In
the name of God Amen. I Michael
Hemingway of Heckmondwike in the County of York Clothier being sick in body but
of sound mind, memory and understanding praised be God for the same do make and
declare this my Last Will and Testament in manner following. I give devise and bequeath all my Estate
both Real and Personal unto my dear and loving wife Betty Hemingway for and
during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease
I give devise and bequeath the same
in
manner following. That is to say all
that leasehold dwelling house with its appurtenances situate in Dewsbury Moor
in Dewsbury in the said County I give and bequeath the same unto my son Samuel
Hemingway his executors and administrators and assigns and in case it shall be
more or less in value than his equal share with the rest of my children then he
shall in either case abate or be advanced.
Also I give and devise unto my
son Samuel all that stand in the Covered Cloth Hall at Leeds in the said County
his heirs and assigns for ever. But in case his son Michael shall be brought up
a clothier then I give and devise the same unto him the said Michael his heirs
and assigns forever. Also I give and
bequeath unto my said son John Hemingway the legacy or sum of sixty pounds of
lawful British Money to be paid to him within twelve months next after the decease
of my said wife Betty which shall be his full share of my whole estate and
effects whatsoever. Also my will and
mind is and I do hereby order and direct that my executor hereafter named shall
as soon as may be after my decease call in and receive all the monies owing to
me at the time of my decease and place out the same at interest upon good
security or securities and the interest arising there of to be applied to the
sole use and benefit of my said wife Betty during her life as aforesaid And
from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath the same and all the
rest residue and remainder of my personal estate not herein before given and
disposed of after payment of all my just debts, legacy and funeral expenses
unto my daughter Hannah, wife of John Smith, and my daughter Elizabeth, wife of
Richard Clarkson share and share alike.
And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said wife Betty, my
said son Samuel and my said son John, joint executor and executors of this my
Last Will and Testament. In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of March One
thousand seven hundred and eighty eight
The mark and seal of Michael X
Hemingway signed sealed delivered and published by the said Michael Hemingway
as and fro his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who at his
request and in his presence have
subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Jer’h Pearson, James Keighley and Henry Gouldthorp
[Supplied
and Transcribed by Sal Gouldthorpe]