| This is the last will and testament of me Thomas May of Colchester in the County of Essex Gentleman which I make in manner and form following that is to say First I nominate constitute and appoint Alexander Bean of Little Wigborough in the County of Essex farmer Executor and trustee of this my will and I give devise and bequeath all and singular my real and personal estate of what kind or description soever unto the said Alexander Bean To hold the same to him his heirs executors and administrators according to the natures and qualities thereof Upon trust nevertheless to permit my wife Elizabeth to receive the rents profits and produce thereof for and during the term of her natural life and her receipts notwithstanding any future coverture to be alone good discharges for the same and from and after the decease of my said wife I devise the said real and personal estate unto my niece Eliza Henrietta the wife of the said Alexander Bean her heirs executors and administrators absolutely In witness whereof I the said Thomas May the testator have to this my last will and testament set my hand this twenty fourth day of August one thousand eight hundred and fifty four Thomas May signed by the said Thomas May the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witness thereto J S Barnet Solr Colchester George Lay his clerk
Proved at London the 25th May 1857 before the worshipful Thomas Spinks doctor of laws and surrogate by the oath of Alexander Bean the sole executor to whom administration was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.
Transcribed by Christine Kirkman March 2011 from National Archives PROB 11/2251
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