In the Name of God Amen I David Harridge of Leigh in the County of Essex Butcher being sick in body but of sound mind and memory and purposed to dispose of all my Worldly goods in such Sort and manner as I would the same should be held and enjoyed after my Decease do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) And First whereas I have already given unto my Son John Harridge a full and proportionable part and share of my Circumstances I therefore only give and devise unto my said Son John Harridge half a Guinea to be paid him within one month next after my decease by my Executrix hereinafter named Also I give Devise and bequeath unto my Son Isaac Harridge one moiety or halfe part of all that my Sloop or Vessell comonly called or known by the name of the Isaac and Elizabeth and also one moiety or half part of the Oysters and Muscles now lying and being upon the Shore called Chalkwell Hall Shore belonging into Edmund Tyrell Gentleman upon his Express Condition only that my said Son Isaac Harridge do within one month next after my decease give unto my loving Wife Elizabeth Harridge a Bond with good and Sufficient Security to her own liking that my said Wife Elizabeth Harridge shall hold and enjoy to her own proper use the other Moiety or half part of my aforesaid Sloop or Vessell called the Isaac and Elizabeth and also the other Moiety or half part of the Oysters and Muscles now laid Stocked and Stored upon the aforesaid Shoares during the whole time and Term granted in the Lease thereof by the said Mr Edmund Tyrell (my said Wife Elizabeth Harridge paying her Equal half part and share of money to Store and Lay the same with Oysters and Muscles and the rent thereof and other incident[al] charges attending the partnership by me hereby intended to be carryed on upon the aforesaid Oyster Shoares between my said Son Isaac and my said Wife Elizabeth Harridge during the whole time and term in the aforesaid Lease granted for their equall benefitt and advantage and not otherwise [)] Also I give devise and bequeath unto my loving Wife Elizabeth Harridge all those my Severall Freehold and Copyhold Messuages or Tenements Lands and premisses situate lying and being in Leigh aforesaid in the said County of Essex and now in the Several Occupations of myself Isaac Harridge Francis Cavell and Thomas Clements for and during the Term of her naturall life without Impeachment of Wast for or in respect of want of repairs or otherwise and from and after the decease of my said Wife Elizabeth Harridge then I give Devise and Bequeath all my aforesaid Freehold and Copyhold Messuages or Tenements Lands and premisses with their and every of their appurtenances unto my loving Son Edward Harridge his heirs and Assigns forever Subject and chargeable with the payment of the sum of Forty pounds apeice thereout unto my four children David Harridge Elizabeth Harridge Mary Harridge and Thomas Harridge and the Survivor of them as soon as my said Son Edward Harridge shall have the possession of the aforesaid Freehold and Copyhold Messuages or Tenements Lands and premisses and my aforesaid four Children David Elizabeth Mary and Thomas Harridge shall have attained their Severall and respective age or ages of twenty one years all the rest and residue of my goods chattels ready moneys plate Stocks of Cattle and all other my reall and personall Estate whatsoever of what kind or denomination soever the same shall consist of (my Just Debts <???> Funeral Expenses and the maintenance of my Children untill they shall have attained their Severall and respective age or ages of twenty one years being thereout first deducted [)] I give devise and bequeath the same unto my loving Wife Elizabeth Harridge her Executors Administrators and assigns forever and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said loving Wife Elizabeth Harridge Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me heretofore made and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said David Harridge the Testator have hereunto sett my hand and Seal the first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three
David Harridge - read Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator David Harridge as and for his last Will and Testament at whose request and in his presence wee Subscribe our names as Witnesses hereto - Wm Johnson - Jon Knight - Tho Wheeler
Proved the Eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three before the Reverend George Morrison Clerk Master of Arts lawfull surrogate etc by the Oath of Elizabeth Harridge the Widow and Relict of the said Deceased and sole Executrix to whom Administration was granted she being first sworn duly to Administer