The Will of the Reverend Henry Swindell proved 1802

This is the last Will and Testament of [..] Henry Swindell of Borrowash in the Parish of Ockbrook and County of Derby Clerk made the Fifth day of January in the year of our Lord God one thousand eight hundred and one. First my Mind and will is that all my Debts and Funeral Expences shall be fully paid and satisfied and I desire that I may be decently buried without pomp and grandeur Also I give and bequeath to my Nephew John Dalby the sum of one hundred pounds I do also give and bequeath to my Niece Ann Swindell Dalby one other hundred pounds which several legacies I will and order shall be paid to the said respective Legatees within twelve months after my decease […] the care and inspection of my Executor herein after named Also  I further give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my Money Goods Chattels Debts owing unto me and Personal Estate whatsoever (the aforesaid Debts and Legacies being excepted) unto my beloved Friend John Swindell now or late or heretofore of Cubley known and called by that name and the reputed Son of John Swindell formerly of Cholaston for [ever] whom I appoint to be the sole Executor of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made I further give and devise all and every my Messuages Houses Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever within the Kingdom of Great Britain wherein I have any Estate of […..] in possession reversion remainder or Expectancy unto the said John Swindell To hold to him and his right male Heirs successively for ever and in default of such issue I do hereby give and devise the said Real Estate unto the right male heirs of the said John Dalby and him to hold in trust for them in succession for ever they taking and using the name of Swindell and lastly in further default of such issue I give and devise the said real estate to the first second and third son or sons of Edward Swindell now or late of Branstone in the County of Stafford to hold to him or them and to his or their sons and assigns in succession for ever In witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament put my hand and seal the day and year first above written

H. Swindell Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Henry Swindell the Testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who all in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request […] subscribed our names as Witnesses hereunto
Richard Fairba[ncks] Francis Nadin Charlotte Nadin

This Will was proved at London the ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two before the worshipful Charles Coote Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wi[…..] Knight also Doctor of Laws ………………Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of John Swindell Esquire the sole Executor named in the said will to whom administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased was granted having been first sworn duly to Admnr.

Notes

1    Relationships to Henry Swindell mentioned in the will

Nephew	John Dalby
Niece	Ann Swindell Dalby

2    Other names mentioned

John Swindell of Cubley ('dear friend', reputed son of John Swindell of Cholaston)	Executor named in Will -see #4
Edward Swindell of Branstone, Staffordshire
Richard Fairbanks	Witness
Francis Nadin	Witness
Charlotte Nadin	Witness

3    Cubley - 11m west of Derby
       Branstone (Branston), Staffordshire - 11 m SW of Derby in the parish of Burton-on-Trent, 2m SW of Burton on Trent. (48 Swindell baptisms 1663 - 1812 , earliest 1697).

4    The beneficiary of the will was John Swindell.  Presumably this is the John Swindell of Cubley.

It would appear that John Rose (Swindell) was left the money by John Swindell. John Rose may have been Henry Swindell's cousin on his mother's side.

5    The Monthly Magazine 1818, p571
"At Burrowash, 76, John Swindell, esq. who, about twenty years ago, when following the humble occupation of a labourer, very unexpectedly, by will, came into possession of the estates and other property of the Rev. Henry Swindell, M.A. of the same place. Dying without issue, Mr. S. has bequeathed a fortune of 2000l. a year to the family of Mr. Rose of Weston-on-Trent, near Castle Donnington, in grateful return for the kindness he received from them, whilst in their servitude, prior to his elevation in life."

£2000 per year in 1818 would be worth £120,000 p.a. on 2008 in terms of purchasing power (r.p.i.) or £1.5 million per year in terms of average earnings - a very significant fortune.