This is the last will and testament of me James Clare of Grafton Regis in the County of Northampton, yeoman which I make in manner following (that is to Say)
First I give and devise my house with appertenances in Abthorpe in the said county of Northampton wherein my daughter Elizabeth Allen did lately live and now in the occupation of William Sheppard the yonger unto my said daughter Elizabeth Allen for her life and after her decease unto her daughter Ann Allen and her heirs forever. Also I give my Stocking Frame to the said Elizabeth Allen for her own benefit for ever also I give and devise all those my several messauges cottages cloases land Tenements and henditament what so ever within the parish of Abthorpe or elsewhere within the Kingdom of England unto my son James Clare and to his heirs for ever charged and chargeable nevertheless and to stand charges with the payments of the several sums of £25 apiece unto my two grandsons Richard Dawson and Thomas Dawson at their several and respective ages of twenty one years.
Also I give and bequeath unto my said two grandsons the several sums of £25 apiece unto my said grandsons Richard Dawson and Thomas Dawson at their several and respective ages of 21 years to be paid to them within six months next after my decease as if they are then now of age and I do hereby charge my personal estate with the payment of the said two last mentioned sums by my residuary legatee William Clare within six kalendar months next after my decease.
Also all the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattels personal estate whatsoever wheresoever I give and bequeath unto my son William Clare for paying all my past debts my funeral expenses and the charge of proving this my will and paying the said £25 apiece to my two said grandsons and £20 to my said daughter as afore said and I do hereby constitute and appoint my said son William Clare sole executor of this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills by me made and do declare this to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I this said testator James Clare have to this my last will set my hand and seal the 13th day of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine.

Mark of James Clare

Signed sealed and published and declared by the above named testator James Clare as 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 here unto subscribed our names as undersigned.

Si Adams Job Goodman Thos Pratt

On the 8th day of July 1783 William Clare the sole executor named in the within written will was then at the petition of Smith his proctor sworn faithfully to fulfill the same by me Rob Harding surrogate