In the Name of God Amen
I John Knagg of the Town of Waltham holy Cross in the County of Essex Tallow chandler being much indisposed but of sound and perfect mind and memory (praised be God for the same) And considering the Uncertainty of human life Do therefore make this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) ffirst I give and bequeath unto my dear and loving Mother Elizabeth Knagg and her heirs all that my customary messuage or tenement with all and singulat the appurtenances thereto belonging situate and being in Waltham Holy Cross aforesaid heretofore in the tenure of the Widow Cansey since of Lancellott Severton the Younger and now of George Bridges or his assignes and also all those my two ffreehold cottages or tenements in Waltham Holy Cross aforesd now in the tenure of James Eaton and Thomas Spencer or one of them with their and each of their appurtenances to hold unto my said Mother Elizabeth Knagg her heirs and assignes for ever Item I give and bequeath unto my Neice Elizabeth Knagg my Silver Watch to be delivered to her by my executrix herein after named as soon after my decease as she shall think fit Item I remitt and forgive unto my Brother William Knagg all such sume and sumes of Money as he shall stand indebted to me at the time of my decease and desire my executrix to give him a proper Release for the same provided nevertheless that if the Monies arising by Sale of my Stock in Trade only (which sale I hereby desire and direct to be made as soon as conveniently may be after me decease) shall not be found sufficient to discharge all mu just debts Then and in such case the aforesaid Remission and fforgiveness of my saiud Brother's Debt shall not take place but my Executrix shall be at liberty to demand and recover the same anything herein before contained to the Contrary notwithstanding Item all the Rest and Residue of my Goods Chattells and Personall Estate whatsoever (my just debts as aforesaid and ffuneral expenses first paid and satisfied) I give and bequeath unto my said loving Mother Elizabeth Knagg whom I hereby make and ordain full and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time made And Lastly I do hereby desire and empower my good ffriends Mr Thomas Stubblefield and Mr William Pigbow the younger to inspect the Affairs and Business relating to my said Mother's Executorship and assist her in the due Execution thereof for which Trouble I hereby also desire them to accept of my Executrix One Guinea a piece to buy each of them a thing in remembrance of me In Witness whereof I the said John Knagg have hereunto sett my hand and sealethis twenty eighth day of January in the year of Our Lord God 1735 / Jno Knagg / Signed SealedPublished and Declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our Names as Witnesses to the same / Thomas Ford, Thos Webb, Thos Jones /
This Will was proved at London on the Thirteenth day of may in the year of our Lord God One Thousand Seven hundred and Thirty five before the worshipfull Stephen Cottrell Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Elizabeth Knagg Widow the Mother and executrix named in the said Will To whom was granted Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattells and Credits of the said deceased She being first sworn duly to administer the same.