This is the Last Will and Testament of me JOHN KNIGHT of the parish of Bentley 
in the County of Southampton Yeoman first I commend my soul to Almighty God 
and as to my Worldly affairs I dispose of as follows first that all my just debts are 
paid by my Executors hereinafter mentioned and I give unto my loving wife ANN 
all my freehold copyhold and lifehold Estates for and during her widowhood and 
no longer and immediately after her marriage or death which shall first happen 
then I give the above lands unto my son RICHARD KNIGHT. Then I give unto 
my son THOMAS KNIGHT the sum of four hundred pounds and unto my son 
JOHN KNIGHT the like sum of four hundred pounds and to my seven daughters 
namely ELIZABETH, ANN, MARY, MARGARET, JANE, SARAH and 
FRANCES KNIGHT I give the sum of two hundred pounds each to be paid by my 
Executors so soon as they shall attain the age of twenty one years but my will and 
meaning is that my wife shall receive the interest of each childs fortune till they are 
of the age of twenty one years to bring them up and provide for them but if either 
of my said children shall happen to die before they are twenty one years old then 
my desire is that his or her share shall be equally divided between the survivors 
share and share alike and my will is that my wife shall have such part of my 
household goods as shall be approved by my Executors. Then I give unto my son 
RICHARD KNIGHT the Lease of Berry Court Farm and all the residue of my 
Goods and Effects for his use only and I do appoint my brother RICHARD 
KNIGHT of Farnham in the County of Surry and my brother-in-law JOHN 
HUNTER of Crondall in the County of Southton my Executors of this my last Will 
and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 
eighteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
and seventy four John Knight Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of 
JAMES SPREDBROUGH, JOHN KNIGHT, ROBERT ALLEN

A Codicil to be annexed ..........JOHN KNIGHT’s will of the parish of Bentley in 
the County of Southampton as follows. Since the execution of my will dated the 
eighteenth day of this instant November my daughter FRANCES died. Now my 
will and desire is that her fortune of two hundred pounds which I gave her by my 
will I give to my son RICHARD KNIGHT over and above what I have given him 
by my will for his use only As Witness to my hand this twenty third day of 
November in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy four 
John Knight Witness hereunto THOS. HUNTER, JAMES HUNTER, JOHN 
KNIGHT





This Will was proved at London with a Codicil the twenty seventh day of 
February in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six 
before the worshipful George Harris Doctor of law Surrogate of the Right 
Honourable Sir George Hay Knight also Doctor of Law Master Keeper or 
Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the 
Oaths of RICHARD KNIGHT the brother of the deceased and JOHN HUNTER 
the Executors named in the said will to whom Administration of all and singular 
the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased was granted having been first 
Sworn duly to Administer.

Examined with the original wills by John Watson.

Side Note:   On the 10th day of Feby. 1786 Admon with the will herewith annexed 
of the goods chattels and receipts of JOHN KNIGHT late of the parish of Bentley 
inthe County of Southton left unpaid by RICHARD KNIGHT the Brother and 
JOHN HUNTER the Exors. named in said will since also died was granted to 
MARY WRIGHT Widow the  Admon. Executrix of the Goods of RICHARD 
KNIGHT decd. whilst living the ............ and Residuary Legatee named in said will 
having been first sworn duly to Admon. by said JOHN HUNTER decd. said 
RICHARD KNIGHT the Brother but died Intestate.
		
		PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE REF: PROB 11/1016