Page:Remarkable history of the miser of Berkshire.pdf/18

( 18 ) desolation, if poſſible, than either of his houſes in Suffolk or Berkſhire—It ſtood alone, on the borders of Epping Foreſt; and an old man and woman, his tenants, were the only perſons with whom he could hold any converſe.—Here he fell ill; and, as he would have no aſſiſtance, and had not even a ſervant, he lay unattended, and almoſt forgotten, for nearly a fortnight; indulging, even in death, that avarice which malady could not ſubdue.—It was at this period he began to think of making his will; ſeeing, perhaps, that his ſons would not be entitled by law, to any part of his property, ſhould he die inteſtate: and, on coming to London, he made his laſt Will and Teftament. The following is an atteſted copy.



Extracted from the Registry of the Prerogative Court

of Canterbury.

the name of God, Amen.—I. , of Stoke, in the county of Suffolk, Eſquire do make and declare this Writing to be my Laſt Will and Teſtament, in manner following: (that is to ſay), In the firſt place, I direct that all my juſt debts, funeral and teſtamentary expences, be paid as ſoon as conveniently may be after my deceaſe.—And I do give, deviſe, and bequeath, all and every my real estates, meſſuages or tenements, farms: lands, tythes, and hereditaments, ſituate, ſtanding, lynig,