The Will of William Webb (1675 - 1746)

I've been meaning to retype this for years, but OCR technology caught up to me and made it even easier than retyping.

The following is the will of the grandfather of Sister E.A. Lunceford.  Elder and Sister Lunceford served with me in the New York, New York South mission.  I no longer remember why she shared it, only that it struck me as so remarkable I asked for a copy, which she happily provided.  Naturally any centuries old will is interesting stuff, but the amazing part comes in paragraphs five and six.  I've left spelling precisely as Sis. Lunceford retyped it rather than modernizing it in any way.  I can't be sure if she did any modernizing.

This grandfather was 12 generations from Sis. Lunceford.  She noted:  "Ann Webb is William's great great great great granddaughter.  An is my great great grandmother."

William Webb (1675 - 1746)

I William Webb of Harlton in the County of Cambridge, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding do make and ordain my last will and testament in the following manner:  I commend my Soul unto the Hands of Almighty God, my Maker and Creator hoping through the Meritts of Jesus Christ to inherit everlasting life and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and as for the Estate which it hath pleased God to bestow on me I give and dispose thereof as follows:

All my messuages and tenements, work shops, out-houses, barns, stables, yards, herds. fences, gardens and orchards and backsiden thereto belonging or in any wise appertaining now to my occupation to my wife Lydia to be held by her for my sons and their heirs and assigns forever.

Also several sums of money now owing to me and the securities for the same hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) the sum of Forty Pounds owing to me from Frank Jameson upon a. note of Hand or Promisory Note.  Also the sum of Fifty Pounds owing to me from William Butler upon his note of Hand also the sum of Thirty Pounds due me from John Prince on a mortgage and also the sum of Twenty-five Pounds due to me from George Cranfall now or late of Over upon a note of Hand or by whatever other securities or security the said several sums of money may be either are or is secured to be divided among my children equally.

Also to be equally divided among my children (20 Pounds) to each of good lawful money of Great Britain be paid within twelve months after my decease.

There is a legacy left to me by my father who was left it by his father to be passed on to my heirs.  There is spiritual unrest in the land, Beliefs are springing up and being heard.  We believe with others that man should be free to worship his Maker in a manner pleasing to himself.  We believe that Death is not the end but that the Soul lives on and is judged by its Maker for the good or evil it has done, with punishment or reward according to Meritt.  My father John a righteous just forgiving man was told in a dream that the time was nearing when Jesus Christ would return to set up his Kingdom. It will not happen during my lifetime nor that of my children and perhaps not my grandchildren.  But the time will come soon when believers may become members in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ

Having grieved over not being here when that time comes because I will have layed this body to rest long since I prayed enquiring after the believers and followers of Jesus who have gone t0 their Eternal Rest.  As I prayed a calm peace surrounded me and I felt his Presence.  I was assured that there will be a way for the dead to enter the Kingdom.  Because of the Spirit that thrilled me while in the Presence I am sure it will be so.  Therefore I am not afraid to die and my heirs should not feel fear.  We will be together in that Kingdom because of God's great Son.  I admonish my heirs and descendants to live according to the law and to follow diligently the teachings of Jesus and you will be blessed.  When Judgment Day comes I want that we shall all stand together to receive the happy reward of being together throughout Eternity. This is my desire and from what I know it can be so.

I love you all and will continue to love you and yours even after I have layed this mortal body down for I shall live to meet with you again.