In 1674 Christian was named as a beneficiary in her father's nuncupative will.
In 1704 Christian Bennett was the sole executrix and residuary legatee of her husband's Will, receiving his mills house and outhouses called Lightpill with its lands, tenements, meadows, pastures and arable land in Rodborough and Kings Stanley in co. Gloucester.
Lightpill Mill was worked in the mid 17th century by the clothier Jasper Estcourt (d. 1661/2). He was succeeded by his son Richard (d. 1675/6)who left it to his son Richard, a minor. The Estcourts sold the mill in 1698 to John Bennett, who worked it until his death in 1704, devising it to his wife Christian. 4
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Christian the Relict of John Bennett of Lightpill (burial record)
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Abstract of the Will of Christian Bennett of Light Pill in the Parish of Rodborough in the County of Gloucester, widow, written 2 Apr 1710, proved 24 Oct 1724. 5
Gives & devises to her kinsmen Mr. Oliffe Richmond of Ashton Keynes in the county of Wilts, and Mr. Thomas Hulbert of Easton in the parish of Corsham in co. Wilts, in trust, her close of meadow or pasture ground in Kings Stanley in co. Gloucester called Heavens Close, along with her moiety of a house, garden and an acre of arable land in Wootton Bassett in co. Wilts, for the use and benefit of her daughter Joan Bennett and her heirs.
Wills & bequeaths to the said Oliffe Richmond and Thomas Hulbert all her monies, goods, chattels and personal estate, upon trust, to pay her debts and funeral expenses, and for the benefit of her daughter Joan Bennett. And if Joan should die unmarried before she reaches the age of twenty-one years, then she wills that £50 be paid to each of the four children of her niece Joane Richmond, namely Oliffe, John, Bridget and Joanna, another £50 to her sister Joan Gallimore for her own separate use, and £50 each to her nieces Joan Richmond and Catharine Hulbert.
Gives £5 to her kinswoman Sarah Hobbs of Gainswick.
Gives £10 to the children of her kinsman Samuel Harding of Kings Stanley, share and share alike.
Gives £10 to Giles Bennet of the parish of Stroud, clothworker, who now works for her.
Bequeaths £10 to her servant Elizabeth Gardner.
All the rest of her goods, chattels and personal estate she gives and bequeaths to her said trustees for the benefit of her daughter Joan. If Joan should die unmarried after she has turned twenty-one, then she direct her trustees to divide the same between the following persons: £10 each to her kinswomen Anne Verender, Hester Burrows, Mary Clissold and Elizabeth Horrell ; £10 each to her kinsmen Giles Bennet of Caigh's Green in the parish of Stroud and Richard Higgins of Awre ; £50 each to the said four children of her niece Joan Richmond ; £50 to her said sister Joane Gallimore, for her separate use ; £5 to the said Sarah Hobbs ; £10 to the said Giles Bennet, clothworker, her servant ; £10 to her said servant Elizabeth Gardner ; £10 to the children of Samuel Harding, to be equally divided between them.
Appoints her trustees Oliffe Richmond and Thomas Hulbert co-executors of her last will and testament, placing her daughter Joan in their care until she marries.
(signed)
Witnesses: John Gallimore, William Shermur, Edm: Browne
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In 1740 Christian Bennett was named in the Will of her nephew(-in-law) Thomas Hulbert of Wootton Bassett, gentleman, as mother of his cousin Joane Bennett. 3
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