The Will of the Lord be Done I John Soden of Hooknorton in The County of Oxford Shopkeeper being 
of a Sound and Perfect Memory through Mercy Considering the Uncertainty of this Mortal Life and 
also the Certaintly of Death Do make and Publish this my last Will and Testament in Manner and form 
as followeth (that is to say) Imprimis I give and Devise unto my Loving Wife Hester Soden all that my 
House or Messuage and One Cow Common thereunto belonging Standing and being in Hooknorton 
Affsd which I am now in the Tenure and Possession of Together with the Outhouses Orchards and 
Gardens and all Appurtenances thereunto Belonging To have and to hold the same for Her own Use 
or to Dispose of the Same Either by Sale or otherwise If she have need thereof for and Towards her 
own Suport and Maintenance during her Natural Life or so loong as she keeps herself my Widdow 
And at or Immediately after my Said Wife's Decease or day of Marriage I give and devise my said 
House or Messuage and One Cows Common  thereunto belonging with all the Premises and 
Apppurtenances Affsd thereunto belonging or and parcel or parts thereof then remaining not Spent 
Unto Two of my Brothers Namely Joseph Soden and Benjamin Soden to be equally divided Between 
them share and share alike To hold the same unto them and to their Heirs and Assigns Separately for 
ever Also I give and bequeath unto Hester Soden Affsd all my goods shop goods Chattles Moneys 
Bills Book Debts and all and Singular my whole Personal Estate whatsoever and where and with 
whomsoever the same may or can be found for her Own Use and Dispose of the Same According as 
She hath need thereof for her Own Support and Maintenance during her Natural Life she first paying 
All my just Debts Funeral Charges and Expences And at Immediately after my said Decease I Give 
and Bequeath unto Two of my Brothers Jospeh Soden and Benjamin Soden aforesaid All my 
personal Estate whatsoever or where or with whosoever the same may be found the Remaining To 
be equally Divided between them Share and Share alike Excepting only my Wife's Wearing Apparel 
and such of her Goods and Chattles as I had with her at our Marriage which I leave at her own 
Dispose Lastly I make and appoint my Loving Wife Hester Soden Aforesaid Together with my Brother 
Benjamin Soden aforesaid them or either of them whole and Sole Executrix and Executor to this my 
last Will and Testament bearing date this Eighteenth day of the First Month Called January in the 
Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Four   John Soden

Joseph Goffe
Abraham (rest illegible including details of Probate)

Oxford Record Office

215.92