This is the last Will and Testament of me John Strickland of Ashwell in the
County of Hertford Baker I give and devise all my freehold messuages or
tenements Lands and hereditaments situate at Ashwell aforesaid and also all
other my real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my beloved wife Elizabeth
Strickland and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from
and after her decease I give and devise all that my freehold messuage Cottage or
tenement with the yard garden and appurtenances thereto belonging situate at
Ashwell aforesaid and now in the tenure or occupation of Benjamin Edwards
Blacksmith unto my relation Ann Strickland (the sister of my said wife) for and
during the term of her natural life if she shall be then living and shall be and
remain unmarried during her life and from and after the decease or marriage of
the said Ann Strickland I give and devise the said messuage Cottage or tenements
with the yard garden and appurtenances unto my son William Strickland his heirs
and assigns for ever and subject to the life Interest of my said wife I give and
devise all that other messuage Cottage or tenement with the yard garden and
appurtenances thereto belonging situate at Ashwell aforesaid adjoining to the
said last mentioned hereditaments so devised to the said Ann Strickland as
aforesaid and now in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Crane Labourer And also
all that piece or parcel of Land or Ground in Ashwell aforesaid containing nine
perches and eleven yards more or less late the Estate of Mrs Sarah Austen and
now in my own occupation unto my said won William Strickland his heirs and
assigns for ever And from and after the decease of my said wife I give and
devise all those my three other freehold messuages Cottages or tenements with
the yards gardens and appurtenances thereto belonging situate at Ashwell
aforesaid now in the tenures or occupations of Lydia Gentle widow Samuel
Strickland and James Hornett being the three cottages on the East side of my
said Estate unto my son George Strickland his heirs and assigns for ever And
subject to the life Interest of my said wife I give and devise all and singular
other my messuages or tenements Lands Hereditaments and real Estate whatsoever
and wheresoever unto my said Sons William Strickland and George Strickland their
heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants And
subject to the payment of all my debts funeral and testamentary expences I give
and bequeath all my goods chattels furniture stock in trade monies securities
personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or
kind soever unto my said beloved wife for and during the term of her natural
life and from and after her decease I give and bequeath the same unto and
equally to be divided between my said two sons William Strickland and George
Strickland their Executors administrators and assigns And lastly I nominate and
appoint my said beloved wife my Brother Samuel Strickland and my eldest son
George Strickland joint Executrix and Executors of this my last will and
testament hereby revoking all wills by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I
the said John Strickland the testator have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day
of march in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty
John Strickland
Signed published and declared by the said John Strickland the testator as and
for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who present together in
his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
subscribed our names as wittnesses
George Bird Ashwell Pub.tor [?]
W. H. Nash Royston Herts
Hitchin 1st August 1843 Elizabeth Strickland widow and George Strickland two of the Executors within named were sworn duly to execute the within Will and that the Effects of the Deceased are under the value of Four hundred and fifty pounds Power being reserved to make the like grant to Samuel Strickland when he shall apply for the same.