This is the last Will and Testament of me Joseph Willson of the Parish of Histon in the County of Cambridge Wheelwright First I give and bequeath unto my Son John Willson Carpenter of the Parish of Histon all that Copyhold Estates consisting of House and Garden situated in the Parish of Histon with all the Appurtenances thereunto belonging and likewise to his Heirs and Assigns for ever according to the custom of the Manor of which the same are holden subject to the following conditions That my son John Willson do pay unto my daughter Ann the Wife of Francis Chapman Carpenter of the Parish of Histon the Sum of Twenty Pounds of good and Carfull Money of Great Brittian [sic] to be paid by instalments of Five Pounds per annum to commence one year after my death and to my daughter Mary the Wife of Charles Tolliday Blacksmith of the Parish of Histon the Sum of Thirty Pounds to be paid by instalments in like manner and to the said Charles Tolliday the Sum of Five Pounds to be paid one year after my decease And to my Grandson Charles Chapman son of Francis and Ann Chapman the Sum of Ten Pounds to be paid when he attains the Age of twenty one years Also I give unto the said Charles Chapman a Bereau [sic] to be given to him at my decease and I appoint my son John Willson my sole executor and Administrator of this my last Will and testament to see that my goods and chattels are equally divided between my Son John Willson and my daughters Ann Chapman and Mary Tolliday In Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 13th day of Sept in the year of our Lord 1843 - Joseph Willson - signed and sealed by the said Testator in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses to the above republication of his said last Will and Testament - Witnesses Charles Lucas - John Day - Thomas Moore. Proved by the Oath of John Willson the sole Executor above named Before His Reverend Edward Ventris Clerk Surrogate.
Effects sworn und £50. Testator died October 1843. Vol. 5. Ely Consistory Court Probate Records
Note: In 1838 Joseph signed a petition to Queen Vistoria for he mercy in favour of Smith Lucas, labourer aged 22, who was tried and convicted of stealing and sentenced to seven years transportation. He stated that he [Joseph] was a wheelwright and carpenter and that he had known Lucas for 21 years. Lucas was granted a Royal Pardon and lived in Histon until his death in 1904.
In the 1841 census of Histon, Joseph Wilson 55 was living on his own. Mary had died in January of 1841.
Note: At death Joseph Willson was described as a labourer, who died at Histon of "Decline." The informant was James Leach of Histon, registered on 13 October 1843.