In the name of God Amen I Arthur Myers of Felliscliff in the Parish of Hampsthwaite and County of York Linnen weaver being sick and weak in body but of sound mind memory and understanding (praised be God for the same) do make publish and order this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) first and principally I commit my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping thro' the Death and passion of our blessed Saviour and redeemer Jesus Christ to obtain pardon and remission of my Sins and as touching such wordly means as the Lord hath bestowed upon me Dispose of the same as follows
First I will that all my just Debts Legacies and Funeral expenses be paid and discharged by my Executors in trust hereafter nominated and appointed. And I give to my Grandchildren Thomas Myers Robert Myers and William Myers and to their heirs and assigns for ever all the Tythes of corn and grain arising out of the lands and Grounds in Felliscliff aforesaid the reversion whereof was given to them by their grandmother Isabel Myers
Also I give to my grandsons Robert Myers and William Myers aforesaid and to their Heirs and assigns forever all that my estate at Coldcoats in Felliscliff aforesaid (which I purchased of John Umpleby containing one messuage four acres and a half of land by estimation) with all hereditaments and appurtenances thereto belonging and also all the Tythes of Corn and grain arising out of the same.
Also I give to my nephew William Myers the sum of twenty pounds to be paid within one month after my grandson William Myers shall attain the age of twenty one years and I charge the aforesaid Estate with the payment of the same. And whoever I have surrendered or shall surrender the said messuage with the appurtenances to the use of this my last Will: My Will is and I hereby order and appoint my nephew William Hill and Jonathan Milner Trustees of this my last Will and to receive the rents and profits of the said premises untill my said grandsons shall each attain the age of twenty one years and to apply the same to their maintenance and education they being only paid for the trouble and expenses they shall be put to and whereas by an Agreement before marriage between me and my wife Elizabeth that my said wife Elizabeth was to have the yearly payment of three pounds in lieu of her thirds and all manner of claim to any part of my effects I hereby charge the said Copyhold Estate with the payment of the said Annuity All my goods and Chattels and personal Estate whatsoever I give unto the said William Hill and Jonathan Milner to be applied for the payment of my Debts and Funeral expenses and probate of this my Will and the overplus to go to my said grandsons Robert Myers and William Myers and in case my persoanl Estate should fall short in payment as aforesaid then I charge the said Copyhold Estate with the payment of so much as the said personal Estate should fall short of
And I hereby make constitute and appoint the said William Hill and Jonathan Milner Executors in trust of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me heretofore made In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand ans seal this fifteenth day of July in the second year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and in the year of our Lord 1762.
My will is yet if my said wife shall not enjoy all priviledges pursuant to the said Agreement before marriage yet ye said Estate shall stand charged with 20 shillings a year more both such payments to be paid to her half yearly.
Signed sealed published and declared by the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of Samuel Myers James Wardman W Simpson
Transcript of original document held at the West Yorkshire Archive, Leeds
Updated: 8 February 2007