The will is brief and rather poignant:
In the Name of God Amen
I Thomas Evans Labourer of Ayot St Lawrence in the
County of Hertford being of Sound Mind and Memory
but in great Weakness of Body do make and constitute
this as my last Will and Testament I give and bequeath unto
David Dyer Yeoman of the said parish of Ayot St Lawrence
the sum of thirty five pounds in trust to pay mine and
my Wifes ffuneral Expences and Debts and to Divide the
Remainder among my four Children share and share
alike I likewise give to my Son William Evans the best of
my wearing apparel and to my Daughter Sarah a Gold
Ring which was her Mothers My household Goods to
be equally divided between them that is to say my four
children above mentioned Lastly I nominate David Dyer
above mentioned as the sole Executor of this my last
Will and Testament as Witness my hand this Eighth
day of September 1774 /-/ the mark of x Thomas Evans
Signed Sealed published and Delivered in the presence of us
Rd Wynne /-/ Thos Tomlin
He made his will on 8th September 1774 and was buried on 15th September.
His wife was obviously expected to die as he talks about their funeral expenses.
OH's 4x-great-grandmother received her mother's gold ring.
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