Shakespeare's Birthplace: documents of title

Description

Copy of the will of Thomas Court of Henley Street Stratford-upon-Avon Victualler whereby after payment by his executor and executrix of his debt to the Testator devised to his wife Ann Court for her life the messuage wherein he then dwelt called the Swan and Maidenhead with the stables granary and appurtenances, also his freehold ground then converted into gardens situated on the opposite side of the Turnpike Road the lately purchased by him of the representatives of the late Joel Morris then in the occupation of himself and William Burman (note the garden ground is a distinct property from that acquired in 1847 from the Court family) also his other dwelling house with the buildings yard garden and appurtenances then in the occupation of Thomas Hornby and commonly called Shakespeare's house being the house in which Shakespeare was born all which premises were situate in and near Henley Street on the North East side of the Turnpike Road leading through Stratford called the Guild Pitts and Testator bequeathed to the said Ann for her life all his personal Estate for the maintenance and breeding of their several children and after the death of the said Ann he devised and bequeathed all his seal an personal estate this his brother in law Henry Smith of Wawensmore, Warwick, Farmer upon trust to sell and divide the proceeds amongst his children John Leonard, Mary Ann, William and Sarah or such of them as should be living in equal share, the share of any that should be dead leaving issue to be equally divided amongst such issue and testator appointed his wife Ann and Henry Smith to be his executrix and Executor . Witnesses Samuel Greves, of Stratford-upon-Avon, J. Webster of Henley in Arden Victualler and J. Barnhurst of Stratford-upon-Avon, Attorney. Testator died the 26th March 1818 and was buried at Alderminster. Will proved by Ann Court the 7th September 1818 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.