Memorandum The Twelth Day of Novbr one thousand seven hundred and forty one Whereas I Joseph Sterry Citizen and Tinplate worker of London being now of perfect health of Body and of sound well disposed mind and memory Do make this my last Will and Testament in maner and form as followeth that is to say I commit and commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God trusting in his Infinite mercy for the forgiveness of my sins through Jesus Christ my Redeemer My Will is that my Body be decently Buried at the discretion of my Executors herein after named And as for such temporal Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this world I do order in manner and form as followeth As touching my Leasehold Estate in Dyers Buildings bounding backwards to Castleyard in the parish of St Andrew Holborn purchased of Jno Campion by Lease from the Company of Dyers Londn. Whereas I am bound in Bond to my Son Joseph Sterry for the payment of Twenty pounds per Annum during his natural Life and now intend to will him somewhat more in Lien of the said Twenty pounds per Anum my Will is that the aforesaid Bond be made null and void and in Lien thereof I give and bequeath unto him my said son Joseph Sterry Two Leasehold Houses or Messuages [side note: 'houses or'] hereafter mentioned that is to say One House or Messuage situated in Dyers Buildings aforesaid in the Occupation of Ralph Day being the first House entring the said Building Also one other house next adjoining in the occupation of Thomas Price my said son Joseph Sterry and his Issue paying six pounds per annum for Ground Rent for the said two houses for and during so many years and so long time as he or his Issue shall enjoy the same To hold my said two Leasehold Messuages to my said son Joseph Sterry for and during so many years and so long time of the Term by the said Lease granted as he the said Joseph Sterry shall live and from and after his Decease I give and bequeath the aforesaid two Messuages to the Issue of the Body of my said son Joseph lawfully begotten or to be begotten for so many years of the Term of the said Lease granted as the said Issue or any of them shall happen to live and from and after their decease and the decease of the longest liver of them I give and bequeath the said two messuages unto my two sons Henry and Benja. Sterry or to their heirs or Assigns that is to say the first house in the Occupation of Ralph Day I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Sterry and the second house thereunto adjoining in the occupation of Thos. Price I give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin Sterry Item I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Sterry or to his heirs or Assigns the third house thereunto adjoining in the occupation of Jno. Pinder Esqr. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Benja. Sterry or to his heirs or assigns the fourth house thereunto adjoining in the occupation of Thomas Danghan. Item I give and bequeath the fifth and last house thereunto adjoining in the occupation of Francis Gostlin to my two sons Henry Sterry and Benja. Sterry or to their heirs or assigns each of them one moiety that is to say share and share alike Item I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Sterry or to his heirs or assigns all my leasehold estate situate in Tyson Street in Spittlefields in the parish of St Dunston Stepney in the County of Middlesex containing three houses or messuages purchased of Richd. Sanders Also I give and bequeath to my son Henry Sterry one hundred pounds as he is indebted to me on Bond bearing Date Novbr the twelfth one thousand seven hundred and forty one in consideration I shall leave my son Benja. Sterry leasehold estate here after mentioned of one hundred pounds more in value than that above mentioned to my son Henry Sterry Item I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Sterry all my household goods and furniture of what sorts so ever plate linnen wearing apparel excepted and also I give to my son Henry Sterry all my working tools and utensills and all the compters presses shelves and drawers with all the lumber in and about the house Item I give and bequeath unto my son Benja. Sterry or his heirs or assigns all my leasehold estate in Helmett Court Thames Street in the parish of St Bennet Pauls Wharf containing eight Messuages or tenements purchased of Richd Ansley in several occupations Item I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Sterry in trust for my Grandson Henry Sterry and Grand daughter Sarah Sterry son and daughter of Henry Sterry two hundred pounds South Sea Trading Stock that is to say one hundred pounds stock to each of them Item I bequeath to my son Benja. Sterry in trust for my grandson Joseph Sterry and grand daughter Anna Sterry son and daughter of Benjamin Sterry two hundred pounds South Sea Trading Stock that is to say one hundred pounds stock to each of them but provided that both or either of them should happen to decease before attaining to the age of twenty one years that then my Will is that the deceased stock shall be given to my other two grandchildren Richard Sterry and Mary Sterry son and daughter of Benjamin Sterry to be divided in equall proportion share and share alike Item I give and bequeath the sum of ten pounds to the Peel(?) Quarter towards putting out two poor ffriends sons appentices living and belonging to the Peel Quarter at the discretion of my executors I give and bequeath to my sister Sarah Austin if living at my decease the sum of five pounds Item that all the rest and residue of my personal estate of what kind soever after my just debts and leagacys and ffuneral charges paid and discharged I give and bequeath unto my three sons Joseph Henry and Benja. Sterry in equal proportion share and share alike the blessing of the Lord attend you all Amen Item I do nominate and appoint my two sons Henry Sterry and Benja. Sterry to be my Executors of this my last will and testament and further do nominate and appoint my trusty ffriends Joseph Besse and Thos Whithead as trustees to this my last will and testament in order to see all things performed according to my will and desire Item I give and bequeath to my said trustees one guinea each Lastly I declare this to be my last will and testament revoking all others In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written Joseph Sterry. Signed and sealed in the presence of us Geo Gilbert John Wyatt

This will was proved at London before the Wopfull Robert Chapman Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the first day of October in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and forty two by the solemn and sincere declaration or affirmation of Henry Sterry and Benjamin Sterry the Executors named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the deceased having made the declaration or affirmation aforesaid duly to administer the same.

[Margin Note] On the seventh day of May 1759 Admon for the Will annexed of the Goods Chattels and Credits of Joseph Sterry of the Parish of St Sepulchre London dec'ed left unadministered by Henry Sterry and Benjamin Sterry the executors named in the said Will since also dec'd was granted to Richard Sterry the Son and administration of the Goods of the said Benjamin Sterry dec'ed whilst living surviving Residuare(?) Legatee named in the said Will he having first made a solemn and sincere declaration or affirmation according to act of Parliament __(?) to administer for that the said Benjamin Sterry the surviving executor died intestate