West Lulworth

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In the Name of God Amen, I Bexey Tewxbury late of West Lulworth in the County of Dorset but now of the Town and County of Southampton Widow being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding praised be God for the same do make publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say). First I will that all my just Debts and Funeral Expenses be paid and to and with the payment of them I do hereby subject and make liable all and singular my Estate and Effects. I give and bequeath unto my Nieces Elizabeth Stoford and Mira [?] Stoford daughters of my sister Martha Stoford the Sum of One hundred pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain apiece to be paid to them respectively on the death and demise of their Mother the said Martha Stoford if she so shall happen to survive me in which case I direct that she shall have and be entitled to receive the Interest of the said Legacies during the term of her natural life and that to that end the said Legacies respectively shall be by my Executer hereinafter named placed out at Interest on some Government or Real Security within one Month or as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. Also I give and bequeath unto my Niece Ann Nicholl* daughter of my Sister Penelope Nicholl* the Sum of One hundred pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to her on the death and decease of her Mother the said Penelope if she so shall happen to survive me in which case I also direct that she shall have and be entitled to receive the Interest of the said Legacy during the term of her natural life and that to that end the same shall be by my said Executer placed out at Interest on some Government or Real Security within one Month or as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. Also I give and bequeath unto the said Martha Stoford and Penelope Nicholl* the sum of twenty pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain apiece for Mourning. Also I give and bequeath unto my said three Nieces Elizabeth Stoford Mira Stoford and Ann Nicholl* all my Cloathes Suites and Wearing Apparel of every sort to be equally divided between them share and share alike as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. All the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Estate and Effects as well Real as Personal Monies Securities for Money Goods and of what nature or kind soever I give devise & bequeath unto my […med] Friend John Garland of the said Town and County of Southampton Merchant and to his Heirs Executors and Administrators and Assigns for ever. And Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said John Garland sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke and make void all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and witness whereof I the said Bexey Tewxbury the Testatrix to this my last Will and Testament contained in one Sheet of Paper set my Hand and Seal the fifth day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five. Bexey Tewxbury. Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Bexey Tewxbury the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto Richard Searer [?] Robt. Sandham Js. Galpine.


This Will was proved at London this the twenty third Day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six before the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of John Garland the sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn herein [?] by Commission only to administer.


*Surname difficult to read here but in her stepmother Ruth Lisle’s will it appears to be Nicholls.


Will kindly transcribed by Anthony M. Carter who has also provided the further information below


Bexey Tewxbury was the widow of Francis Tewxbury. They were married by licence at Winfrith Newburgh 2 September 1750. Francis was the son of John Tewksbury and Francis Collins and is mentioned in the latter’s will. He was buried at West Lulworth 25 February 1793. Administration was granted to his widow Bexsy 29 April 1793. Rebecca Tewkesbury was buried at West Lulworth 31 January 1796.


The Executor and principal beneficiary of the will, John Garland, had married Francis and Bexey Tewxbury’s only known child, Radigan Lisle Tuexbury, who was baptized at West Lulworth 4 March 1762. The marriage between John Garland of Chaldon Herring and Radigan Lisle Tewxbury took place at West Lulworth 11 July 1780. It was short lived. Radigan Lisle Garland was buried at Chaldon Herring 29 April 1781. No doubt she died in childbirth as their son William Garland was buried there 5 May 1781.


Bexey was the daughter of Warren Lisle and his first wife Mary (probably she was Mary Davies and the marriage 4 December 1717 at Portland). Other sources show Warren Lisle was an effective Customs and Excise man. Becky Lysle was baptized at Melcombe Regis 2 July 1732. There are records of her sisters Mary and Penelope and her brothers Henry, Warren and Warren (two). Penelope was baptized 1725 and buried the same year, but the name no doubt was given to a second daughter (as Warren was given to a second son).  It is apparent from the wills of Warren Lisle and Ruth Lisle (see below) that Martha Stoford and Penelope Nicholls were daughters from this marriage; in both Martha is referred to as Penny Stoford.


Mary Lisle the mother was buried at Wyke Regis 19 January 1733. Warren Lisle then married Ruth Clapcott at Melcombe Regis 9 May 1735 and they had five children among them William Clapcott Lisle who married Hester Cholmondeley (Esther in the Upwey registers) sister of George Earl of Cholmondeley and mentioned in Robert Walpole’s will.


Wills - Tewxbury

The will of Bexey Tewxbury - 5 September 1795