Will and Codicil of Vassa 28 May 1796
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN.
I Gustavus Yassa of Addle Street Aldermanbury in the City of London Gentleman being sound in mind and Body and in perfect health and firm in my belief of a future State in the death and Corruption of the Body and hopeful in the rise of the Soul depending in the Mercy of God my Creator for forgiveness of my Sins Give Devise and Bequeath unto my Friends John Audley and Edward Ind both of Cambridge Esquires All my real and personal Estate of what Nature Kind or sort soever either in possession reversion remainder or expectancy and which Estate and property I have dearly earned by the Sweat of my Brow in some of the most remote and adverse Corners of the whole world to solace those I leave behind me. To Hold to them the said John Audley and Edward Ind their Executors Administrators and AssignsIn Trust that they the said John Audley and Edward Ind shall and do receive and take the produce and profits arising from my Estate both real and personal and apply the same or a sufficient part thereof towards the Board Maintenance and Education of my two infant Daughters Ann Maria and Johanna Vassa until they shall respectively attain their respective Ages of Twenty one years. Then Upon this further Trust that from and after their Attaining their said Age of Twenty one years equally to be divided between them Share and Share alike but if either of them shall happen to die then I give and bequeath the Share of her so dying to the Survivor of them but in Case of the decease of both my Children before they arrive at their said Age of Twenty one years then and in that Case I give devise and bequeath the whole of my Estate and Effects hereinbefore given one Moiety thereof to the Treasurer and Directors of the Sierra Leona Company for the Use and Benefit of the School established by the said Company at Sierra Leona and the other Moiety thereof to the Treasurer and Directors of the Society instituted at the Spa Fields Chapel on the twenty second day of September one thousand seven hundred and ninety five for sending Missionaries to preach the Gospel in Foreign parts. I Do hereby Give and Bequeath unto the said John Audley and Edward Ind the Sum of Ten Pounds each. And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said John Audley and Edward Ind Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all and every other Will and Wills at any time heretofore by me made and do declare this to be my last will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twenty eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six.
[Signed] Gustavus Vassa
Signed Sealed Published and declared by the above named Gustavus Vassa as and for his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who at his request and in his Presence have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto. Elizabeth Melliora Cooss No.9 Adam Street. J. Gillham No.9 Adam Street Adelphi. George Streetin, Clerk to Mr. Gillham.
THE SCHEDULE or INVENTORY of the principal part of my Estate and Effects which I am possessed of at the Time of making this my Will Two Acres of Copyhold Pasture Ground with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging situate lying and being in Sutton and Mepal in the Isle of Ely and County of Cambridge which devolves to me [and] my heirs or assigns after the decease of Mrs. Ann Cullen of Fordham in Cambridgeshire by the last Will and Testament of my late Wife Susanna Vassa[.] And I have Mrs. Cullen’s Bond for one Quarter of her Worth[:] One Annuity of James Parkinson Esquire of the Leverian Museum Blackfriars road in the County of Surrey of the yearly value of Twenty six pounds thirteen Shillings and Eight pence; One other Annuity of Francis Folkes and Frances his wife of Pleasant passage near Mother Red Caps Hampstead Road in the County of Middlesex of the yearly value of Fifty Eight pounds two Shillings and Eight pence; One other Annuity of Mrs Ann Leybourn of Westwell in the County of Oxford of the yearly value of One hundred pounds all payable quarterly[.] Three hundred pounds secured to me by an Assignment of the Lease of Plaisterers Hall situate in Addle Street No. 25 in the City of London[.] Sundry Household Goods and Furniture wearing Apparel and printed Books at present on the Premises at Plaisterers Hall[;] The Sum of Three hundred pounds at present undisposed of and such other Property as I may in future accumulate. I do hereby desire my Executors to insure the Lives on which the several Annuities are granted at the Assurance Office in Bridge Street Blackfriars[.] The Deeds of which Estate are lodged in the possession of James Gillham Attorney No.9 Adam Street Adelphi or with Messrs. Down[,] Thornton and Compy Bankers Bartholomew Lane in the City of London.
[Signed] Gustavus Vassa
Witnesses[:] Eliz[abe]th Melliora Cooss. Js. Gillham. George Streetin
Cl[er]k to Mr. Gillham.
The National Archives, PROB 10/3372.