11-0724-457_SirWilliamRous_1743
In the name of God Amen. I WILLIAM ROUS of the Parish of Clapham in the County of Surrey[1] do make this my last Will and Testament hereby annulling and revoking all former wills by me heretofore made in manner and form following that is to say I do in the first place resign my soul to Almighty God to whose most gracious providence I owe my creation and preservation with a sure and certain hope through the merits of my Redeemer to obtain a remission of my sins and through and through the mercy of God eternal salvation; my funeral I leave to the discretion of my Executor desiring it may be private and decent and that the Court of Aldermen and Directors of the East India Company may have rings as usual. Item; I give and bequeath unto my dear and beloved Wife Ann Rous the sum of five hundred pounds to dispose of as she shall think fit and also the sum of two hundred pounds per annum to be paid for by my Executor quarterly viz. fifty pounds every quarter as also the use of what plate and furniture of my house at Clapham that she shall choose. Item; I give to my Sister Ann Rous fifty pounds per annum during her natural life. Item; I give and bequeath to my Nephew John Rous eldest Son of my Brother Thomas Rous deceased the sum of forty pounds per annum during his natural life to be paid to himquarterly. Item; I give to the four daughters of my Brother Francis Rous who died at Fort St. George in the East Indies the sum of five hundred pounds to be equally divided between those that shall live to the age of sixteen yearsand in case either of them should die before the age of sixteen years in such case her share shall be divided between the survivors which shall arrive to that age. Item I give to my Brother James Rous of Wootton Underedge in Gloucestershire one hundred pounds per annum during his natural life to be paid him quarterly. Item; I give to each servant that shall be living with me at the time of my decease the sum of five pounds to buy them mourning. Item; I give and bequeath to my Godson William Rous the eldest son of my Nephew Thomas Rous the sum of one thousand pounds to be paid him at the age of twenty one years. Item; I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my estate whatsoever to my Nephew Thomas Rous whom I do hereby appoint my sole Executor and residuary Legatee. Witness my hand this eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty one – William Rous
Affidavit (29/3/1743)
Appeared personally Marshe Dickinson of the Parish of St Thomas the Apostle, London, Gentleman and Robert Hampshire of the same Parish undertaken and severally made oath that they these deponents know and were well acquainted with Sir William Rous Knight late one of the Aldermen of the City of London but at Clapham in the County of Surrey deceased and have often seen him write and thereby became well acquainted with his manner and character of handwriting and subscribing his name and they those deponents having now severally viewed and perused the paper writing hereunto annexed purporting the last Will and Testament of the said deceased beginning thus “In the name of God Amen. I William Rous of the Parish of Clapham in the County of Surrey” and ending thus “Witness my hand this eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty one” and thus subscribed “Wm Rous” they those deponents so verily believe the said Will or Testamentary Schedule beginning and ending as aforesaid and the subscription thereto to be totally wrote by and with the proper hand of the said deceased – Marshe Dickenson Robt Hampshire – same day the said Marshe Dickenson Robert Hampshire were sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me – Robt Chapman Surrogate
Probate (29/3/1743) – This will was proved at London the twenty ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty there before the Worshipful Robert Chapman Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipful John Bettesworth Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Thomas Rous Esquire the Nephew of the deceased and sole Executor named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased being first sworn duly to administer the same.
[1] Sir William Rous was knighted on January 18th 1736-7, whilst Sheriff of London, at St James’s on the occasion of an address from the Lord Mayor and Court of the City of London congratulating the King upon his safe return from Helvoetsluys
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