Source: TNA, PROB 11/800
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 Walter Pike of the Parish of Beerferris in the County of Devon yeoman made published and declared this twenty eighth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Fifty two first I recommend my Soul to God who gave it hoping through the Merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ for Eternal Salvation and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred in the Parish Church of Beerferris aforesaid near my Seat there and I direct that my Body be carried to its Grave by William Pike John Stapleton John Ford John Bray Son of Mr William Bray and Samuel Knighton of Beerferris aforesaid and Mr William Edgcombre of Tavistock Attorney to each of whom I give a Hatband and Gloves if they attend my Funeral I give to William Moore of Deptford in the County of Kent Shipwright who is the son of Thomas Moore now or late of Sussex Wheelwright my Burgage Tenement and Lands of Inheritance lying within the Burrough of Beeralston and Parish of Beerferris aforesaid for and during the Term of his natural Life and from and after the end forfeiture or other determination of that Estate I give and devise the same to Sir Francis Henry Drake Baronet and Nicholas James Rowe Gentleman both of Buckland in the said County and their Heirs for the Life of the said William Moore In Trust to Preserve the Contingent Remainders and Estates hereinafter limitted and appointed from being barred defeated or destroyed and for that Purpose to make Entries and bring Actions as the Case shall require nevertheless to Permit and Suffer the said William Moore and his Assigns to have enjoy the same and to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits thereof during his Life and from and after his decease to the use and behoofe of the Heir Male of the Body of the said William Moore lawfully to be begotten and for default of Issue the Remainder thereof and therein To the use and behoofe of Prothesia the Daughter of my Brother Robert Pike her Heirs and assigns forever also I give and bequeath to my Neice the said Prothesia Pike my Tenement or house and Orchard Situate within the Burrough and Parish of Beerferris aforesaid which I purchased of my said Brother Robert Pike and all my Right and Interest therein for the residue of the Term I have to come in the same also I give and bequeath to my Sister Elizabeth the Wife of Roger Atwill five Pounds To my Neice Mary the Wife of Joseph Langman three Guineas and to him one Guinea To my Neice Elizabeth the Sister of the said Mary Langman and Wife of Robert Stephens one Guinea To my Kinsman William Pike one Guinea To my said Brother Robert Pike five pounds to this now Wife one Guinea and to Mary their Daughter one Guinea all which several Legacies I order to be paid by my Executor within six Months after my death and I order and direct that a Monumental Stone may be engraved and laid over my Grave asoon as conveniently may be in Memory of me all the rest residue and Remainder of my Goods Chattels Personal and Testamentary Estate whatsoever not before disposed of I give and bequeath unto the said William Moore his Executors Administrators and assigns whom I make and appoint Sole Executor of this my last Will In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twenty eighth day of December 1752 Walter Pike Signed Sealed and by the Testator published and declared to be his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who at his Request have Subscribed our Names hereto in his Presence and in the Presence of each other after the above Interlineation was made Thos Wyse Wm Edgcombe Henry Cork This Will was Proved at London the thirteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Fifty three before the Worshipful Robert Chapman Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir George Lee Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of William Moore Sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased being first Sworn Duly to administer
Last Modified: Sunday, 19-Apr-2020 12:33:50 NDT