In the name of God Amen I William Briggs of Horsham in the County of Sussex bucketmaker being sick of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God Doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testamt un manner and forme following (that is to say) first and principally I comend my soule into the hands of Allmighty God hopeing through the meritts death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins to Inheritt Everlasting Life and my body I comitt to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named; And as touching the disposition of such Temporall Estate as it hath pleased Allmighty God to bestow on me I give and dispose of as followeth: ffirst I will that my debts and ffunerall charges shall be paid and discharged Item I give and bequeath unto my son John Briggs of Horsham in the County of Sussex Cooper the sum of One Shilling to be paid to the said John Briggs within six months next after my decease if demanded Item I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Briggs of Horsham in the County of Sussex Cooper the sum of One Shilling to be paid to the said Thomas Briggs within six months next after my decease if the same shall be demanded Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann Oelson of Goreing in the County aforesaid the sum of One Shilling to be paid to the said Ann Oelson within six months next after my decease if the same shall be demanded Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Milham of Hendfield in the County of Sussex the sum of One Shilling to be paid to the said Mary Milham within six months next after my decease if the same shall be demanded Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson John Briggs of Hendfield in the County of Sussex the sum of One Shilling to be paid to the said John Briggs within six months next after my decease if the same shall be demanded And all the rest residue and remainder of my goods and Chattells rights and reditts whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my Loveing wife Mary Briggs of Horsham aforesaid and Doe ordaine the said Mary Briggs to be Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament And I doe hereby revoke and make void all former Wills by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I the said William Briggs to this my Last Will and Testament my hand and seal hath putt this two and twentieth day of December in the tenth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord William the Third Over England Anno Dom 1698 William Briggs Witness John Hindly Law: Swaine
Contributed by Lisa Smith, transcribed by Ros Dunning, taken from the website of Mandy Willard. STC1/30/736
Transcript - WSRO.