In the name of God amen I John Smith of the Parish of Aston in the County of Hertford Yeoman being (I thank God) of Sound perfect and Disposing Mind Memory and Understanding Do make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner following (That is to say) First I Give Devise and Bequeath All that my Coppyhold Cottage or Tenement with the Barns Outhouses and Appurtenances thereunto belonging scituate and being in the Town of Stevenage in the said County of Hertford now in the Tenure or occupation of Richard Farr or his Assignes (and which I have surrendered to the use of my Will) unto my Brother George Smith and to his Heirs and Assignes for ever, Also I Give Devise and Bequeath unto my loving wife Mary Smith All that my Freehold messuage or Tenement with the Barns Shops Outhouses Buildings and other Appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging scituate and standing in Tylers Street in the Town of Hitchin in the aforesaid County of Hertford and late in the Tenure or Occupation of John Lyles or of his Undertenants or Assignes To hold the same unto the said Mary my Wife and her Assignes for and during the Terme of her Naturall Life and from immediately after her Decease I Give Devise and Bequeath my said Freehold Messuage or Tenement and premises with the Appurtenances unto my Brother William Smith and to his Heirs and Assignes for ever Item I Give and Bequeath unto my said Brother William Smith the Sume of Ten pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to him by my Executrix hereinafter named out of the Personal Estate I shall Die Possessed of within six months next after my Decease Item All and Singular my Household Goods and Household Stuff Good Chattells Cattle Stock in Farming Debts to me owing and ready money Security and Securities for money and all other my Personal estate of what nature kind or Quality soever or wherever (after my just Debts the above Legacy of Ten pounds to my said Brother William Smith and my Funerall Expences are thereout first paid and Discharged) I Give and Bequeath unto the said Mary my Wife Whom I do make Constitute and Appoint Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament thus Revoking and making void hereby all and every former and other Will and Wills by me at any time or times heretofore in any wise made or Declared Do Declare this to be my last Will In Witness whereof I the said John Smith the Testator have to this my Last Will and Testament Sett my Hand and Seal the Fourth Day of June in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven Hundred and Fifty three
The mark of John X Smith (seal)
Signed sealed Published and Declared by the above named John Smith the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us and attested by us in his presence and at his request
John Bennett
Benjamin Shrimpton
Simon Dove Cl[er]k to Mr Runnington
Proved &c. and Little Munden 18 June 1853 before the Rev[eren]d Robert Carter Clerk Master of Arts Surrogate of the Worshipfull Timothy Neve Doctor in Divinity Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon &c. by the Oath of the Executrix &c. To whom was Granted Ad[ministrati]on &c. being first Sworn &c. Saving &c.
