Dated 1886

Draft Will

Of Mr John Ross

Of Dordon in the Parish of Polesworth

In the County of Warwick

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Ross of Dordon in the parish of Polesworth in the county of Warwick brick and tile manufacturer In the first place I direct payment of all my just debts liabilities general and testamentary expenses I appoint Michael Glover Atkins of Tamworth solicitor and Daniel Bailey of Dordon aforesaid brick and tile maker trustees and executors hereof I give devise and bequeath the messuage in which I now reside together with the garden and appurtenances belonging thereto or occupied or enjoyed therewith and also all my household furniture plate linen china horse carriage harness and the good chattels and effects which may be in or about the house and premises which I shall occupy at the time of my decease unto my wife Elizabeth for her life for her sole and separate use without impeachment of waste And I direct my trustees to insure the same against damage by fire and restore and keep the same in good order and repair out of a sum to be provided for the purpose from the rents or proceeds of sale of my other estate And after the death of my said wife I direct that the real and personal property hereinbefore mentioned shall be sold and converted into money and the proceeds shall fall into my residuary estate and be divided and paid in like manner as such residue is disposed of I confirm the settlement made in contemplation of my marriage with my present wife in all other respects and declare that the whole of my real and personal Estates shall be subject to the trusts and charges thereby declared and created And that the trustees of this my Will may raise the money thereby settled out of my real and personal Estates by receipt of the rents and profits or by sale or mortgage or in any manner and at such time or times and generally as they in their uncontrolled discretion shall think best and most expedient And I direct my said executors to keep a separate account of my personal estate and after the death of my said wife to pay out of such portion thereof as may be legally bequeathed for charitable purposes the following charitable legacies namely to the trustees of the Independent Chapel at Polesworth £100 To the trustees of the Independent Chapel at Baddesley Ensor £100 To the vicar of Polesworth on behalf of the Church of England Chapel at Dordon aforesaid £100 To the trustees of the Methodist Free Church at Dordon £100 To the trustees of the Methodist Free Church at Birchmoor in the parish of Polesworth aforesaid £50 To the trustees of the Methodist Free Church on the Watling Street Road in Baddesley Ensor aforesaid £50 And I direct that the receipts of the said vicar or trustees as aforesaid shall be effectual discharges to the trustees for the time being of this my Will for any legacy payable as aforesaid And I also direct that the charitable legacies hereinbefore given are to be considered and used by the vicar and trustees aforesaid as trusts for the permanent benefit of the church and chapels aforesaid and that the money should be invested and the interest or income thereof only used as a permanent endowment fund in each case And subject to the hereinbefore mentioned charges liabilities and bequests so far as the same can be legally made subject thereto I give devise and bequeath all my freehold houses lands hereditaments and premises situate at Dordon aforesaid and all my real and personal Estates and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto the said Michael Glover Atkins and Daniel Bailey and the survivor of them and the heirs executors and administrators of such survivor their or his assigns upon trust to sell

(copy from the old will where marked in pencil)

And after the death of my said wife I direct that the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will shall pay to my granddaughter …. Bassett a legacy of £400 provided she shall be living at the decease of my said wife but if she shall be then dead leaving issue such legacy of £400 shall be paid to or amongst such issue or if she shall have died without leaving any issue then such legacy of £400 shall be paid to my other granddaughter Sarah Ann the wife of William Blower or in case she shall survive my said wife or to her issue if she shall be then dead leaving issue And as to all the residue and remainder of such trust monies I direct the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will to pay and divide the same unto and equally between and amongst such of my brothers and sisters as may be living at my decease

(copy from old will)

I authorise and empower my said trustees if they shall have any surplus monies in their hands at any time to apply the same or any part thereof in payment or part payment of any legacy or share of residue given by this my Will entirely as they in their uncontrolled discretion may think fit and without being obliged or compelled to do so it being my desire to give them full discretionary power with regard to all matters relating to the trusts of this my Will