Wills
SUSANNA SERCOMBE 1831
The 13 of June 1831
I Susanna Sercombe make this my last Will and Testament revoking all former Wills my first request is to be buried near my Mother and Sister that is should I die in Devonshire should I die in Somerset be buried there in the plainest manner possible and at the least expense to be buried in the clothes I die in be what they will to be kept ten days if possible from the dreadful fear I have of being buried alive whatever money I die possessed of to be equally divided between my brother Thomas Filmore Sercombe and my Nephew George Sercombe Luke after paying Mary Barnes Luke Wife of George Sercombe Luke five pounds I likewise give to George Sercombe Luke five pounds I likewise give to George Sercombe Luke my Bible Illustrious Sermons the Spectators and any other of my books he may think proper to take the remainder I give to the three Miss Westlakes I likewise give to George Sercombe Luke my Silver Coffee Pot and Stand a Box of China my Chest of Drawers my Bureau with a piece of Irish to make linen Shirts my Trunks Boxes Portmanteau with one large Basket and two small I likewise give to his son Thomas Luke my Gold Watch which I request he may be put in possession of immediately on my death I likewise give to Mary Barnes Luke all my rings Broaches Bracelets Necklaces likewise my real lace white veil with my net Cape not the one trimmed with lace three pair of Black Silk Stockings my Silk Umbrella Parasol with the black Stafford Lace in my Drawers and should I have a Gown not made up I likewise give her a small Ironing Box with two Irons and Ironing Cloth all of which I give her for her attention and kindness for me and her love for George who was ever dear to me the rest of my clothes to be divided between the three Miss Westlakes except my White Veil and the Cape with lace round it which I give to Dorothea Westlake my Red Leather Work Box I give to Mary Westlake my fur Tibbet to Eliza my brother’s picture set in Gold to Dorothea Westlake with my mother’s Wedding Rings which I hope she will value for my sake my Mahogany Bed which George sleeps in at Mr Barrett’s with feather Bed Bolster and pillows and the looking Glass in the parlour which is also mine I give to Mr Barrett for his life after his death to George Sercombe Luke should my Brother die before me I give the whole without reserve to my ever dear George Sercombe Luke
[signed:] Susanna Sercombe
June 13 1831
all of these my requests I trust will be most religiously attended to
[signed:] Susanna Sercombe
Witnessed by me THOMAS BARRETT
In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
In the Goods of Susanna Sercombe deceased
12th Oct. 1831
Appeared Personally
Philip Burnett of Lincoln’s Inn in the County of Middlesex Gentleman and made Oath that he knew and was well acquainted with the said Susanna Sercombe of the City of Exeter afterwards of Heavitree near Exeter in the County of Devon but late of West Camel in the County of Somerset Spinster deceased for some time before and to the time of her death and during such his knowledge of and acquaintance with her has frequently seen was with and was thereby well acquainted with her manner and thereafter of hand writing and subscriptions and having now carefully viewed and perused the paper & writing hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last Will and Testament of the said deceased which begins thus “The 13th June 1831
I Susanna Sercombe make this my last Will and Testament revoking all former Wills” ends thus “I give the whole without reserved to my ever dear George Sercombe Luke” and thus subscribed “Susanna Sercombe” having the following words written under the said Will “June 13 1831 All of these my requests I trust will be most religiously attended to Susanna Sercombe” this Appearer saith that he verily and in his conscience believes the whole body series and contents of the said Will beginning ending and subscribed as aforesaid with the writing and subscription under the same and forming part thereof to be all of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said Susanna Sercombe Spinster deceased and of no other person or persons whom soever
[signed:] Philip Burnett
Same day the said Philip Burnett was duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit
Before me = I. ADDAMS
G.S. NICHOLSON
On the 14th October 1831 Administration with the Will annexed of the Goods Chattels and Credits of Susanna Sercombe formerly of the City of Exeter afterwards of Heavitree near Exeter in the County of Devon but late of West Camel in the County of Somerset Spinster deceased was granted to the Revd George Sercombe Luke the lawful Nephew and one of the persons entitled in distribution of the residue of the Personal Estate and Effects undisposed of by the said Will having been first sworn by Commission only to administer there not being any Executor or Residuary Legatee named in the said Will Thomas Filmore Sercombe the natural and lawful Brother and only next of kin having first renounced the Letters of Admin with the Will annexed as by Acts of Court appear
[Transcribed by Jane Sercombe Lewis]
I Susanna Sercombe make this my last Will and Testament revoking all former Wills my first request is to be buried near my Mother and Sister that is should I die in Devonshire should I die in Somerset be buried there in the plainest manner possible and at the least expense to be buried in the clothes I die in be what they will to be kept ten days if possible from the dreadful fear I have of being buried alive whatever money I die possessed of to be equally divided between my brother Thomas Filmore Sercombe and my Nephew George Sercombe Luke after paying Mary Barnes Luke Wife of George Sercombe Luke five pounds I likewise give to George Sercombe Luke five pounds I likewise give to George Sercombe Luke my Bible Illustrious Sermons the Spectators and any other of my books he may think proper to take the remainder I give to the three Miss Westlakes I likewise give to George Sercombe Luke my Silver Coffee Pot and Stand a Box of China my Chest of Drawers my Bureau with a piece of Irish to make linen Shirts my Trunks Boxes Portmanteau with one large Basket and two small I likewise give to his son Thomas Luke my Gold Watch which I request he may be put in possession of immediately on my death I likewise give to Mary Barnes Luke all my rings Broaches Bracelets Necklaces likewise my real lace white veil with my net Cape not the one trimmed with lace three pair of Black Silk Stockings my Silk Umbrella Parasol with the black Stafford Lace in my Drawers and should I have a Gown not made up I likewise give her a small Ironing Box with two Irons and Ironing Cloth all of which I give her for her attention and kindness for me and her love for George who was ever dear to me the rest of my clothes to be divided between the three Miss Westlakes except my White Veil and the Cape with lace round it which I give to Dorothea Westlake my Red Leather Work Box I give to Mary Westlake my fur Tibbet to Eliza my brother’s picture set in Gold to Dorothea Westlake with my mother’s Wedding Rings which I hope she will value for my sake my Mahogany Bed which George sleeps in at Mr Barrett’s with feather Bed Bolster and pillows and the looking Glass in the parlour which is also mine I give to Mr Barrett for his life after his death to George Sercombe Luke should my Brother die before me I give the whole without reserve to my ever dear George Sercombe Luke
[signed:] Susanna Sercombe
June 13 1831
all of these my requests I trust will be most religiously attended to
[signed:] Susanna Sercombe
Witnessed by me THOMAS BARRETT
In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
In the Goods of Susanna Sercombe deceased
12th Oct. 1831
Appeared Personally
Philip Burnett of Lincoln’s Inn in the County of Middlesex Gentleman and made Oath that he knew and was well acquainted with the said Susanna Sercombe of the City of Exeter afterwards of Heavitree near Exeter in the County of Devon but late of West Camel in the County of Somerset Spinster deceased for some time before and to the time of her death and during such his knowledge of and acquaintance with her has frequently seen was with and was thereby well acquainted with her manner and thereafter of hand writing and subscriptions and having now carefully viewed and perused the paper & writing hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last Will and Testament of the said deceased which begins thus “The 13th June 1831
I Susanna Sercombe make this my last Will and Testament revoking all former Wills” ends thus “I give the whole without reserved to my ever dear George Sercombe Luke” and thus subscribed “Susanna Sercombe” having the following words written under the said Will “June 13 1831 All of these my requests I trust will be most religiously attended to Susanna Sercombe” this Appearer saith that he verily and in his conscience believes the whole body series and contents of the said Will beginning ending and subscribed as aforesaid with the writing and subscription under the same and forming part thereof to be all of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said Susanna Sercombe Spinster deceased and of no other person or persons whom soever
[signed:] Philip Burnett
Same day the said Philip Burnett was duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit
Before me = I. ADDAMS
G.S. NICHOLSON
On the 14th October 1831 Administration with the Will annexed of the Goods Chattels and Credits of Susanna Sercombe formerly of the City of Exeter afterwards of Heavitree near Exeter in the County of Devon but late of West Camel in the County of Somerset Spinster deceased was granted to the Revd George Sercombe Luke the lawful Nephew and one of the persons entitled in distribution of the residue of the Personal Estate and Effects undisposed of by the said Will having been first sworn by Commission only to administer there not being any Executor or Residuary Legatee named in the said Will Thomas Filmore Sercombe the natural and lawful Brother and only next of kin having first renounced the Letters of Admin with the Will annexed as by Acts of Court appear
[Transcribed by Jane Sercombe Lewis]