Ancestors of Mandy Willard

The Will of

Thomas RENVELL (?-1732)

I Thomas Renvell of Wivelisfield in the County of Sussex, wheelwright, being indisposed in body but of a sound and disposing mind and memory (thanks be to God for ye same) this third day of March in the fourth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord [George] the Second by the Grace of God King of Great Britain and Ireland Defender of the faith and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty I doe make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and forme following (that is to say). 

First and principally I commend my soul to God hopeing for salvation through the only meritt and mediation of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named and as that temporal estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I give and dispose thereof as followeth. 

Inprimis I give and bequeath unto Anne Renvell my now loveing wife all that my copyhold messuage or tenement wherein I now swell situate lyeing or being in Wivelisfield aforesaid together with my shop garden and orchard thereunto belonging belonging to the Manor of South Malling Lindfield to hold and receive take and enjoy the rents and yearly profits thereof  and every part thereof for and during ye terme of her natural life if she shall so long continue my widow and after her decease I give devise and bequeath the aforesaid copyhold messuage or tenement shop garden orchard and premises and every part thereof with the appurtenances unto my son John Renvell to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement shop garden orchard and premises and every part thereof with the appurtenances unto my said [son] John Renvell his heirs and assigns forever upon this condition that he my said son shall and do pay unto my son Thomas Renvell the sumes of six pounds of lawfull money within three months after the decease of Anne my wife now living. 

Item I give and bequeath unto my grandchild Anne Renvell one guinea of gold to be paid to her father for her use within six months next after my decease by my executrix hereafter named. 

All the rest of all my goods chattels debts credits and personall estate whatsoever (after that my debts legacies and funeral expences are paid satisfied and discharged) I give and bequeath unto Anne my loving wife to hold and enjoy the same as her own proper goods and chattels for and during the terme of her natural life (if she shall so long continue my widdow) and after her decease or intermarriage which shall first happen I give and bequeath all and every my aforesaid goods chattels debts creditts and personal estate unto my five children (that is to say) John Renvell, Thomas Renvell, Mary now wife of Anthony Hole of Wivelisfield aforesaid, Anne now wifeof William Savage and to my youngest daughter Sarah Renvell to be equally divided between my aforesaid five children share and share alike (my debts legacies and funeral expences being first paid and discharged as aforesaid)  and I do hereby nominate constitute and make Anne my said loving [wife] whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills whatsoever by me heretofore made and in testimony that this is my last will I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and year first above written Thomas Renvell. (Memorandum that there was four words besides that whole line interlined and put in before the sealing and delivery thereof).  

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Renvell testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of us James Burt his mark John Knight Mary Fairhall

Proved at the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes 6th May 1732 before Edward Lund Surrogate on the oath of Anne Renvell executrix named and to whom administration was granted.

Transcribed by Rosie Ansell August 2005