Will of Reuben BENHAM

This is the last Will and Testament of me Reuben BENHAM of Durley in the County of Southampton Husbandman. First I will that all my just Debts and Funeral Expenses be fully paid and satisfied. I give and devise all that my Copyhold Messuage situate at Durley aforesaid and now in my own occupation with the Garden and appurtenances thereto adjoining and belonging to my dear wife Ann BENHAM for and during her natural Life and from and after her decease I give and devise the same Messuage and Garden with appurtenances to my Son Reuben BENHAM and his heirs according to the custom of the manor of Bishops Waltham whereof the same premises are holden subject nevertheless to the payment of the sum of One Hundred Pounds to my Grandson Henry BENHAM upon his attaining the age of twenty one years if my dear wife shall be then dead but if he shall attain that age in her lifetime then I will that the same shall be paid him at the expiration of six months next after her decease but without any interest thereon in either case. Item I give and bequeath to my said son Reuben BENHAM the sum of Four Hundred Pounds of lawful English upon trust to place the same out at Interest upon some good and sufficient Security and to pay the Interest and Dividends thereof unto my said dear wife Ann or otherwise permit her to action and take the same during her Life and after her decease. Upon trust as soon as conveniently may be to call in the same sum of Four Hundred Pounds and to pay there out the following Legacies or sums of money to the several persons hereinafter mentioned that is to say to my grandson Charles BENHAM the sum of twenty pounds and to each of my Grandchildren William AVERY Selah AVERY Charles AVERY Charlotte AVERY Harriet AVERY Mary Ann AVERY and Thomas AVERY the sum of Ten Pounds. And as to the Residue of the said sum of Four Hundred Pounds upon trust to pay one moiety or half part of such residue unto my Son Thomas BENHAM and to retain and apply the other moiety or half part of such Residue unto and for the sole use and benefit of him my said son Reuben and I give and bequeath all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever that I shall happen to die possessed of or entitled to unto and equally between my said two sons Reuben and Thomas share and share alike. And I appoint my said wife Ann and my Son Reuben joint Executrix and Executor of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of June on thousand Eight hundred and thirteen.

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator 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.

The Mark of Reuben BENHAM
Wm. GUNNER
Thos. GROVER his Clerk

On the 11th Day of December 1813
Reuben BENHAM and Ann BENHAM the Executor and Executrix within named were sworn well and faithfully to administer the Goods Chattles and Credits of the Deceased. And they further made oath that the Goods Chattles and Credits of the said Deceased at the time of his Death did not amount in value to the sum of Six Hundred Pounds.

Before Chas. WALTERS Surrogate

[Pro:Paseod] the Seal of the Peculiar the first day of April 1814. Chas. Moorsridge Registrar.