A look to the past
William Webb
1675 – 1746
I William Webb of Harlton in the County of Cambridge, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner: I commend my Soul unto the Hands of Almighty God, my Maker and Creator hoping through the Merits of Jesus Christ to inherit everlasting life and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and as for the Estate which it hath pleased God to bestow on me I give and dispose thereof as follows:
All my messuages and tenements, workshops, out-houses, barns, stables, yards, herds, fences, gardens and orchards and backsiden thereto belonging or in any wise appertaining now to my occupation to my wife Lydia to be held by her for my sons and their heirs and assigns forever.
Also several sums of money now owing to me and the securities for the same hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) the sum of Forty Pounds owing to me from Frank Jameson upon a note of Hand or Promissory Note. Also the sum of Fifty Pounds owing to me from William Butler upon his note of Hand also the sum of Thirty Pounds due me from John Prince on a mortgage and also the sum of Twenty-five Pounds due to me from George Cranfall now or late of Over upon a note of his Hand or by whatever other securities or security the said several sums of money may be either are or is secured to be divided among my children equally.
Also to be equally divided among my children (20 Pounds) to each of good lawful money of Great Britain to be paid within twelve months after my decease.
There is a legacy left me by my Father who was left it by his father to be passed on to my heirs. There is spiritual unrest in the land. Beliefs are springing up and being heard. We believe with others that man should be free to worship his Maker in a manner pleasing to himself. We believe that Death is not the end but that the Soul lives on and is Judged by its Maker for the good or evil it has done, with punishment or reward according to Meritt. My father John a righteous just forgiving man was told in a dream that the time was nearing when Jesus Christ would return to set up his Kingdom. It will not happen during my lifetime nor that of my children and perhaps not my grandchildren. But the time will come soon when believers may become members in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Having grieved over not being here when that time comes because I will have layed this body to rest long since I prayed inquiring after the believers and followers of Jesus who have gone to their Eternal rest. As I prayed a calm peace surrounded me and I felt his Presence. I was assured that there will be a way for the dead to enter the Kingdom. Because of the Spirit that thrilled me while in the Presence I am sure it will be so. Therefore I am not afraid to die and my heirs should not feel fear. We will be together in that Kingdom because of God’s great Son. I admonish my heirs and descendants to live according to the law and to follow diligently the teachings of Jesus and you will be blessed. When Judgment Day comes I want that we shall all stand together to receive the happy reward of being together throughout Eternity. This is my desire and from what I know it can be so.
I love you all and will continue to love you and yours even after I have layed this mortal body down for I shall live to meet with you again.
I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my wife Lydia as executrix of this my last will and testament and on her death my two sons Joseph and John to become joint executors and I hereby revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.
In witness whereof I William Webb have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the fourteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-five. (signed) Wm Webb signed and sealed and declared by the testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in his presence and at his request.
John Crowell Samuel Baker
Will proved by Joseph Webb and John Webb executors on the tenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six.
6 comments:
Maybe we should go private to keep the alien's out?
amen!
whose the creepy alien guy reading our family blog? Why would he care anyway? Love blog Melanie! How is he related to us?
He is our great great great great grandfather on Mom's side through grandma's line.
I told about William Webb in a talk at the Spanish Branch. Just for fun here it is in Spanish.
William Webb
1675 – 1746
Yo, William Webb de Harlton en el Condado de Cambridge, siendo de una sana mente y memoria y con todas mis facultades completas, hago y ordeno este testamento final de la siguiente manera: encarezco mi alma a las manos de un Dios Poderoso, mi Creador y Salvador esperando que por la gracia de Jesucristo sere heredero de la Vida Eternal. Mi cuerpo yo cometo a la tierra para ser enterado todo a la discrecion de mis ejecutores nombrados, y mi Estado, que he recibido por la bondad de Dios, regalo a mis descendientes en la forma establecida en este testamento.
Todas mis casas, talleres, graneros, estables, patios, jardines, rebanos, vallados y huertos que me pertenecen, doy a mi esposa Lydia, por ella guardada para el beneficio de mis hijos, sus herederos y asignados para siempre.
Para mis hijos veinte (20) libras en efectivo de la moneda de Inglaterra pagado a ellos dentro de un (1) ano de mi muerte, y lo demas a mi esposa.
Ahora, doy un legado a mis decendientes, lo cual fue regalado a mi por mi padre, quien lo recibio de su padre, con la instruccion de que debemos pasarlo a los herederos. Hay una inquietud spiritual en la tierrra. Creencias nuevas estan apareciendo y muchos estan creendolas. Como otros, nosotros creemos que el hombre debe tener la libertad de adorar a su Creador en qualquier manera que desea. Creemos que la muerte no es el fin sino que el Alma sigue viviendo y esta juzgado por su Creador por el bien o el malo que ha hecho, con un galardon o castigo segun sus hechos. Mi padre Juan, un hombre honrado y aplacable fue dado un sueno en que fue comunicado a el que el tiempo estaba acercandose cuando Jesucristo iba a volver de nuevo para establecer su reino. No va a occurir durante mi vida, ni la vida de mis hijos ni tal vez durante la vida de mis nietos. Pero el tiempo se acerca cuando los que creen, pueden ser miembros en el Reino de Jesucristo.
Habiendo apenado que cuando el tiempo llegue, habran enterado mi cuerpo a descansarse en la tierra, por eso ore al Senor con respecto a las personas muertas que habian seguido al Salvador durante la vida. Cuando yo estaba orando, una paz me rodeaba y yo senti su Presencia. Fui asegurado que habra una manera para que los muerte pudieren entrar en su Reino. Por haber sentido el Espiritu tan fuerte en ese occasion, estoy seguro que es algo cierto y sucedera. Por haber recibido esta promesa, no siento miedo de la muerte y mis herederos tampoco no deben tener miedo. Estaremos juntos en el Reino a causa del Hijo de Dios. Exhorto a mis hijos y descendientes que vivan segun la ley y que sigan con diligencia la ensenanzas del Senor, y seran bendecidos. Cuando el Dia de Juicio viene, yo quiero que estemos juntos delante de Dios para reciber el gran gozo de estar juntos para la eternidad. Este es mi deseo, y yo se que puede ser asi.
Les amo a todos y yo voy a continuar amandoles despues de haber dejado a este cuerpo en la tierra, por seguramente llegara el dia cuando puedo reunirme con toda mi familia.
Con este testamento, nombro a mi esposa Lydia como ejecutora de este mi testamento final, y al morir ella, nombro a mis hijos Joseph y John para ser los ejecutores juntos. Yo ahora revoco qualquier testamento anteriormente escrito por mi.
Como testigo, yo William Webb, he firmado este testamento el catorce de Mayo, el ano del Senor mil setecientos cuarenta y cinco.
Firmado___William Webb ___
John Crowell Samuel Baker
Testigos
Este testamento legalizado por Joseph Webb and John Webb ejecutores el 10 de Julio, el ano del Senor mil setecientos cuarenta y seis.
Traducido por John Thomas, el 22 de Agosto, 2006.
It would be neat to get a copy of the last will and testament of his father John Webb or even his grandfather to see what they wrote when they started the legacy and wanted it passed down to their heirs.
William Webb was right, it wouldn't be his children or even his grandchildren, but a great grandson, with the same name William Webb, was born 1n 1804 and joined the church and would have known the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Think how prepared he would have been for the gospel with a legacy like that being passed down to each new generation.
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