Parish of Marnhull
Will of Robert Bastable 1791
The following is a literal transcription of the Will of Robert Bastable made 1790 proven 1791 transcribed from a film of the original at Dorset History Centre (Blanford 29) by Bob Hills 2009
In the Name of God Amen I Robert Bastable of Marnhull and County of Dorset Blacksmith
being of Perfect mind and Memory and calling to mind and duly considered the Uncertainty of Human Life
do make this my last Will and Testament First and principally I commend my Soul into the Hands of my
Blessed Maker trusting in his Mercies and in the Merits of my Dear Ridiemer for the Remission of all my
Sins my Body I commit the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executrix herein after named.
As to my Goods Chattles and Estate I bequeath and dispose of it in the following manner. First I give and
bequeath to my Son John Bastable my Blacksmithing Utensils, Wearing apparel Also I give and bequeath
to my daughter Sarah Mitchell the sum of one shilling of lawful money Also I give and bequeath to
my dearly beloved Wife Hannover Bastable at my decease my Household Goods House and Garden and
Interest of Money whatsoever to her Use during her Natural life on trust to my Son Joseph Bastable to see that
she do not sell destroy nor carry away any thing without his consent; Also after my beloved Wife Hannover
Bastable's Decease I give and bequeath the Aforesaid House and Garden to my Son John Bastable his heirs
and Assigns for ever or in case of the said Household Goods House Garden and Interest of Money the use of the same
as aforesaid be not Sufficient for My beloved Wife Hannover Bastable's maintanance by the consent of the said
I wish she might Draw from the Principal out at Interest and by such Draught of the Aforesaid Money
my Son John Bastable shall pay to my Sons Robert Bastable, William Bastable and Joseph Bastable the sumes
of Twenty Pounds of lawful Money out of the House and Garden Aforesaid at her decease Lastly I
give and bequeath unto my Sons William Bastable Robert Bastable and Joseph Bastable at my wife as aforesaid
decease ye Goods Chattels and Money whatever I hereby nominate and Appoint my said Wife whole and
Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament requiring her to pay all my Just Debts and
the Legacies before mentioned with all convenient Speed after my Decease and I declare this only
to be my last Will and Testament Signed and Sealed at Bottom with my own Hand and Seal
In Witness whereof this Fifteenth Day of October One Thousand seven hundred and Ninety
Signed and published and declared by the
the said Robert Bastable to be his last Will
and Testament in the Presence of Us
Thomas Larel
Thos. Rake
Robt Bastble
John Jarvis
[Note: Probate granted to Hannover Bastable 25th January 1791]