Many thanks to all those who have replied to my request. I've learned a lot, in particular that before attempting to transcribe a Will, members should consult the Wills index, which in this case shows that a transcription had already been done! However, there is still some uncertainty about some of the names in the Will, as, at the end of the day, reading difficult handwriting inevitably involves some inspiration or even guesswork. I am interested in trying to trace Mary Ward's cousin, who she names as William Dene/Dane/Dine or something similar. I thought she said he was from Westgrinstead, but those with more experience of such handwriting suggest the place is Westmeston. I would very much like to trace this cousin, as I have very little information about Mary herself - I think her maiden name might have been Bailey as there is a Clandestine Marriage of a Mary Bailey to Richard Ward in 1749, but, unlike other similar marriages at this time, no details about the bride or grooms occupation or address are given. If Richard Ward (who died in 1799) and Mary were married in 1749, they would have been together for 50 years, a extraordinarily long time for the period. However, when Mary died in 1802, her MI says she was 74 years old, ie born about 1728, so a marriage at 21 in 1749 would have been quite normal. Neal