Category Archives: Wills

1852 Phillis Bown Thomason

11-2146-0623_PhillisBownThomason_1852

In the name of God, I Phillis Bown THOMASON, widow of Edward THOMASON, Knight, now residing in the Borough of Warwick, and being of sound mind, and blessed be God for it, do hereby make this my last will and testament of me, the said Phillis Bown Thomason, that is to say, I give and bequeath to Henry Richard Yeoville, Architect, of the Borough of Birmingham, and to his brother George Yeoville, Artist, of the Borough of Birmingham, two out of the five natural or reputed natural children of my only son, Henry Botfield THOMASON, and their heirs, executors and administrators, all my freehold messuages and land at Great Malvern, in the County of Worcester, part of them in the occupation of J O Bridges, and other tenants, and my freehold estate at Great Malvern called Hayes Barr, namely, the house, stabling, out offices and land now or late in the occupation of Mr Yeend and Mrs Yeend, late Miss Belcher, and also those my freehold messuages, tenements and manufactory etc., in Church a Street, Birmingham, in the tenancy of George Thomas Whitgraves and George Richmond Collis, and also all that my messuage, warehouse, stable and outbuildings in Colmore Row and Church Street in the occupation of Langstone Parker, Surgeon, and also all that my messuage, tenement and outbuildings in Colmore Row in the occupation of Mr Barney, and also all that my messuage, dwelling house and outbuildings at the corner of Colmore Row and Church Street in the occupation of Mrs Dobson, and also all that my messuage, shopping, etc., in Colmore Row in the occupation of Mrs Granvers, and also all that my messuage and shopping in Great Charles Street in the occupation of Mrs Cobley, and also all that my messuage and shopping adjoining Mrs Cobley’s, now in the occupation of Mr Burgass, and also all that my messuages with the appurtenances at the corner of Caroline Street St.Paul’s now in the occupation of Mr (Duchemin), and also all those warehouses, shopping, etc., in Catherine Street St Paul’s, now in the occupation of Mrs Sarah Pit, and also all that my messuage and outbuildings situate at the corner of Great Charles Street and Newhall Street Birmingham, now in the occupation of Mr a Freer, Surgeon, and also all that my other real and personal estate and all monies, securities for money, shares in various companies, goods, chattels and all my other personal property and effects, of which I may be possessed or entitled to at the time of my decease, to hold the same unto the said Henry Richard Yeoville and his brother George Yeoville, their heirs, executors and administrators, upon the trusts following, that is to say: all the dwelling houses or tenements in Birmingham herein named are not to be sold, but kept at rental until the leases expire, and the rents and proceeds after paying the expenses of repairs to be divided into five shares to the five residuary legatees in manner hereinafter named, that is to say, all the other parts of my property in trust, except the houses above named, shall be as soon as conveniently may be after my decease sold if it is desirable so to do, either by auction or by private sale, except such specific articles as I may give or bequeath by my will or by my codicil or codicils to this my will, and the money received from the sales of my property shall, after the executors have paid off all my just debts and funeral expenses and all the trust and probate duty hereby created, shall out of the monies that have been reserved from rents, dividends, shares of companies and proceeds from any of my property which they may have thought proper to have sold, proceed to pay the following legacies, that is to say, to my sister Anne THOMPSON, wife of Benjamin THOMPSON, residing at No. 24, St Nicholas Church Yard, Newcastle on Tyne, the sum if fifty pounds; to my sister Elizabeth GORDON to pay her fifty pounds; also to my sister Emily WHATELEY to pay her the sum of fifty pounds – Benjamin Thompson of Newcastle on Tyne knows the direction to my sisters Mrs Elizabeth Gordon and Mrs Emily Whateley; I also give and bequeath to Sarah Braine, the faithful servant of my dear departed husband, if she be alive at the twelve months after my death, the sum of twenty pounds; I also give and bequeath to my husband’s niece now resident at Copenhagen the sum of three hundred pounds if she be alive at twelve months after my death, to be paid to the Reverend Charles COVEY in trust for her, and his receipt shall be an effectual discharge for the same; I also give and bequeath to the Rev. Charles Covey the sum of one hundred pounds if he shall be alive twelve months after my decease; and I direct and I hereby appoint that Henry Richard Yeoville and his brother George Yeoville shall be executors and shall stand possessed of all my monies and property of every sort and denomination except such articles as I have given away, either by my will or codicils, Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville  to be in trust for the five persons whom I shall hereinafter name, and the said Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville are two out of the five persons to be residuary legatees by my will, that is to say, the five persons whom I have adopted, I believe to be the five children or reputed children of my only child, Henry Botfield THOMASON, and of my dear husband Edward Thomason, and the names of these five children are: Elizabeth StCLAIR, formerly Elizabeth Yeoville, Richard Henry Yeoville (sic), Adelaide YEOVILLE, George Yeoville, and Mary Ann YEOVILLE, and I hereby appoint the two brothers of this family to be my executors, and to stand in trust for one fifth  for each of themselves and one fifth part for each of their three sisters out of what becomes to be the residue of my property after paying my debts, legacies and bequests named in my will or in my codicil that I may make, and these five named persons, and they shall be tenants in common subject nevertheless to one moiety or equal half share of their fifth part to their two older sisters, Elizabeth and Adelaide, and one fifth of the entire share of Mary Ann Yeoville to the trust hereinafter declared concerning the same, and I do hereby direct that the respective shares of the said Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville, and also one undivided moiety or equal half part of the shares of the said Elizabeth StClair and her sister Adelaide Yeoville shall be paid to them as soon as conveniently may be after my decease, and I direct my said trustees to stand possessed of the remaining moiety or equal half part of the respective shares of the said Elizabeth StClair and her sister Adelaide Yeoville and for their children in such manner and form and with such accompanying powers, provisions and declarations as they the said trustees in their discretion shall think proper, and I direct that the expense attending every settlement thereby directed or authorised to be made shall be paid and deducted out of the share to which the same persons shall relate, and I direct my trustees to stand possessed of the share of the said Mary Ann Yeoville and of and in the said trust monies in trust to invest the same in their names in the public funds  or government securities of the United Kingdom or on real or leasehold securities in England, and I empower them in their discretion to vary the investment from time to time for any other of the funds described, and I direct them during the minority of the said Mary Ann Yeoville to apply the whole or such part as they shall deem proper of the annual income of Mary Ann Yeoville’s share to be applied for her maintenance and education, and the accumulations of the unemployed income by investing the same in manner aforesaid, and to make the accumulations with the capital of Mary Ann Yeoville’s share due if she shall live to attain the age of twenty one years then the trustees shall pay to her one moiety or half part of her said trust monies and also pay her the accumulations thereof during her minority; and as to the remaining moiety or equal half part of and in the same monies, upon trust, to settle the same in such manner and at the like expense as is hereinbefore declared concerning Mary Ann Yeoville’s Money not to be subject to any husband but for her individual use as is in the case with her sisters, Elizabeth StClair and Adelaide Yeoville’s moiety, but in case the said Mary Ann Yeoville should die under the age of twenty one years without leaving any issues living at her death, for if she does not live but has issue, then her share of her property must go to her issue, but in case of her leaving no issue, then and in that case, that is if no issue of hers living at her death, then I direct her brothers, Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville, my executors, to stand possessed of the share or shares original and accruing of the said Mary Ann Yeoville in trust for the said Henry Richard  Yeoville and George Yeoville, Elizabeth St Clair and Adelaide Yeoville or such of them as shall be living at the time of her, Mary Ann’s decease or (…) in equal proportions as tenants in common and not as joint tenants, and it is proper that I shall name the companies I have shares in, which are alluded to in the former part of my will day at this time in January one thousand eight hundred and fifty, I have shares in the Birmingham and Staffordshire Gas Company, the Birmingham Banking Company, the Worcester Canal Company, the London and North Western Mail and the Birmingham Water Works, I have also a bond of Messrs Whitgrave & Collis which was at first four thousand pounds, two thousand pounds has been paid and two thousands are still owing to me by Messrs Whitgraves & Collis at the date of this my will; I have also a bond from Lady PINCHORN who is the mother of my daughter-in-law, which bond Lady Pinchorn is paying off by instalments of thirty pounds every Christmas, and which I permit her to do so long as I live out, at my death, Lady Pinchorn must pay the remaining part of the bond, whatever is not paid at my death into the hands of my executors by instalments of thirty pounds at each Christmas until the whole bond is paid off, and I do hereby direct that all purchasers of my property shall pay the monies for the same to my trustees and executors, and it shall exempt them from all responsibility by showing them the receipt for the same; in respect to the application thereof, as the receipt of my executors shall be a good and sufficient discharge for the same, and I further declare that my trustees and executors shall be at liberty out of the trust monies to pay all expenses incident to the execution of this my will and testament, written on six sheets of paper, and I also think it right  again to mention that I believe the five children therein named to be the natural children or reputed natural children of my son Henry Botfield Thomason, and therefore I have left to them all the freehold leasehold and personal property of every description and denomination which my dear husband in his will bequeathed to me, or property to which I may be in any ways entitled to, except things which I may have disposed of during my life or may have devised away by this my will or by any codicil or codicils to the above named five children, and I have named Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville as my executors and trustees for themselves and for their three sisters, and I therefore set my signature to this my will and testament this month of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty – Phillis Bown Thomason – signed by me, the said testatrix, and by her published and declared to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence, and in the presence of each other, all being present at the same time, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses – William Grubb, Edwin Gale

I Phillis Bown Thomason, the widow of the late Sir Edward Thomason, Knight, do write this and make it a codicil to my last will and testament, that is to say, I give and bequeath to Henry Richard Yeoville one of my iron chests which now contains the parchments, writings and papers relative to my property, that he may have the custody of the said parchments and papers as he is appointed to act with his brother George Yeoville as one of the executors of my last will, and also one of my residuary legatees, and he must, with his brother George Yeoville also appointed an executor of my last will, Act with him and as he is also one of the residuary legatees and he must with his brother have the care of the monies belonging to the trust, I also bequeath to George Yeoville my other iron chest for the purpose of his having in his custody my (niver) plate and my presents in diamonds, snuff boxes, etc., and all my jewellery of every description which I may not have disposed of during my lifetime by sale or otherwise, as he is appointed to act with his brother Henry Yeoville. I also bequeath to Henry Richard Yeoville my mahogany dining table which was formerly my son’s. I also give and bequeath to George Yeoville my mahogany library table which has two drawers and which was formerly my son’s; I also give and bequeath to Elizabeth St Clair, formerly Elizabeth Yeoville, my mahogany bedstead with the blue hanging and also the feather bed mattress, bolster, two pillows, four blankets and fringe quilt belonging thereto. I also give and bequeath to Mary Ann Yeoville my other brass bed and the (family) hanging, mattress, feather bed, bolster, 4 blankets and quilt belonging thereto. I also give and bequeath to Henry Richard Yeoville my silver tankard (it was formerly my son’s); I also give and bequeath to George Yeoville my silver sugar basin and cover and the silver label belonging to it. I also give to Henry Richard Yeoville my grand pianoforte; my music books must be divided among such of the two brothers and three sisters who practice on a pianoforte. I also give and bequeath to George Yeoville my seven bisque figures and groups with the seven glass covers for them, and the seven black stands for them (these seven were presented to me by the Marquis Genora of Florence. I have two bookcases; one of them is at Warwick and the other bookcase is at Peachfield House, but it must not be removed during the time Mr Budges is my tenant which he gives leave to that effect, I bequeath whichever of the two Henry Richard Yeoville makes choice of to him, and I bequeath the other of the two bookcases to George Yeoville; with respect to my books, I bequeath such part of them to be divided as Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville wish to retain, the brotherstaking it in turn to choose one sort and what books the bothers do not wish to retain must be sold to go to residue. I give and bequeath my diamond watch and the gold chain attached to it to Elizabeth St Clair, it was my son’s and she must never sell or part with either the watch or chain. I give and bequeath to Adelaide Yeoville my embossed gold watch and the embossed hook and chain. I also give and bequeath my small repeating watch to George Yeoville and a gold chain to it. I give and bequeath to Mary Ann Yeoville my plain gold watch and gold chain, and I give all my clothes laces and furs, etc., to be divided among Elizabeth St Clair and Adelaide Yeoville and Mar Ann Yeoville to  be divided in as equal shares as circumstances admit, each sister taking in turn to choose first of one article at a time until all are divided among them, and be it noticed and remembered that, although I am particular in mentioning my various property, it is very probable and most likely that I shall give much or most part of them away before my death, although many articles may still remain in my possession at my request by courtesy until I die, and want them no more. If Adelaide prefer the plain watch and a gold chain instead of the embossed watch and hook, she is to have it and then Mary Ann must have the embossed gold watch and gold hook.  The five brothers and sisters named herein I have adopted, they are my only dependants. I also give and bequeath to my sister Anne Thompson the family picture painted in oil of our parents  and five of their children – Anne is the youngest of us in that picture; and I also give her the portraits of our Grandfather and Grandmother, these two pictures are hers for her life only, and at Anne Thompson’s death I bequeath them to Anne’s eldest daughter and to that daughter’s descendants. I also give and bequeath to the Rev. Charles Covey the oil portrait of my ever dear husband as an heirloom to continue in his family; I also give to Charles Covey the likeness of his Grandfather Thomason, I also give to Charles Covey another oil portrait intended for my husband, but it is so bad that, at the particular order of my husband and myself, Charles Covey must have it burnt and destroyed as soon as possible after the decease of my husband and of myself. I also give and bequeath to the Trustees of Queen’s College at Birmingham my shield of faith which was designed and caused to be manufactured by my ever dear husband; it is in a mahogany case wi5 a plate glass before it, and I bequeath it on condition that it shall be placed in the Chapel of Queen’s College over the communion table, and to remain as a fixture at the altar of Queen’s College Chapel. The shield is now in the care of Messrs Whitgraves and Collis in Church a Street, and those gentlemen must give it up and relinquish it to the Trustees of Queen’s College. This is the first codicil to my last will and testament, and to which I will set my handwriting – Phillis Bown Thomason – signed by the within named testatrix and by her published and declared to belong to her will and testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other all being present at the same time have hereunto subscribed our names – William Grubb, Edwin Gale

In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, in the part of Dame Phillis Bown Thomason, widow, deceased

Appeared Personally: William Grubb of the Parish of Malvern in the County of Worcester and made oath that he is one of the subscribed witnesses to the papers writing thereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last will and testament with a codicil thereto of Dame Phillis Bown Thomason, late of Warwick in the County of Warwick, widow, deceased, and referring to the said will and codicil, and observing the date of the said will, the same being as follows, to wit, ‘this month of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty, and the said codicil being without date, he the appearer further made oath that at the periods at which the said will and codicil were respectively executed, he the appearer was in the service of the said testatrix, but that the appearer cannot from any circumstance depose either from recollection or belief on what day in the said month of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty the said Will was executed by the said testatrix nor at what period the said codicil was executed by her save that the said codicil was executed by the said testatrix in the present year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one during the time she was resident at the residence in Warwick, and before she went in the month of April now last past to Malvern in the County of Worcester, where she died – William Grubb – on the first day of December one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, the said William Grubb was duly sworn to the truth hereof by virtue of the annexed Commission – before me: George Jenkins, Commissione

In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, in the part of Dame Phillis Bown Thomason, widow, deceased

Appeared personally: Henry Richard Yeoville of All Saints Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Architect, George Yeoville of the same place, Architect, and Edwin Gale of the Parish of Budbrook near Warwick, in the County of Warwick, Coachman to Lord (…) and (…) to the paper writing thereunto annexed, purporting to be and contain the last will and testament and codicil thereto of Dame Phillis Bown Thomason of Warwick in the County of Warwick deceased, the said will being dated the month of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty and the said codicil being without date partly and severally made oath, and first the said Edwin Gale for himself made oath that he is one of the subscribed witnesses to the said will and codicil, and that at the periods when the said will and codicil were respectively executed by the testatrix in the said month of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty but the particular day of such month this appearer cannot remember, and the said Edwin Gale further made oath that he is unable from any circumstances to depose at what particular time the said codicil was executed by the said testatrix, save that the same was executed by her some time in the latter end of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty residents in the early part of the present year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one prior to the time when she the said testatrix went from her residence at Warwick, to wit in the month of April last to Malvern, and this  appearer Edwin Gale further made oath that he was, the time of the execution of the said codicil to have been in the latter end of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty or the early part of one thousand eight hundred and fifty one from the fact that Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville came on a visit to the said Phillis Bown Thomason at Warwick very shortly after she had executed the said codicil which was the last visit they made to the said Phillis Bown Thomason while she resided at Warwick, and the said Edwin Gale further made oath that there was not any other person present when the same testatrix executed the said will and codicil SA e the appearer and William Grubb the other subscribed witness thereto, and the appearer s, the said Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville for themselves made oath that they are the executors named in the said will and codicil, and that they visited the said Phillis Bown Thomason at Warwick as deposed to by the said appearer Edwin Gale and that the date of such visit was on the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth day of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, and she then informed those deponents that she had been making a codicil to her will, allowing to the circumstances as changes it had very recently taken place and that after the  death of the said testatrix they found the said will and codicil in a (Bu..an) in the house of the testatrix at Malvern aforesaid, in which she kept her papers of moment and concern and that they have made and caused to be made diligent search and enquiry for any other will, codicil or testamentary instrument made and executed by the testatrix but have not discovered any such and they verily believe that the said testatrix did not leave behind any papers of a testamentary character other than the said will and codicil, and the said Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville further made oath that they have made and caused to be made diligent enquiry for the purpose of ascertaining the exact date at which the said will and codicil were respectively executed, but they have not been able to obtain any information whatever and they are ignorant of any circumstance by which the date of the execution of the said will and codicil can be more particularly fixed than that the said Will was executed sometime in the month of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty, and the said codicil sometime in the latter end of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty or in the early part of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, prior to the month of April last past, and the said Henry Richard Yeoville and George Yeoville made oath that the whole body, series and contents of the said will and codicil are in the handwriting of the said testatrix with which they are well acquainted having several times seen her write – Edwin Gale, Henry Richard Yeoville, George Yeoville – on the tenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and fifty one the said Henry Richard Yeoville, George Yeoville and Edwin Gale were sworn to the truth hereof by virtue of the annexed Commission – before me Henry Gales, Commissioner

Proved 1st January 1852

1804 Jane Thomason

11-1418-0368_Jane Thomason_1804

This is the last will and testament of me, Jane THOMASON of Stourbridge in the County of Worcester, widow. First it is my will and desire that all my just debts, funeral expenses and the expenses of proving this my will shall be paid, satisfied and discharged by my executors hereinafter named [as soon as may conveniently] be after my decease.  ITEM; I do hereby give and bequeath unto Mary TAYLOR of the parish of (Tasley) in the County of Salop, widow, niece of my late husband, the legacy or sum of one hundred pounds; also I hereby give and bequeath unto my two nieces Sarah HOBSON and Mary CORBETT, my nephew William Webb LANE and my two kinsmen John Noxon LANE and James LANE, sons of my (xxx) nephew John Noxon Lane the like legacy or sum of (one) hundred pounds only, and all [faded text] and effects of what nature or like so ever and wherever, I hereby give and bequeath unto my said two nieces, Sarah Hobson and Mary Corbett and my said nephew William Webb Lane in equal proportions, share and share alike, and it is my particular desire that my executors hereinafter named shall and lawfully may reimburse and indemnify themselves out of my said personal estate all such costs, charges and expenses which they or either of them shall or may sustain or be put unto in or about the execution of this my will, and that they shall not be answerable or accountable for any loss or diminution in such estate unless such loss or diminution be occasioned by or through their wilful neglect or default, and further that my said executors shall not be answerable the one for the other of them for the acts, deeds or defaults of the other of them, but each of them for himself and his own acts, deeds and defaults only; and lastly, I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my two friends, Francis Hobson of Courdsley and George Timmings of Birmingham, executors of this my will, and also hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the fourteenth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and three – Jane Thomason – signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testatrix, Jane Thomason, as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto: John (@x), Wm Hunt

Proved 14th November 1804 by Francis Hobson and George Timmins

1849 Sir Edward Thomason Kt

11-2103-0296_SirEdwardThomasonKt_1849

In the name of God, Amen, I Sir Edward THOMASON, Knight, residing at 50, Pultney Street, Bath and being in tolerable health and sound mind, blessed be God for it, I herewith certify that I make a will dated the twentieth day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, and also that the said Will was witnessed by William Grubb and Edwin Sale, and signed by me on the twenty-fifth day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, and also I subjoined or added a codicil to this said will dated May 16th 1847 say one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, and signed by me and witnessed the nineteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty seven, now I do hereby certify and declare that, for certain weighty and important reasons, and the difficulty I find in bequeathing my property to Institutions and certain individuals, and to give my dear wife as little trouble as possible, and as much power as may be for her comfort, I do thereby appoint and constitute my beloved wife Phillis Bown THOMASON my sole executrix to this my will and testament, and I do hereby further declare that I make null and void and of none effect any aforesaid will and codicil and all other wills and codicils that may be found dated prior to the day of the date of this instrument, and I do hereby solemnly declare that I give and bequeath the whole of my property of every kind and denomination whatsoever and wheresoever discovered, including all freehold estates and leasehold houses or estates, and all monies in the funds or out at interest, and all my (book) credits or debts and stock in divers places on sale and all my shares and interests in institutions as Canal shares, Gas shares, Fire shares, Waterworks shares, Railway shares and Mining shares and my Bank shares, all these together with my furniture, books, plate, jewels, wines, works of art, pictures, potentate and presents, I do hereby give and bequeath to my beloved wife Phillis Bown Thomason for her own interest, use and benefit, knowing as I do that I can place every confidence in her to follow out in her lifetime and by her will my intentions of which she is well acquainted. I hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven – Edward Thomason, Knight – witnessed by us and in the presence of each other to the signing hereof – John Downs, William Grubb

Appeared personally, William Grubb of Jury Street in the Parish of Saint Mary in the town and county of Warwick, Butler, and made oath that he is one of the subscribed witnesses to the last will and testament hereto annexed, bearing date the eleventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, of the said Sir Edward Thomason, formerly of Pulteney Street Bath in the County of Somerset, but late of the town and county of Warwick, Knight, deceased; and he further made oath that on the eleventh day of December aforesaid, the testator duly executed his said will by signing his name at the foot or end thereof in the presence of this appearer and of John Downs the other subscribed witness thereto, they being both present at the same time, and the said John Downs and this appearer, then attested and subscribed the said will in the presence of the said testator, and of each other – William Grubb– on the twenty-ninth day of October 1849, the said William Grubb was duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit by virtue of the commission thereto annexed. Before me Henry Donne Hilton, Clerk Commissioner

In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, in the Goods of Sir Edward Thomason, Knight, deceased:

Appeared personally, Dame Phillis Bown Thomason of Jury Street in the Parish of Saint Mary in the town and county of Warwick, widow, and made oath that she is the relict and sole executrix named in the last will and testament of the said Sir Edward Thomason formerly of Pulteney Street, Bath in the County of Somerset but late of the town and county of Warwick, Knight, deceased now hereto annexed bearing date the eleventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, and with reference to the following clause contained in the said will, to wit: “and I do hereby solemnly declare that I give and bequeath the I give and bequeath the whole of my property of every kind and denomination whatsoever and wheresoever discovered, including all freehold estates and leasehold houses or estates, and all monies in the funds or out at interest, and all my (book) credits or debts and stock in divers places on sale and all my shares and interests in institutions as Canal shares, Gas shares, Fire shares, Waterworks shares, Railway shares and Mining shares and my Bank shares, all these together with my furniture, books, plate, jewels, wines, works of art, pictures, potentate and presents, I do hereby give and bequeath to my beloved wife Phillis Bown Thomason for her own interest, use and benefit, knowing as I do that I can place every confidence in her to follow out in her lifetime and by her will my intentions of which she is well acquainted”, she this appearer further made oath that her acquaintance with the said testator’s intentions therein referred to was derived from verbal communication only – Phillis Bown Thomason – on the twenty-ninth day of October 1849 the said Dame Phillis Bown Thomason, widow, was duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit by virtue of the Commission hereto annexed – before me Henry Donne Hilton, Commissioner

Proved 3rd November 1849 by Dame Phillis Bown Thomason, widow, the relict and sole executrix

1847 Ann Thomason

11-2066-0482_AnnThomason_1847

In the name of God, Amen. I Ann THOMASON, Spinster, daughter of the late Edward and Mary Thomason of Birmingham, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, praise be Almighty God for it, do, for the settling and disposing of the effects which it has pleased God in his great goodness to bestow upon me, make this my last will and testament in manner following. First it is my will and desire that my body be buried after the same manner and in the same vault as my late beloved sister and my late beloved mother, and that all my just debts and funeral expenses  be punctually paid and discharged, and I give and bequeath the sum of fifty pounds to the poor men and women who go to St Philip’s Church, to be distributed to them in any way that one of the clergymen belonging to the church shall think proper. Also, I give and bequeath to my three cousins, Eliza FORD, Ann Sophia FORD, and Mary Frances FORD, the sum of one hundred pounds to be divided between them in equal shares; also, I give and bequeath to my cousin Ann WRIGHT, wife of William WRIGHT of Kingswinford the sum of [thirty] pounds; also, I give and bequeath to each of my undermentioned nephews and nieces the sum of one hundred pounds, namely to my nephew Edward COVEY one hundred pounds, to my niece Elizabeth WILLIAMS one hundred pounds, to my nephew Charles COVEY one hundred pounds, to my nephew Henry Botfield THOMASON one hundred pounds, to my niece Mary Fredericke THOMASON one hundred pounds, and to my niece Elizabeth Augusta THOMASON one hundred pounds. Also, I give and bequeath to my pious young friend and companion Elizabeth Brown, daughter of William Brown, the sum of five hundred pounds as a testimony of my great regard for her and high appreciation of her conduct she has administered much to my temporal and spiritual comfort, and I do desire that the above mentioned sum of five hundred pounds be paid to her my said friend Elizabeth Brown within three months after my decease. Also I give and bequeath to Ann Wadsworth, widow, of Lichfield Street the sum of ten pounds; also I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Bullock the sum of ten pounds for kindly minding my late dear mother dangerous illness, she living with us at that time as housemaid. Also, I give and bequeath to the servant that shall be living with us at the time of my decease five pounds. Also, I give and bequeath to the Child Sunday School of St Philip’s Birmingham ten pounds. Also, I give and bequeath fifty pounds to each of the undermentioned charitable institutions in Birmingham, namely, to the [ ] hospital fifty pounds, to the Dispensary fifty pounds, and to the eye infirmary fifty pounds. Also, I give and bequeath to each of my executors for their trouble the sum of one hundred pounds. And lastly, I give and bequeath all the residue and remainder of my property of every denomination whatsoever or wheresoever to be equally divided between my sister Elizabeth COVEY, my brother Edward THOMASON and my brother James THOMASON share and share alike. And I do constitute and appoint my brother Edward Thomason and my nephew Edward Covey to be joint executors of this my last will and testament, whereunto I do this day set my hand and seal this third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight – Ann Thomason – signed, sealed and declared by the said testator, Ann Thomason, for and as her last will and testament in the presence of us who, in her presence and at her request and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses: Mary Price, Frances Goodall, Ann Elizabeth Lenwood.

Whereas I have by my last will and testament given and bequeathed to my friend Elizabeth Brown the sum of five hundred pounds to be paid her within three months after my decease, and the said Elizabeth Brown is married to and is now the wife of (Leacroft) Freer of Birmingham, Draper, now I do hereby direct that in case the said Elizabeth, the wife of the said Leacroft Freer shall happen to depart this life in my lifetime, that the said legacy of five hundred pounds shall be paid to the said Leacroft Freer if living within three months after my decease, and if he also shall die in my lifetime, then I direct that the said legacy or sum of five hundred pounds shall be paid to the executors or administrators of the said Leacroft Freer within three months after my death, to be by them equally divided between and among the children of the said Leacroft Freer and Elizabeth his wife at their respective ages of 21 years, and in case any of them shall die under that age and without issue then the survivors to take the share or shares of the party so dying equally between them and, in case there shall be only one child living to attain 21 years or having lawful issue, then I give and bequeath the said legacy of five hundred pounds to such one and only child for his or her own use and benefit, and I do hereby declare this to be a codicil to my last will and testament. As witness I have set my hand the fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six – Ann Thomason – witness (Ann Hill)

Whereas I Ann Thomason in and by my last will and testament, bearing date the third of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, give and bequeath to my sister Elizabeth Covey, since deceased, one third part of the residue and remainder of my property, I do now will and direct that the same one third part as mentioned in my said will shall now be equally divided betwixt her children Edward COVEY, Elizabeth WILLIAMS and Charles COVEY, in witness whereof, I the said Ann Thomason do to this writing, which I thereby declare to be a second codicil to my last will, set my hand and seal this twenty-Second day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven – Ann Thomason

In the name of God Amen. I Ann Thomason, being of sound mind and understanding, praised be God for it, do hereby this 19th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty, make this third codicil to my will and testament, that is to say, I revoke the disposal of that part of my will and testament which relates to that portion of my property and interest in a freehold Estate at Smethwick in the County of Stafford now occupied by Jonathan Hasley as Tenant at the yearly rent of fifty pounds, and it is my will, (p…), will, meaning and intent that I hereby give and bequeath the whole of my right and interest in the aforesaid freehold estate to my eldest brother Edward THOMASON, Knight, entirely for his own use and benefit, and in case of his death before me then I bequeath my aforesaid interest in the said Estate entirely to my nephew Henry Botfield THOMASON, and my aforesaid eldest brother Edward Thomason, Knight has faithfully promised me that he will, after my decease, give unto my niece Augusta THOMASON yearly and every year during the term of her natural life the sum of twenty pounds lawful money of a Great Britain – Ann Thomason – witness my hand this 19th day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty, appended to my will by me: Mary Wheeler, William Collins

In my will and testament date the third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, I gave and bequeathed to my brother James Thomason of Norway, then living or to his executors, administrators and assigns, a certain portion of my property and effects after my decease to be remitted to him by my executors therein by me appointed, but as my said brother James Thomason of Norway has since or recently departed this life leaving behind him one only child, namely his daughter Elizabeth Augusta Thomason, Spinster, I do hereby declare in this my fourth codicil to my aforesaid will and testament, made by me and witnessed this eleventh day of November one thousand eight hundred and forty-one, that I revoke the aforesaid bequest or gift mentioned in my former aforesaid will and testament of all that portion of my property and effects left to my aforesaid brother James Thomason, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and I do hereby give and bequeath the same portion or part of my property therein mentioned to his only surviving child Elizabeth Augusta Thomason, my niece, after this manner, that is to say, that my executors of my aforesaid will therein appointed shall hold the amount so bequeathed, whatever it may appear to be, at interest for the benefit of my aforesaid niece, Elizabeth Augusta Thomason, during her natural life and that during her natural life the interest that may be (…) therein at a (…) and request that my aforesaid niece Elizabeth Augusta Thomason shall have the power to will away the principal at her decease to whomever she may be disposed to give it; and I do hereby authorise, desire and request that my executors so pay or cause to be paid all such remaining principal at the demise of my aforesaid niece, Elizabeth Augusta Thomason unto the person who may be hereafter named in her own will and testament made and signed by my aforesaid niece Elizabeth Augusta Thomason. In witness of this my fourth codicil I do set my hand and seal only witnessed this eleventh day of November one thousand eight hundred and forty-one – Ann Thomason – witness the signing hereof: Ann Elizabeth Palmer, Mary Wheeler

Whereas I Ann Thomason in my last will and testament bearing date the third day of June one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, did give and bequeath to my niece Mary Fredericka Thomason the sum of one hundred pounds, but since then she has departed this life, therefore as she the aforesaid Mary Fredericka Thomason is dead, it is now my will and desire that her sister, my niece, Elizabeth Augusta Thomason should have that hundred pounds that would have been Mary Fredericka Thomason’s if she had lived. Therefore, I do now give and bequeath to my aforesaid niece Elizabeth Augusta Thomason that hundred pounds as mentioned in my will as there and then bequeathed to my niece Mary Fredericka Thomason as she is dead. I think it quite right that her sister my niece the aforesaid Elizabeth Augusta Thomason should have it in addition to the sum of one hundred pounds left in my will to herself, the said Elizabeth Augusta Thomason, and I do hereby declare this to be a fifth codicil to my last will and testament. As witness my hand this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one – Ann Thomason – witness to the signing and sealing: Mary Wheeler, Elizabeth Plant

As my nephew Edward Covey, whom I had appointed one of my executors to my last will and testament is since dead, I do now hereby nominate and appoint his brother Charles Covey, Clerk, instead of him and do give him full power and authority to act as joint executor with my brother Edward Thomason, Knight, and do likewise give to each of them the sum of one hundred pounds for their troubles as I have before mentioned in my will. Witness my hand this sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-five – Ann Thomason – witness: Mary Wheeler, Elizabeth Plant.

Proved 24th December 1847

1844 Henry Botfield Thomason

11-1996-_HenryBotfieldThomason_1844

This is the last will and testament of me, Henry Botfield THOMASON of Mathon Lodge in the County of Worcester. I give and devise to Jane THOMASON such property as she brought to me on my marriage to her, her heirs, administrators and assigns. I give to Ephraim Clarke and Joseph White, formerly in my employ but now in the parish of Harborne, Staffordshire (   ) pounds… leave Sarah Clarke sole executrix of my will. The residue and remainder of my estate, both personal and real, I give and bequeath to Sarah Clarke of Harborne Staffordshire of whatever nature or sort so ever that may belong or come to me hereafter for life and then to return to my next of kin as heir at Law. Signed by the said testator in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses – Henry Botfield Thomason – April 10 1839 – John Davis, James Dean

Proved 15th March 1844 by Sir Edward THOMASON Knight and lawful father and next of kin of the said deceased

1747 John Noxon

11-0758-0020_JohnNoxon_1747

The seventh day of December one thousand seven hundred and forty four, I John NOXON of Great Shelsley in the County of Worcester, Gentleman, being weak of body but of sound and disposing mind and understanding, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and most principally, I give and recommend my soul to God that gave it, and my body I commend to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors I shall hereinafter nominate and appoint; and as for such worldly estate and effects it has pleased God to bestow upon me in this life, I give and dispose the same as follows.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my daughters, Ann NOXON, Hannah NOXON, Jane NOXON, Sarah NOXON and Elizabeth NOXON and Mary NOXON and to each and every of them the sum of two hundred pounds.  ITEM; I give unto my dear wife Mary NOXON all that my estate at Bayton in the County of Worcester being twenty pounds a year for and until my son Thomas NOXON shall attain the age of one and twenty years as also out of my estate in Great Shelsley in the said County of Worcester, I give unto my said wife the sum of thirty pounds a year for and in consideration that my said wife Mary Noxon shall resign and relinquish her jointure to my executrix at my decease, and I do give her my said wife to the value of one hundred pounds to Stock Bayton Estate and my will is that all the profits of the said Estate at Great Shelsley except as aforesaid shall be to the use of my five youngest daughters, Hannah, Mary, Jane, Sarah and Elizabeth Noxon until my son Thomas NOXON shall attain the age of four and twenty years, to be equally divided between them my said five daughters as aforesaid, and of this my will I make, ordain, constitute and appoint my daughter Elizabeth Noxon and Margery Webb of Great Shelsley aforesaid, Spinster, joint executrixes and do utterly revoke and make void all former and other will orcwills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written – John Noxon – signed, sealed, published and declared by the testator John Noxon in the presence of Charles Hornblower, Paul Jones, John Harbidge

Proved 13th November 1747 by Elizabeth Noxon, Spinster, the daughter of the deceased

1837 Elizabeth Covey

11-1877-0764_ElizabethCovey_1837

I, Elizabeth COVEY, widow, do make this my last will and testament. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth WILLIAMS, wife of James WILIAMS of Limehouse, Middlesex, the sum of three thousand pounds, which said three thousand shall be taken and received by her instead of an annuity of one hundred pounds charged on my estate by the will of my late husband which said annuity is to cease at my death. I also give and bequeath to my youngest son Charles COVEY the sum of three thousand five hundred pounds, which said sum of three thousand five hundred pounds shall be taken by him instead of an annuity of two hundred pounds charged on my estate by the forenames will, which annuity is to cease at my death. And after the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses then I give and bequeath all the residue and remainder of my estate of every description whatsoever and wheresoever to my eldest son, Edward COVEY to him and his heirs for ever, and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said two sons, Edward and Charles Covey and likewise my son in law James WILLIAMS executors of this my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I the said Elizabeth Covey have set and subscribed my hand and seal this twenty-ninth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six (1836)Elizabeth Covey – signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testatrix as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us as witnesses thereto – Ann (Hill), Ann THOMASON

Proved 13th May 1837 by Rev. Edward Covey, Rev. Charles Covey, the sons and Rev. James Williams, the executors

1834 William Covey

11-1827-0438_WilliamCovey_1834

I William COVEY of the Parish of Knockholt in the County of Kent, Surgeon, do hereby publish and declare this my last will and testament. I give and devise to my eldest son, Edward COVEY, Clerk, for his own use and benefit, all my share or interest in a certain estate situate at Smethwick in the Parish of Harborne in the County of Stafford with the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging. I also give and devise to my said elder son for his own use and benefit all the freehold messuage, lands and premises belonging to me in the Parish of Knockholt aforesaid with the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging. I likewise give and devise to my dear wife Elizabeth COVEY for her own use and benefit, subject only to payment of one thousand pounds at my decease and also of one hundred pounds yearly to my daughter Elizabeth WILLIAMS, wife of James Williams, Clerk, and furthermore subject to the payment of two hundred pounds yearly to my youngest son, Charles COVEY, Clerk, all the estates which are or shall be vested in me upon any trusts or by way of mortgage of which I have the power to dispose of them, my will with their rights and appurtenances. I also give and bequeath unto my said wife for her own use and benefit all my ready money, goods and personal effects, subject only to the payment of my just debts, funeral expenses and the charges of proving this my will in short with the overplus of my interest in the Smethwick Estate and my Estate at Knockholt both before devised. I give and bequeath to my said wife all my property of every kind, character and description, to which I am or may be entitled at my decease. And lastly, I do hereby appoint my said dear wife sole executrix of this my will.  In witness whereof, I the said William Covey have set my hand and seal this twenty-eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty – William Covey – signed, sealed, published and declared by the said William Covey as his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses: J Wilton, Thomas Franks, William Harrison

Proved 22nd February 1834 by Elizabeth Covey, the relict

1823 Mary Thomason

11-1675-0020_MaryThomason_1823

In the name of God, Amen, I Mary THOMASON, widow, of Birmingham in the County of Warwick, being in sound mind and memory, do in the disposing of the little property I am possessed of, which I have saved since I became a widow, do make this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say: first, I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah THOMASON and my daughter Ann THOMASON all money whatsoever and wheresoever that may be in my possession at the time of my decease; also I give and bequeath to my said daughter Sarah Thomason and my daughter Ann Thomason all money, interest of money, dividends and rents that may be owing and due to me at the time of my decease that is to say, I give to them whatsoever sum of money may be then due to me from (Old) Place for interest of fifteen hundred pounds on mortgages; also I give to them whatsoever sum of money may be then due to me  from Mr Thomas Allen for rent of the farm at Smethwick; also I give to them whatsoever sum of money may be due to me from my son Edward THOMASON for rent of his house and manufactory; also I give to them whatsoever dividends or money that may be then due to me from a share in the Birmingham Fire Office; and I also give and bequeath to them, my said daughters Sarah Thomason and Ann Thomason the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds now in the aforesaid Fire Office, which money I advanced to pay the (rents) on the above mentioned share in the aforesaid Fire Office, namely, a (call) of forty pounds June 3rd 1815, a call of forty pounds November 21st 1815 and a call of forty pounds March 9th 1815, and also should there be any rent due to me at the time aforesaid for the house No. 20, Colmore Row now since let to Messrs Hickman and Hutchinson, I give to them all money owing to me or that may be anywhere in my possession and all money, interest of money, dividends and rents whatsoever or wheresoever that may be owing and due to me at the time of my decease I do freely give and bequeath to my said daughters Sarah Thomason and Ann Thomason to be equally divided (between) them, for I think  it just and right that, as my said daughters live with me, they should receive and have the whole of my income to the day of my death, and also all my other property for my other children do not want it, and I do constitute and appoint my daughter Sarah Thomason and my daughter Ann Thomason executrixes of this my last will. In witness whereunto I have set my hand and seal this twenty-seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two – Mary Thomason – signed, sealed and declared by the said testator Mary Thomason for and as her last will and testament in the presence of us who in her presence and at her request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses: Elizabeth Gibbs, Sarah Carks

Though I have not mentioned in my will my household linen or the wine & liquors or other things belonging to me that may be in my house at the time of my decease, yet I think right that such things should be theirs; I mean that they should have them – Mary Thomason

My poor dear daughter Sarah Thomason being now dead, the whole of my property whatsoever and wheresoever heretofore mentioned in this my last will I do now give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Thomason; my will now is that my said daughter Ann Thomason should have it all, the whole of my property, all money that may be due to me at the time of my decease or in my possession, and all my other property whatsoever or wheresoever, I do now give and bequeath to my said daughter Ann Thomason. May 26th 1823. I do here this day set my hand and seal – Mary Thomason – witness Ann Wadsworth

I Mary Thomason, being of sound mind and memory, praised be God for the same, do hereby give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Thomason all my dear departed daughter Sarah’s overclothes and all other property whatsoever and wheresoever that was hers and now belongs to me. July 14th 1823 I set my hand – Mary Thomason – witness Ann Hadsworth, (xxx) here to my will that it should be firmly (xxx) all my share of poor dear Sarah’s property to AnnMary Thomason

Appeared PersonallyEdward Thomason of Birmingham in the County of Warwick, jeweller, and Phillis Bown THOMASON his wife, and made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with Mary Thomason late of Birmingham in the County of Warwick, widow, deceased for twenty years and upwards before and to the time of her death which happened as these deponents have been and believed on the nineteenth day of July last, and these deponents further made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with the said deceased’s manner and character of handwriting and of writing and subscribing her name, having often seen the said deceased write and also write and subscribe her name, and having now with care and affection viewed and perused the paper writing hereunto annexed, being or purporting to be and remain the last will and testament with three codicils thereunto annexed of the said deceased, the said will bearing date the twenty-seventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, and the first of the said codicils being without date and thus subscribed – ‘Mary Thomason’ – and the second of the said codicils bearing date the twenty-sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, and the third codicil bearing date July the fourteenth one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, they these documents, do verily and in their consciences believe the said recited will, codicils and subscriptions thereunto to be all of the proper handwriting and subscribing and to have been written and subscribed by the said Mary Thomason, widow, deceasedSir Edward ThomasonPhillis Bown Thomason – on the twenty-sixth day of August 1823, the above said Edward Thomason and Phillis Bown Thomason were duly sworn to the truth of the above-written affidavit before me, Thomas Chapman, Commissioner

Proved 28th August 1823 by Ann Thomason  

1794 Edward Thomason

EdwardThomason_1794

In the name of God, Amen. I Edward THOMASON of Birmingham in the County of Warwick, late Buckle Maker, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, praised be Almighty God for it, I do for the settling and disposing of the Estate and Effects which it has pleased God to bestow upon me make this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say, First, it is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral charges be punctually paid and discharged, and that my body be decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter named. Also, I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Evans THOMASON whom I had with my former wife the sum of two hundred pounds only to be paid him within one year after my decease, I having already given him the other part of the fortune designed for him which together with what is bequeathed to him by the will of his late Grandfather, John EVANS, makes him a handsome and sufficient fortune. Also, I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Edward PICKARD the sum of fifty pounds. Also, I give and bequeath unto my Granddaughter Mary PICKARD the like sum of fifty pounds. Also, I give and bequeath unto my Grandson James PICKARD the like sum of fifty pounds; as they are all three young to be paid them within one year after the death of my wife Mary THOMASON; and if any one or two of them should happen to die before the above mentioned time for the payment thereof then such share or shares to go unto the survivor or survivors of them; and it is my express will that neither my said son John Evans Thomason nor my said grandchildren Edward, Mary and James Pickard shall not at any time hereafter have the least pretence to have claim or take any part of my real or personal estate or effects of any sort kind or manner whatsoever or wheresoever (they) shall be to all intents and purposes entirely barred and excluded therefrom. Also I give and bequeath unto my said wife Mary Thomason the free use and enjoyment of all and singular my household goods, furniture, plate and linen for and during her natural life; and after her decease then my executors to sell and dispose of all such household goods, furniture, plate and linen, and the monies arising from the sale thereof to be equally divided amongst my five children whom I had by my present wife, namely: Elizabeth COVEY, Sarah THOMASON, Ann THOMASON, Edward THOMASON and James THOMASON, share and share alike. Also, I give and devise unto my said wife, Mary Thomason, all those my three small freehold messuages or dwelling houses, together with the outbuildings, two small farms, land and premises, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, situate or near Smethwick in the Parish of Harbourne and County of Stafford, and now in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Allen or his under-tenants, together with all ways, waters, watercourses and all privileges and appurtenances whatsoever to the said premises or any part or parts thereof belonging or in any wise appertaining, for and during the term of her natural life, and from and after the decease of my said wife then I give and devise all my said freehold messuages or dwelling houses, outbuildings and appurtenances whatsoever to the said premises or any part or parts thereof belonging in any wise appertaining, and the reversion, residue and remainder thereof unto and among my said five children, namely, Elizabeth Covey, Sarah Thomason, Ann Thomason, Edward Thomason and James Thomason equally, share and share alike, and to their heirs and assigns forever, to have and to hold as tenants in common and not as joint tenants. Also, I give and bequeath to my said wife Mary Thomason my two messuages or dwelling houses which are leasehold, situate and being in Colemore Row in Birmingham; namely, my house which I now live in with the warehouse, shops, stable and outbuildings thereunto belonging; also the house next adjoining, now or late in the tenure or occupation of William Hinchley with the outbuildings thereunto belonging and appertaining for and during her natural life, and from and after the decease of my said wife, then I give and bequeath all the two said leasehold messuages or dwelling houses with the warehouse, shops, stable and other outbuildings thereunto belonging and appertaining, unto and amongst my five children, namely, Elizabeth Covey, Sarah Thomason, Ann Thomason, Edward Thomason and James Thomason equally, share and share alike, to have and to hold to them, their executors, administrators and assigns for the remainder of my term of years, estate and interest therein. Also, I give and devise unto my said five children, namely, Elizabeth Covey, Sarah Thomason, Ann Thomason, Edward Thomason and James Thomason all those my six several freehold messuages, tenements or dwelling houses, situate and being in Newton Street and Lichfield Street in Birmingham, together with the outbuildings and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any way appertaining, and the reversion, residue and remainder thereof to be equally divided amongst them, share and share alike, and to their heirs and assigns forever, to have to hold as tenants in common and not as joint tenants.  Also, I give and bequeath unto my said five children, namely Elizabeth Covey, Sarah Thomason, Ann Thomason, Edward Thomason and James Thomason all my other leasehold buildings, messuages or dwelling houses with the outbuildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining, situate and being in Colmore Row, Church Street and Great Charles Street in Birmingham, for and during the whole term of my lease, estate and interest therein, to be equally divided amongst them, share and share alike, to have to hold to them, their executors, administrators and assigns. Also, I give and bequeath unto my said five children, namely, Elizabeth Covey, Sarah Thomason, Ann Thomason, Edward Thomason and James Thomason, all monies out at interest and all the rest, residue and remainder of my personal estate and effects of any sort, kind or nature whatsoever and wheresoever, to be equally divided amongst them, share and share alike. And, lastly, hereby revoking all former wills by me made, do nominate, constitute and appoint my wife Mary Thomason, my son a Edward Thomason and also my son James Thomason to be executrix and executors of this my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have to each sheet of this my will, the whole contained on two sheets of paper, set my hand and seal the twenty-first day of November (1793) in the thirty fourth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith and so forth, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three. Edward Thomason – Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Testator, Edward Thomason, for and as his last will and testament, in he presence of us and in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses: John Procter, Christopher Oughton, Samuel Westwood.

At Birmingham, the 20th November 1794, this Commission was duly executed and the said Mary Thomason, Edward Thomason and James Thomason, the executors aforesaid, were duly sworn according to the tenor and form of the above written oath by and before me – John Driscoll