John Oakley the Grocer's Will, 1818.

The will of John Oakley runs to four pages, much of which is boring legal-speak. Basically, John's will and last testament stated the following:

This is the last will and testament of me, John Oakley of the town of Shrewsbury county Salop, Grocer.Made on the 27th day of January, 1818.
I give and devise all those my two messuages or dwelling houses and buildings with the several pieces of land situate in the parish of Saint Julian, Shrewsbury, Salop, and adjoining the Turnpike Road leading from Shrewsbury to meole Brace now in my possession and in the occupation of Mrs Parry
All those my three dwelling houses or messuages situate on and near the Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury and Parish of Saint Julian, now in the several occupations of Edward Hayes, Americus Hitchcock and Robert Hale.
Also my two dwelling houses with gardens situate in Saint Julians Friars, Shrewsbury, now in the several occupancies of John Straphen(??) and David Lloyd.
Also all of my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto the use of my partner in trade Richard Bratton of the Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Grocer, and Samuel Harley of the same town, Grocer, to sell and dispose of as soon as convenient after my decease by public auction or private contract and dispose of the monies arising therefrom for the purposes hereinafter mentioned:
To pay to my dear wife Catherine Oakley the sum of £600 which I give and bequeath to her for her own sole use and benefit to be paid within twelve months of my decease.
Samuel Harley and Richard Bratton, the executors, to invest the remaining money and to pay Catherine Oakley,wife, during the term of her natural life the clear yearly annuity of £40 by equal quarterly payments.
The residue shall be in favour and for the benefit of my children ELIZABETH OAKLEY; CATHERINE OAKLEY; JOHN OAKLEY; MARGARET OAKLEY; RICHARD OAKLEY; THOMAS OAKLEY; JAMES OAKLEY and ANNA MARIA OAKLEY in equal shares to be payable when they turn 21.
Signed by John Oakley and witnessed by Thomas Jones and H. Hancock, servants to Mr. Oakley.
The will was proved on April 27, 1820.

Just a short note on others mentioned in this will:

1835: Death: In the Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Richard Bratton, Esquire, aged 83 years."

1838: Death: At Shrewsbury on March 6, 1838, aged 68, Samuel Harley Esq."

Americus Hitchcock: baptised June 18, 1786, son of William and Elizabeth Hitchcock, Alberbury. In 1830, Americus Hitchcock of St. Julians Parish Shrewsbury, married Frances Beddow of Meole Brace. Americus died in 1839 at Shrewsbury.
In the 1851 census his widow Frances was living at Meole Road, St. Julians, Shrewsbury, with children Fanny, 18, and Americus aged 11.

Definition : "messuage"
n : (law) a dwelling house and its adjacent buildings and the
adjacent land used by the household.