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In the name of God amen.  I James MAY of Theale within the Parish of Tilehurst in the County of Berkshire, Gentleman, being of good health and of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say):  First I give unto each of the children of my late son James if they respectively live or such of them as do live to the age of twenty one years the sum of sixty pounds.  Secondly I give unto my daughter Elizabeth SHEBBEARE twenty pounds a year clear of taxes payable quarterly from my decease during her natural life into her own hands and her receipt alone to be sufficient and wherewith her present or any future husband shall have nothing to do nor shall the same be liable to such husbands debts or control but be for my said daughters separate use the first quarterly payment to be made three months next after my decease and further after my said daughter Elizabeth’s decease I give unto my said daughter’s children equally to be shared and divided between them on their respective ages of twenty one years his, her or their equal part without interest of and in the sum of four hundred pounds which sum I give my said daughter Elizabeth’s children if living to that age accordingly but not to be paid them till their mother’s decease and then without any interest for the same.  Thirdly I give unto my daughter Jane the sum of two hundred pounds payable in one month next after my decease.  Fourthly I give unto each of the children of my late son Daniel the sum of one hundred pounds apiece at their respective ages of twenty one years but if either dies before such age then I give, will and order the share of him, her or them so dying before such age unto and to be equally divided between the survivors or survivor of them and if all dead without issue before that age then to sink in residuum for benefit to my executors,  And Lastly subject to and charged with the payment of the before mentioned annuity, legacies, my debts (if any), funeral and testamentary expenses I give, devise and bequeath all and every my residuum real and personal estates unto my two sons William and Thomas equally to be divided and make them joint executors.  In witness where of I the said James MAY the testator have hereto set my hand and seal this 13th day of March 1773 in the 13th year of King George 3rd.  Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said James MAY the testator as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence at his request and in the presence of each other of us the interlineation of the words after my said daughter Elizabeth’s decease.

James May

Mary Hasell
Ri. Carter

May 16th 1774 William MAY and Thomas MAY the sons of the deceased and executors of his will named were sworn to the truth thereof and before me Wm PENNINGTON.  The testator died last month.