The following piece is an extract from the last will and testament of Richard Robson;
This is the last will and testament of me Richard Robson of Field House in the Parish of Ledsbury in the County of Northumberland, Gentleman.
First I do hereby charge and make chargeable all my messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments situate in Alemouth and Alnwick in the said county or elsewhere which the payment of all my first debts.
Second I do hereby give and devise unto my son, John Robson, his heirs and (….) for ever all that messuage, Burgage, Tenement, Yard, Back Buildings and Garden behind the same situate assigns and being in Alnwick aforesaid which was lately in possession of David Cunningham Grocer deceased and now in possession or occupation of family Gledstone as tenant or under tenant thereof.
And also, all that messuage, Burgage or tenement situate standing and being in Alnwick aforesaid which lately belonged to James Scott Tanner deceased and is now in the possession tenure or occupation of David Cozens as tenant thereof to and under me with their respective rights members and appurtenances also I give and devise unto my son William Robson his heirs and assigns for one undivided moiety or free half part of all my messuages. Houses, granaries, kilns, tenements and hereditaments situate standing, lying and being in Alemouth aforesaid with their respective rights, members and appurtenances.
Also I give and devise unto my son Robert Robson his heirs and assigns for ever the other one undivided moiety or free half part of all my messuages, houses, granaries kilns, land, tenements and hereditaments situate standing, lying and being in Alemouth aforesaid with their respective rights, members and appurtenances. All the said premises so devised by me to the said Robert Robson being subject to the provisions and declarations throughout thereafter mentioned.
And whereas my son Richard Robson hath married and I have raised and paid to him the full sum of one thousand pounds. Now I do hereby will and declare that the said sum of one thousand pounds so paid to my said son Richard was and is intended by me to be in full satisfaction and discharge of any sum of sums, legacies, portions or other provisions which I have made for him in my former wills.
And I do hereby declare that the securities giving by me and my said son Richard Robson for the said sum of one thousand pounds.
The study and conservation of wills and testimonies is incredibly valuable work, as these documents give us a real and intimate insight into the inner workings of familial relations and lifestyles within contemporary households. We would therefore like to thank the volunteer whom kindly transcribed Richard Robson’s last will and testament.
