Source: TNA, PROB 11/1728
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.
I William Pyke of Bideford in the county of Devon master mariner knowing the uncertainty of life and being in Charity this day ??? with all mankind do declare this to be my last will and Testament in the first place I give and bequeath unto Mary Pyke my beloved wife every inch of land and all my Chattels property that I am possessed of only with this proviso if she gets married after my decease then the whole of my land & Chattell property to be equally divided share and share alike unto my four Children whose names are as follows Grace Pyke Benjamin R Pyke Mary Pike & John D Pyke after my just debts & funeral expences being paid by them the reason of my disposing of my property to my Children is because I am well assured every man ought to provide for his own wife and if she becomes the wife of another man after my decease then as I have said before my four Children are to become owners of the whole of my property and to do with it as they shall best adjudge but if it shall please God to take my life before my two younger Children shall arrive at the age of twenty one years then it is my request that their uncle Mr Jno Jewell shall act as trust for them during their minority I will again repeat what I have before said respecting my wife Mary Pyke I give unto her all of the property I am possessed of whether in land or Chattle provided she remains in her Widowhood but as soon as she becomes the wife of another then the whole of my disposable property whether land as Chattell shall be shared & divided equally between my four Children Grace Ber Mary & John Pyke and if Mary Pyke remains in her widowhood and dies without becoming the wife of another then after her decease my four Children shall become the sole and joint owners of what may be left as this is the wish of W Pyke he expects his will may be complied with William Pyke August 13th 1826 Witnessed names Robt Ley Henry J???? Robert Jewell On the 20th July 1827 admon with the Will annexed of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of William Pyke late of Bideford in the County of Devon master mariner deceased was committed and granted to Mary Pike Wo the Relict the universal Legatee during life or Widow hood having been first sworn by Comon duly to admr
Last Modified: Sunday, 19-Apr-2020 13:12:38 NDT