This is the last will and testament of me George Alderson of Birkdale in the township of Muker in the Parish of Grinton and in the North Riding of the County of York. I give devise and bequeath unto John Alderson, James Alderson and Christopher Alderson sons of my brother Christopher Alderson deceased all that my copyhold messuages lands tenements and hereditaments with the appurtenances situate and being at or within the territories of Birkdale in the Manor of Muker in Swaledale in the said North Riding of the County of York and now in the occupation of Parkin Blades as tenant thereof. And also all that my flock of healthy young sheep consisting of one hundred and eighty five ewes and ? gimmer ?. And also all ready money due to me at the time of my decease, securities for money and all and every my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever both real and personal unto the said John Alderson, James Alderson and Christopher Alderson share and share alike. Nevertheless I make my said copyhold estate also my personal estate chargeable and subject to the payment of all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the charges of proving this my will and all other payments and legacies hereinafter bequeathed. That is to say I give and bequeath unto Alice the wife of Thomas Fawcett of Aygill the sum of fifty pounds. I give and bequeath unto Charles Alderson, John Alderson and George Alderson sons of my brother James Alderson deceased the sum of fity pounds each. I give and bequeath unto Charles Scott, Christopher Scott and George Scott sons of my sister Elizabeth Scott deceased the sum of fifty pounds each. I give and bequeath unto my niece Alice the wife of Parkin Blades the sum of fifty pounds. I direct that all the before named bequests to be paid free of legacy duty at or before the end of twelve calendar months after my decease by my executors hereinafter named. And I charge my said copyhold estate with the payment of the following legacy and interest that is to say I give and bequeath unto Alice Alderson Scott the daughter of Richard Alderson Scott the sum of thirty pounds to be paid to her free of legacy duty when she attains the age of twenty one years by my executors hereinafter named. And I direct that interest at and after the rate of four pounds per cent per annum be paid by my executors hereinafter named for and towards the maintenance of the said Alice Alderson Scott to be paid yearly until she attains the age of twenty one years or until her death which event happens first. The first payment to take place twelve calendar months after my decease but should the said Alice Alderson Scott happen to die before she attains the age of twenty one years, In that case I order and direct that the said legacy of thirty pounds shall be paid by my executors to Alice the wife of Parkin Blades or to whom she may by will or ? order and direct. And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said John Alderson of Hill Top, James Alderson of Ravenseat and Christopher Alderson of East Stonesdale executors of this my will. And hereby revoking all former or other wills by me at any time heretofore made I declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said George Alderson have hereunto set my hand the twentyfifth day of February one thousand eight hundred and sixty five.

George Alderson

Signed, sealed and declared by the said George Alderson the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other all present at one and the same time have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

George Alderson.....Stone House
Charles Alderson........Stone House
Edmund Clarkson...? House farmer

Proved in the District registry of Her Majesty's Court of Probate York on the 16th day of May 1868 by the executors therin named effects sworn under three hundred pounds. Testator died on the fifth day of March 1868