1825 Will of Hester MEERE
Ref: PCC Prob 11/1702
Proved: 1825 August 22 Written:
1825 April 28
Transcribed by Marsha Stringer
This is the last Will and Testament of me Hester MEERE of Keynsham in the County of Somerset Singlewoman.
I give and bequeath unto Hester the wife of James THOMPSON of Swinford in the parish of Bitton in the county of Gloucester my bed bedstead blanket sheets and counterpane and also my mahogany chest of drawers three chairs dressing table wash hand stand and likewise my Deal Box and wearing apparel absolutely.
I give and bequeath unto Ann the wife of John Hinton CATER four silver table spoons six silver tea spoons and one pair of silver sugar tongs.
I give and bequeath unto my nephew John MEERE of Upton in the said parish of Bitton my Bible.
All that one moiety or equal half part of my leasehold messuage tenement and public house called Toll Down House situate in the parish of Durham in the county of Gloucester with the rights members and appurtenances to the same belonging. I give and bequeath unto my esteemed friend Roger EDWARDS of Keynsham aforesaid Surgeon, to hold to him his executors administrators and assigns absolutely for all my estate term and interest therein.
And as to all that the other or remaining moiety or equal half part of my said leasehold estate I give and bequeath the same unto the said Roger EDWARDS to hold to him his executors administrators and assigns for all my estate term and interest therein. Upon trust that he do and shall invest and take the rents issues and profits of the said remaining moiety or equal half part and pay and apply the same from time to time as and when this same shall be so received /after reimbursing and paying himself all expenses he may be at or put unto in to carrying into execution the trusts of this my will/Unto Elizabeth the wife of Joseph HIGNELL of the parish of Stapleton in the county of Gloucester for her natural life in case my estate term and interest therein shall so long continue and endure for her sole use and benefit.
All the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects of what nature or kind and whatsoever situate lying and being I give and bequeath unto the said Roger EDWARDS absolutely.
And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Roger EDWARDS sole Executor of this my last will hereby revoking and making void all former will and other wills by me at any time heretofore made and so published and declare this only to be my last will and testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-eighth day of April in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five. Signed: Hester MEERE. (In a circle, initials) LS
Signed sealed published and declared by the said testatrix Hester MEERE as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have inscribed our names as witnesses. Signed: John WIGGINS; Charles L. THOMPSON
Proved at London 22 August 1825 before the worshipful (abbreviated) Charles Coote Dr. of Laws & (Surrogate - abbreviation for?) by the oath of Roger EDWARDS, the sole executor to whom administration was granted being first sworn duly to administrator.
Transcriber's Notes
| Hester THOMPSON | Niece; d/o William/Ann MEERE, nee BUSH; m. James THOMPSON |
| Ann CATER | Niece; d/o William/Ann MEERE, nee BUSH; also m. William STIBBS |
| John MEERE | Nephew; s/o William/Ann MEERE |
| Elizabeth HIGNELL | Sister; d/o William/Mary MEERE; no info past this date |
| Roger EDWARDS | Surgeon; Keynsham Baptist Church Registrar in 1840s; witness at WORLOCK trial (sister of murderous wife Rebecca, Honour FLOWER, m. to Coster THOMPSON) |
| John WIGGINS | Auctioneer in Keynsham in Pigot's 1830 Directory of Somersetshire |
| Charles L. THOMPSON | Perhaps Charles Lemuel?; not known if related to James' family |