This is the last Will and Testament of me Edward Claridge the elder of dean of the 
parish of Spelsbury in the County of Oxford Farmer First I direct that all my just debts 
funeral and testamentary expences be paid by my Executors hereinafter named and 
after payment thereof I Give and bequeath unto my three sons Robert, Edward and 
Richard Claridge their executors and administrators the sum of five hundred pounds 
of lawful money current in Great Britain Upon trust nevertheless that they the said 
Robert, Edward and Richard Claridge or the survivors or survivor of them his 
executors or administrators do and shall pay out and invest the same in Government 
real or other good and sufficient Security or Securities and from time to time make 
alter and vary the same as they or he shall see fit and do and shall pay the Interest 
dividends and proceeds arising therefrom to my Wife Mary Claridge by equal half 
yearly payments for and during the term of her natural life And my will is and I do 
direct that Interest from the same shall commence and be payable to my said Wife 
from the time of my decease and that a ?.part thereof from the last day of payment 
preceding my decease  of  my said Wife to be paid up to the date of her death and 
from and after her decease I Give and bequeath the said principal sum of five 
hundred pounds unto and amongst my three sons the said Robert, Edward and 
Richard Claridge to be equally divided between them share and share alike I also 
Give and bequeath unto my Wife Mary such of my Household goods linen and 
furniture as she shall reasonably require to and for her own use and benefit And all 
the rest residue and remainder of my money goods Chattels live and dead stock 
implements in husbandry personal estate and effects of what nature or kind soever I 
Give and bequeath unto and equally between my said  three sons Subject and 
chargeable nevertheless with the payment of Fifteen Pounds a year unto my said 
Wife Mary for and during the term of her natural life the same to be paid by two equal 
half yearly payments the first payment to begin and be made at the end of six 
calendar months next after my decease And my will is and I do direct that a 
proportionate part thereof from the last day of payment preceding the decease of  my 
said Wife to be paid up to the date of her death And my will further is and I do hereby 
recommend my said sons to carry on and conduct the farms now in my occupation 
jointly for their mutual benefit so long as circumstances may admit and that?. As any 
or either of my said Sons shall marry or separate from the others and as it shall 
happen I do hereby direct that the said residue of my said Goods chattels stock 
personal estate and effects shall be appraised and valued by five indifferent persons 
one to be chosen by him or them so marrying or separating as aforesaid and the 
other by the other or others of my said sons and if such two persons shall not agree 
then they shall choose a third person whose valuation shall be final and conclusive 
and that upon such a valuation such son or sons so marrying or separating as 
aforesaid shall draw and receive out of the said residue of my personal Estate and 
Effects the sum of Two Hundred Pounds each to be taken in part of his or their share 
or portion of the  residue of my said  personal Estate and Effects the remainder 
thereof to be secured to him or them by my other son or sons and to be paid to him 
or them at the decease of  my said Wife with Interest for the same in the mean time 
each of my said sons so continuing to pay his portion of the said sum of Fifteen 
Pounds per Annum so charged as aforesaid to my said Wife Mary during her life in 
manner and form as is hereinbefore directed of and concerning the same And I do 
hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said sons Robert, Edward and Richard 
Claridge executors of this my last Will and Testament revoking all former and other 
Wills at any time heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal the twenty third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and sixteen   Edward Claridge Senr

Thos Tilsley
Mary Fowler

Proved at Oxford 23 November 1818
Oxford RO
W222.43