Thomas JAMES 1800 - Will (General)

by michael smith , Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Thursday, July 12, 2012, 19:45 (4520 days ago) @ slowhands

Fantastic amount of information guys, if it is genuine and can be substantiated that would be amazing. I don't have a subscription to Ancestry.com but have subscribed to findmypast.com for a few years, I can, however search ancestry at Warwick County Records Office. On the face of it, it would appear to be my Thomas JAMES. The story so far is, that whilst attending a local village end of summer fete with my bees I got talking to a local resident who asked if I was aware of a beekeeper's grave in the churchyard. After the fete I went to have a look and found this lovely OLD gravestone tucked away in a remote corner of the churchyard. On subsequent investigation it transpired that the grave predated the current church and I found a bit of info at the county records office. I applied for and received his death cert which gave the cause of death as typhus, so he was very quickly buried. This year's weather being so bad I haven't yet managed to get to the church to tidy up the grave and try to decipher all of the writing. It reads as far as I can see "In affectionate memory of Thomas James"
In his will which is again difficult to read it is as follows,

This is the Last Will and Testament

Of me , Thomas JAMES of Blakeney Hill in the Township of East Dean a Servant. First I will and direct that my just debts and funeral expenses to be payed by my Executors hereinafter named 2ndly I ?? devise and bequeath to my Wife Mary James whole of my real and Personal Property and everything of which I am proposed after the liquidation of my lawful debts and funeral expenses with exception hereinafter named to be held and enjoyed by during the term of her life but not to sell or Mortgage or otherwise dispose of it or any part thereof. 3rdly I will?? and bequeath to my son Thomas James after the death of my wife Mary James the Cottages and Ground and all?? appertaining to at present in the occupation of John Bailey and Mrs Jones also ?? ???- her ward stands at the top of the ground in the ????? that divides said two plots of around near the three old Cottages and the new one whilst ? originate on Blakeney Hill in the Township of East Dean that same to him his heirs and assigns for ever. 4thly I will bequest and bequeath to my daughter Mary James, the Cottage called “Honey Bee” and the ground attached thereto situate on Blakeney Hill, in the Township of East Dean and at present in the occupation of William Kear to hold the same to her, her heirs and assigns for ever. 5thly I will devise and bequeath to my Sister, Eliza Ball the Cottage and the ground attached to it, at present in the occupation of Thomas Caunmor? And situate on Blakeney Hill, in the Township of East Dean to hold the same to her, her heirs and assigns for ever. Lastly I nominate and appoint James Davis and William Kear to be EXECUTORS of this my last will and testament revoking all others by me at any time heretofore???? In witness whereof I have set my hand this seventh day of September, One thousand eight hundred and fifty eight -------------- THOMAS JAMES--------------------
Signed sealed and declared by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses----JAMES DAVIS---- WILLIAM HILLETT---

Hope this hasn't bored you all, I'm just so pleased that I was minded to contact you and so grateful for the information that you have all given to me, my quest goes on!! I hope to write a short article about him for our local beekeeping magazine.
Gratefully yours
Mick Smith