In the name of God Amen I Thomas Gwinnutt of Dudley in the County of Worcester Victualler being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, praised be God for the same but considering the uncertainty of this transitory Life do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following, (that is to say)
I will and direct that my just debts and other necessary payments shall in the first place be paid off and discharged by my executor hereinafter named.
I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Ann Gwinnutt the use of all my household goods, furniture, linen, stock in my business and utensils, ready money, personal effects and Effects for and during the term of her natural life, or until she shall marry again which shall first happen (if my youngest child shall then be of the age of twenty one years)
I give and bequeath unto my sons Richard Gwinnutt, George Gwinnutt and Joseph Gwinnutt and to my daughter Sarah Gwinnutt (except my watch), all my said household goods furniture, plates, linen, ready money, stock in my said business and utensils, debts and all the rest and residue of my personal estate and effects whatsoever and whosesoever the same are or shall be at the time of my decease To hold the same unto them my said sons and daughter as Tenant in Common and not as joint Tenants; and my Will is that if any of my said children shall happen to die under the said age and without lawful issue then and in such case I give and bequeath the share of him her or them so dying unto the survivors or survivor of them equally share and share alike as Tenant in Common and not as Joint Tenants and if but one so survives the whole to such survivor.
I give and bequeath unto my said son Joseph Gwinnutt my silver watch. And my will and meaning further is that after the decease or marrying again of my said wife my said children shall not have or take my said personal estate so given to them aforesaid until the youngest of my said children shall arrive at the age of twenty one years.
I give and bequeath unto John Rhodes of Dudley aforesaid Victualler all my said household goods, furniture, plate, linen, stock in my business, debts, ready money and all the rest and residue of my personal estate and effects whatsoever upon trust that he the said John Rhodes, his executors and administrators do sell and dispose, receive and get in the same and after paying my just debts and other necessary expenses then upon trust that he the said John Rhodes his executors or administrators shall and do place out the money remaining and arising therefrom upon, the best security or securities and at the highest legal interest that can be obtained for the same, and so soon as my youngest child for the time being shall be of the age of twenty one years, thereupon trust that the said John Rhodes, his executors or administrators shall call in and pay such monies so to be placed out, and the interest thereof unto my said children, or the survivor or survivors of them in the proportions aforesaid and according to the true intent and meaning of this my will.
And I will and direct that my executor hereinafter named, his executors or administrators, shall cause a proper inventory and appraisement to be taken and made of all my said personal estate so soon as may be after my decease.
And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said wife executrix so long only as she shall remain my widow and the said John Rhodes as an executor of this my will, hereby revoking all former and other will or wills by me made and declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have to this my will contained in two sheets of paper, to the first set my hand and to the second my hand and seal, the eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight.
The mark of Thomas X Gwinnutt
Signed, sealed, published and declared by Mr Thomas Gwinnutt, the Testator above named as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, the interlineations and erasures being first made: Tho. Lewis, Lucy Lewis
11th October 1794
John Rhodes the sole executor in this will named appeared and was sworn in common form of Law. Also that the personal estate of the deceased at the time of his death did not amount to the value of one hundred pounds as he verily believes. Before me: S. Griffin, surrogate.