First I desire to be decently and privately buried in the Church yard at Shouldham Thorpe

Secondly I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Edwards Bird all my furniture beds and linen belonging thereunto Also my six best silver tea spoons one pair of silver table spoons and a pair of silver sugar bowl

Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sophia Bird all and every the remainder of my plate wearing apparel and also I give and bequeath unto my said daughter the interest and income arising from all monies in the bank or elsewhere of which I may be possessed at the time of my decease

And I do also appoint my said daughter Sophia Bird sole executrix of this my Will and that the money I may leave at the time of my decease be deposited in the bank or public funds or in such manner as she may deem best the receiving the interest and profits arising therefrom during the term of her natural life and at her decease the same to be equally divided amongst the children she may leave then living within six months after her decease unless any of them shall then be under the age of twenty one years in such case the money to be put to interest until they shall attain that age him or her to receive interest arising therefrom during the time

And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind and quality soever they may be and not before given and disposed of after payment of my debts funeral expenses and the expense of proving this my Will unto my said daughter and I do hereby ordain constitute and appoint my said daughter Sophia Bird sole executrix of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made

In witness whereof I have to this my Last Will and Testament set and subscribed my hand and seal the day and year first above written

Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator Anna Maria Edwards as and for her Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
The mark of Anna Maria Edwards (seal), Joseph Midgley, John Bird

The Will hereunto annexed of Anna Maria Edwards was proved at Wimbotsham on the twenty fifth day of January 1845 before the Rev. William Maxey Allen Clerk Surrogate duly appointed of the Worshipful Charles Evans A M Official principal of the Episcopal Consistorial Court of Norwich lawfully constituted and was approved &c and admon of all and singular the goods &c., of the said Anna Maria Edwards the testatrix deceased was on the eighth day of March following duly granted to Sophia (the wife of John Bird) her daughter the sole executrix named in the said Will she being duly sworn to saving &c.

Testator died 30th May 1844 - Probate granted 8th March 1845

Examined with the original Will by me E. Butler

Effects sworn under £450

Consistory Court of Norwich Wills - 1845/51
Acknowledgments to the Norfolk Record Office

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