[line and paragraph breaks added for comprehension] [visual emphasis added e.g. Watson]
This is the last Will and Testament of me Stephen Watson of Brierhill in the Township of Stanhope and County of Durham Yeoman
I Give and bequeath to my Son Stephen
Watson his his Heirs and Assigns my
two Dwelling Houses situate at Brierhill
aforesaid, viz. The one called the West End House now in the occupation of my Son in Law Wm
Watson and the other adjoining thereto
and now in my own possession
Also my Meadow Field called and known by the Name of the Great
Field adjoining the Turnpike road with the Hay Garth adjoining
Also the West half of my Garden
Also that parcel of Ground adjoining thereto and lying between
the Burn and the Foot Path
Also that piece of land called the pasture head
Also one half of the Waste ground in front of the Houses
Also that Close of Land called the Doghill Field Together with
two thirds of the whole of the pasture adjoining thereunto called
the Hill Top Allotment with all [Wayleaves?] and Watercourses
hither to used
And also one Stint on the undivided part of Ireshope
Common
Also the right to win and lead away Stones from the Quarry called
the Sand Hill Quarry
TO Hold the aforesaid Hereditaments and premises to my said Son
Stephen Watson his Heirs and
Assigns forever Subject Nevertheless to the payment of £300
being a part of a Mortgage Debt of £700 due and owing upon
the whole of my Estate herein divised and given
Subject also to the payment of the yearly rent of s1.3
due and payable to the Lord Bishop of Durham and his Successors
for the time being
I Give and bequeath to my Son John
Watson his Heirs and Assigns All that
my Dwelling House called the East End House occupied by my Son Wm Watson and the room adjoining thereunto with the two
Byers under the said Dwelling House and Room with the other outbuildings
attached thereto
And Also All those two Closes of Land called the Back Field and
the Little Field with the Hay Garth belonging thereto
Also the East Half of my Garden with the right of the Water and
Watercourse that runs from the backside of the House and half
of that which runs in front of the Houses
Also all those two Closes of pasture Land lying on the South side
of that part of my property called Ireshope plains except the right of Quarry herein named Together
with all Wayleaves and right of Road hitherto used
Also one Stint on the undivided part of Ireshope Common
To Hold the aforesaid premises to my said Son John Watson his Heirs and Assigns for ever Subject Nevertheless
to the payment of £228 being a part of a Mortgage Debt of
£700 due and owing upon the whole of my Estate herein devised
and given
Subject also to the payment of the yearly Rent of s1.1
due and payable to the Lord Bishop of Durham and his Successors
for the time being
I Give and bequeath to my Son Thomas
Watson his Heirs and Assigns All that
my Dwelling House and Byer under it situate at Ireshope
Plains aforesaid and also all those
two Meadow Fields adjoining thereunto the one on the North and
the other on the West of the House Together with the two Closes
of pasture Land lying in front of the said Dwelling House
Also the right of Winning and Leading Stones from the before mentioned
Sand Hill Quarry along the Road now used
Also one Stint on the undivided part of Ireshope Common
TO Hold the aforesaid premises to my said Son Thomas
Watson his Heirs and Assigns for ever
But subject to the payment of the Sum of £110 being a part
of a Mortgage Debt of £700 due and owing upon the whole
of my Estate herein devised and given
Subject also to the payment of the yearly rent of s1
payable to the Lord Bishop of Durham and his Successors for the
time being
I Give and bequeath to my Son Wm
Watson his Heirs and Assigns All those
my two Dwelling Houses situate at Hill with the Byer and Outbuildings
belonging thereunto
Also all my Close of Meadow Land situate at the same place and
now in the occupation of Mary Tindale as Tenant
And Also the right of leading Hay Stones and Manure through the
late John Richardson Field adjoining along the road now used
Also one third part of All that my aforesaid pasture called the
Hill Top Allotment
Also the right of Winning and Leading Stones from the before mentioned
Quarry called the Sand Hill Quarry and also the right to and use
of [illegible word] Watercourses passing through the above named
premises
And also Five Sixths of a Stint on the undivided part of Ireshope
Common
To Hold the aforesaid premises to my said Son William
Watson his Heirs and Assigns for ever
Subject Nevertheless to the payment of £62 being a part
of a Mortgage Debt of £700 due and owing upon the whole
of the Estate herein devised and given
Subject also to the payment of the yearly rent of s1½
due and payable to the Lord Bishop of Durham and his Successors
for the time being
I Give and bequeath the whole of my Household
Furniture Beds Bedding Linen and Milk Vessels as follows, viz,
To my Daughter Mary Richardson
or her children on Fourth part
To my Daughter Phebe Hodgson
or her Children one Fourth part
To my Daughter Ann Watson
or her Children one Fourth part
And to the Children of my deceased Daughter Jane Donaldson one Fourth part
I Give and bequeath to my above named four Sons All my Farming Stock Utensils of Husbandry and all the Crop of Grass or other Crop standing or growing upon the whole of my Estate or Debts due or owing to me at the time of my death to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike
And I do hereby Nominate and appoint my said Sons William, Stephen, Thomas and John Watson joint and equal Executors of this my last Will and Testament They paying all my just Debts and Funeral expenses equally amongst them
In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper set my Hand and Seal this the Twenty first Day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Stephen Watson (SS)
Signed Sealed and Declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witness hereto.
Ralph Gibson
Ralph Watson
Jacob Thompson
Proved at Durham on the 8th Day of October 1838 by Thomas Watson Miner his Son and one of the Executors to whom Adm'on was granted he having been first duly sworn as usual
Sub £100 (13.17)