A History of the Harris & Pearson Families

Kindly Contributed by Steve Pearson

The Will of Joseph Pearson 1735 - 1807

'This is the last Will and Testament by me Joseph Pearson of Brockmoor in the Parish of Kingswinford in the County of Stafford, Collier.

First I will and direct that all my just Debts, Funeral Expenses and the Charges of proving this my Will be in the first Place fully paid off, satisfied and discharged.

Also I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter Susannah Plant the Sum of Eight Guineas and which I direct shall be paid her within twelve Months next after my Decease.

Also I give and bequeath unto my son James Pearson the Sum of Four Pounds and which I direct shall be paid him within twelve Months next after my Decease.

And also one Pair of Bedsteads and Hangings, one Feather Bed and Bolster, three Blankets, one Bed Quilt, and one Pair of Sheets, and which are now in the Chamber wherein my said Son James and I sleep.

Also I give devise and bequeath, All those three Messuages, Tenements or Dwelling Houses with the Gardens and Appurtenances to the same, adjoining and belonging situate in Brockmoor aforesaid and in the respective possessions of John Meese Barnett and Thomas Plant or their undertenenants, And also all the Rest and Residue of my Household Goods and Furniture and all other my Personal Estates and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever ( Except such Parts thereof as I have hereinbefore specifically disposed of ) unto and among my several Sons and Daughters. Namely, Bathia Gill the Wife of William Gill, Nancy Horton the Wife of Thomas Horton, Zepary Davis the Widow of Jno. Davis, Joseph Pearson, Elizabeth Onions the Wife of John Onions, Mary Worrall the Wife of John Worrall and my said Son James Pearson. To hold my said real and personal Estate and Effects (Except as in hereinbefore excepted) unto my said Sons and Daughters their Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns for ever equally Share and Share alike as Tenents in Common and not as Joint Tenents.

And Lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said Sons in Law William Gill and Thomas Horton Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former Will and Wills by me at any Time heretofore made.

In Witness whereof I the said Joseph Pearson have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the sixteenth Day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Testator Joseph Pearson as and for his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who in his Presence and at his Request and in the Presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witness thereto:

Joseph Seager

 The Mark of Frances Seager

 Jos. Pearson

Ben: Brettell'

Proved in Lichfield
14th. May 1807