John Barwis of Southerfield; proved, 1744 (Photocopy)

"In the name of God Amen. I John Barwis of Southerfield in the parish of Holm Cultram & County of Cumberland being sick & weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say:

Whereas it is supposed that my wife Anne Barwis is now with child to me, I give and leave unto such child in * * all my freehold messuages and tenements situate lying and being at Langrigg in the parish of Bromfield & county aforesaid one moiety share of is now in possession of my father Robert Barwis of Langrigg aforesaid, this to continue so during his natural life. But if my said wife Anne should not prove with child I then give and leave all my freehold lands and tenements unto my brother Benjamin Barwis his heirs and assigns forever, provided that the said Benjamin Barwis * unto my said wife the sum of five pounds yearly and every year during her natural life to be issuing & going out of my freehold estate on condition the she resign her third of the estate.

Also I give & * unto my brother Joseph Barwis if living the sum of five pounds yearly and every year to be paid out of my said freehold estates aforesaid. This annuity of five pounds a year is not to be paid to my said brother Joseph Barwis ‘til the death of my father Robert Barwis.

But if my brothers aforesaid Benjamin & Joseph shall both happen to die I then give and devise my aforesaid freehold estate to my brother Timothy (my father Robert Barwis’ eldest son whom he had by his second wife) & he his heir forever to enjoy the same he or they paying the aforementioned sum yearly to my wife Anne for her third as a Dower.

Also if my wife Anne bear a child unto me I then make and ordain the said child to be my sole executor or executrice of this my last will and testament & all my goods and chattels whatsoever

And if the child die I then make and ordain my said brother Benjamin Barwis my sole executor

And do hereby revoke & make void all former wills by me made

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & seal the twenty-first day of November in the seventeenth year of the reign of our sovereign lord George the Second by the grace of God of Great Britain France & Ireland * and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred forty three.

John Barwis, his mark & seal

Signed sealed published and delivered by the said John Barwis as his last will and testament & by us attended at his request & in his presence John Voak sworn, John Ritson sworn Daniel Ritson sworn

Proved June 12^th 1744"