the occupation of John Reynolds Grocer
and also a Messuage in Holywell Oxford which I hold under Merton College
and then in the occupation of William Henley with all appurt’s to the said
respective Premises belonging To hold to the said Catherine Frances Roberts her
Heirs Executors adm’ors and assigns according to my several Estates and Interests
and I have also by my said Will given to the said Catherine Frances Roberts the
Rents due at the time of my decease in respect of the same Premises after
deducting the outgoings and also one third part or share of my Plate Linen and
China and all the fixtures in the house wherein I live and all the Household
Goods and furniture except any part thereof that I may dispose of in any paper
signed by me and found at my decease Now I do hereby wholly revoke annul and
make void the said gift or devise of the said Public House Garden Ground Meadow
Grounds Messuages and Premises and every part thereof and of the said Rents in
respect thereof and of the said third part or share of my Plate Linen and China
and of the said fixtures and Household Goods and I do hereby give devise and
bequeath all and every the said public house Garden Ground Meadow Grounds

Messuages and heredit’s with the appurt’s thereunto respectively belonging unto
my Nephew Thomas Robinson and Joseph Parker the Trustees named in
my Will To hold unto the said Thomas Robinson and Joseph Parker their
heirs Executors adm’ors and assigns absolutely according to the nature of my Estate
and Interest in the said Premises respectively and I also give and bequeath unto
the said Thomas Robinson and Joseph Parker their Executors adm’ors and assigns
whatever arrears of Rent shall be due after deducting outgoings in respect of the
said Premises or any of them at the time of my decease and also the said one
third part or share of my Plate Linen and China and the said fixtures and Household
Goods and furniture except as in the said Will is excepted Upon the Trusts
nevertheless and to and for the several ends intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned
and expressed that is to say Upon Trust to pay unto my said Niece Catherine Frances
Roberts all such arrears of Rent and also upon Trust to pay unto the said Catherine
Frances Roberts and her assigns all future and accruing Rents and Profits of the
said devised Messuages Garden Land and heredit’s as the same shall arise and be
received and to permit her and them to have the use and enjoyment of the said
third part of my Plate Linen and China and the said fixtures and Household
Goods for the term of her natural life to and for her own sole and separate use
and benefit and not be liable to the Debts Engagements or Control of her
present or any future husband and to that end I direct that her receipt alone
notwithstanding Coverture shall be at all times a sufficient discharge for the said
arrears and the ^said accruing Rents and every of them and from and after the decease
of the said Catherine Frances Roberts Upon Trust to pay ~~to pay~~ the accruing Rents
and profits of all the said devised Messuages Garden Land and heredit’s unto her
husband Thomas Roberts and to permit him to use and enjoy the said part
of my Plate Linen and China and the said fixtures and Household Goods for
the term of his natural life and from and after the decease of the Survivor
of them the said Catherine Frances Roberts and Thomas Roberts Upon trust
to sell and absolutely dispose of all and every the said devised Messuages Garden
Land and heredit’s either together or in separate Lots or parcels and the said
third part of my Plate Linen and China and the said fixtures and Household
Goods and to pay and apply the monies to arise from such Sale or Sales and
also the accruing Rents and Profits if any which shall arise from the said
Premises respectively in the meantime and until the same shall be sold unto
and amongst all and every the Children of the said Catherine Frances Roberts
equally between them share and share alike if more than one and if but one
then the whole to such only Child but not to be paid or payable until such
Children or Child shall respectively attain their his or her respective ages or
age of twenty one years and if any of the same Children shall happen to die
without attaining the age of twenty one years the share or shares of such
Child or Children shall go and be paid to the survivor or survivors equally
and I direct that in the meantime and until the shares of the same
Children shall respectively become payable my Trustees or the survivor of
them or the Executors or adm’ors of such Survivor shall lay out and improve
the same at interest in the names or name of my said Trustees or the survivor
his Executors or adm’ors upon Government or Real Security and apply the
interest dividends and produce thereof or so much thereof as in the discretion of
my Trustees or Trustee for the time being shall be necessary in and towards
the maintenance and education of the same Children and in case there
shall be no Child or Children of the said Catherine Frances Roberts living
at the decease of the Survivor of them the said Catherine Frances Roberts
and Thomas Roberts or being such all of them shall happen to die
without attaining the age of twenty one years and without leaving
any lawful Issue Then Upon Trust to pay and apply the monies to
arise from such Sale or Sales of the said devised Messuages Garden Land
and Heredit’s Plate Linen China fixtures and Goods and also any accruing

Rents and Profits thereof which shall not have been applied and disposed of unto
and amongst all and every the respective Children of my said Nephew Thomas
Robinson and of my Niece Rebecca West equally between them share and share
alike if more than one and if ~~but one~~ there shall be only one such Child either of
the said Thomas Robinson or of the said Rebecca West then the whole to such only
Child to be payable at the same age and with the like benefit of survivorship and
with the like powers for maintenance and education as before directed with respect
to the Children of the said Catherine Frances Roberts And Whereas I have in and
by my said Will given or devised to my said Niece Rebecca West certain Messuages
or Tenements situate at Yarnton aforesaid then in the several occupations of William
Eeley and Widow Lindsey and which I hold by Lease from Sir Henry Dashwood
and others Also a piece of Meadow Ground late Lydia Seeleys situate in Osney
Meadow in the Parish of St Thomas in the said City of Oxford also a Leasehold
Messuage in Broad street in the same City then in the occupation of Mrs Collis
and which I hold by Lease under the Corporation of Oxford and also a Messuage
situate in the Parish of Saint Ebbe Oxford used as a School House with the
appurtenances To hold to the said Rebecca West her heirs Executors adm’ors and
assigns according to my several Estates and Interests and I have also by my said
Will given to the said Rebecca West the Rents due at the time of my decease in
respect of the said last mentioned Premises after deducting the outgoings and also
one other third part or share of my Plate Linen and China and also one
hundred pounds in consideration that the said Goods and furniture are thereby
bequeathed to her Sister Now I do hereby wholly revoke annul and make
void the said gift or devise of the said last mentioned Messuages Meadow
Ground and Premises and every part thereof and of the said Rents in
respect thereof and of the said last mentioned third part or share of my
Plate Linen and China and of the said Legacy of one hundred pounds
and I do hereby give devise and bequeath all and every the said last
mentioned Messuages Meadow Ground and Hereditaments with the
appurtenances thereto respectively belonging unto the said Thomas
Robinson and Joseph Parker To hold unto the said Thomas Robinson
and Joseph Parker their heirs Executors administrators and assigns
absolutely according to the nature of my Estate and Interest in the said
Premises respectively and I also give and bequeath unto the said Thomas
Robinson and Joseph Parker their Executors administrators and assigns
whatever arrears of Rent shall be due after deducting outgoings in
respect of the last mentioned Premises or any of them at the time
of my decease and also the said last mentioned third part or share of my
Plate Linen and China and also the said Legacy of one hundred
pounds Upon the Trusts nevertheless and to and for the several ends
intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned and expressed that is to say
upon Trust to pay unto my said Niece Rebecca West all such last
mentioned arrears of Rent And also Upon Trust to pay unto the said Rebecca
West and her assigns all future and accruing Rents and Profits of the
said last mentioned Messuages Meadow Ground and Hereditaments as
the same shall arise and be received And also the Interest of the said
Legacy of one hundred pounds and to permit her and her assigns to have
the use and enjoyment of the said last mentioned third part of my Plate
Linen and China for the term of her natural life to and for her own sole
and separate use and benefit and not to be liable to the Debts Engagements
or Control of her present or any future husband and to that end I direct
that her receipt alone notwithstanding Coverture shall be at all times a
sufficient discharge for the said arrears and the said accruing Rents and
Interest and every of them and from and after the decease of the said Rebecca
West Upon Trust to pay the accruing Rents and Profits of all the said last
mentioned Messuages Meadow Ground and hereditaments and the Interest
of the said one hundred pounds unto her husband James West and to

permit him to use and enjoy the last mentioned third part of my
Plate Linen and China for the term of his natural life and from
and after the decease of the survivor of them the said Rebecca West
and James West Upon Trust to sell and absolutely dispose of all and
every the said last mentioned Messuages Meadow Ground and hereditaments
either together or in separate lots or parcels and the said last mentioned
third part of my Plate Linen and China and to pay and apply the monies
to arise from such Sale or Sales And also the said Sum of one hundred pounds
and also the accruing Rents and Profits ^{and interest} if any which shall arise from the
said Premises respectively in the meantime and until the same shall be sold
unto and amongst all and every the Children of the said Rebecca West
equally between them share and share alike if more than one and
if but one then the whole to such only Child but not to be paid or
payable until such Children or Child shall respectively attain their his or
her ages or age of twenty one years and if any of the same Children shall
happen to die without attaining the age of twenty one years the share or
shares of such Child or Children shall go and be paid to the Survivor or
survivors equally and I direct that in the meantime and until the shares of
the same Children shall respectively become payable my Trustees or the
survivor of them or the Executors or adm’ors of such Survivor shall lay
out and improve the same at Interest in the names or name of them
my said Trustees or the Survivor his Executors or administrators upon
Government or Real Security and apply the Interest Dividends and Produce
thereof or so much thereof as in the discretion of my Trustees or Trustee for the
time being shall be necessary in and towards the maintenance and education
of the same Children and in case there shall be no Child or Children of the
said Rebecca West living at the decease of the Survivor of them the said
Rebecca West and James West or being such all of them shall happen to
die without attaining the age of twenty one years and without leaving
any lawful issue Then Upon Trust to pay and apply the monies to arise
from such Sale or Sales of the said last mentioned Messuages Meadow Ground
and Hereditaments and the share of my Plate Linen and China and the said
Sum of one hundred pounds and also any accruing Rents and Profits and
Interest thereof which shall not have been applied and disposed of unto and
amongst all and every the respective Children of my said Nephew Thomas
Robinson and of my said Niece Catherine Frances Roberts equally between
them share and share alike if more than one and if there shall be only
one such Child either of the said Thomas Robinson or of the said Catherine
Frances Roberts Then the whole to such only Child to be payable at the
same age and with the like benefit of survivorship and with the like
powers for maintenance and education as before directed with respect to the ^{Children of}
said Rebecca West and my Wish is and I hereby direct that the persons
who for the time being shall be beneficially entitled for life to the said
respectively devised hereditaments and Premises may be authorized and
empowered or permitted by my said Trustees or the Survivor of them to
let and manage the same and receive the Rents thereof respectively and
I further direct that the said persons so respectively for the time being
beneficially entitled shall during all such time keep the said respectively devised
Messuages in good repair and at the accustomed periods renew the Leases
of such of the said Messuages as are held upon renewable leases and pay
and discharge all fines fees and charges incident thereto Provided always that
upon default or neglect of any such repairs or renewals it shall be lawful
for my said Trustees and the survivor of them and the Executors or
administrators of such survivor and I do hereby direct my said Trustees
or Trustee for the time being to do all such repairs and effect all such
renewals by and out of the accruing Rents and Profits or by Sale or Mortgage
of all or any part of such of the said respectively devised premises wherein the

persons making such default or neglect shall be beneficially interested
as aforesaid Provided also that it shall be lawful for my said Trustees
or the survivor of them or the heirs Executors or administrators of such
survivor as the case may require and they and he are and is hereby
fully authorized and empowered at any time or times after my decease at their
or his discretion absolutely to sell dispose of and convey to any purchaser or purchasers
and either together or in separate lots or parcels all and every the said
respectively devised Hereditaments and Premises or any part or parcel
thereof and I do direct that in case of any such Sale or Sales of the
said firstly devised hereditaments and Premises before the decease of the
survivor of them the said Catherine Frances Roberts and Thomas
Roberts or of the said secondly devised Hereditaments and Premises before
the decease of the survivor of them the said ~~Catherine Frances Roberts~~
~~and Thomas Roberts or of the said secondly devised hereditaments and~~
~~Premises before the decease of the survivor of them the said Catherine~~
~~Frances Roberts and Thomas Roberts or of the said secondly devised~~
~~hereditaments and Premises before the decease of the survivor of~~
~~them the said~~ Rebecca West and James West the monies to arise
from such last mentioned Sale or Sales shall be placed out and invested
by and in the names or name of my said Trustees or the survivor
of them or the Executors or administrators of such survivor upon
Government or Real Security and that the Interest Dividends and
produce of the Monies so invested shall be paid and applied to ~~and~~
or for the benefit of such person or persons and at such time or times and
in such and the same manner as the Rents and Profits of the Premises
from the Sale whereof such principal monies shall arise would have
been payable and that the said principal monies shall be paid
applied and disposed of to or for the benefit of such person or persons
and at such time or times and in such and the same manner and subject
to the same directions and powers as is hereinbefore declared and
directed with respect to the monies to arise from the Sale of such of
the said respectively devised Premises from the Sale whereof such
principal monies shall have been produced Provided further and my
Will is that it shall not be obligatory upon any Mortgagee or purchaser
to see to the application nor shall any such Mortgager or purchaser be
answerable for the misapplication of his or her loan or purchase
money but that the receipt of my Trustees or of the Survivor
of them or of the Executors or administrators of such Survivor
shall be a good and effectual acquittance and discharge to such
Mortgagee or purchaser for so much Money as shall be therein
expressed or acknowledged to be received Provided likewise and I do hereby
declare that it shall be lawful for my said Trustees and the survivor
of them and the Executors and administrators of such Survivor at his
and their discretion to call in any monies which under the respective
Trusts aforesaid they or he may have invested upon Government
or Real Security and again to place out the same upon other
Security of the like nature but nevertheless to for and upon the
same Trusts intents and purposes whereunto such Monies respectively
are subject under this my Codicil and further that my said
Trustees or the survivor of them or the Executors or administrators
of such Survivor shall not be accountable for any more of the
said respective Trust Monies Rents and Premises than shall come to
their or his hands respectively nor for any loss or damage that may
happen thereto or to any part thereof respectively unless such loss happen
through their or his own wilful default or neglect nor the one for the
other of them but each of them for his own acts receipts payments
and defaults only and further that my said Trustees and the Survivor

of them and the heirs Executors and administrators of such
Survivor shall have full power and authority by and out
of the said respective Trust Monies Rents and Premises to deduct
retain and pay all such Costs Charges Damages and Expences
as they or any or either of them shall expend incur or be put
unto in or about the execution of the said respective Trusts or any
matter relating or incident thereto Provided furthermore and my
Will is that in case of the death or refusal or incapacity to act of
either of them the said Thomas Robinson and Joseph Parker
as such Trustees as aforesaid at any time or times before the said
respective Trusts shall have been carried into full effect the place of
him so dying refusing or becoming incapable shall be supplied by
some other person to be appointed in writing by the surviving or
continuing Trustee with the approbation and consent of the said
Catherine Frances Roberts and the said Rebecca West and of the
Executors in my Will named or of such of my said Nieces and Executors
as shall be then living and from and after such appointment all and
every the trusts powers and authorities by this my Codicil given to
or vested in the said Thomas Robinson and Joseph Parker shall
immediately be and become vested in such new Trustee in conjunction
with the surviving or continuing Trustee as fully and effectually as if
he had been originally named and appointed a Trustee in and
by this my Codicil In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal this seventh day of October in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty. W. Flecher] (O) /-/ Signed
Sealed & published by the Testator William Fletcher as and for a Codicil
to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request
and in his presence have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses
Thos Henry Taunton. Robinson Barham, John
Matthews.
W. Fletcher (O) Signed Sealed and published afresh by the Testator
William Fletcher as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament the
thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty three in the presence of us who at his request and in his
presence have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. J. Parsons.
Jos'h Phillips. Tho's Henry Taunton. /-

The underwritten is a Codicil to be annexed
to the last Will and Testament of me Alderman William Fletcher I
hereby give to my aforesaid Trustees Joseph Parker and Thomas Robinson
five hundred pounds Stock in Navy five per Cent In Trust to pay the
Interest and dividends and produce thereof as the same shall become
due and be received to Susanna Fry Widow of my late Kinsman
John Fletcher Fry of Salisbury for and towards the maintenance and
education of her Son and Daughter But and as the said Children shall
respectively arrive at the age to be bound apprentice then if they are
not put out ~~to such Trades~~ in my lifetime My Will is that the said
Trustees shall place them out to such Trades or professions as they
in their discretion shall think fit and sell for such apprenticing as
much of the said Stock as they think proper and when and as the
said Children shall respectively arrive at the age of twenty one years
then the said Trustees shall pay each of them one third part of the
remaining part of the said Stock and the Interest Dividends and
Produce of so much of the said Stock as shall remain from time to
time unapplied or undisposed of the said Trustees shall pay to their
Mother Susanna Fry for her life and from and after her decease

whatever shall remain of the said Stock shall be divided and
paid to the said Children share and share alike but if one only Child
be living then the whole thereof to such only Child to be paid at their
respective ages of twenty one years as aforesaid and if either of the said
Children should die before attaining their said age of twenty one
years without Issue lawfully begotten the share of him or her so
dying shall be paid to the survivor and if both the said Children
should die before attaining the said age without Issue lawfully begotten
and their Mother be then living then the whole of the said Interest Dividends
and Produce of the said Stock or so much thereof as shall remain undisposed
of shall be paid to the said Mother for her life and at her decease in the
event of both the said Children dying without attaining the said age of
twenty one years without Issue lawfully begotten then the whole of
the said remaining Stock shall sink into and become part of the
residue of my Personal Estate and be disposed of as in my said Will
directed and I desire that the Government Duty on the above bequest
be paid out of my Personal Estate and I further declare my Will
to be that my said Trustees in my Will named do and shall or may at
their discretion raise by and out of the Principal of the shares of the
Trust Monies in my Will mentioned and bequeathed to or In trust
or in favor of the Children of my said Nieces in the said Will
mentioned respectively at any time or times before such shares shall
become payable or transferrable to such Children respectively and
whether the Parents or either of the Parents of such Children shall
or shall not be living any Sum or Sums not exceeding one thousand
pounds to or for each of such Children and advance pay and apply
such Sum or Sums for and toward his or her advancement in life
which several Sums so advanced to be taken and considered to be in
part of the share or portion of such Child or Children respectively in
and to the said Trust Monies anything in my said Will to the contrary
notwithstanding Whereas I have by my said Will named and appointed
Joseph Parker and my Nephew Thomas Robinson to be Trustees for my
Nieces Catherine Frances Roberts and Rebecca West and for their
respective Children but I have not therein provided for the
appointment of any new Trustee or Trustees in case of the death or
the refusal to act of the said Joseph Parker and Thomas Robinson Now
I do hereby direct and appoint and my Will is that upon the death or the
refusal of the said Trustees to act in the Trusts in and by my said Will
declared or either of them the place of him so dying or refusing to act
shall be filled up by some other person or persons to be elected and
made choice of by the surviving or acting Trustee by and with the
approbation of my said Nieces respectively and of the Executors in my
said Will named or of such of them as shall be living at the time of the
decease or refusal to act of the said Joseph Parker and my said
Nephew such election and appointment to be made in writing and duly
sealed and executed with such approbation as aforesaid and my Will is
that after the election and appointment of any such new Trustee or
Trustees all and every the Trusts powers and authorities by my said Will
given to the said Joseph Parker by my said Nephew shall become
vested in such new Trustee or Trustees in conjunction with such former
continuing Trustee appointed by my said Will as fully and effectually to all
intents and purposes as if he or they had been originally named and
appointed a Trustee or Trustees in and by my said Will And I further
declare that my Will be that it may and shall be lawful to and for my
said Trustees as they shall think expedient to sell and dispose of all or
any part of the said Trust monies which now or may be invested in the

the public funds or in the Oxford Canal Navigation provided the same
be laid out again and invested in such other Public funds or Real
Security and settled and secured to be applied to the Trusts and to the
same intents and purposes as in my said Will declared in respect of
the said Trust Monies I give and bequeath to William Hasker
my old Servant the Sum of Twenty pounds I give the Parish of
Saint Michael Saint Mary Magdalen and Saint Peter in the
East Oxford the Sum of Twenty pounds each Parish to be disposed of
in Bread to the poor Inhabitants in each respective Parish at the
discretion of the Church Wardens and Overseers of each of the said
Parishes as soon as may be after my Funeral In Witness whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of
July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen
W. Fletcher (O) Signed Sealed published and declared by the
Testator William Fletcher as and for a Codicil to his last Will and
Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his
request have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Tho's Henry
Taunton - Robinson Barham - Henry William Davis.
W. Fletcher (O) /=/ Signed Sealed and published afresh by the Testator
as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament this twenty ninth day
of December 1823 in the presence of us. Tho's Henry Taunton -
H. W. Davis

This is a Codicil to be annexed to and
taken as part of the last Will and Testament of me the undersigned
William Fletcher Whereas I have in and by my last Will and
Testament made and executed by me upon or about the twenty
first day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventeen
given and bequeathed the Residue of my Estate and Effects
unto the Executors in my said Will named Upon Trust as to one
third part or share thereof to pay and transfer the same to my
Nephew Thomas Robinson to and for his own use and benefit
Now I do hereby declare my further will and intention to be
that in case the said Thomas Robinson shall happen to die in
my lifetime my said Executors shall stand possessed of and
interested in the said third part or share upon and for the
same Trusts intents and purposes and to and for the benefit of
such person or persons in such shares and proportions manner
and form and subject to such powers restrictions and directions as
the said Thomas Robinson in and by his last Will and Testament
or any Codicil thereto either already executed or to be hereafter
executed by him in the presence of two or more Credible
Witnesses shall have directed declared given or bequeathed or
shall direct declare give or bequeath of and concerning the
residue of the Personal Estate or such of them as at the time
of my death shall be subsisting or capable of taking effect and
in default of any such direction declaration gift or bequest Then
Upon Trust for the Wife and the two Sons of the said Thomas
Robinson to be equally divided amongst them to and for their
own respective use and benefit and Whereas I have in and by
my said Will appointed and declared certain Trusts of the
other two third parts of my said Residuary Estate under which
the Children of my Niece Catharine Frances Roberts will be
entitled after their Mothers death to one moiety of the said
two third parts and the Children of my Niece Rebecca
West will be entitled after their Mothers death to the other

moiety of the said two third parts subject to such provisions by
way of annuity as are in my said Will contained for the
respective Wives And Whereas I have also in and by a Codicil
to my said last Will made and executed by me upon or about
the seventh day of October one thousand eight hundred and twenty
appointed and declared certain Trusts of divers specific properties
therein mentioned under which the Children of my said Niece
Catharine Frances Roberts will be entitled after the deaths of
their Mother and Father to the money to arise from such
properties and I have in and by the same Codicil appointed and
declared certain other Trusts of other specific properties therein
mentioned under which the Children of my said Niece Rebecca
West will be entitled after the deaths of their Mother and
Father to the Money to arise from such last mentioned properties
And Whereas some doubt is entertained whether under my said
Will and Codicil or one of them the portions of the said Children
vest upon their attaining their respective ages of twenty one years
or upon their attaining that age and surviving their respective
Mothers Now for obviating any such doubt I do hereby declare
my Will and intention to be that the original and all accruing
shares and portions of the Children of my said Nieces
respectively under the said recited bequests and provisions in
their favour in my said Will and Codicil contained shall become
vested and transmissible in the said Children upon their
attaining their respective ages of twenty one years and be
paid assigned and transferred to them respectively or to their
respective Executors administrators or assigns thereupon or so
soon afterwards as the determination of the intermediate
interest or interests for life therein will permit and subject as
to my said Residuary Estate to the before mentioned provisions
for the Husbands of my said Nieces or such of them as may
take effect And Whereas in and by another Codicil to my said
last Will made and executed by me on or about the twenty
ninth day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventeen
and re-executed by me upon or about the twenty ninth day of
December one thousand eight hundred and twenty three I
have declared that my Trustees in my Will named may at
their discretion raise out of the principal of the shares of the
Trust monies thereby bequeathed in favour of the Children of
my said Nieces at any time before such shares shall become
[pay]able and whether the Parents or either of the Parents of
such Children shall or shall not be living any Sum or Sums
not exceeding one thousand pounds to or for each of such
Children and advance pay and apply such Sum or Sums for
and towards his or her advancement in life and that such
Sums shall be taken and considered to be in part of the share
or portion of such Child or Children respectively in and to the
said Trust monies Now I do hereby declare my further will
and intention to be that all such Sum or Sums of money as
shall appear from any statement or Memorandum in my
handwriting or signed or authenticated by me to have been
advanced by me in my lifetime to or for the benefit of any of
the Children of either of my said Nieces shall also be taken
and considered to be in part of the shares or portions of such
advanced Children of and in the said respective third parts of
my Residuary Estate by my said Will bequeathed to or in favour
of the said Children respectively and I do also declare and direct that

any such advancement made or to be made either by myself
or by my said Trustees to or for the benefit of any of the Children
of the said Catharine Frances Roberts shall from time to time
as and when the same shall be made be deducted from and
taken out of the said third part of my Residuary Estate by my
said Will bequeathed for the benefit of the said Catharine Frances
Roberts and her Children and that in like manner any such
advancements to or for the benefit of any of the Children of the
said Rebecca West shall be deducted from the said third part of
my Residuary Estate bequeathed for the benefit of the said Rebecca
West and her Children any thing in my said Will or Codicils or any
or either of them contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding
and I do hereby confirm my said writed Will and two Codicils in all
respects save only as the same or any of them are hereby altered and
so declare that my said Will and two Codicils together with and as
altered by this my third Codicil do contain my last Will and
Testament and I do hereby revoke and make void all other Wills
and Codicils by me at any time heretofore made In Witness whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of August in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six - The
Mark of X William Fletcher (O) /=/ Signed Sealed published
and declared by the Testator William Fletcher as and for a Codicil
to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his
presence and at his request have subscribed our names as Witnesses
J. Parsons /=/ E. Horn

Memorandum
On 20th December 1823 I
advanced for my Nephew William Roberts one thousand pounds
W. Fletcher - Witness T. H. Taunton -/-
On the 16 August 1826 I advanced to my Niece Mary
Roberts one thousand pounds /=/ W. Fletcher /=/ Witness
T. H. Taunton -/-
On the 3rd of August 1826 I declare that this day
I advanced one thousand pounds to or for my Nephew William
Fletcher Roberts /=/ The Mark of X William Fletcher. /=/
Witness Sophia White -/-

Proved at London (with three Codicils and a
Memorandum referred to in the third Codicil) the 16th day of
March 1827 before the Judge by the oaths of Herbert
Parsons Esquire and Thomas Robinson Esquire the Nephew
the Executors to whom administration was granted having been
first Sworn (by Commission) duly to administer.

Oxfordshire Family History Society

Transcribed Wills and Related Documents