This is the last will and testament of me John Leaper of Withernwick in the East Riding of the county of York, farmer which I make in manner following, that is to say I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Betty such part of my household furniture, plate, linen and china as she shall after my decease asked to take for her own use.  I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Betty such part of my household furniture, plate, linen and china as my said dear wife Betty shall after my decease select for the use of my said daughter Betty and in the event of my own dear wife Betty dying before me or neglecting or declining to make such selection then in her thereof I give and bequeath to her my said daughter Betty two chests of drawers, two bedsteads with the bed blankets, sheets and furniture thereof belonging. I give and bequeath an annuity or yearly sum of thirty five pounds to my said dear wife Betty clear of all deductions and I direct the same to be paid quarterly, the first payment thereof to commence on the expiration of three months after my decease. And I charge my dear estate at Withernwick with the said annuity and I give power to my said dear wife to recover the same when in arrears by distress and sale in the like manner as much rents as are recoverable by law. I give and absolutely bequeath unto my daughter Betty the sum of five hundred pounds exclusive of the one hundred pounds I owe to her on my promissory note if not paid at the time of my decease. I direct shall be paid to her whether the said note be then statute sum or not (?) and I charge the payment of the said sum of five hundred pounds upon my said real estate at Withernwick aforesaid with interest after the rate of four per cent until the payment thereof. And I give and bequeath unto my son John Leaper and to my friend John Watson of Witherwick aforesaid farmer the further sum of five hundred pounds and I charge the payment of the same also on my said real estate at Withernwick with interest after the rate of four per cent until the payment thereof upon trust to stand possessed of and interested in the said last mentioned sum of five hundred pounds and the interest thereof for the rate and separate rise and benefit of my daughter Sarah the wife of William Craven of Aldbrough in the East Riding of the county of York before, for and during the term of her natural life and from time to time to pay to her the interest, dividends and annual proceeds thereof and I declare that her receipt alone shall notwithstanding corrective (?) be a sufficient discharge for such interest and proceeds so as from time to time to become due and from  and after her decease then upon trust to pay the said interest, dividends and annual proceeds unto my son in law the said William Craven for and during the term of his natural life and from  and after his decease to stand possessed of the said principal sum of five hundred pounds and the interest dividends and proceeds thereof. In trust for any child or children of my said daughter Sarah Craven who may then be living share and share alike and in the event of there being no children or child of my said daughter Sarah then being living then upon trust to pay and apply the said principal money and interest to such person or persons in such part shares and proportions as my said daughter Sarah shall at any time and from time to time by any deed or will executed in the presence of two credible witnesses direct or appoint and in default of such direction or appointment then upon trust to pay the said principal of five hundred pounds and interest unto and equally between the next of kin  of my said daughter Sarah who shall then be living. And I direct that my said son John Leaper and my friend John Watson and the survivor of them and the executor and administrator of such survivors shall have full power to give any receipt or receipts for the said last mentioned sum of five hundred pounds so as to discharge my said real estate therefrom. And I direct my said son John Leaper and John Watson on receipt of the sum of five hundred pounds to invest the same in Government securities in England or in mortgages of real estate at such a rate of interest as can be reasonable gotten for the same consistent with the full and ample security of the principal money of which security they are hereby considered the sole judges with power from time to time to alter vary change such securities and to do all other such and things properly to effect the same and I declare that the said John Leaper and John Watson their executor and administer shall not be answerable for any loss by the failing of any bank in which the said principal money may for convenience be placed nor for involuntary losses and shall be entitled out of the interest to arise from the principle money to retain all reasonable cash and changes they or either of them may be put to in the managing the said money and estate. I give and bequeath unto my son Withand (?) Leaper the weekly sum of three shillings for and during his natural life to he send to him by my son John by weekly instalments but I do not charge the payment thereof upon my real estate but direct that the same shall be paid by my executor out of my personal estate. I give and bequeath unto each of my grandchildren Ann, Sarah, Adda and Emily the sum of four pounds as a memorial of my affection. I give and devise all that my farm farmstead land and houses at Withernwick aforesaid and all other my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my son John Leaper his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give and bequeath farming stock and effects household furniture plate linen and china except as hereinbefore is mentioning and all other my personal estate and effects whatever unto my said son  John Leaper his executors administrators and assigns. And I appoint him the said John Leaper sole executor of this my will. And I declare that the provision hereby made for my said wife shall be accepted by her in lieu and full satisfaction of all dower and thirds (?) to which she is or maybe entitled out of all or any part of my real estate. And I do hereby revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. In witness whereof I the said John Leaper the testator have to this my last will and testament contained on three sheets of paper set my hand and seal to wit my hand to have the first two sheets thereof and my hand and seal to the third and last sheet thereof this tenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.

Declared by the said John Leaper the testator as and for his last will the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each

William Thorney   Robert Middlemiss