Last will and Testament of John Blachford of Fontmell Magna, Dorset 1715 -1773, proven 1782

In the name of God Amen

I John Blachford of Black Venn in this Parish of Fontmell Magna in this county of Dorset Gentleman being of sound Mind Memory and Understanding but calling to mind the mortality of my Body and the uncertainty of this life Do Make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament in Manner following that is to say Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent manner at the Discretion of my Executrix herein after named, nothing doubting but at the General resurrection I shall receive the same again through the Merits of my Blessed Savioure and Redeemer and a touching such worldy Estate wherewith I have pealsed God to bless me with I dispers thereof as follows.

First I give and bequeath unto Susannah my wife all my Hay, Corn, Cattle, Wheat in Ground and all other my stock in Husbandry whatsoever and if my said Wife Shall at any time hereafter have of Business then I Will all my stock in Husbandry wherein before particularly mentioned unto my said wife and my four sons viz Daniel, Richard, Robert and Joseph to be equally divided between them but in case my said wife should happen to die without having off Business as aforesaid then I give my said stock in husbandry unto my said sons last mentioned son v equally to be divided amongst them share and share alike.

I also give unto my said Wife the use of all my Household Goods during her natural life and after her decease I give them to my daughter Ann Blatchford

I also give and bequeath unto my son Daniel my Writing Desk and Gun.

I also give and bequeath unto my daughters Mary the wife of Matthew Hunt and Susannah the wife of James Tapper one shilling each.

And lastly all the rest residue and remainder of my Goods, Chattells and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife whom I make whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking disannulling and making void all former and other Wills and Testaments lying at anytime heretofore made and do Ratify and confirm this only to be my last Will and Testament,

In Witness whereof I have hereto set my Hand and Seal the Twentieth Day of December One Thousand seven Hundred and seventy Two.

Signed Sealed Published and Declared the said Testator John Blachford as and for his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us Robert Smith, Samuel West

On the Tenth day of July 1782 This Will of John Blachford deceased was proved by the Oath of Ann Wife of William Ball the lawful Daughter sole Executrix and residuary Legatee named in the last Will and Testament of Susannah Blachford the sole Executrix and residuary Legatee above named and Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the above named John Blachford do saved together with his said will answered was committed and granted to the said Ann Ball, Susannah Blachford the Executrix above named dying before she had taken upon her the Execution of the said Will and the said Ann Ball having been first sworn before me Geo Marsh Snr