Will of Robert Rawes of Durham. Made 8th May 1920. Proved 14th July 1923 at Durham. (Belmont Line)

[Page 1] This is the last Will and Testament of me Robert Rawes of Belmont House Tow Law in the county of Durham made this eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty I hereby revoke all Wills made by me at any time heretofore. I appoint my son Charles Maddison Rawes and my nephew Joseph Maddison Hall to be my sole Executors and direct that all my debts and funeral expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I give and bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth Rawes the whole of my estate and effects real and personal of which I may be possessed or entitled to from any source whatever for her use and convenience so long as she may survive me. After her decease and at the discretion of the Executors aforesaid I direct that my estate shall be divided in the following manner namely The house named Belmont House situated in Ironworks Road Tow Law shall become the property jointly of my daughters Sarah Jane and Alice and my son John Joseph. In the event of the death of any one of these my children the house shall become the property of the surviving two. The furniture of Belmont House shall become the property jointly of my daughters Sarah Jane and Alice each of whom shall likewise become entitled to one half share of the household linen. I direct that the sum of £10 shall be paid to my niece Annie Graham which amount shall be deducted from the monies realised from my estate prior to the division hereinafter specified I desire that my gold watch shall be given to my son Charles Maddison Rawes and my gold watch guard to my grandson Robert Johnson Subject to these bequests I direct that the remainder of my estate shall be realised and divided in equal portions amongst the surviving sons and daughters one sixth each that is [Page 2] to say One sixth portion to my daughter Elizabeth Anne. One sixth portion to my daughter Mary Hannah. One sixth portion to my daughter Sarah Jane. One sixth portion to my son John Joseph. One sixth portion to my daughter Alice with the provision that should my daughter Elizabeth Anne die before the division of the estate I direct that the share which should have accrued to her shall be equally divided amongst my surviving children. Should my son Charles Maddison die before the division of the estate I direct that the share which should have accrued to him shall be paid to his wife Ada Rawes or if she should be deceased to his daughter Mona Elizabeth Rawes. Should my daughter Mary Hannah die before the division of the estate I direct that the share which should have accrued to her shall be equally divided amongst her children. - Robert Rawes - Signed by the said testator Robert Rawes in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses. Anthony Gill William Brown On the 14th July 1923 Probate of the Will was granted at Durham to Charles Maddison Rawes and Joseph Maddison Hall the executors. Transcribed from the original by Bryant Bayliffe, 2007