Nat Gould

Will of Thomas Gould 1752-1829

I Thomas Gould of Northaw Place in the County of Hertford declare this my last will and Testament I direct that my body may be interred under the direction of my dear wife Frances Gould which I wish may be done decent and free from all ostentation I direct that all my just debts funeral expenses and proving this my will may be paid I give unto my dear wife the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid her within one month from the time of my decease for her own immediate use I give and bequeath all my household Goods Plate linen china wine Carriages and Horses with their Harness and live and dead Stock Farming Utensils and all other Effects and things which shall be upon or about my premises at Northaw Place at the time of my decease to my said dear wife Frances Gould for her sole use and benefit and I direct if my said wife is desirous of residing at Northaw Place and shall give notice in writing of such desire to the Trustees hereinafter appointed for the disposal of my Freehold and Copyhold Estates at any time within six months after my decease it is my will that she shall be permitted so to do to hold use and enjoy my said dwellinghouse at Northaw Place aforesaid with the Appurtenances and the Land in front [as] far as the Iron Gates containing about thirty seven acres together with Lodge Field about six acres Home Field about eight acres the two Acre Field and the Three Acre Field together about fifty six acres more or less during the term of her natural life she paying for the same to my Trustees the yearly rent of one hundred pounds clear of all taxes and keeping the said Dwellinghouse and Buildings in good repair and insured from damage by Fire I give to my son Thos. Gould the sum of three thousand pounds having already given him the amount of upwards of two thousand pounds in purchasing him a Commission in the Army and other matters I give to my son Nathaniel Gould five pounds to buy a ring having already given him two thousand pounds and the Premises in Cheapside which I deem equal to four thousand pounds I give to my Daughter Frances Gould the sum of three thousand pounds having already given her one thousand pounds I give to my daughter Lydia five pounds to buy a ring having already given her Four thousand pounds on her marriage with the Revd. Thos. Anderson I give to my son Richard Gould five pounds to buy a ring having already given him two thousand Pounds on his commercial Business and a further sum of Four thousand pounds on his Marriage with Miss Bateman I give to my son the Revd. Joseph Gould the sum of two thousand pounds having already advanced him full that amount to purchase the Furniture in his house at Newton Blossom and on other occasions I give to my Daughter Anne Gould the sum of three thousand pounds having already given her one thousand pounds I give to my Daughter Harriet three thousand pounds having already given her one thousand pounds I give to my Daughter Ellen five pounds to buy a ring having already given her Five thousand pounds on her Marriage with the Revd. John Egerton I give to my son Philip Gould the sum of two thousand pounds having already given him that sum on being in partnership with his brother I give to my Daughter Susan Gould three thousand pounds having already given her one thousand pounds I give to my son William Gould the sum of four thousand pounds It is my will that each of the legacies to my Children shall be paid within twelve months of my decease but should it not be convenient to my Exrs. to pay the whole amt. of the legacies to my Children at the time stipulated to such as are not so paid shall receive Interest at the rate of £ p Ct. to the time they are paid I give and bequeath to my son Thos. Gould my son Nathl. Gould and my son the Revd. Joseph Gould their heirs and assigns All my Freehold and Copyhold Estates situate lying and being in the Parishes of Northaw North Mims and South Mims in the Counties of Hertford and Middlesex and all other my Real and Personal Estates in the Kingdom of Great Britain and my shares in the Reversionary Society and whatever other property I may be possessed at the time of my decease subject to such occupation of part thereof to my wife during her life in case she should determine to reside at Northaw Place Upon trust soon as conveniently may be after my decease to sell and dispose of the same by public sale or Private contract to any person or persons whomsoever and it is my will that all Moneys to arise by such sale or sales and all rents and profitts arise and be received from the Estates until such sales shall have taken place shall be considered making part of my general Personal Estate And I direct that all Moneys arising from the same shall be laid out in and upon Government or such other Securities as my Exrs. shall conceive perfectly secure at Interest in the name of my Executors and made to stand possessed of the same in trust for my Children who shall be living at the time of my decease equally to be divided amongst them their representatives Executors Administrators and Assigns I give to my dear wife and order to be transferred to her for her own use so much of my common Stock as will produce a clear yearly sum of eight hundred pounds I give to my brother John Gould the sum of fifty pounds I give to my sister in law Mrs. Hall fifty pounds I give to my Niece Mrs. Gathon twenty pounds I give to my Nephew Mr. John Hall twenty pounds I give to my Cousin Mrs Brooks Widow of the late Mr William Brooks late of Lad Lane fifty pounds I give to my Gardiner James Buckham if in my service at the time of my decease twenty pounds I wish all the legacies to others except my wife and Children may be paid within twelve Calendar months after my decease as it is my will and intention that eventually all my Children shall have share and share alike of my property I hereby further direct that after the decease of my dear wife her Annuity and whatever balance of Cash may be on my general Estates shall be so divided amongst my said Children that taking into consideration the sum total of what each respectively has before received they may by such division have share and share alike excepting that my son Thos. Gould as being the eldest and having no way of increasing his fortune shall receive one thousand pounds more than any other of my Children I make and appoint my wife my Wife Frances Gould my son Thos. Gould my son Nathaniel Gould and my son The Revd. Joseph Gould Executrix and Executors to this my will I declare the provision I have hereinbefore made for my said dear wife by this my will is and shall be in lieu of any Dower Free bench or thirds she might claim or be entitled to or out of my Freehold Copyhold or other Estates and declare it shall be lawful to and for my Executrix and Executors hereinbefore named from time to time to agree and compound with any person or Persons debtors or Accountants who shall appear or pretend to be Creditors or demandents upon my Estate or Effects or upon my Executors in respect thereof in all cases where the same necessary or reasonable and shall take such part as can be gotten in full discharge of all such demands as shall be thought most advantageous to my Estate and the persons interested therein by this my will And I further declare and direct that if any doubt or dispute arise concerning the amount or reality of any debt or demand which shall be claimed on my Estate and Effects in every such case it shall and may be lawful for them my Executrix and Executors to admit or allow of any such claim or demand on such evidence as they realy think reasonable And my will further is that my trustees and executors may and shall at all times reimburse themselves and himself respectively all such charges damages and expences as they touching or concerning the trusts hereby in them reposed and that neither of them shall be accountable for any loss that may happen in execution of the said trusts without their wilful default nor shall any of them be answerable for the acts deeds or receipts of the other of them only for his own acts and deeds receipts or disbursements their joining in receipts for conformity notwithstanding and I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any time made heretofore and declare this my last will and Testament this tenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight My Will is contained in two sheets to the first of which I have set my hand and to the second sheet my hand and seal Thos. Gould LS Signed sealed and published by the said Thomas Gould the testator as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto Saml. Greenwood - James Doure - Thomas Wood

Proved at London 18th April 1829 before the Worshipful John Daubeny Doctor of Laws & Surrogate by the Oaths of Frances Gould Widow the Relict & Thomas Gould & Nathaniel Gould Esquires the Sons three of the Executors to whom Administration was granted being first sworn duly to administer power reserved of making the like grant to The Reverend Joseph Gould Clerk the Son also the other Executor.

Proved at London 18th July 1829 before the worshipful John Nicholl Doctor of Laws & Surrogate by the Oath of The Revd. Joseph Gould Clerk the Son the other Executor to whom Administration was granted being first sworn duly to administer.