I initially thought that Richard KILBY was the nephew or some other relative of Elizabeth EPHGRAVE, nee KILBY. I've since found an IGI christening record which could be Elizabeth, for 17 April 1791 in Ayot St Lawrence in Hertfordshire, daughter of Richard and Jane KILBY. Richard, I think, married Jane LAURENCE/LAWRENCE in Wheathamstead in 1812 (another IGI record). Both of these need to be checked at
HALS, but in the meantime I have found Richard KILBY's Last Will and Testament of 1826 (proved in 1842) at the
National Archives' DocumentsOnline site. This makes a clear link between Richard's daughter Elizabeth, wife of Thomas EPHGRAVE, and Richard KILBY. All very exciting. The legal hand in which these wills are recorded is a bit difficult to read, but my transcription looks something like this:
Richard Kilby
THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Richard Kilby of Gustard Wood in the parish of Wheathamstead in the County of Hertford Carpenter ffirst I direct my executrix and [my] executors hereafter named to pay and discharge all my just debts and funeral and testamentary charges and expenses as soon as [..] conveniently may be after my decease by and out of my personal […] estate I give and devise all my messuages lands tenements […ments] and real estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my lawful wife Jane Kilby for and during the term of her natural life she keeping the same in good repair and condition and from and immediately after her decease I give and devise the messuages or tenements […] in my own occupation at Gustard Wood aforesaid together with the shop thereunto belonging and used therewith and also the messuages or tenements which I some time since purchased of Mrs Mary Wright widow of Gustard Wood aforesaid and now in the occupation of George George and the messuage and tenement now in the occupation of Thomas Young crafted? And built by me on part of other premises (promises?) or lately purchased by me of the said Mary Wright with their respective outhouses yards gardens and appurtenances unto my son John Kilby his heirs and assigns forever and I also give two coppers and fixtures belonging to the same and my brewing utensils to my said son John Kilby and he paying or cause to be paid the yearly sum of twenty pounds to my said wife the interest of five hundred pounds and in case she not being paid she shall be at liberty to sell or cause to be sold the premises that I have bequeathed to him and I give and devise all those two messuages or tenements at Gustard Wood aforesaid which I some time have purchased of William Wright of Edmonton Butcher and his nephew and all those two messuages or tenements which I crafted? And built on part of the ground belonging to the last mentioned premises now in the several occupations of Thomas Groom James Norris William Taylor and ---- Kingham and also all that messuage or tenement now in the occupation of James Thredder? Crafted and built by me on other part of the premises lately purchased by me of the said William Wright with their respective outhouses yards gardens and appurtenances unto my daughter Elizabeth Ephgrave the wife of Thomas Ephgrave of Gustard Wood aforesaid farmer her heirs and assigns forever and she paying or cause to be paid the yearly sum of twenty pounds to my said wife the interest of five hundred pounds and in case she not being paid she shall be at liberty to sell the premises that I have bequeathed to her and as to all the rest and residue of my personal estate and property whatsoever and wheresoever I […] and bequeathe the use and employment thereof unto my said wife for her life and after her decease […] the same to be equally divided between my said son John Kilby and my said daughter Elizabeth Ephgrave in equal shares and proportions and I appoint my said wife Jane Kilby my said son John Kilby and my said son-in-law the said Thomas Ephgrave Executrix and Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former and other wills by me made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six. Richard Kilby signed sealded [privileged?] and declared by the within named testator Richard Kilby to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto William Agglinton Thomas Bishop William Curtis