IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Thomas Fidler of Cotehill in the parish of Wetheral and the County of Cumberland, Yeoman, being of sound and perfect mind, memory and understanding. Blessed be to almighty god for the same. But calling to mind the uncertainty this life and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die.
I do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul unto the hands of almighty God who gave it to my body to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named. In the first place I order all my debts to be paid and satisfied.
First I give and bequeath my son Thomas Fidler the sum of one shilling. I also give and bequeath to my son William Fidler the sum of one shilling. I also give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Warwick the wife of Guy Warwick of Wragmirebank the sum of one shilling. Also I give and bequeath to my Daughters Grace Parker the wife of Thomas Parker of Newbiggen the sum of one shilling. I also give and bequeath to my daughter Ruth Ousby the wife of Thomas Ousby of Low Hesket the sum of one shilling. I also give and bequeath to my loving wife Ruth Fidler all the reversion of my freehold Estate lying and being at Scratchill in the parish of Lazonby and the County of Cumberland for and during the term of her natural life. Likewise I do make, ordain and appoint my loving wife Ruth to be my sole Executor of all the rest and residue of all my personal estate of what nature or kind soever making all other wills void, also the will or wills by me beforemade disabled, this and no other will to be my last will and testament in witness hereof do set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of February One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Five.
Thomas Fidler
Signed sealed and declared by the testator for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses being in the presence of each other.
Witnessed by: Robert Ousby sworn
Isaac Ousby
George Stephenson
Proved 19th September 1789
With thanks to Barrie Craven (Researching Fidler) for sending me this will
NB Robert Ousby was the father of Thomas, Isaac Ousby
was Thomas's brother, and curate of Armathwaite. George Stephenson was
married to Margaret Ousby, sister of Thomas and Isaac.
See Robert Ousby's
grave which includes Ruth Ousby (nee Fidler)