6 February 1818 Will of John Pike of Stock Cross, Spoon, Berkshire (proved 19 May 1818)

Source: TNA, PROB 11/1604

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.

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Pike
of Stock Cross in the Parish of Spoon in the County of Berks Laborer made this sixth
day of February in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen
as follows that is to say I give and devise unto my Wife Ann Pike all that Messuage 
Cottage or Tenement in which I now live situate at Stock Cross aforesaid with the Garden
Fuel House and Appurtenances thereto belonging To hold to her my said Wife Ann
Pike and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and after
her decease I give and devise the same Messuage Cottage or Tenement Garden Fuel
House and Appurtenances unto and to the use of my Son Charles Pike his Heirs and
Assigns for ever I give and devise unto my Son John Pike the Messuage 
Cottage or Tenement in the occupation of my Son Charles Pike (adjoining the first
described Messuage Cottage or Tenement and Premises) situate at Stock Cross aforesaid
with the Outbuildings and Appurtenances thereto belonging To hold unto my said Son
John Pike and his Assigns for and during the term of his natural life and from and after
his decease I give and devise the same last described Messuage Cottage or Tenement
outbuildings and appurtenances unto and to the use of my said Son Charles Pike his
Heirs and assigns for ever I give and bequeath unto my Executors hereinafter named the
Sum of Six hundred Pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain upon Trust to lay out
and invest the same on real or Government Securities in England and from time to time
to vary and transpose such Securities as they or the Survivor of them shall in
their or his discretion think proper and by and out of the Annual Interest and proceeds 
of the said Trust Money and Securities to pay unto my Son Lawrence Pike the yearly
Sum of three Pounds for and during the term of his natural life free from all Taxes and
deductions the first payment thereof to be made within twelve Calendar Months
next after my decease and to pay the residue of such Annual Interest and Proceeds
yearly and every year unto my said wife Ann pike for and during the Term of her
natural life in case she shall so long continue my Widow and unmarried and from and
after her decease or second Marriage which shall first happen then upon Trust that
they my said Executors & the Survor of them do and shall by and out of the Interest and proceeds
of the said Trust Money and Securities pay unto my said Son John Pike the yearly
Sum of Four Pounds fifteen Shillings for and during the term of his natural life and
unto my said Son Lawrence Pike (in addition to the said yearly Sum of three pounds
above bequeathed) the further yearly Sum of Four Pounds fifteen Shillings for and during the
term of his natural life the said last mentioned yearly Sums to be paid free from all Taxes
and deductions whatsoever and the first payment thereof respectively to be made within
twelve Calendar Months next after the decease or second Marriage of my said Wife and
from and after payment of the said several yearly Sums of Three Pounds Four Pounds
Fifteen shillings and Four Pounds fifteen Shillings to my said Sons Lawrence Pike and
John Pike respectively as aforesaid and subject thereto I do hereby from and after the decease
or second Marriage of my said Wife which shall first happen give and bequeath the said
Sum of Six hundred Pounds and the Securities upon which the same shall be laid out
and invested and every part thereof unto my said Son Charles Pike his Executors and
administrators to and for his and their own use and benefit hereby directing my said
Executors during the lives of my said Sons John Pike and Lawrence Pike or either of
them to retain in their hands on Security so much Money as by the Interest and
Proceeds thereof will be sufficient to pay the said several yearly Sums hereinbefore
bequeathed to my said Sons respectively All the rest residue and remainder of my
                                                                          goods



Goods chattels Estate Effects and Property whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature
or kind soever I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Ann Pike to and for her own use
and benefit And I hereby appoint James Tanner of Welford in the said County of Berks
Gentleman and Robert Bunce of Marsh Bonham in the said County of Berks Farmer
Executors of this my Will hereby directing that they or either of them shall only be answerable
for such Monies as they shall respectively actually receive by virtue of this my will
and that they of either of them shall not be answerable or accountable for any
involuntary losses which may happen in the execution of this my will and that they
and each of them shall and may out of the monies which may come to their respective
hands retain and deduct all such Costs Damages and Expences as they or either of them
shall be put to in the execution of the Trusts of this my Will and hereby revoking all
former Wills by me at any time heretofore made I declare this only to be my last will
and Testament In witness whereof I the said John Pike the Testator have to this
my will contained in this and the preceeding sheet of Paper set my hand and Seal that
is to say my hand to the bottom of the preceeding sheet and my hand and Seal to this
last sheet the day and year first above written  John Pyke  Signed Sealed
Published and declared by the said Testator John Pike as and for his last will and
Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence
of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses   Noah Head  Henry Shail
John Kimber

Proved at London 19 May 1818 before the Judge by the Oaths of James
Tanner and Rober Bunce the Executors to whom Admon was granted being first sworn
by comon duly to Administer

Last Modified: Sunday, 19-Apr-2020 12:21:24 NDT