Source: TNA, Prob/11/1516
A transcript of the will of Joseph's son William can be found here.
Also, if you are a male Pike/Pyke (or you know one) who may be willing to do a genealogical DNA test, then please check out the Pike DNA Project for which I am a volunteer coordinator. There are several Pike/Pyke families that are not yet represented in the project, and for whom participants are wanted.
In the Name of God Amen Joseph Pike of Chudleigh in the County of Devon Gentleman being in perfect health of body and of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding thanks be to God for the same Do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I give and bequeath unto my Son John Pike his Exors Admons and assigns all my Household Goods Furniture Plate Linen and China and all other my Implements of Household that shall be in my Dwellinghouse and premises in Chudleigh at the time of my death Also I give and bequeath unto John Jones of Chudleigh aforesaid Gentleman the sum of Twenty pounds to buy Mourning Also I give and bequeath unto each of my Grandchildren John Jones William Jones and Mary Jones Sons and Daur of the said John Jones by my late Daur Mary Jones his Wife the Sum of Four hundred pounds of lawful British Money to be paid and payable to them as hereinafter directed Also I give and devise unto The Revd Henry Mugg of Chudleigh aforesaid and John Pulling of the same place Sergemaker All that my Messuage Tenement and Premises called Ramscombe situate lying and being in the said parish of Chudleigh to hold the same and every part thereof with its Rights Members and Appurts unto the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling their Heirs and Assigns for Ever upon trust nevertheless and to and for the several Ends Intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) To the use and behoof of my son William Pike and his Assigns for and during the term of his natural life without impeachment of or for any manner of waste Except voluntary waste in Houses and Buildings and from and after the determination of that Estate by forfeiture or otherwise in his lifetime To the use and behoof of the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling and their Heirs during the life of the said William Pike In trust to preserve the contingent Remainders hereinafter limited from being defeated and destroyed and for that purpose to make Entries and bring actions as the case shall require [and for that purpose to make Entries and bring as] [ <-- crossed out ] But [the case shall require] But nevertheless to permit and suffer the said William Pike and his assigns during his natural life to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits thereof to his and their own use and benefit and from and after the decease or other determination of the Estate for life of the said William Pike to the use and behoof of Ann the Wife of the said William Pike and her assigns during the term of her natural life she keeping the same in good repair and not felling any Timber except for Repairs of the same Premises and from and after the determination of that Estate by forfeiture or otherwise in her life time to the use of the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling and their Heirs during the life of the said Ann Pike In trust to preserve the continent Remainders hereinafter limited from being defeated or destroyed and for that purpose to make Entries and bring actions as the case shall require But nevertheless to permit and suffer the said Ann the Wife of the said William Pike and her assigns in case she shall happen to survive her said Husband to receive the Rents Issues and Profits thereof during her natural life and from and after the decease of the Survivor of them the said William Pike and Ann his Wife To the use and behoof of all and every the Child and Children of the said William Pike on the body of the said Ann his Wife begotten or to be begotten his her and their Heirs and assigns Share and Share alike equally to be divided between them to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and of the Several and respective Heirs of such Child and Children lawfully issuing and in default of such Issue or being any such and all of them shall happen to die without Issue lawfully begotten in the life time of the said William Pike Then to the use and behoof of any future or after taken Wife of the said William Pike for her life (in like manner as given to the said Ann the present Wife of the said William Pike) punishable for waste and from and after her decease To the use and behoof of all and every the Child and Children of the said William Pike on the body of such second or after taken Wife equally to be divided between them Share and Share alike to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and of the several and respective Heirs of such Child and Children lawfully issuing and in default of such Issue to the use and behoof of my Son John Pike and his assigns for and during the term of his natural life without impeachment of or for any manner of waste except voluntary waste in Houses and Buildings and from and after the determination of that Estate by forfeiture or otherwise in his life time To the use of the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling and their Heirs during the life of the said John Pike In trust to preserve the contingent Remainders hereinafter limited from being defeated and destroyed and for that purpose to make Entries and bring actions as the Case shall require But nevertheless to permit and suffer the said John Pike and his assigns during his natural life to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits thereof to his and their own use and benefit and from and after the decease or other determination of the Estate for the life of the said John Pike To the use and behoof of all and every the Child and Children of the said John Pike on the body of any Woman with whom the said John Pike may first Intermarry lawfully to be begotten his her and their Heirs and assigns Share and Share alike equally to be divided between them to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and in default of such Issue or being any such and all of them shall happen to die without lawful Issue in the life time of the said John Pike Then to the use and behoof of all and every the Child and Children of the said John Pike on the body of any second or after taken Wife equally to be divided between them Share and Share alike to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and of the Several and respective Heirs of such Child and Children lawfully Issuing (and in default of all such Issue To the use and behoof of my said Grandchildren John Jones William Jones and Mary Jones their Heirs and Assigns for Ever Share and Share alike equally to be divided between them to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants) Also I give devise and bequeath unto the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling all those my four Fields or closes of Land and two Orchards and Premises called Trendlebears and all that one Field or close of Land call The Church Hills and all that Linhay and three Fields or closes of Land called the Mills Stone Ground and all that my Dwelling House and Premises now occupied by me with their Several Rights Members and Appurts all which said several Premises are situate in Chudleigh aforesaid To hold the same and every part and parcel thereof with their several Rights Members and Appurts unto the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling their Heirs and Assigns for Ever upon trust nevertheless and to and for the several uses intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned that is to say (To the use and behoof of my Son John Pike and his Assigns for and during the term of his natural life without impeachment of or for any manner of waste except voluntary waste in Houses and Buildings and from and after the determination of that Estate by forfeiture or otherwise in his life time To the use of the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling and their Heirs during the life of the said John Pike In trust to preserve the contingent remainders hereinafter limited from being defeated and destroyed and for that purpose to make Entries and bring actions as the case shall require But nevertheless to permit and suffer the said John Pike and his Assigns during his natural life to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits of the said several premises to his and their own use and benefit and from and after the decease or other determination of the Estate for life of the said John Pike To the use and behoof of any Woman with whom the said John Pike shall hereafter first Intermarry who shall survive the said John Pike for and during the term of her natural life she keeping the same in repair and not felling any Timber Except for repairs of the same Premises and from and after the determination of that Estate by forfeiture or otherwise in her life time To the use of the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling and their Heirs during the life of such Woman In trust to preserve the contingent Remainders hereinafter limited from being defeated and destroyed and for that purpose to make Entries and bring actions as the case shall require But nevertheless to permit and suffer such Woman and her Assigns to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits thereof to her and their own use and benefit during her natural life ^ with whom the said ^ and from & after the John Pike shall first Intermarry To the use and behoof of all and every decease of the survivor the Child and Children of the said John Pike on the body of such first of them the said John Wife lawfully to be begotten his her and their Heirs and Assigns Share Pike & such Woman and Share alike equally to be divided between them to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and of the several and respective Heirs of such Child and Children lawfully issuing and in default of such Issue or being any such and all of them shall happen to die without lawful Issue in the life time of the said John Pike Then to the use and behoof of any future or any after taken Wife of the said John Pike for her natural life (in like manner as given to the Woman with whom he may first Intermarry) punishable for waste and from and after her decease To the use and behoof of all and every the Child and Children of the said John Pike on the body of such second or after taken Wife equally to be divided between them Share and Share alike to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and of the several and respective Heirs of such Child and Children lawfully issuing) and in default of any such Issue To the use and behoof of my said Son William Pike and his Assigns for and during the term of his natural life life without impeachment of or for any manner of waste Except voluntary waste in Houses and Buildings and from and after the determination of that Estate by forfeiture or otherwise in his life time To the use of the said Henry Mugg and John Pulling and their Heirs during the life of the said William Pike In trust to preserve the contingent Remainders hereinafter limited from being defeated and destroyed and for that purpose to make Entries and bring actions as the Case shall require But nevertheless to permit and suffer the said William Pike and his assigns during his natural life to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits thereof to his and their own use and benefit and from and after the decease or other determination of the Estate for life of the said William Pike To the use and behoof of all and every the Child and Children of the said William Pike on the body of the said Ann his Wife lawfully begotten or to be begotten his her and their Heirs and Assigns Share and Share alike equally to be divided between them to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and in default of any such Issue or being any such and all of them shall happen to die without lawful Issue in the life time of the said William Pike Then to the use and behoof of all and every the Child and Children of the said William Pike on the body of any second or after taken Wife equally to be divided between them Share and Share alike to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and to the several and respective Heirs of such Child and Children lawfully issuing and in default of such Issue To the use and behoof of my said Grand Children John Jones William Jones and Mary Jones their Heirs and Assigns for Ever Share and Share alike equally to be divided between them to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants provided also and I do declare my Will and meaning to be that it shall and may be lawful to and for the Person or Persons who for the time being shall be Tenant for life and be in possession of the premises by the Limitations under this my Will by Indenture under their respective hands and Seals to Demise and Lease to any Person or persons all or any of the said Premises to them severally limited as aforesaid for any Term or number of years not exceeding seven years in possession and not in reversion remainder or expectancy so as such Lease or Leases be made dispunishable for waste and so as upon every such Lease the usual Covenants in such Casea are contained and there be reserved the greated and most improved yearly Rent that can or may be had for the same without taking any Monies or other things by way of Fine or Consideration for such Lease or Leases and so as the Person or Persons to whom such Lease or Leases shall be Granted do Seal and Execute Counterparts of the same Lease or Leases Also I give devise and bequeath unto my said Sons William Pike and John Pike their Heirs Exors Admons and Assigns All that my Barn Orchard and Premises situate in Exeterway in the Town of Chudleigh now in my possession and all my Bonds Notes Mortgages in Fee and for terms of Years and all my legal and Equitable Estate and Interest therein and all my Bonds Notes Bills Ready Money and Securities for Money and all Monies due thereon and all my Goods Chattels Ships Shipping and Merchandizes Rights Credits Real Personal and Testamentary Estate whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore given devised and bequeathed To hold the same unto the said William Pike and John Pike their Heirs Exors Admons and Assigns upon Trust that they the said William Pike and John Pike or the Survivor of them and the Heirs Exors and Admons of such Survivor do and shall as soon after my decease as may be sell dispose of and convey the said Barn Orchard and premises in Exeterway unto any person who shall be willing to become the purchaser and do and shall for that purpose make and Execute all such deeds Conveyances and Assurances as they shall think fit and their Receipts shall be good and sufficient discharges for the purchase Monies and the purchaser shall not be obliged to see to the application of such Purchase Money or be answerable or accountable for any Loss or Misapplication thereof and also do and shall call in and receive all Monies due to me and convert my Goods and Chattels into Money (Except my said Goods and Chattels of Household before given to my said son John Pike) and pay and apply the same and the Monies arising by Sale of the said Barn Orchard and premises in the first place towards payment of all my Just Debts Legacies and Funeral Expenses and in the next place pay the said several Sums of Twenty pounds Four hundred pounds Four hundred pounds and Four hundred pounds hereinbefore given to the said John Jones and my said Grandchildren John Jones William Jones and Mary Jones and the Surplus Monies which shall be in their hands after the payments aforesaid equally to be divided between them my said Sons William Pike and John Pike their Exors Admons and Assigns Share and Share alike and I do order and direct my said Trustees and the Survivor of them and the Heirs Exors and Admons of such Survivor to put and place out at Interest the said three several Sums of Found hundred pounds Four hundred and Four hundred pounds so given to my said Grandchildren John Jones William Jones and Mary Jones upon any public or private Security and call in such Monies and replace the same again on such or the like Security and expend and lay out so much of the produce arising therefrom as my said Trustees in their discretion shall think fit for and towards the Maintenance Education and advancement in life of my said Grandchildren John Jones William Jones and Mary Jones until they shall attain their respective Ages of twenty one years (so as the same shall not exceed each Childs share and Interest) and then do and shall pay unto them my said Grandchildren the several Sums of Four hundred Four hundred pounds and Four hundred pounds and all Interest due for the same when they shall respectively attain their Ages of twenty one years and in Case either of them the said John Jones William Jones and Mary Jones shall happen to die before he she or they shall have attained his her or their Age or Ages or twenty one years without lawful Issue Then I order and direct that the Share of him her or them so dying under the Age of twenty one years and without Issue lawfully begotten shall go and be paid to the Survivors or Survivor of them And I do hereby make the said William Pike and John Pike Exors In trust of this my last Will and Testament and Guardians of my said Grandchildren John Jones William Jones and Mary Jones and my Will further is that my said respective Trustess shall retain and be paid all reasonable Costs and Charges and for all Journies Labour and Expenses in the Exon of the Trusts hereby in them reposed and that they shall not be answerable or accountable for any accidental Loss nor the one for the other of them nor for the Acts Deeds Receipts or Disbursements of the other of them but each only for his own Acts Deeds Receipts and Disbursements And I do hereby make void all former Wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made published or declared In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament written on six Sheets of Paper set my hand and Seal (to wit) my hand to the five first Sheets thereof and my hand and SEal to this last thereof this first Day of February in the year of our Lord 1807 Joseph Pike LS Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the above named Joseph Pike the Testator as and to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have Subscribed our Names at Witnesses P Hellyer William Searle Thos Pulling Proved at London 23rd October 1810 before the Judge by the Oaths of William Pike and John Pike the Sons and Exors to whom Admon was granted being sworn by Comon duly to Administer
Last Modified: Sunday, 19-Apr-2020 12:22:27 NDT