In the name of God Amen. I, George Gwinnett of Badgeworth in the county of Gloucester, gent, do make this my last will and testament in manner following:
Imprimis. I return my soul to Almighty God and desire that my body may be interred in the church of St Nicholas Cole Abby near my first wife if I should happen to die in or near the city of London, without any great pomp or ceremony. But if I should happen to die in or near the city of Gloucester then I desire to be buried near my mother in the parish church of Badgeworth in the said county.
Item: I give to my loving wife Mary Gwinnett all my real and personal estate whatsoever or wheresoever that I shall or may be possessed of at the time of my death and also all my tythes, lands, tenements and hereditaments, plate, money, jewels, stock, household goods, horses, sheep or other cattle in order for her to sell and dispose of the same or any part thereof in what manner and at such tymes as she shall think fitt and with the products thereof to pay all my just debts in the first place and with the (residue?) (if any shall be) to raise money for provision and for her child or children (if I should leave more than one at the tyme of my death or if I should have one or one born after my death in such manner and in such proportions as are limited and expressed in my marriage settlement.
Item: In case that I should leave no child of my own who shall happen to live to the age of 21 years or be married then I give and bequeath all my real estate which is settled upon my wife for her joynture and intailed on any male issue to my cousin the Revd. Mr Samuel Gwinnett of Down Hatherley, Glos., and to his male issue according to their seniority of age, and in default of such issue I give and bequeath all the said real estate contained in my wife’s joynture to my cousin George Gwinnett son of George Gwinnett of Hucclecot and to the male heirs of him the said George Gwinnett the younger according to their seniority and in default of such issue I give and bequeath all the said real estate contained in my wife’s joynture to my cousin Owen Gwinnett now or late of the parish of St Clements in the Liberty of Westminster, grocer, and to his right heirs forever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this twelfth day of February in the year of our Lord 1728.
Geo. Gwinnett
Signed, sealed, published and declared to be the last will and testament of the testator George Gwinnett and in his presence and at his request, witnessed by me: John Gough, Hannah Bubb, John Cole
I do hereby nominate and appoint Mr Jeremy Gough and Mr John Gough, both of London, gent, and Mr Samuel Whitehorne of Charlton Kings in the county of Gloucester, gent, trustees and guardians of my son or whatever child or children of mine may be left under age at the time of my wife’s death in case she should survive me and dye before such child or children arrive to the age of twenty one years. Witness my hand this 23rd day of April one thousand seven hundred and twenty nine.
George Gwinnett.
[Written down the side of the will: Note: The original will with the administration annexed should in strictness be shown to Mr Prinn; but Mr Mason had them not.]
Proved 10 September 1730
GA Ref: D151/F2