died 1776

Created 5th April 1774
Proven 31st Oct 1776

In the name of God Amen I Penelope Forester of the Town of Hertford in the County of Hertford Spinster being of sound mind and memory do make this may last Will and Testament in manner and form form following ffirst and principally I resign my soul unto Almighty God firmly hoping for salvation through the merits and satisfaction of his son Jesus Christ my Saviour my body I commit to the Earth to be privately buried at the discretion of my Executrix and as to the worldly Estate with which it hath pleased God to bless me I dispose of the same in manner following Imprimis

I give and bequeath to my dear ffriend Mrs Ann Thorncroft the sum of one hundred pounds

to my Nephew James Chesshyre and Robert Chesshyre the sons of my late sister Jane Chesshyre deceased the sum of ten pounds each for mourning

To my Nieces Ann Chesshyre and Jane Chesshyre two of the Daughters of my said late Sister Jane Chesshyre the sum of twenty pounds each for mourning

Also I give and bequeath to the poor of the parish of Cottered in the County of Hertford two Guineas and as to all the rest and residue of my personal Estate (subject to my Debts Legacies and ffuneral Expences I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my Niece Martha Chesshyre of Hertford Spinster and do constitute and appoint her the sole Executrix of this my Will

but in case the said Martha Chesshyre shall dye before me then and in such case I give and bequeath the said residue of my personal Estate subject as aforesaid unto my Nieces the said Ann and Jane Chesshyre equally to be divided between them share and share alike and in that case I appoint them joint Executors of this my Will

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy four the mark of Penelope Forester

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Penelope fforester to be her last Will and Testament in the presence of us R’bt Cholmondely Sira Mannyng J Hall

This Will was proved at London the thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six before the worshipful George Harris Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Sir George Hay Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Martha Chesshyre Spinster the Niece of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased she having been first sworn duly to administer Ex’d

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