This is the last Will and Testament of me Susan Harridge of Great Dunmow in the County of Essex Widow made the eighth day of January on the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and ten as follows (that is to say) I do hereby give and devise unto John Cavell Briggs of Great Dunmow aforesaid Wine Merchant and his heirs All those my Freehold Messuages or Tenements with the Outhouses buildings yards gardens and appurtenances thereunto belonging or now used occupied and engaged therewith with their and every of their Appurtenances situate lying and being in Great Dunmow aforesaid and now in my own Occupation, and in the occupation of Philippa Costoker Widow or our respective assigns To hold all and every the said premises with the appurtenances unto the said John Cavell Briggs his heirs and assigns for ever (Subject nevertheless) to an annuity or Weekly sum of Eight Shillings charged on the said premises by virtue of the last Will and Testament in writing of Mr Edward Harridge deceased my late husband and payable to my Brother in Law John Harridge weekly for the term of his natural life in manner in the said Will particularly mentioned. And I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Marshall Spinster who now resides with me the sum of One Hundred pounds of lawful Money current in Great Britain Also I give and bequeath unto my God-daughter Susan Marshall of Great Canfield in the County of Essex Spinster the sum of Fifty Pounds of like lawful money to my Neices (sic) Elizabeth Susan Patmore and Susan Harridge Patmore both of Great ?Eiston?in the County of Essex Spinsters the sum of Fifty pounds apiece of like lawful Money and to my Nephew Nicholas Patmore the like sum of Fifty pounds to be paid to them respectively by my Executor hereinafter named within twelve months next after my decease. And as to all the rest and residue of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore given and disposed of after payment of my debts. Legacies. My funeral Expences (sic) and the Charges of proving this my Will I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto the said John Cavell Briggs for his own proper use and benefit. And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said John Cavell Briggs sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament [next line all but unreadable but probably: In witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand and] seal the day and year first above written. Susan Harridge Signed sealed published and declared by the said Susan Harridge the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at her request have hereunto subscribed as Witnesses thereto in her presence and in the presence of each other Sarah Sole Toke John Gunn Nicholas Toke
Proved on the twelfth day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight before the Reverend Henry Lewis Clerk Surrogate &c by the Oath of John Cavell Briggs the sole Executor to whom Administration &c was granted he being first sworn duly to Administer
Notes: Nicholas Toke, John Cavell Briggs and more than one John Gunn appear in Pigot’s Directory of Essex, 1832-3