| Content Description | Testator: Thomas Legh, esquire.
Requests that he be buried amongst his ancestors in the chancel of the parish church of Prestbury, Cheshire without unnecessary costs and at the direction of his executors.
Recites that his son Thomas Legh owes him on security of £1000. and directs that within six months of his death his son must enter into a bond of £2000. with the executors to not oppose his will or trouble any of the legatees; also instructs that any sons should not trouble Rev. George Newton, vicar of Prestbury either; states that if his son fails to keep these promises then the £1000. is to be divided equally between his sons Edward and Richard.
Gives to his son Richard Legh £100. and a capital messuage called Clumber [Nottinghamshire], with all buildings, lands, tenements and hereditaments.
Directs that his executors are to pay Mrs Wheeler £300. on trust that she will put it out in secure hands at interest, and that the interest will be paid yearly to his son Edward for life, and after his decease the said £300. and interest to his daughter in law (wife of Edward) and any children; makes provision that if Edward should survive his wife and children, then the money is in trust to pay to his executors; directs that Mrs Wheeler shall give his executors security on receipt of the £300.
Devises all his household goods, furniture and implements from his rooms in Prestbury, including his pewter and silver plate which is not expressly devised, to Mrs Redish, widow of John Redish, and directs that £500. be paid to her or her assigns within six months of his decease by his executors.
Gives to his godson Thomas Legh (son of his brother Peter) the sum of £500. secured by mortgage from Thomas Eyre; bequeaths to his granddaughter Mary (daughter of his son Richard) £500. out of the money that his son Richard owes him; the remainder of the money owing to him by Richard is be divided equally amongst his other grandchildren.
Devises to his son Edward Legh all his messuages and lands in South Kilworth, Leicestershire for life; bequeaths to the poor of Prestbury the sum of £20. to be distributed by the overseers of the poor; makes further specified bequests to the poor of named parishes; gives £3. a piece to all his servants resident with him ten days before his death.
After all debts, legacies and funeral charges have been paid, the residue of his personal estate to be divided as follows: one moiety to his daughter Mary, wife of Richard Legh and one moiety to his daughter Lucy Ashton in trust that she uses the interest for her own use so long as she remains in widowhood and unmarried; immediately on her marriage, her moiety is to pass to her daughters to be equally divided; gives £500. to his goddaughter (and granddaughter) Lucy Ashton to be paid from the remainder of his personal estate.
Appoints Lucy Ashton and Thomas Bagshaw as executors; appoints Sir John Arderne and Rutland Legh as supervisors and overseers of his will; devises £100. to Thomas Bagshaw for his undertaking to be exector.
Includes a memorandum dated 10 Mar. 1686; revokes the devise to his nephew Thomas Legh, and instead devises him £500. secured by mortgages by Thomas Eyre, with the proviso that if he does not reach the age of 21 he is entitled to the interest from the mortgage for maintenance, and if he should die before the age of 21, the money is to be given and equally divided amongst the other children of his brother Peter. |