Eastland Snowden of Knaith, Lincolnshire
Eastland Snowden's daughter, Sarah Snowden, married Joseph Staveley of Saundby, Nottinghamshire. They were married in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire on May 24, 1743. Eastland appears to have been rather fond of his new in-laws, and left the entire contents of his estate to the Staveley family. The Eastland name has since persisted, generation after generation in the Staveley family. The following is a transcript of Eastland Snowden's will:
This is the last will and testament of me Eastland Snowden, of Knaith in the county of Lincoln, Yeoman, made in manner and form following (that is to say).
First as for and concerning all and every my __ cottages, clover lands, fondments and hereditaments whatsoever situated and lying in Laughterton within the parish of Kettlethorpe in the said county of Lincoln __ within the church of this said parish.
I give and devise the same and every part thereof with the appurtenances unto my grandson Eastland Staveley, and the heirs of his body, lawfully issuing and in default thereof unto the right heirs of my said grandson forever.
But now __ __ my mind and will is in case my said grandson shall die before he attains his age of 21 years, and without leaving issue of his body, lawfully begotten that in such case, the said premises above divided, and every part thereof shall go __ and remain unto all and every, the brothers and sisters of my grandson and their general __ heirs and assigns to bequaty.
Divided between such brothers and sisters, share and share alike, and to be held and enjoyed by them and every of them respectively, and each and every of their general and respective heirs and assigns as tenants in common, and not as joint tenants. And in case any of the said brothers and sisters shall be dead, but shall have left lawful heirs, of his, her or their body or bodies, living at the time of the decease of my said grandson Eastland Staveley, then my will is that the heir or heirs of each and every such deceased brother and sister respectively shall stand in the place and head of such deceased parent or parents, and shall be generally entitled in law, to the same parts and shares of the said divided premises, and to the same interest therein, as such parent or parents would have been respectively entitled to if living.
And I further will and direct that my son-in-law Joseph Staveley if living, shall and may take __ and apply to his own proper use and benefit, all the rents and profits of the said divided premises, until my said grandson Eastland Staveley shall attain his age of 21 years, or shall die, which shall first happen.
Upon condition nevertheless that my said son-in-law shall during all that period, at his own proper costs and charges, will and sufficiently provide my said grandson with proper clothing, and with heat and drink, washing and lodging, and all other necessities of every kind, and shall also encourage my said grandson to be educated and instructed in such learning, and in such business, trade or employment as shall be suitable to his fortune and degree.
From as for and concerning all that close of meadow or pasture land lying in Stow in the said county of Lincoln, which I purchased off Thomas Shotter, commonly called Crabtree Close, and now in the occupation of George Bains.
I give and devise the same with the appurtenances unto my daughter Sarah Staveley, now wife of Joseph Staveley, and to her assign for and during the term of her natural life, and from and immediately after her decease.
I give and devise the same unto my grandson Joseph Staveley and to the heirs of his body, lawfully issuing, and in default thereof into the right heirs of my said grandson for ever.
But nevertheless my will is in case my said grandson Joseph Staveley shall die before he attains his age of 21 years and without leaving issue of his body, lawfully begotten, that then and in such case the said close above devised shall go __ and remain unto all and every the brothers and sisters of my said grandson Joseph (except my said grandson Eastland Staveley) and to their general and respective heirs and assigns, to be equally divided between such brothers and sisters, share and share alike, and to be had and enjoyed by them and every of their heirs respectively, and each and every of their general and respective heirs and assigns as tenants in common and not as joint tenants, and in case any of the said brothers and sisters shall be dead, but shall have left lawful heirs of his, her or their body or bodies, living at the time of the decease of my said grandson Joseph Staveley, then my will is that the heir and heirs of each and every such deceased brother and sister respectively shall stand in the place and head of such deceased parent or parents respectively, and shall be generally entitled in law to the same share and part of the said devised close and to the same interest therein as such parent or parents would have been entitled to if living.
Item whereas by my deed poll bearing date on or about the 21st May 1752, I did give grant and confirm unto my said son in law Joseph Staveley, all the goods, chattels and personal estate where of I was then possessed or entitled unto hold the same unto my said son in law, his executors, administrators and assigns to his and their own use, and was __ __ to the payment of several legacies of twenty pounds a piece to my grandchildren William Staveley, Elizabeth Staveley and John Staveley.
As I stand by my last will and testament direct and appoint now insurances and by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the said deed, I do by this my will, give and bequeath unto each and every of my said 3 grandchildren last named, the full sum of £20 a piece to be paid to each of them respectively when they shall naturally attain their respective ages of 21 years, but without any interest for the same in the meantime.
From all the rest and resolve of my goods, chattels, ready money, securities for money and other personal estate of every nature and kind whatsoever, whereof I shall be possessed, interested in or entitled unto at the time of my death, I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof, subject nevertheless in the first place, to the payment of all my just debts and of my legacies and funeral expenses unto my said son in law, Joseph Staveley.
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my said son in law Joseph Staveley to be the sole executor of this my will, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time here afore made, and declaring this to be my last will and testament in witness thereof the above named Eastland Snowden, have here unto set my hand and seal, this 9th day of April in the year of our lord 1755.
Signed By: Eastland Snowden
Witnessed By: Thomas Hartman
Bryan Cooke
John Thompson
Proved on 26th September 1758 in Stow-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire
At the time of Eastland Snowden's death, Joseph Staveley and Sarah (nee Snowden) were residing in Fledborough, Nottinghamshire with their children.