Will of Francis Stafford - 1736 (executed 1750)

In the name of God Amen. I Francis Stafford of Ashley in the County of Northampton.
Being of perfect mind and memory thanks be to god for it, and therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die. Do make and ordain this my Last will and Testament. That is to say, principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the Hands of God that gave it, and for my Body I recommend it to the earth, to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall Receive the same again by the mighty power of God; and as touching such worldly estate, wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form ------------

Sprimis
I give to my well beloved wife Mary Stafford the House wherein I now dwell with the shop, yard, out houses and all others its appertenences scituate standing and being in Ashley aforesaid, with all others of my goods and chattels whatsoever I give all to her for term of natural life. And I do hereby alow unto her (if need so require) to take money upon the house or to disposes of it as best seemeth good to her for the maintaining of bringing up of my own children and for the maintaining of her self while she continues my wife. but in case she be married to another man. I do not allow unto him to take money upon it or to sel or imcumbor the aforesaid house in any respect but it shall still remain for my own children after the death of my wife to be divided among them as she shall best think proper ----
Stem
I do hereby constitute nominate and appoint the said Mary Stafford my beloved wife sole executorix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me here to fore made. In witness whereof I the said Francis Stafford the testator have here unto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty six ---
Signed sealed published and Declared to be the last will and testament of the above mentioned Francis Stafford the testater in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the said testater ---
Francis Stafford
 
John Munton
William Smith
Dan Clifton
 
ON REVERSE
The 3rd of Decbr 1750
Mary Stafford widow, of Ashley in the County of Northampton, sole executrix of the within written will was then sworn well and faithfully to fullfil the the law and so forth before me
???