"In the Name of God, Amen. I, Henry Antrobus, Rector of
Himley, in the County of Stafford, and now living at Dudley, in
the County of Worcester, being in perfect health, and of sound
mind, memory, and understanding, blessed be God for it, do make
and ordain this my last will and testament.
"For my body, I desire it may be buried in the same grave with
my dear mother, in the centre of the dome of St. Edmund's
Church, in Dudley; on the right side of which I desire may
be fixed in the wall, a small monument of marble, of an oval
form, with this inscription:--"_Near this place lies interred
the body of Penelope Antrobus, widow, who departed this life
the 10th day of Aug. 1756_, aged 59, adding these words: "_She
departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings
and prayers night and day_." On the left side I desire
another for myself, and of the same size and form, with this
inscription:--"_Here lies the body of the Rev. Henry Antrobus,
&c._" adding these words:--"_Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners, of whom I am chief_." As for my worldly
estates, which God of his undeserved goodness hath given me, I
dispose thereof as follows:--
"Whereas, it was my aunt Oliver's desire, that I should _buy
Land to the value of ten pounds per Annum, to pay a School
Mistress FOR TEACHING FORTY POOR GIRLS_, of the Parish of
Dudley, to read, sew, and knit; that they be brought to church
constantly when there are prayers, and to be catechised every
Friday in Lent, by the Minister of the Parish; which Land is
not as yet purchased. I do hereby give, devise and bequeath MY
ESTATE AT HOKEHAM, which John Whitehouse holds of me, for that
purpose; and desire my executrix, hereafter mentioned, to lay
out the sum of SIX HUNDREDS POUNDS, the profits whereof to make
a provision _for Clothing the said Girls every year, and to buy
Books for the use of the School_.
Item.--I give, devise, and bequeath MY ESTATE which William
Aynsworth holds of me, in the Parish of Rowley Regis, to the
intent TO CLOTHE, (according to Mr. Oliver's will, who left
_One Hundred and Fifty Pounds for that purpose, to which was
added Fifty Pounds more by his Wife_, which money remains in
my hands, and has not, as yet, been disposed of,) SIX POOR
MEN, belonging to the Parish of Dudley, upon _every 1st day of
November for ever_; and if the profits of the said Estate will
bear it, to add a _seventh_ then to the above-mentioned number.
"Whereas, my aunt Oliver had desired that FIFTY POUNDS might
be given to erect _a GALLERY in the NEW CHURCH in Dudley_:--I
desire my executrix, hereafter mentioned, to pay within twelve
months after my decease, or begin the Gallery, and carry it on
as far as the money will go, as soon as possible.
"I do hereby appoint and nominate the said Elizabeth Perry,
sole executrix of this my last will and testament: _CHARGING
HER, AS SHE MUST ANSWER IT AT THE DREADFUL DAY OF JUDGMENT,
to fulfil the Will of the Rev. Thos. Oliver, my aunt, and my
own, as punctually as may be_; and to have all the Charities
enrolled in Chancery, as soon as possible; THAT THE POOR
MAY NOT BE DEPRIVED OF THEIR RIGHTS!!! To this my last will
and testament have set my hand and seal, this 30th day of
December, 1762."
_Proved at London, 9th Dec. 1766, by the oath of Eliz.
Antrobus, formerly Perry, widow, relict of the deceased._