The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-10-28
QUEER ENGLISH WILLS
SOME ARE POLITICAL, WHILE 9TH
ERS ARE WRITTEN In
PROSE
BUT MANY OF THEM ARE OLD

Testators Who Got Even with Their
Enemies in the Little DOcu-
ments Given Publicity
After Death.
A collection of eccentric and interesting
wills has been made by Chambers Jour-
nal. This one. poetic, was by John
Hedges, who died near London more
than hundred and fifty years ago
This fifth day of May,
Being airy and gay,
70 hip not inclined,
But of vigorous mind,
And my body in health,
I'll dispose of my wealth,
And of all l am to leave
On this side the grave.
To some one or other,
/ think to my brother;
But because / foreSaw
That my brother-in-law,
) If l did not take care,
Would come in for a share,
Which / no ways intended
r. Till their manners were mended-
And of that God knows, there's no sign;
I therefore enjoin,
And strictly command,
As witness my hand,
That nought have got
Be brought to hotch-pot;
But l give and devise,
As much as in me lies
To the son of my mother,
My own dear brother,
To have and to hold
All my silver and gold, 49,
As the affectionate pledges
Of his brother.
John Hedges
Another poetieal will is that of W.
Jacket. who lived in Islington. 1t may
perhaps be noted here, by those who are
under the impression that a will is of
necessity bound to be full of legal sub
tleiteS and repetitions, that both wills
were proved and remained unchallenged
Mr.. Jackets will runs thus:
II give and bequeath.
When I'm laid underneath,
TO my two loving sisters most dear
me whole of my store,
I Were 1t twice as much more
Which Gods goodness has granted me
here.
And that no one may prevent
This my will and intent,
Or occasion the least law racket
With a solemn appeal
L confirm, sign and seal
NhlS the true act and deed of
VIII Jacket
Many wills seem to have been dictated
by vindictivenes and malice. Some aim
at the widow of the testator, who takes
this method of revenge OH the defenceless
woman whom he has vowed to cherish
and protect. 81 give unto my wife, Mary
barley" says one spouse, for picking
my pocekts of sixty guneas the
sum Of one shilling
One who was called a 'tnobIennan' was
not ashamed to carry on warfare with
his helpmate beyond the grave, for in
1719 the Earl of Stafford bequeathed '-to
the worst of women, who ssguifty of all
III, the daughter of Mr.. Gramont a.
Frenchman, whom I have unfortunately
married, hVe-and-forty brass haIfpence
which will buy her a pullet for her supper
"a greater sum than her father can often
make her; for have known when he had
neither money nor credit for such a pur-
pose, he being the worst of men and his
Wife the worst of women. Had I known
their character had never married their
daughter, nor made myself unhappy r
Another gentleman who w shed his. part
ner in life to feel the weight of his dead
hand was Charles Parker, a London
bookseller. 81 give and bequeath to EIiz ,
apeth Parkee@-so runs the will-''the
sum of hftyzpoundS, whom, through NV
foqlish sfondness, Ismade my wife, with
put regard to family fame, or fortune
and who in return has not spared, most
NnjustlY,4- to. accuse me of every crime
resard1ng- human nature, save highway
Stephen Swain vented his spleen on
certain married acquaintance: 81 give
70 John Abbott and Mary his wife the
sum Of sixpence each, to buy for each
of them a halter, for fear the sheriff $
Should not be- provided"
1.-THE Will of ]. AsStow said: ''T hereby
direct my executors to lay out five
g1ineas in purchase OF a picture Of the
viper biting the benevolent hand of the
person who saved him from perishing in
the snow, if the same can be bought
for that money; and that they do. in
memory of me, present it to Edward
Bearcroft,esq., kings counsel, whereby
ne may have frequent opportunities of
contemplating on it, and by a comparison
between that and his own virtue be able
to form certain Judgment, which is
best and most profitable, grateful re-
membrane of past friendship and IL
most parental regard or ingratitude and
thsolence. This I direct to be presented
TO him In lieu of a legacy of three
thousand pounds had by a former will,
now revoked and burnt, left him.
Mr.. David Davis of Chaplain left this
parting salute; Il give and bequeath to
Mary Davis daughter of Peter Delaport.
the sum of five shillings which is suffi-
cient for her to get drunk with for the
last time at my expense"
The father of Daniel Church cut him
off thus: Il give and devise to my son
Daniel Church only one shilling: and
that is for him to hire porter to Garry
away the next badge and frame he
steals.'
Joseph Dalky took the opportunity, of
insulting his son-in-lSzE: ct give to NV
daughter Ann Spencer a guinea for a
ring or any other bauble she NAV like
better; give to the lout her husband one
penny to buy him a lark whistle :
and this legacy 1 give him as a mark
of my appreciation Of his prowess and
nice honor ir drawing his sword on me-
Cat my own table,, naked and unarmed as
1 was, and he well fortified with Gus
tard."
A legacy of Philip Fhicknesse: at leave
my right hand. to be cut of after nv
DEATH ID my son; and I desire it NAV be
sent 10 him in hopes that such Il sight
may remind him of his duty to God.
after having so long abandoned the duty
he owed to father, who once affec ion.
ately loved EiIn''
The will Of Richard Crawshay. the
founder Of the famous Welsh iron works.
ITO my only son. who never would fol-
low my advice, and has treated me rude
1y In very many instances; instead of
making him my executor and residuary
1egatee Gas till this day he was), I give
him one hundred thousand pounds,
Here Is a will in which the writer is
most particular In the way his dead body
should be adorned 1t Is an extract from
the will Of George Appleby: my body
after being dressed in flannel waistcoats
instead of shirt, an old surtout coat