Re. Robert Pulleyn's Will Papers in Case

Statement of case & counsel's opinion on Robert Pulleyn's will, with copy of will, re. John Hart Cotton's title to Pulleyn's estate.

Will 6 June, 1747 of Robert Pulleyn, St. Neots, Esq. to nephew George Vaughan, messuages & Genthorpe's Close in St. Neots, & £1,000. to niece Sarah Vaughan - £500. to Mary & Clementina Lewis, daus. of Thomas Lewis, Dr. of Physic., lately decd. £300 apiece. to John Cotton, Stretton Hall, Bedford, Esq., Thomas Hart, Warfield, Berks, Esq., & Thomas Bowdler, Roxton, Beds, Esq., all other manors, lands & messuages in Hunts., Beds., & Norfolk or elsewhere, in trust, to pay debts & legacies, then to John Cotton for life, then to John Hart & his issue male. If none, to heirs of Jane Hart in tail male. If none to John Bowdler & his issue male. If none to heirs of Elizabeth Bowdler in tail male. If none to heirs of Frances Cotton in tail male. If none to heirs of Mary Cotton in tail male. If none to George Vaughan, nephews.

Direction to whoever gets the lands to take the surname Cotton to preserve the lands in that name. Furniture of house at St. Neots to go with the house. Trustees to pay interest to legatees at £5% p.a. till legacies are paid.

To all servants at time of death a quarter's wages. To Elizabeth Shiers, wife or widow of Mr. Wm. Shiers, annuity of £10 p.a. for life.

All the rest to John Cotton. Sole exor. John Cotton. Case for Counsel & Counsel's Opinion 24 Sep. 1763 Questions re John Hart securing the estate in fee simple - he can do it by Common Recovery. He should take the surname Cotton but can do so without Act of Parl. Counsel - James Hewitt, Alveston.

Added: 26 May, 1768 "This is a true copy of the Will & the original case & opinion thereon compared & examined therewith by us." Witnesses.