Blacksmith. John Thurtell of ye parish of St Julian in ye City of Norwich Blacksmith made his will on 13 November 1729, identifying his wife and various children as beneficiaries, being already apparently gravely ill and he must have died very soon afterwards, being buried 2 December 1729, at Norwich St. Etheldreda (register). His will was examined 8 December 1729; and the statement of the witnesses to the will was taken at that time.

Text of Will
In the Name of God Amen I John Thurtell of ye parish of St Julian in ye City of Norwich Blacksmith being in perfect mind and memory doe make and ordain this my last Will & Testament as follows, (that is to Say) first I bequeath my Soul to Almighty God hoping for Salvation thro’ ye merits & mediaton of Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour and Redeemer and my Body I bequeath to ye Earth from whence it was taken to be buried in a Christian like manner at ye discretion of my Extrix herein after to be named and as to my Worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to bestow upon me in this Life I give & Dispose thereof in manner & form following viz Impris[?].I give & bequeath to Robert Thurtell my eldest Son my best great Coat a double breasted Coat a fustian Waist Coat and a pair of Buckskin Breeches. Item I give and bequeath to John Thurtell my Second Son my blue Cloth Wrapping Coat. Item I give & bequeath to my Son Henry Thurtell my best Sute of Wearing Cloaths and my best Buckskin Breeches. Item I give & bequeath unto my Son James Thurtell one Guinea of Gold. Item I give & bequeath to my youngest Son Jeremiah Thurtell one Guinea of Gold. Item I give & bequeath to my Daughter Sarah the sum of one Guinea of Gold. Item I give & bequeath to my Daur Alice Thurtell one Feather Bed whereon She usually lieth with all the furniture belonging to ye same as it now standeth also I give to my said Daur Alice ye sume of five Shillings in money all ye sd legacys I will to be paid within Six Months next after my Decease Excepting only that bequeathed to my son Jeremiah wch I wish to be paid at ye Discreton of my Extrix hereafter named. Item all ye rest & residue of my Estates Goods Chattles moneys rights and dues wtsoever & Wheresoever I give & bequeath unto Alice my loving Wife for her to possess and Enjoy and Dispose of as She shall think fitt and I doe hereby make ordain nominate & appoint this said Alice my Wife to be ye only & sole Extrix of this my last Will and Testamt to pay my debts & legacys & to See this my Will fulfilled according to the true Intent & meaning of the same and I also hereby revoke disallow and make void all other wills legacys Exors & bequests by me at any time before named willed orbequeathed Ratifying allowing & Confirming this and no other to be my last Will & Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this Thirteenth Day of November in Third year of ye Reign of our Sovereign & Lord George the Second by ye Grace of God of Great Brittain France and Ireland King Defender of ye faith & xpand in ye Year of our Lord Christ 1729. John Thurtell his mark. Signed Sealed & Declared by your Testator John Thurtell to be his last Will & Testament in ye presence of us William Bollon[?] Thomas Murrell[?] his mark, Henry Masters..... apud Nocvir[?] 8 Dec 1729. Jurat Extrin corain nigro[?] John Swift ClicoSurro xc Examined by Ian Colegs, Thos Coldwell.