| Description | Statement of case and counsel's opinion on Robert Pulleyn's will, with copy of will, re. John Hart Cotton's title to Pulleyn's estate. Will 6 June, 1747 of Robert Pulleyn, St. Neots, Esq. to nephew George Vaughan, messuages and Genthorpe's Close in St. Neots, and £1,000. to niece Sarah Vaughan - £500. to Mary and Clementina Lewis, daus. of Thomas Lewis, Dr. of Physic., lately decd. £300 apiece. to John Cotton, Stretton Hall, Bedford, Esq., Thomas Hart, Warfield, Berks, Esq., and Thomas Bowdler, Roxton, Beds, Esq., all other manors, lands and messuages in Hunts., Beds., and Norfolk or elsewhere, in trust, to pay debts and legacies, then to John Cotton for life, then to John Hart and his issue male. If none, to heirs of Jane Hart in tail male. If none to John Bowdler and his issue male. If none to heirs of Elizabeth Bowdler in tail male. If none to heirs of Frances Cotton in tail male. If none to heirs of Mary Cotton in tail male. If none to George Vaughan, nephews. Direction to whoever gets the lands to take the surname Cotton to preserve the lands in that name. Furniture of house at St. Neots to go with the house. Trustees to pay interest to legatees at £5% p.a. till legacies are paid. To all servants at time of death a quarter's wages. To Elizabeth Shiers, wife or widow of Mr. Wm. Shiers, annuity of £10 p.a. for life. All the rest to John Cotton. Sole exor. John Cotton. Case for Counsel and Counsel's Opinion 24 Sep. 1763 Questions re John Hart securing the estate in fee simple - he can do it by Common Recovery. He should take the surname Cotton but can do so without Act of Parl. Counsel - James Hewitt, Alveston. Added: 26 May, 1768 This is a true copy of the Will and the original case and opinion thereon compared and examined therewith by us. Witnesses. |