This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas Stokes of Banbury in the County of Oxford Vitner I give devise and bequeath 
unto my Son in Law Mr. Edward Burford and my Daughter Vade his now Wife All my Messuages Lands Tenements and 
Hereditaments Goods Chattels and Personal Estate (except as is herein after excepted) of what kind soever To hold to them their 
Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns for ever Subject nevertheless to the payment of my Debts Legacies and funeral 
Expenses I give and devise unto my Wife Elizabeth Stokes one Annuity or Yearly Rent Charge of forty pounds a year to be issuing 
out of my said Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments and  Personal Estate herein before devised and to be paid unto 
her by the said Edward and Vade Burford by four quarterly payments in every Year during the term of her natural Life I also give 
unto my said Wife forty pounds to be paid her within three Months after my decease together with the Bed and Bedding whereon 
She usually lies and also Six Chairs two Tables a Chest of Drawers one looking glass together with Sheets and Table Linnen to the 
value of ten Pounds Provided and my Will is that in case my Wife should claim or take Dower or Sue for or demand to have her 
Dower in any of the Premises above devised and given unto my said Son and Daughter that then all and every profit benefit and 
advantage hereby bestowed upon her shall cease and determine and this will as to her shall be constituted to be void the several 
Legacies hereby given her being by me intended to be given her in lieu and full satisfaction of her Dower And I do hereby constitute 
the said Edward Burford Executor of this me Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 
eighth day of October in the year of our Lord 1749 - Thoms Stokes – Signed Sealed Published and declared by the Testator to be 
his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other 
Subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereunto to the several Interlineations in the 9th and 25th Lines being first made – Thos Wise – 
Willm Jephcoat - Benjn Aplin

This Will was proved at London before the right Worshipful John Bettesworth Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the 
Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted On the nineteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven 
hundred and fifty by the Oath of Edward Burford the sole Executor named in the said Will To whom Administration was granted of 
all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased being first sworn by Commission duly to Administer

© 2003 by Christopher N. Lewis