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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: jedidiah on Friday 15 November 19 08:45 GMT (UK)

Title: Will from 1796
Post by: jedidiah on Friday 15 November 19 08:45 GMT (UK)
Would be very grateful for any help transcribing this; sorry it is a bit longer than usual requests on here, but I'm absolutely awful at reading old handwriting.
Thanks in advance for any help!


Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: Greensleeves on Friday 15 November 19 08:53 GMT (UK)
First part:

Susannah Woodward
of John Street Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford widow
being of sound understanding do make this my last Will
and Testament  hereby revoking all former Wills and
Testaments at any time before made by me  I desire that
all my debts may be discharged as soon as possible after
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: Greensleeves on Friday 15 November 19 09:08 GMT (UK)
Whole document:

Susannah Woodward
of John Street Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford widow
being of sound understanding do make this my last Will
and Testament  hereby revoking all former Wills and
Testaments at any time before made by me  I desire that
all my debts may be discharged as soon as possible after
my decease and that my body may be buried in a
[decent?] but not expensive manner  I give and bequeath
to my only Child Susannah Morrison all my property
in the funds and every other property I am possessed
of and I do appoint my said daughter Susannah
and her husband Robert Morrison to be the Executors to
this my last Will and Testament which I have signed
Sealed and delivered the ninth day of September
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and ninety two   Susannah Woodward  Witness Farmer
Jackson  Wm Woolley
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: jedidiah on Friday 15 November 19 09:11 GMT (UK)
Thank you so much @Greensleeves for helping me with that!  :) 
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: goldie61 on Friday 15 November 19 09:13 GMT (UK)
I'd agree with 'decent' Greensleeves.
(I'd got it all written out, but you just pipped me to posting it!  :) )
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: jedidiah on Friday 15 November 19 09:31 GMT (UK)
Ah thank you too goldie61 .. I wish there was an option that I could buy you both a coffee on here!
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: jedidiah on Friday 15 November 19 10:15 GMT (UK)
Can I be very cheeky and ask for help with one more 🙏
I've gotten most the first part of it as thehandwritingg is a lot clearer, but the second part I can't

William Morrison, of this parish of St Mary Lambeth, a gentleman do ?? and appoint this ??? as my last will and testament and i do hereby revoke and ?? disavowal all former wills by ?? made it is my will that my son Robert Morrison be my sole Executor, and that ?? fifty pounds of lawful money of ?? to my sister?
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: Karen McDonald on Friday 15 November 19 11:03 GMT (UK)
Hi,

I see:

William Morrison, of this parish of St Mary Lambeth, a gentleman do (constitute?) and appoint this (instrument?) as my last will and testament and i do hereby revoke and (or disannul?) all former wills by (me made). It is my will that my son Robert Morrison be my sole Executor, and that (he gives) fifty pounds of lawful money of (Great Britain) to my sister

...but I'm no expert, so let's see what the others say.  :)

Best regards,
Karen
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: jedidiah on Friday 15 November 19 11:45 GMT (UK)
Thank you! I think that clears up most the first part - I was totally perplexed by what is now obviously 'Great Britain'

The second part seems to start with the name of the sister which looks like Martha Morrison.
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: JenB on Friday 15 November 19 12:15 GMT (UK)
Martha Morrison in one Month after my decease Item I
leave my best pair of spectacles to Mrs Ridman of Newgate
Street and a Mourning Ring to Mr Sleeck and to Mr Bedford
wrote all in my own hand this 4th day of December 1777
Title: Re: Will from 1796
Post by: jedidiah on Friday 15 November 19 12:26 GMT (UK)
Thank you JenB!!
Think this is done now; thanks again everyone for your help this morning :)