Beddome's own will

I put Foskett's will here recently and at other times have added the wills of Beddome's parents but I don't think we have had Beddome's own will here. So here is a transcript provided by a descendant.

I Benajmin Beddome of Bourton on the Water Gloucestershire make this my last Will and Testament.

I give to my son Samuel and his Heirs for ever All my lands, Tenements, Barns etc. by whatever Tenure I hold them in Bourton, Coldaston, Clapton or any other place whatsoever.

Besides six Hundred pounds which I have already given to my son Boswell I give twelve Hundred pounds more, one moiety or half of which being lent to him he hath already in his hands.

My son Richard hath already cost me at Bristol, Colchester, etc about two Hundred pounds more for his Education and Apprecticeship than either of his forementioned Brothers. I therefore give him but fifteen Hundred pounds together with twenty four pounds a year from Michaelmas 1795 but at the same time deducting whatever Sums my son Samuel may have advanced to him on my account from Michaelmas aforesaid.

I Give to my Daughter Elizabeth the twelve Hundred pounds which I have advanced by Mortgage on the Turnpike Road leading to Gloucester and four Hundred pounds besides,

I give to my Executors hereinafter to be named sixteen Hundred pounds in Trust, the Interest and as much as is absolutely necessary to be expended for the Maintenance Education and Apprenticeship of my son Josephus, the remainder if things appear promising with respect to him to be given to him when he attains the age of twenty two, but if my Executors think it expedient to detain it longer or give it to him graduation I allow them full liberty for that purpose, paying him the Interest of what is thus detained.

I leave to each of my Grandchildren that shall be living at the time of my Decease fifty pounds.

If any of my Legatees die before me without Heirs the Legacy bequeathed to them to go to my residuary Estate, if children are left, to be divided equally amongst them.

Finally, I leave all my residuary Estate be it more or less, except twenty pounds which I would have given to my servant Maid if she hath lived with me two years before my Death and behaved tenderly towards me, to be divided in equal parts between my surviving children and may God bless them.

I also constitute my sons, Samuel and Boswell, Executors and Trustees of this my last Will and Testament written with my own Hand and sealed with my own seal this nineteenth day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety three,

Benjn Beddome

Signed, sealed and delivered as the last Will and Testament of the Testator before us who at his Desire and in his presence subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto the Words him and sixteen Hundred pounds being first interlined

William Palmer, Richd Hale, William Fox, all of Bourton on the Water.

Proved by both of the Executors in the Prerogative Court on the 16th day of September 1795.

(In 1792 Beddomee made a final visit to London to preach and to see his remaining children and friends. On October 25 he amended his will, rescinding his previous decision to provide for poor members of the Bourton congregation and poor ministers in nearby congregations. He also revoked his intention to leave part of his library and certain furnishings in the manse for the use of future ministers. {Although the library was left in the end}. The reason given is ‘the irritating Conduct I have met with after 52 years service’. See Beddome’s will and the copy of it in the Angus Library. Quite what provoked his evident ire is not clear though it was probably the difficulties with Wilkins. Back in 1750 when he was as close to the church as ever, he could only say in his letter to the Prescott Street Church, that they had ‘in general treated me with the greatest affection’.)