Transcript of Will of John Varley dated 2 April 1784

Source:  Borthwick Institute

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN

 I, John Varley of the Township of Almondbury in the West-Riding of the county of York. Clockmaker, being now in a sick, and weak state of Body, but of sound and disposing Mind, Memory and Understanding, (thanks be to God);  and calling to mind the mortality of my Body and that it is appointed unto all Men once to die, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament;  that is to say, principally, and first of all I commit my Soul into the hands of Almighty God, who gave it, hoping for pardon and remission of all my sins, transgressions , thro’ the above merits, and mediation of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer; and my Body I commit to the Earth from whence it was taken, to be buried in a decent, Christian manner, at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named; and as for the Worldly Estate with which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I do give, and dispose of the same in manner, and form following: viz:

 Imprimis:  I will and require that all my just Debts, Funeral expenses and Probate of this Will be fully discharged and paid out of my Effects, by my Executors hereafter named.

 Item:     I do give and bequeath to my daughter, Sara, Wife of James Sykes of Lockwood, half a Guinea, to be paid to her at the end of Twelve Months after my deceased, by my Executors.

 Item:     I do give and bequeath to my Daughters Tabitha and Betty; and to my sons Nathan and Samuel, each half a Guinea, to be paid to them when they attain the age of Twenty one years, by my Executors.

 Item:     It is my Will and desire that my son John be brought up in the business of a Clockmaker, along with his brother William; and if he lives to attain the Age of Twenty one years, I do give and bequeath to him Eight Pounds, to purchase Tools for him and enable him to set up in his business.

 Item:     I will and require that my son William continue along with his Mother, to assist her to carry on the business of a Clockmaker, until the Term of his Apprenticeship be expired;  after which time, my Will is that he shall have, and enjoy all the Tools and Implements which I have made use of in my Trade to his own proper use:  My will is, that my said son William shall have the liberty to carry on his Trade in the shop, and Smithy;  and in case he happen to Marry while his mother continues in possession of the Premises, he shall occupy part of the house, upon paying his Mother a reasonable rent for it.

 Item:     I do give and bequeath to my loving Wife Elizabeth, the Tenant-right title and Interest which I have in the Messuage and Farm, which I hold, and occupy under the Honourable Sir John Ramsden Bart. together with the use of all my Household Goods and Effects Whatsoever, belonging to me, so long as she continues my Widow, an Inventory whereof shall be taken within one month after my decease;  but if she shall happen to Marry again, then in that case I do give and bequeath unto my son William all my said Tenant-Right, Title and Interest in the said Messuage and Farm;  and also to have and enjoy one half share of all my Personal Estate and effects, whatsoever, equally with his mother.

 I do Will and require that my Mother Elizabeth Varley shall have the liberty to live with my sister Sarah Cockin, and shall have two shillings a week allowed her for maintenance during the Term of her life, by my Executors, Together with the liberty to take all her household goods and dispose of them as she shall think proper.  It is my Will and desire that my Wife shall have and enjoy for her own use and benefit all the profit and advantage that may be and arise from William Northrop, my apprentice, during the terms of his Apprenticeship.

 Lastly:              I do hereby constitute and appoint Joseph Walker, Butcher, and Thomas Tate, Clothier, both of Lockwood, together with my Wife, joint Executors, Executrix, and Trustees of this my last Will and Testament;  utterly revoking and disannulling all former Wills hereto set my hand and Seal, the second day of April. One thousand, seven hundred and Eighty Four.

 Signed, Sealed, Published, Pronounced and declared by the

Testator to be his last Will and Testament, in the

presence of us, who in his presence, and at his re-

quest have severally set out hands hereon to as

Witnesses, with three interlineations

James Best

B [or W] Sykes                                                                        John Varley