the sister of Rev Thomas Doo, Vicar of Hormead

Written: 9th January 1768
Proved: 13th February 1769

In the name of God Amen

I Mary Doo of the town of Buntingford in the parish of Layston in the County of Hertford Spinster being of sound mind memory and understanding (thanks be to God for it) do make and declare this my Last Will and testament in manner following (that is to say)

first I commend my soul to the mercies of Almighty God through the merits and mediation of my blessed redeemer Jesus Christ and my body I deme may be buried in the parish church of Chrishall in the county of Essex as near as may be to my late mother and in the same manner As to my worldly possessions I dispose of them in manner following (that is to say)

I give bequeath and devise all that my ffreehold messuage or tenements with all and singular the yards outhouses buildings ways and appurt’ whatsoever there unto belonging now in my own occupation situate and being in Buntingford aforesaid and adjoining unto the George Inn to and unto my nephew John Doo of Chipping in the said County of Hertford and to his heirs and assigns for ever

And also I give and bequeath to and unto my sister Margaret Hawes widow of Thomas Hawes late of Bury St Edmunds in the county of Suffolk Carpenter the sum of fforty pounds But in case my said sister be now dead or shall dye before me then I give and bequeath the aforesaid sum of fforty pounds to be divided among such of her daughters as shall be living at my decease equally share and share alike

And also I give and bequeath to and unto my nephew James Smith a Miller the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds

and also I give and bequeath to and unto my nieces Dorothy and Sarah sisters of the aforesaid James Smith the sum of twenty pounds each and likewise all my wearing linnen and apparel to be equally divided between them the said Dorothy and Sarah

And also I give and bequeath to and unto Elizabeth Thompson daughter of my late niece Elizabeth Doo late wife of Francis Thompson of Buntingford aforesaid the sum of ffifty pounds all which said legacies I will and order to be paid within six months next after my decease

And also I give and bequeath unto my aforesaid nephew John Doo the sum of ffifty pounds in trust nevertheless for the use of Elizabeth Pitts daughter of my late niece Ann Doo late wife of Ozell Pitts of White Cross Street London Poulterer to be paid to her the said Elizabeth Pitts when she shall attain her age of twenty one years and my will and desire is that the said John Doo shall put out the said ffifty pounds at Interest or pay interest for the same which interest

I likewise will and order to be paid ^to and^ unto the said Ozell Pitts ffather of the said Elizabeth Pitts yearly or oftener as the same shall become due for her support and maintenance untill the said Elizabeth Pitts shall attain her age of sixteen years and then I will and order the said interest to be unto the said Elizabeth Pitts for her own use But if her said ffather dye before she attain her said age of sixteen years then I will and order the said interest to be either immediately paid to the said Elizabeth Pitts or laid out for her by the aforesaid John Doo as in his discretion shall thing most for her benefit and advantage

And if the said Elizabeth Pitts shall dye before she attain her age of twenty one years then I give and bequeath the aforesaid sum of ffifty pounds to and unto Mary Doo eldest daughter of my said nephew John Doo

And also I give and bequeath unto the poor of the parishes of Layston and Chrishall aforesaid the sum of ffive pounds to each parish to be distributed in bread in such manner and portions and at such time or times as my executors in their discretions shall think proper

And also I give and bequeath all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate whatsoever wheresoever and of what nature and kind the same may be after payment of my just debts ffuneral expenses and charge of the probate of this my will to and unto my aforesaid nephew John Doo and my niece Mary Webbe widow, his sister to be divided between them share and share alike

and lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint the aforesaid John Doo and Mary Webbe joint executors of this my last will and testament

In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this ninth day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Eight – Mary Doo.

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Mary Doo the testatrix as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto - Ann Cordery, Sarah Hagger, Peter Harrison

This will was proved at London on the thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and sixty nine before the worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel Doctor of lawes and Surrogate of the Right Worship full George Hay also Doctor of Lawes Master Keeper or commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of John Doo the nephew and Mary Webbe widow the niece of the deceased and executors named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased they having been first duly sworn only to administer.

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