In the name of God Amen the twenty third day of March in the yeare of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and three I John Mercer of Couden within Harwood magna in the County of Lancaster yeoman being sick in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God do make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First whereas by virtue of one Indenture of Lease beareing date of fourth day June in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty and five made by Thomas Hesketh late of Rufforth Esquire deceased I stand seized of and in one Messuage and Tenement comonly called Cowden nock in my owne possession contayneing about twenty eight acres I give devise and bequeath the same Messuage and Tenement and all appuitenance thereunto belonging Unto Margaret my Wife for and during the terme of six yeares to comence from the tyme of my decease and the yearly rents and profits thereof during the said terme of six years it is my will and mind shall go and be inployed towards payment and satisfaction of all such debts as I shall owe at the tyme of my decease to any person or persons whatsoever. And after the expiration of the said terme of six years I give devise and bequeath one full moyety or halfe part of the aforesaid Messuage and Tenement Unto the said Margaret my Wife for and during the terme of her natural life and the other moyety or halfe part thereof Unto William my son his heires and Assignes and after the decease of my said Wife the said term of six years being first expired I give and bequeath the other moyety or halfe part of the said Messuage and Tenement Unto my said Son William his heires and Assignes. He the said William my son paying Unto Ann my daughter and John my younger son the sume of twenty pounds a peice within twelve months after the decease of my said Wife And if default shall be made in payments thereof within the tyme aforesaid it shall an may be lawfull to and for my said Son [ ] John and daughter Ann to enter into and [ ] the said Messuage and Tenement and the rents [ ] and profitts thereof to take and receive untill such tyme as the said Several sumes of twenty pounds a peice together with all their resonable costs and charges in and about [ ] paying the same shall be fully paid and satisfyed. Item I give and bequeath unto my said Son John one paire of looms. And all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate after my debts paid and funeral expences discharged I give and bequeath unto the said Margaret my Wife who I do nominate and appoynt sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament in witnesses wherof I have hereunto put my hand and seale the day and yeare above written

Sealed signed published and
declared in the presence of

A true and perfect Inve[damaged] of all and singular the goods and Chattells of John Ma[damaged]er late of Couden within Harwood magna deceased appr[damaged]ed the twelfth day of Aprill Anno Domini 1704 by Alexander Marcer Richard Tompson Edward Marcer and John M[damaged]orby as followeth

30 May 1704