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Wills & Probate Documents

Transcripts of Wills or Probate Documents for the following people can be found below;

What will they tell us ?

Where they exist a Will or Probate record can often add considerably to our knowledge of the ancestors we never knew. Unfortunately many people failed to write a will, but where they do exist they can be the key to unlocking information that would never appear elsewhere. This information might include;

Caution!

Wills and Probate documents often lack the names of all family members you might expect to see mentioned. Often the first born son may have had property, such as the family home, transferred to him prior to a Will being written and so may not be mentioned within it.

Take a deep breath before starting to read as the text is usually bereft of normal punctuation!

Transcripts

The Wills and Probate documents found so far are variable in their legibility or readibility being often written in old english or latin script. The following transcripts are based on copies of the original documents currently in my possession. By double clicking on the persons name below a new browser page/tab will open displaying their family group within the family tree or relevant Griffith Pedigree. NB Where no firm identification has currently been made of precisely which family tree or pedigree applies the will is reproduced for interest only.

 

Owen Holland - Buried at Eglwys Bach Parish Church 4th April 1634

Eglisbach
T[estamentum] Oweni Holland
[Will of Owen Holland]

In the name of God, Amen, the eight daie of May anno domini 1632.
I, Owen Holland, of Erethlyn, in the Countie of Denbigh, and within the Dioces of St Asaphe, gent., considering my great yeares, weaknes, feeblenes of bodie and infirmities, and that death is th’end and dissoluc[i]on of all flesh, and the houre thereof most uncertaine,
Doe now, in the time of my perfect sence and sane memorie (for which I give God thank[es]), Renouncing all other former wills and Testaments, make this my last will and Testament in maner and forme following, that is to saie,
First I commend my soule to the hand[es] of the allmightie God, the father, sonne and holie ghost, with full confidence through the death and passion of Christ Jesus my savioure and redeemer, after the end of this mortal lief, to be partaker with the elect of life everlasting,
And my earthlie bodie I committe to the earth from whence it came, to bee buried in Christian buriall within the parish church of Eglwysvach, toward[es] the reparac[i]on of w[hi]ch church I geve and bequeath two shillings.
Item I geve, devise and bequeath unto Grace Holland my Daughter one Rent chardge of fiftie shillings by the yeare of lawfull money of England, issueing out of all that and those mesuage, tenemente and land[es], with th’appurten[au]nc[es], in Erethlyn aforesaid in the said Countie, now in the possession and occupac[i]on of one Thomas ap John ap Richard or his underten[au]nt[es] or assignes, payeable at the feast Daies of Phillip and Jacob the apostles, and St Michael the archangell, yearlie, by even and equall porc[i]ons,
And one other rent chardge of five shilling[es] and fower pence by the yeare of lawfull English money, likewise issueing and goying out of all that and those one other mesuage, tenement and land[es], with the appurten[au]nc[es], in Erethlyn aforesaid in the said Countie, called by the name of Nant y Rhacklaw, now in the possession of Jane Holland widdow, or of her undertanant[es] or assignes, payeable upon the said feast daies in sort aforesaid,
To have, hold, receave, perceave and enioye the said sev[er]all annuities or yearlie Rent chardge of fiftie shilling[es] and five shillings and fower pence to her, the said Grace Holland, and to her heires and assignes for ev[er].

Item I geve and bequeath unto my graunchild Elizabeth v[er]ch Piers one heiffer and foure sheepe.
The rest and residue of all and singuler my good[es], cattells, chattells, housh[o]ld stuffe and substance, my debt[es] paied, my funerall[es] dischardged and my wifes p[or]c[i]ons thereof ded[uc]ted, I geve and bequeath unto my said daughter Grace Holland,
And her, the said Grace, I doe make, constitute, appointe and ordaine to be sole Executrix of this my last will and testament.
In wittnes whereof I, the said testator, have hereunto putt my hand and Seale.
Dated the daie and yeare first within written.

                                                                             Owen Holland

Read, published, sealed and subscribed in the p[rese]nce of
Edward Thomas Cl’re [? a form of clerigwr, clergyman]
William Holland
Humffrey Foulke

Will of Owen Holland, 1632 -Testamentary Processes

A faithful collation having been made, the copy agrees with the original will.

                                                                   Thomas Draycot,
                                                                   Deputy Registrar.

At Llanelwey, on the 6th day of May in the year of our Lord 1634,
Before Master John Gruffith, Clerk, surrogate etc,
This will was proved, And administration of the goods of the said deceased was committed to Grace Holland, the natural and lawful daughter of the said deceased, and the sole executrix named in the said will, She having been first sworn,
Saving etc [the right of any person whomsoever].

For an inventory by the next [feast] of Michaelmas [St John the] Baptist

On the day and year aforesaid the Lord, at the petition of the executrix aforesaid, who alleged etc,
Decreed the original will of the deceased to be withdrawn for her, and the same executrix took the same, and in faith and witness she subscribed her mark here.

                                                                                      X
                                                                   the mark of the said executrix

… …
… …erts
… Roberts

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Owen Holland - Buried at Eglwys Bach Parish Church 1684

In the name of God Amen the thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred and eighty four I Owen Holland of Eglwysbach in the County of Denbighshire being in poor health and memory praise be given to the Almighty God for the same and be desirous to dispose of this worldly estate which hath pleased God far above my desire to bestow upon me so as may be neither a trouble to me when I shall be visited with sickness or occasion of difference after my death among my children and kindred and knowing the uncertainty of this life that all flesh must yield unto death when it shall please God to Call do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following

First and principally I commend my soul to Allmighty God my Saviour and redeemer by whom and through the mouth of Jesus Christ I trust and believe assuredly to be saved and to have full remission and forgiveness of all my sins and my body to the earth from where it was taken to be buried in righteous and Christian burial as so my kindred shall bee thought meet and convenient.

Whereas by an indenture bearing date the five and twentieth day of May in the three and twentieth year of the reign of our Lord Charles the second [1671/2] by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the faith be between Robert Wynne of Voylas in the County of  Denbigh Esq.  Robert Holland of Pennant in the said County Gent Owen Holland of Eglwysbach in the said County Gent William Holland of Eglwysbach aforesaid in the same County Gent son and heir apparent of the said Owen Holland and Gwen verch Rees of Eglwysbach aforesaid in the said County widow mother of the said Owen Holland of the one party and Rice Anwil of Garthgarmon in the said County Gent and William Wynne of ye Abbot in the said County Gent of the other party That among other things in the said Indenture specifies there is this proviso.

Provided further that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Owen Holland by his deed or deeds or Last Will and Testament in writing either of them to be signed and sealed in the presence of three credible witnesses or more to charge all the said two closes or parcels of ground being part of the premises called Gaye Hugh Lewis ** any sum or sums of money not exceeding the sum of thirty pounds in the whole for the preferring of his children by Margaret his now wife to be paid ** in three years next after the decease of the said Owen Holland in such manner and form as such time or times as the said Owen Holland by such his deeds or Last Will and Testament in writing shall limit or appoint and for default of payment thereof accordingly that then the said fine shall be enure [become of advantage] for and touching the same Closes called Gaye Hugh Lewis and the cognisees therein named and their heirs by virtue thereof shall stand and be thereof seized to the use and  behoofe [fit, or proper ] of such of the said last mentioned younger children and their heirs for whose benefit the same charge shall be until the sum or sums wherewith the same Closes shall be so charged as aforesaid be fully satisfied and payed and from and after the same payment then to such uses as hereby before limited for and touching the same anything before to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding as by the said Deed will more fully appear

Now I the said Owen Holland in pursuance and execution of my said power and for the better preferment of my younger children do hereby charge all the said two closes or parcells of ground called Gaye Hugh Lewis with the sum of thirty pounds to be paid within three years after my decease as is herein after expressed that is to say unto my son Thomas Holland the sum of current English money item unto my son Owen Holland the sum of four pounds of the like current English money item to my son Piers Holland the sum of four pounds of the like current English money item to my son Jeffrey Holland the sum of four pounds of the like current English money item to my daughter Jane Holland the sum of seven pounds of the like current English money I do constitute and appoint my worthy and wellbeloved friend Mr David Lloyd of  Bodnod in the County of Denbigh Gent to be overseer of this my last will and testament to see legacies bequeathed be duly paid unto my above named children and I do constitute and appoint my loving brother Thomas Davies of Braniarth in the County of Montgomerie Gent to be an assistant unto the above named Mr David Lloyd to see that the *** poor orphants be righted and I do likewise constitute and appoint my above named loving son Thomas Holland to be sole executor of this my last will and testament to see payed legacies accomplished and my funeral expenses discharged .

In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord 1684.

 

Owen Holland signed sealed published and acknowledged in the presence of

Humphrey Holland
David Jones
Robert Lloyd

 

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Owen Holland - Buried at Llangelynin Parish Church, Carnarfonshire Abt 1729 - Will

In the name of God Amen: The 31 day of May 1729 I Owen Holland of Carreg y Dynas in the Parish of Llangylynin and County of Carnarvon being sick and weak of body but of good and sound understanding praise be God for it, do make my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

First I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God as unto a faithful creatour hoping for salvation in and through the merits of my ever blessed saviour Jesus Christ only and my body to be buried in the aforesaid Parish Church.

I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Catherine Holland the bedstead and blankets and white ******* that is in the lower chamber.

I do give and bequeath unto my sons Hugh Holland now in city of Bangor the bed which I do lie in with one blanket and the ? chest that is in the lower chamber in the Great House. I do give and bequeath unto my son in law Hugh Holland of ****** the little red mare and the little brass pot.

I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane Holland one shilling and I give and bequeath unto Catherine Roberts and Hugh Roberts two of my Grand Children one shilling a piece.

I give and bequeath unto 4 of my Grand Children by Hugh Holland and my daughter Elin one shilling a piece.

I do make and appoint my Grand Child Mary Burgess to be my sole executrix of this my last Will & Testament after paying off all legacies and charges that I now owe.

In witness whereof I have here unto set my Hand & Seal.

Signed sealed published and declared the day and year before written

Owen Holland

In the presence of;

Thomas Hughes (his mark),

Rowland Ellis (his mark) &

John Parry.

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Owen Holland - Buried at St Michael's Church, Newmarket Flintshire on 30th June 1775 - Will

This is the last Will and Testament of me Owen Holland of the Parish of Newmarket in the County of Flint Tobacconist that is to say I give and bequeath unto my Grandchild Prudence Jones the Feather Bed and Bedstead which I usually lie on and

I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary the Wife of John Jones the Use of all the Rest Residue and Remainder of all and singular, my Goods Chattels and Personal Estate of what Nature or Kind serves for the Term of her natural Life and from and after her Decease

I give and bequeath the same Rest Residues & Remainder of my Personal Estate to and among such Children of my said Daughter Mary as will be living at the time of her death share and share alike for ever freed & absolutely discharged from all my Debts AND as for and concerning my Messuage Land and Premisses situate in the said Parish of Newmarket

and all other my Real Estate I give and devise the same with their and every of their Appurtenances unto my Sons Thomas Holland and Joseph Holland and their Heirs in Trust that they or the Survivor of them or the Heirs of such Survivor shall as soon as conveniently may be after my Decease sell aliene and dispose of the Same for the best price that can be reasonably had and that by and with and of the Money arising by the Sale thereof all my just Debts be in the first place paid and discharged together with the necessary Expenses attending the Execution of the Trust hereby reposed in my said Sons

and as to the Overplus or Remainder of the Money arising from the Sale of the aforesaid I bequeath to my son John Holland Twenty Shilling thereof and I bequeath to my son Thomas Holland Twenty Shillings and to my said son Joseph Holland thereof and I bequeath unto my Daughter Alice the wife of John Thomas Twenty Shillings thereof and after Payment of all my said Debts Expenses and four last mentioned Legacies I give and bequeath the then Rest and Residue of the said Money arising from the Sale aforesaid to & among all my Children and the Issue of such of my Children as will be then dead such Issue to take as by Representation & not per Capita to be equally divided between all & every of my Children and such Issue of my deceased Children in Manner aforesaid

And I nominate my said Daughter Mary Executrix of this my will & hereby revoke all my former Wills In Witness whereof I have hereto set my Hand & Seal the thirtieth Day of December in the Year of our Lord 1774.


Owen Holland


The foregoing Will contained in this Sheet of Paper was signed and sealed published and declared by the said Testator Owen Holland as and for his Last Will and Testament in the Presence of Us three who in the Presence of him the said Testator & each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto.

 

                                      John Evans of Bagillt
                                      Thomas Davies of Uwch Glan in Whitford
                                      S Small

NB that the Ten Words were interlined before Execution.

May 31st 1775

The Executrix in this will named was then personally sworn well & truly to perform the same according to Law

                                      Before me

 

                                      Evan Williams

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Owen Holland 1729 - 1802 - Probate Application for Administration

NB. An application of Administration occurs where the deceased has not left a will and therefore dies intestate. A member of the family usually applies for what is called "Letters of Administration" to allow them to legally dispose of the deceased's estate. The transcript below is of a printed pro forma with spaces for handwritten content. The handwritten text is italicised in bold.

Know all Men by these Presents, that we Joseph Holland of Llanasaph in the County of Flint Miner and Edward Jones of the same place Miner and John Holland of Newmarket in the same County Miner are holden and firmly bound unto the Right Reverend Father in God Henry Williams by divine Permission, Lord Bishop of Chester, in the sum of five hundred pounds, of good  and lawful money of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and Ireland, current in the said part of the said Kingdom called England, to be paid unto the said Right Reverend Father, his lawful attorney, executors, administrators, or assigns: To which payment to be well and truly made, we bind ourselves, and every of us, severally, for and in the whole, our heirs, executors, and administrators, and the heirs , executors and administrators of every of us , firmly by these presents .

Sealed with our seals, and dated the twenty seventh day of August in the forty second year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the Third, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, and in the year of our Lord God, one thousand Eight hundred and two.

The Condition of this Obligation is such that if the above bounden Joseph Holland the natural and lawful Brother and one of the next of kin of him and

of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of Owen Holland late of the City and Diocese of Chester yeoman Bachelor deceased

do make or cause to be made, a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to the hands, possessions, or knowledge of him the said Joseph Holland or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for his use and the same , so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of the Consistory Court of Chester at or before the twenty seventh day of January next ensuing: And the same goods, chattels, and credits and all other the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased, at the time of his death, which at any time after shall come to the hands or possession of the said Joseph Holland or into the hands and possessions of any other person or persons for his use do well and truly administer according to law; and further do make or cause to be made, a true and just account of his said administration, at or before the twenty seventh day of August which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three and all the rest and residue of the said goods, chattels, and credits, which shall be found remaining upon the said administrators account, the same being first examined and allowed of by the judges for the time being of the said court, shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively, as the said judge or judges, by his or their decree or sentence, pursuant to the true intent and meaning of an act of parliament , made in the two and twentieth and three and twentieth years of the reign years of the reign of his late majesty King Charles the second, entitled, An Act for the better settling of Intestates Estates, shall limit and appoint.

And it shall hereafter appear, that any last will and testament was made by the said deceased, and the executor or executors therein named, do exhibit the same into the said court making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly, if the said Joseph Holland above bounden, being thereunto required, do render the said letters of administration, (approbation of such testament being first had and made in the said court) then this obligation be void and of none effect, or else to remain in full force and virtue.

Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of

James Pope
Joseph Holland his mark
Edward Jones his mark
John Holland his mark

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Edward Holland - Buried at St Mary and St Beuno Church, Whitford, Flintshire 16th November 1840

In the name of God Amen. I Edward Holland of Glol in the parish of Whitford in the county of Flint do hereby make this my last will and testament.

First of all I make and appoint John Littler of the Cottage in the parish of Whitford aforesaid my sole executor and trustee of this my will.

I bequeath also all my property of every description both real and personal to John Littler aforesaid in trust for the sole use and benefit for my beloved wife Ann Holland and her heirs for ever.

I direct that after my executor John Littler shall have given full possession of all my effects and property to my wife Ann Holland aforesaid, she shall have full power to will and bequeath it in such a manner as she shall think best after my death, between those of her children as shall behave themselves to her satisfaction. My wish is that she shall then make a just will.

Should any doubt be made or dispute arise to the meaning of this my last will I direct that John Littler aforesaid be empowered to settle any disputes that may arise in such a way as he shall judge as being best or right respecting this my will.

Signed sealed and delivered on the 17th Day of September 1840 by the above named testator Edward Holland by means of his mark.

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us

Richard Briscoe
Peter Roberts
Charles Wilson Heaton

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Joseph Parker - Buried Holy Trinity Church, Heath Town, Woverhampton 10th May 1860

This is the last will & testament of me Joseph Parker of Wolverhampton in the county of Stafford, Cooper,

I direct the payment of all my just debts funeral and Testamentary Expenses out of my personal Estate as soon as convenient after my decease and after payment thereof I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Charlotte Parker all my Household Furniture linen plate china and all other effects in or about my Dwellinghouse and all other my personal Estate, absolutely,  but for her personal and separate use and free from the debts control and engagements of any future husband she may marry and her receipt alone shall be sufficient discharge for any money payable to her under this my will.

I give and devise unto George Empson Story of Wolverhampton and Edwin Berkley of Princes End, all those my three messuages and tenements situate in Canal Street in Wolverhampton and all other my Real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever upon the trusts following (that is to say) upon trust to allow my wife Charlotte Parker during her life and Widowhood to receive the rents issue and profits thereof and after her decease or second marriage to sell and convert the same into money by Public Auction or Private Contract and after payment of the costs incurred in such sale or sales to pay and divide the same  unto and equally amongst my children  then living and the issue of such of them as shall be dead such issue taking only the share or respective shares to which his her or their parent would have been entitled to had they been living And in case any of my children shall die in my lifetime or the lifetime and widowhood of my wife without leaving issue then the share or respective shares of the child or children so dying shall be divided equally amongst the surviving children or child –

And I do hereby declare that any money payable to any female under this Will shall be for their sole and separate use and free from the debts control and engagements of any husband they may marry or have married. I appoint the said George Empson Story and Edwin Bentley Executors of this my Will. I revoke all former Wills.

Dated this second day of January 1860.

Signed by the Testator Joseph Parker in the presence of (not legible) in his presence at his request and in the joint presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Henry Langman. Attorney Wolverhampton

Henry Dumbell. Clerk to Mr Langman

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