THE WILL OF LEONARD SIDGSWICK of Banckland in Kirthwaite in Dent in the Couty of York, yeoman, made the 23rd July 1687, in the third year of the reign of Our Sovereign Lord King James second by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland.
TO my eldest son Thomas Sidgswick all my whole farm, messuages, appurtenances thereto belonging situate at Banckland to enter into the same when he shall attain the full age of twenty two years, but if he shall die before he attains the age of twenty two years this legacy passes to my son John Sidgswick when he attains the age of twenty two years.
TO my two sons John and James Sidgswick equally between them all my whole farm, messuages, appurtenances situate at Gibshall when they shall attain the age of twenty two years. It is my will that if my son Thomas be able and have a mind to buy the said farm at Gibshall that he shall enjoy the same for the sum of one hundred and ten pounds, that is to say the sum of fifty five pounds apiece for my two sons John and James when they attain the age of twenty two years, and it is my will that the one moiety or half part of the said Gibshall given to my son John shall be equally divided amongst all my children and to be paid to every one of them when they severally come to the full age of twenty two years.
I give unto my son Thomas two cupbords, one table and other household goods.
I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Ellen and Elizabeth thirty ffive pounds to be paid when they attain the age of twenty two years.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Agnes fforty ffive pounds to be paid when she shall attain the age of twenty two years.
BUT it is my will that whereas my said children have certain sums of money of their own, formerly given to them by some other ffriends and relations, that such sums of money shall be part of their legacys or childs portions above given and bequeathed and shall be accounted in the making up and paying of their several legacys and filiall portions and my Executor and Executrix shall not be liable to pay any more money except so much as will make their own money to their severall legacies and childrens portions as before mentioned.
It is my will that if any of my children die before they come of age of twenty two years that the legacy or childs portions of that child or children be equally divided and paid to all the rest of my children (except to my daughter Alice) and to be paid to every one of them when they shall severally attain the age of twenty two years.
It is my will that if so many of my children die before they come to age of twenty two years that the surviving daughters portions do amount to above ffifty pounds apiece, then I will that my daughter Alice have her equal part and portions with the rest of all my children.
It is my will that my wife Alice have all the means and profits of all my lands and other goods for the maintaining and education of my children during the time of their severall minorities, but if it shall happen that my wife marry again or that she not be willing to maintain them or any of them or that and of my said children have no mind to live and abide with my wife during their minorities then it is my will that such children so departing from her, to live and maintain themselves, shall have their full legacy or filial portions immediately paid to them.
I DO make and appoint Thomas Haygarth of Crosshouse, Timothy Thistlethwaite of Hodgsons, John Sedgwick of Laithbank all in Kirthwaite in Dent and John Jackson of Casterton in the County of Westmorland, and I do give each and ever one of them ffive shillings apiece defraying them for thing herein performed according to my trust reposed in the Joyn'd Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament.
I DO make and appoint my wife Alice and my son Leonard, and to them I give and bequeath the rest and remainder of all my goods they paying and discharging all my debts legacies childrens portions and funerall charges and I do hereby revoke all former wills.
Signed : Leo. Sidgswick
In the site and presence of Myles Thistlethwaite, Tho. Haygarth, William
Haygarth.