Context Note: Her daughter, Sarah, predeceased her shortly after this will was written.
Lich[field] 21[th] Mar[ch] 1783
T[estamentum] Cath[erine] Wallis de Coventry
1: Ex: Sine
In the name of God, Amen
I, Katherine Wallis of the city of Coventry, widow, being in good health of body and of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding (praised be God for the same) do make an ordain this my last will and testament in manner following (that is to say)
Imprimis, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth, the wife of Francis Blick of the city of Coventry aforesaid, chandler, the sum of sixty pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Katherine, the wife of Richard Bird of the city of Coventry aforesaid, silkman, the sum of fifty pounds
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Wallis the sum of fifty pounds
I give and bequeath unto my son Clement Wallis the sum of fifty pounds
I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Wallis the sum of fifty pounds
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy, the wife of John Hill of the city of Coventry aforesaid, grocer, the sum of fifty pounds
I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Katherine Bird, daughter of Richard Bird of the city of Coventry aforesaid, silkman, the sum of one hundred pounds
All which said several legacies I hereby will and and direct shall be raised and paid to the several legatees respectively by my executor herein after named out of my personal estate within twelve calendar months next after my decease
Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Blick one silver tablespoon marked “J.K.W.”, also my mourning ring, the green bed in the room over the back kitchen in my now dwelling house, together with everything belonging to the said bed, and one oval table in the parlour – to and for her own proper use and benefit
Item, I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Katherine Bird my large silver waiter, one mahogany side fold down table, one large silver tablespoon marked “J.K.W.” together with one round mahogany tea table in the parlour, one mash vat, one large brewing tub, one looking glass in the parlour – to and for her own proper use and benefit
I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Sarah Wallis one silver cream jug, one silver punch ladle, all my china, a looking glass with a star in the room over the parlour, one bed with all belonging to it in the room over the parlour, one large silver tablespoon unmarked, six silver teaspoons and silver tea tongs, one square tea table, one square tea board, one table tray, my red bed with a white bed quilt, two feather beds, two bolsters, two pillows, two blankets, one red and white bed quilt, one chest of drawers, one looking glass with drawers in it, white window curtains, six walnut tree chairs, all in the chamber over the shop, one dressing table in the room over the parlour, all my sheets and table linen, one dozen of new pewter plates, three small pewter dishes, one small soup dish, two soup plates, two pair of new brass candlesticks, one set of silver Topt castors, one tea kettle and lamp, one new brass kettle with a tin lid, one large chest in the room over the back kitchen, one round mahogany table in the same room, one Japan waiter, one small square looking glass in the window of the kitchen, one brass fire shovel and tongs and fend iron in the parlour, one round mahogany table in the kitchen, one new brass pot and cover, one small kettle and cover, one tea kettle, half a dozen knives and forks with white handles, one folio volume of Burkitt’s Exposition of the New Testament, one large Bible – to and for her own proper use and benefit
I give and bequeath unto my son Clement Wallis my clock and bureau – to and for his own proper use and benefit
I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Wallis the leaden cistern in the yard of my now dwelling house, and the copper in the back kitchen, together with one silver half pint mug – to and for his own proper use and benefit
I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Nancy Hill one large silver tablespoon unmarked, one large pewter dish, one large soup dish, one chest of drawers in the room over the parlour – to and for her own proper use and benefit
Item, I give all my wearing apparel to my said four daughters Elizabeth Blick, Katherine Bird, Sarah Wallis and Nancy Hill, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike, and all the rest of my household goods herein not mentioned, except standards to the house, I give unto my said sons and daughters John Wallis, Clement Wallis, Thomas Wallis, Elizabeth Blick, Katherine Bird, Sarah Wallis and Nancy Hill, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike
And I will that my said daughter Sarah Wallis do remain in quiet possession of all my household goods and furniture, as well those which are herein particularly mentioned as legacies as those which are not mentioned, for the space of twelve calendar months after my decease, provided she resides in the house wherein I now dwell during that time
Item, after the payment of all my just debts, funeral expenses, the several legacies and bequests above mentioned and charges of proving this my last will, I give and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my personal estate whatsoever or wheresoever and of what nature, kind or sort soever, unto my son John Wallis – to and for his own proper use and benefit, charged and chargeable nevertheless with the payment of an annuity of ten pounds per annum to my said daughter Elizabeth Blick given her by the will of my late husband, John Wallis deceased
And I do hereby order and direct that my said son John Wallis, his executors or administrators, shall pay the same annuity in such manner and at such times as in my said late husband’s will is mentioned and directed, for payment thereof
And lastly I do hereby make, nominate and appoint my said son John Wallis sole executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made at any time heretofore
In witness whereof I the said Katherine Wallis, the testatrix, have to this my last will and testament contained in three sheets of paper set my hand and seal to each sheet this eighth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven
K W
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Katherine Wallis the testatrix as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto
Sam[ue]l Merry
Joseph Hopkins
(Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, probate 21st March 1783)
Our Family 2 