Yeovil's Virtual Museum

william hooper masters

the Elder and the Younger

 

As far as is known at present, the progenitor of the Nonconformist Masters family in Yeovil was tailor William Masters the Elder. His son, William Masters the Younger, was born in Yeovil and baptised on 12 September 1733 in the Yeovil Nonconformist chapel.

William the Younger married Elizabeth Hooper (1740-1780), at Montacute on 8 September 1761. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Hooper (1701-1782) and his wife Elizabeth.

William Hooper Masters the Elder, later styled as 'Gentleman', was born in Yeovil in 1771, the son of William Masters the Younger and Elizabeth née Hooper. It is not known if he had any siblings. He became a succesful mercer, or dealer in textile fabrics, owning South Street House (see Gallery) and much land behind it.

On 8 February 1792, William Hooper Masters married Elizabeth Anstice (1771-1849) at Martock. She was the daughter of Josiah Anstice (1724-1807) and Mary née Sylvester (1730-1775). William and Elizabeth were to have eight children, all born in Yeovil, although three died in infancy. The following are from the Yeovil Nonconformist Register of Births -

• Elizabeth -  born 27 March 1793, baptised 26 May 1793. Died 1853 in Paddington, London.

• William Hooper - born 13 June 1794, baptised 14 October 1795. Died in infancy.

• Dorcas - born 1 October 1795, baptised 20 February 1797. Died in infancy.

• Anna - born 21 January 1797, baptised 20 February 1797. Died in infancy.

• Anna - baptised 29 April 1798.

• Sarah - born 9 September 1802, baptised 27 October 1802. Married John Brown of Combe St Nicholas in St John's church on 69 May 1823. Lived in Combe St Nicholas, where she had three children. Died there in 1884.

• William Hooper (the Younger) - born 24 January 1804, baptised 29 February 1804.
  Died 1872.

• Jonathan Hooper - born 8 October 1805, baptised 23 November 1805. Became a farmer of 200 acres at Witham Friary, Somerset. Married Grace and had three children. By 1871 Grace had died and he moved to North Cadbury. Died 1875.
  
  

Edward Bullock Watts' map of 1806 shows that William and Elizabeth were living at South Street House albeit not named as such on the map, although Masters' name is inscribed against the house and orchard behind it - now the site of Petters Way car park. Two of William's closest friends, who he made executors of his will, were his neighbours; Peter Daniell of Penn House and John Hooper of Hendford Manor.

William Hooper Masters the Elder published his will (see below) on 9 November 1807. He died on Monday 26 September 1808 and his will was proved on 10 March 1809. Elizabeth published her will (see below) in 1844. She died on Monday 18 February 1849, aged 77.

 

William Hooper Masters the Younger was born in Yeovil on 24 January 1804, the son of merchant William Hooper Masters the Elder and Elizabeth née Anstice. His baptism on 29 February 1804 was recorded in the Yeovil Non-Conformist Register of Births.

Having inherited substantial wealth from his father, by the time of the Jury List in 1827 he was being described as a glover of Back Street (today's South Street).

On 3 January 1828, at Martock, 23-year-old William married 22-year-old Ann Lilly (c1805-1896) by License. The marriage was witnessed by Elizabeth Lilly, Jane Lilly and Ann Anstice. Ann's parents were John Lilly (1770-1823) and Maria née Anstice (1774-1858). William and Ann were to have four children; John Lilly (b1831), Emily Elizabeth (1835-1881), William Hooper the youngest (b1838) and Frederick George (b1845). 

William was listed in the poll books of 1832, 1834 and 1846 as living in South Street and being listed by virtue of owning a freehold property in South Street. In Pigot's Directory of 1830 William was listed as a glove manufacturer of South Street and was similarly listed in the Somerset Gazette Directory of 1840 and Slater's Directory of 1852. He was also a member of Yeovil's Vestry.

In 1837 William Hooper Masters, Glove Manufacturer, was listed in a House of Commons Private Bill concerning Railway Subscription Projects, as an investor in the 'South Western, or Kingsworthy & West Monkton Railway', subscribing £3,500 (about £375,000 at today's value using the 'historic opportunity cost' of an investment project).

In the 1841 census William and his wife Ann, originally from Martock, were living in South Street They were recorded with their 10-year-old son listed as Lilly, but in fact was John Lilly, five-year-old Emily, three-year-old William and a female servant. William described his occupation as glove manufacturer.

The 1846 Tithe Apportionment noted that a 'House & Garden' (Parcel 374) and The Orchard (Parcel 375) - South Street House and the orchard behind it - were both owned and occupied by William. The house and garden measured 0a 2r 10p and the orchard measured 3a 0r 0p. He also owned Parcel 371, comprising the whole of the properties on the corner at the junction of Hendford and South Street including the Butcher's Arms. The Apportionment also noted that William owned and occupied a 'Gloving Yard & Garden' (Parcel 461). This was located in Frog Street (today's Addlewell Lane) on the corner of the lane leading to Victoria Buildings and shown on Watts' map of 1831 shown below. The 'Gloving Yard & Garden' measured 0a 1r 39p (for details on historic land measurement - ie acres, roods and perches - click here).

In 1851, William was noted as an investor in the South Western Railway Company.

William gave his occupation as 'Glove Manufacturer, employing 12 men & 4 boys' in the census of 1851. He was still living in South Street with Ann and their three sons; John aged 20 who described his occupation as 'Assistant in Manufactory' and the two younger sons William age 13 and Frederick age 6, both scholars, together with a house servant.

The 1861 census listed William and Ann in South Street with their two sons John and Frederick and a general servant. William listed his occupation as retired glove manufacturer while John, aged 30, listed his as 'late assistant to above' (ie his father) and Frederick, aged 16, was an attorney's clerk. The 1871 census listed just William and Ann, together with a general servant, in South Street. By this time William, who listed his occupation as retired glove manufacturer, was aged 67 and Ann was 66.

William Hooper Masters died at the age of 68, on Tuesday 12 March 1872.

 

William Hooper Masters the Younger's signature against the Vestry minutes of 3 March 1831. 

 

For the Masters Family Tree - click here.

 

 

Edward Bullock Watts' map of 1806 showing, at centre, South Street House and its associated land (now occupied by Petters Way car park) owned by William Hooper Masters the Elder. This was inherited by his son, William Hooper Masters the Younger.

 

Part of Edward Bullock Watts' map of 1831 showing Park Street running vertically down the centre of the map with Frog Street (Addlewell Lane) running parallel to it. At centre a lane turns towards Victoria Buildings at bottom right. William Hooper Masters' 'Gloving Yard & Garden' (here marked as Parcel 438) is at centre.

 

The 1886 Ordnance Survey map shows the extensive orchards owned by William, now covered by Petters Way and the car park. At this time access to the orchards was via a narrow track between South Street House, William's Home, and the Baptist chapel.

 

 

These are the land holdings of William Hooper Masters the Younger, as listed in the 1846 Tithe Apportionment. Parcel 371 'House & Garden' was the corner plot at the junction of South Street and Hendford and included all the buildings including the Butcher's Arms.

 

Owner	Occupier	No	Name
Masters, William Hooper	Hill, Robert	46	House, Garden & Orchard
Masters, William Hooper	Raymond, George	371	House & Garden (Butcher's Arms)
Masters, William Hooper	Masters, William Hooper	374	House & Garden (South St Ho)
Masters, William Hooper	Masters, William Hooper	375	The Orchard
Masters, William Hooper	Masters, William Hooper	461	Gloving Yard & Garden
Masters, William Hooper	Barrett, John	685	Rustywell Close
Masters, William Hooper	Squire, James	788	Under Gage Hill

 

 

 

The 8 May 1728 baptism of William Masters, son of William Masters, tailor of Yeovil and the progenitor of the Masters family in Yeovil, from St John's parish register.

 

A concatenated entry from the Register of Duties paid for Apprentices in which, on 23 July 1729, William Masters the Elder took on James, son of William Budge of Castle Cary, as an apprentice.

 

The record of the 8 February 1792 marriage of William Hooper Masters the Elder and Elizabeth Anstice at Martock, from Phillimore's Somerset Parish Registers: Marriages, Vol III.

 

The record of William Hooper Masters the younger's 1804 birth and baptism dates, recorded in the Yeovil Non-Conformist Register of Births.

 

South Street House at 79 South Street - the home of both William Hooper Masters the Elder and William Hooper Masters the Younger. The site is now occupied by the entrance to Petters Way and the Petters Way car park adjoining South Street. The railings at left belong to the Baptist church and at the time of this photograph a narrow lane ran between South Street House and the church, leading originally to William's extensive orchards.

 

The notice of the death of William Hooper Masters the Elder in the 3 October 1808 edition of the Salisbury and Winchester Journal.

 

The notice of the death of Elizabeth Masters in the 1 March 1849 edition of the Dorset County Chronicle.

 

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me William Hooper Masters of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Gentleman I give and devise all that my Messuage or Dwellinghouse with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging in Back Street [today's South Street] in Yeovil aforesaid now in the occupation of my Mother unto my Dear Wife Elizabeth Masters for and during the term of her natural life. Also I give unto my said Wife the whole of my Plate Linen China Household Goods and Furniture which shall be in my dwellinghouse at the time of my death for her own use absolutely Also I give and bequeath unto my Friends Peter Daniell of Yeovil aforesaid Esquire [of Penn House] John Hooper of the same place Esquire [of Hendford Manor] and my Brother in Law Samuel Anstice of the Inner Temple London Gentleman One Guinea each for Rings Also I give and bequeath unto the said Peter Daniell John Hooper and Samuel Anstice the Sum of Two thousand and five hundred pounds upon this special Trust and confidence nevertheless (that is to say) that they my said Trustees or the Survivor of them or the Executors or Adm[inistrat]ors of such Survivor do and shall as soon as convenient after my death place the said Two thousand and five hundred pounds upon Government or other good and sufficient Security in their own Names and in such manner as they shall think proper and also in trust that they do and shall receive the Interest and Dividends thereof from time to time as the same shall become payable and pay and apply the same unto my said Wife and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life for her own use and benefit and from and after the decease of my said Wife it is my Will that the said Two thousand and five hundred pounds with the Interest Dividends and Produce thereof as shall not have been applied as aforesaid shall sink into and become part of the Residue of my Estate and effects hereinafter disposed of And I hereby declare that the provision hereby made and intended for my said Wife shall be taken and received by her in addition to the provision secured to her by certain Articles Executed previous to our Marriage I give and devise all my Closes and Lands in Yeovil aforesaid and also my Dwellinghouse in Back Street Subject nevertheless to the Estate which I have given to my said Wife for life in my House in Back Street as aforesaid and all other my Lands and Heredit[ament]s whatsoever either in possession reversion remainder or expectancy of which I have now a power to dispose unto and to the use of them the said Peter Daniell John Hooper and Samuel Anstice their Heirs and Assigns In trust nevertheless for and for the only benefit of all and every the Child and Children if more than one of my body who shall be living or in ventre sa mere [in his mother's belly] at the time of my decease and afterwards born alive their Heirs and Assigns for Ever as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and if there shall be but one Child only then in trust foir such only Child his or her Heirs and Assigns for Ever provided always nevertheless that if shall happen that any one or more of my Children now born or to be born shall happen to die before he she or they shall attain his her or their respective Ages of twenty one Years and without Issue of his her or their body or bodies living at the time of his her or their decease or deceases or begotten and afterwards born alive then I give the respective parts or shares of the same lands and Hereditaments of such Child or Children respectively so dying unto such of my Children as shall survive such Child or Children as shall Die respectively and to his her or their Heirs and Assigns for Ever to be equally divided between them if more than one as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and if it shall happen that All my said Children but one shall happen to die under Age and without Issue as aforesaid then I give and devise the respective Shares or parts of and in the same Lands and Hereditaments of such Child or Children respectively so dying unto such only surviving Child his or her Heirs and Assigns for Ever Provided also that if it shall happen that all my said Children shall happen to die under the Age of twenty one years and without having Issue of his her or their body or bodies lawfully begotten then I give and devise all and singular my said Lands and Hereditaments unto my Wife for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give and devise the same Lands and Hereditaments unto all and every the Child and Children of the said John Hooper their Heirs and Assigns for Ever as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants I give and bequeath my Gold Watch with the Chain and Seale I usually wear unto my Son William All the rest residue and remainder of my Goods Chattels Stock in Trade Estate and Effects of what nature or kind soever not hereinbefore given or bequeathed I give and bequeath unto the said Peter Daniell John Hooper and Samuel Anstice To hold to them the said Peter Daniell John Hooper and Samuel Anstice their Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns upon this special trust and confidence nevertheless (that is to say) that they my said Trustees or the Survivors or Survivor of them or the Executors or Adm[inistrat]ors of such Survivor do and shall as soon as convenient after my death sell and dispose thereof and call in and receive all such Debts Sum and Sums of Money as shall be due or owing to me at the time of my death and place the Monies arising by such Sale or Disposal and the Monies to be so called in and received upon Government or other good and sufficient Security in their own Names and in such manner as they shall think proper and also in trust that they do and shall receive the Interest and Dividends thereof from time to time as the same shall become payable and pay apply and dispose of the same or a sufficient part thereof for and towards the Maintenance Education Support and bringing up of my Children Elizabeth Sarah William Hooper and Jonathan Hooper and such other Child or Children as I shall have living or that my Wife may be ensient with at the time of my death until my said Children shall severally and respectively attain their several and respective Ages of twenty one years in trust to pay assign transfer and convey all the said Residue of my Estate and Effects with the Interest Dividends and Produce thereof as shall not have been applied for and towards the Maintenance and Education of my Children as aforesaid equally unto and amongst all my said Children when and as they shall severally and respectively attain their said Ages of twenty one years and in case any or either of my said Children shall happen to die before having attained twenty one years of age without having Issue of his or her body lawfully begotten then In trust to pay assign transfer and convey all the said residue of my Estate and Effects and the Interest Dividends and Produce thereof or such part thereof as shall remain unapplied as aforesaid unto such of my said Children as shall live to attain his her or their respective Age or Ages of twenty one years Share and Share alike if more that one but in case any or either of my said Children shall happen to die under Age leaving Issue of his her or their body or bodies lawfully begotten then in trust to pay assign transfer and convey the part or Share of such Deceased Child or Children unto such his her or their Issue Share and Share alike if more than one when and as soon as they shall severally and respectively attain their several and respective Ages of twenty one years and to pay and apply the Interest Dividends and Produce thereof in the mean time for and towards their respective Maintenance and Education but in case all and every of my said Children shall happen to die under Age and without having Issue of his her or their body or bodies lawfully begotten then in trust to pay the Interest and Dividends of the said Residue of my Estate and Effects when and as the same shall be received unto my said Wife for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease in trust to pay assign transfer and convey one thousand pounds part of the said Residue of my Estate and Effects equally unto and amongst all and every the Children of my said Brother in Law Samuel Anstice One thousand pounds further part of the s[ai]d Residue of my Estate and Effects equally unto and amongst all and every the Children of my said Brother in Law John Anstice One thousand pounds further part of the s[ai]d Residue of my Estate and Effects equally unto and amongst all and every the Children of my said Brother in Law William Anstice One thousand pounds further part of the s[ai]d Residue of my Estate and Effects equally unto and amongst all and every the Children of Francis Masters late of Yeovil aforesaid my late Uncle deceased and also in trust to pay assign transfer and convey the remaining part of the said residue of my Estate and Effects equally unto and amongst all and every the Children of John [Turrell ?] of Montacute Farmer by Elizabeth his Wife (formerly Elizabeth Hooper) And I do hereby empower and direct my said Trustees to pay assign transfer and convey the same accordingly And I do hereby direct that my said Trustees shall and may pay and reimburse themselves and himself out of the aforesaid residue of my Estate and Effects all reasonable and necessary Costs Charges and Expenses whatsoever that they or either of them shall or may bear pay be put unto or sustain in or about the Execution of this my Will or the Trust hereby in them reposed And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Trustees the said Peter Daniell, John Hooper and Samuel Anstice Executors of this my last Will and Testament And I do also nominate constitute and appoint my said Wife so long as she shall continue my Widow and no longer together with my said Trustees Guardian of my aforesaid Children Elizabeth Sarah William Hooper and Jonathan Hooper and all and every such other Child or Children as I shall have living or that my said Wife may be Ensient with at the time of my death and do hereby revoke and make void all former and other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have at the bottom of the first three first Sheets of this my Will the whole whereof is contained in four Sheets of paper subscribed my name and to this fourth and last Sheet my hand and Seal the ninth Day of November in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Seven

W Hooper Masters

Signed Sealed and published by the said William Hooper Masters as and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses

Samuel Walter Tracey     Will[ia]m Cayme     Rob[er]t Cayme

 

This Will was proved at London on the tenth Day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and nine before the Right Honourable Sir John Michell Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of Peter Daniell, John Hooper and Samuel Anstice Esquires the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the Deceased they having been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn

 

 

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me Elizabeth Masters now or late of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Widow Whereas in and by certain Articles of Agreement made on my marriage with my deceased husband William Hooper Masters Gentleman bearing date the seventh day of February one thousand seven hundred and ninety two it was amongst other things agreed that the sum of five hundred pounds therein covenanted to be paid within six months next after the decease of James Patten therein named unto Samuel Anstice and John Hookins therein also respectively named should from after the death of the survivor of the said William Hooper Masters and myself in case there should be any child or children of the said intended marriage then living be paid and applied by the said Samuel Anstice and John Hookins and the survivor of them his executors and administrators unto the child if but one or unto and amongst all the children if more than one of the said intended marriage in such parts shares and proportions at such time and times and in such manner as I by any Deed or Instrument in writing under my hand and seal executed in the presence of and attested by two or more reliable witnesses or by my last Will and Testament in writing or any writing purporting so to be executed and attested as aforesaid should give direct limit or appoint the same Now in exercise and execution of the said power or authority so given or reserved to me as aforesaid and of every other power and authority enabling me in this behalf I do by this my last Will and Testament under my hand and seal executed in the presence of and attested by two or more credible witnesses whose names are intended to be signed hereto as Witnesses attesting the same give and bequeath direct and appoint the said sum of five hundred pounds in manner following that is to say my son Jonathan Hooper Masters being one of the children of the said marriage the sum of ten pounds part thereof to my daughter Elizabeth Porter wife of Edward Porter of Somerton in the County of Somerset Gentleman being one other of the children of the said marriage the sum of ten pounds part thereof to my daughter Sarah Brown wife of John Brown of Combe Saint Nicholas in the said County of Somerset Clothier being one other of the children of the said marriage the sum of ten pounds part thereof and the remaining sum of four hundred and seventy pounds I give bequeath direct and appoint unto my said son William Hooper Masters the other child of the said marriage and I wish it to be understood that my reason for giving the sum of ten pounds only to my said son Jonathan Hooper Masters is because I conceive the provision made for him by the settlement made on my marriage and that which was made for him on his own or otherwise is fully equal to the provision I make for my other children I give and bequeath to my said son William Hooper Masters and my Grandson William Masters Porter the sum of one thousand and two hundred pounds Upon trust that they or the survivor of them or the executors or administrators of such survivor do and shall place the same upon Government or real or other good and sufficient security or securities in their own names and in such manner as they shall think proper and also upon trust that they do and shall transfer pay apply and dispose of the said sum of one thousand and two hundred pounds or any part or parts thereof unto and amongst all and every or such one or more of the children of my said daughter Elizabeth Porter now born or hereafter to be born except the said William Masters Porter in such parts shares and proportions at such time or times and in such manner and form as she the said Elizabeth Porter shall notwithstanding her present or any future coverture and whether she shall be covert or sole by any deed or deeds installment or installments in writing with or without power of revocation to be duly executed by her in the presence of and attested by two or more credible witnesses or by her last Will and Testament in writing or by any writing purporting to be executed and attested as aforesaid give direct limit or appoint the same And in default and until such gift direction limitation or appointment and so far as every or any such gift direction limitation or appointment shall not extend upon trust that my said trustees do and shall receive the interest and dividends of the said sum of one thousand and two hundred pounds from time to time as the same shall become payable and pay apply and dispose of the same unto or for the use of my said daughter Elizabeth Porter for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease Upon trust that my said trustees do and shall receive the interest and dividends of the said sum of one thousand and two hundred pounds or of so much thereof as shall then remain undisposed of as the same shall become payable and pay apply and dispose of the same into the hands of the said Edward Porter or otherwise as my said trustees shall think proper for and towards the maintenance education support and bringing up of the children of my said daughter Elizabeth Porter except the said William Masters Porter who shall be living at the time of her death until they shall severally and respectively attain their several and respective ages of twenty one years and when and as they shall severally and respectively attain their said ages of twenty one years in trust to pay the said sum of one thousand and two hundred pounds or of so much thereof as shall then remain undisposed of with the interest dividends and produce thereof that shall not have been applied as aforesaid equally unto and amongst all the children of my said daughter Elizabeth Porter except the said William Masters Porter when and as they shall severally and respectively attain their said ages of twenty one years and in case any or either of the same children of my said daughter Elizabeth Porter shall happen to die before having attained twenty one years of age then in trust to pay the said sum of one thousand and two hundred pounds or such part thereof as shall then remain undisposed of and the interest and dividends thereof or such part thereof as shall remain unapplied as aforesaid unto such of the same children of my said daughter Elizabeth Porter as shall live to attain his her or their age or respective ages of twenty one years if more than one share and share alike but in case all and every of the same children of my said daughter Elizabeth Porter shall happen to die under the age of twenty one years then in trust to pay the said sum of one thousand and two hundred pounds or such part thereof as shall then remain undisposed and the interest and dividends thereof or such part thereof as shall remain unapplied as aforesaid unto and equally between such person or persons as would have been the personal representative or representatives of my said daughter Elizabeth Porter in case she had died died [sic] sole and unmarried and intestate I give and bequeath unto my said son William Hooper Masters and my said Grandson William Masters Porter the further sum of one thousand and one hundred pounds upon trust that they or the survivor of them or the executors or administrators of such survivor do and shall place the same upon Government or real or other good and sufficient security or securities in their own names and in such manner as they shall think proper and also upon trust that they do and shall transfer pay apply and dispose of the said sum of one thousand and one hundred pounds or any part or parts thereof unto and amongst all and every of such one or more of the children of my said daughter Sarah Brown now born or hereafter to be born in such parts shares and proportions at such time or times and in such manner and form as she the said Sarah Brown shall notwithstanding her present or any future coverture and whether she shall be covert or sole by any deed or deeds installment or installments in writing with or without power of revocation to be duly executed by her in the presence of and attested by two or more credible witnesses or by her last Will and Testament in writing or by any writing purporting to be executed and attested as aforesaid give direct limit or appoint the same and in default of and until such gift direction limitation or appointment and so far as every or any such gift direction limitation or appointment shall not extend upon trust that my said trustees do and shall receive the interest and dividends of the said sum of one thousand and one hundred pounds from time to time as the same shall become payable and pay apply and dispose of the same unto or for the use of my said daughter Sarah Brown for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease Upon trust that my said trustees do and shall receive the interest and dividends of the said sum of one thousand and one hundred pounds or of so much thereof as shall then remain undisposed of as the same shall become payable and pay apply and dispose of the same into the hands of the said John Brown or otherwise as my said trustees shall think proper for and towards the maintenance and education support and bringing up of the children of my said daughter Sarah Brown who shall be living at the time of her death until they shall severally and respectively attain their several and respective ages of twenty one years and when and as they shall severally and respectively attain their several and respective ages of twenty one years In trust to pay the said sum of one thousand and one hundred pounds or of so much thereof as shall then remain undisposed of with the interest dividends and produce thereof that shall not have been applied as aforesaid equally unto and amongst all the children of my said daughter Sarah Brown when and as they shall severally and respectively attain their said ages of twenty one years and in case any or either of the said children of my said daughter Sarah Brown shall happen to die before having attained twenty one years of age then in trust to pay the said sum of one thousand and one hundred pounds or so much thereof as shall then remain undisposed of and the interest and dividends thereof or such part thereof as shall remain unapplied as aforesaid unto such of the children of my said daughter Sarah Brown as shall live to attain his her or their age or respective ages of twenty one years if more than one share and share alike but in case all and every of the children of my said daughter Sarah Brown shall happen to die under the said age of twenty one years then in trust to pay the said sum of one thousand and one hundred pounds or such part thereof as shall then remain undisposed and the interest and dividends thereof or such part thereof as shall remain unapplied as aforesaid unto and equally between such person or persons as would have been the personal representative or representatives of my said daughter Sarah Brown in case she had died sole and unmarried and intestate I give and bequeath to my said daughter Elizabeth Porter all my wearing apparel I give to the said William Masters Porter the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds All the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattels ready money securities for money and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore disposed of I give and bequeath unto my said son William Hooper Masters his executors administrators and assigns And I do hereby authorize and empower the said William Hooper Masters and William Masters Porter and each of them their and each of their executors and administrators from time to time as often as they shall think proper to alter and change the securities on which the said trust monies or any part thereof shall happen to be placed out and from time to time as often as they shall think fit again to place the same upon Government or real or such other good and sufficient security or securities as they shall think proper and it is my Will that they shall each be answerable for their own acts only and that they shall not be answerable for more money than they shall actually receive nor for any loss that may happen to the said trust monies or any part thereof unless such loss happen from their wilful neglect and they shall respectively have power to reimburse themselves all loss costs charges damages and expences which they shall respectively sustain incur or be put unto in the execution of the trusts hereby reposed in them and lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said son William Hooper Masters whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have to this my said Will subscribed and set my hand and seal that is to say to the first five sheets thereof my hand and to this sixth and last sheet my hand and seal the twelfth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four

Elizabeth Masters

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Elizabeth Masters the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto

John Leach     Northcote Wm Spicer

 

Proved at London 28th April 1849 before the Worshipful William Robinson Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath of William Hooper Masters the Son the sole Executor to whom Adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first sworn duly to administer

 

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn