In the name of God Amen I Robert Braby of Amberley in the County of Sussex cordwainder being weak in body but of sound mind memory and understanding revoking and making nul and void all former and other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made do make and declare my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say). First and principally I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God. My body I committ to the earth to be decently buried. And dispose of my worldly estate as follows (to wit). First my will is that my debts and funeral expences be first paid and discharged. And whereas I have this day surrendered into the hands of the Lord of the Mannor of Amberley in the County of Sussex aforesaid all and every my customary or copyhold lands tenements hereditaments and premisses with their and every of their appurtenances lying and being within and held of the said Mannor to the use of my last Will and Testament. Now in pursuance of the said surrender I give devise and bequeath all that my messuage or tenement garden plott and nine acres of land (more or less) with the appurtenances lying in Amberley within the Mannor aforesaid held by the yearly rent of xii iii unto my son Daniel Braby and to [his] heirs and assignes for ever according to the custom of the said Mannor. But my will is and I do hereby charge my said copyhold messuage or tenement garden plott and nine acres of land with the appurts with the payment of the several sums of money following (to wit). To my loveing wife Ann Braby three pounds per annum during the term of [her] natural life provided she continues a widow (but not otherwise) free from all deductions and defalcations whatsoever. Also to my two daughters Ann Braby and Sarah Braby the sum of twenty pounds apiece to be paid unto them when they shall attain to their respective ages of one and twenty years. But my further will and meaning is and I do hereby direct that my executor and executrix herein after named shall and may have and receive the rents issues and profits of my said copyhold messuage lands and premisses for the maintenance of my said wife and all my children (to wit) Daniel, Ann, Sarah and Thomas untill my said son Daniel shall attain to the age of one and twenty years. Also I give and bequeath unto my said wife all and every my household goods to use and enjoy during the term of her natural life provided she continues a widow (but not otherwise) and immediately after her decease or intermarriage which shall first hapen then I give and bequeath all my said household goods unto my said son Daniel Braby. And my further will is that my said wife shall and may have and enjoy my said copyhold messuage or tenement to dwell in so long as she shall continue a widow. And my further will and meaning is that my executors hereinafter named shall have and receive the rents issues and profits of all other my lands and tenements whatsoever for the use and benefit of my said wife and children untill my said son Daniel Braby shall attain to the age of one and twenty years provided my said wife continues a widow. Also all the rest and residue of my goods chattles rights credits and personal estate moneys due on bond mortgage or otherwise whatsoever and wheresoever (after my debts legacies and funeral expences are fully paid and discharged) I give and bequeath my said son Daniel Braby. And I do hereby make and appoint my said wife and my brother Edward Braby joint executor and executrix of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said Robert Braby the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the eighteenth day of December in the year of our Lord 1765. Robert Braby.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Robert Braby the testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have sett our names as witnesses hereunto. The mark of Richard Eede; Thomas Braby; J? Holmes
This Will was proved before Mr Robert Sandham, Clerk, Master of Arts, Surrogate &c on the twenty first day of June in the year of our Lord 1766 by the oaths of Ann Braby widow & relict and Edward Braby, brother of the deceased and joint exors named in his Will to whom &c well & truly &c sworn saving &c
Contributed by Steve Langridge.
Unknown.