John Hays's Will (1773)

     In the name of God Amen I John Hays of the Parish of Saint John in Southwark and County of Surry Mariner being in health of Body and of perfect and sound Mind and Memory do make this my last will and Testament in manner following that is to say first I consign my immortal Soul unto the Omnipotent Creator thereof and my Body to the Grave to be interred in a decent manner at the Direction of my dear wife and Executrix in hopes of a glorious Resurrection and the last day through the spirits of my Savior and Redeemer And as to such temporal Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to endow me

    . . . I will and bequeath unto my said wife and to my said Executors four Thousand Pounds in Trust . . . laid out in some of the Government Securities bearing three Per Cent Per Annum and therein to . . . remain as a Capital equally to be divided Share and Share alike amongst my lawful children after the demise of my said wife and then only when they shall each of them respectively Arrive at the Age of Twenty One years . . . 

    It is my Will and pleasure that in Order the better to provide for and put the Boys out to Business and also in Case either or any of the Girls shall marry by and with the Consent of my said wife that thou in those Cases only if She shall think it proper and expedient but not otherwise or by any demand or compulsion she may Advance the whole or any part of such Share belonging to such child upon such Marriage . . . 

15 May 1773.                 John Hays. 

PROB 11/997, Public Record Office, Kew; Brooks, Correspondence 587.