Chelsfield Wills - Part 1
Abstracts of will from Chelsfield proved in
the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
William Alwen
of Chelsfield dated 6 April 1838
Abstract of the will of William Alwen of Cacketts Lane Chelsfield, farmer,
dated 6 April 1838.
I give to my dear wife Harriet Alwen all that undivided moiety to
which I am entitled in that messuage or cottage with the barn and outbuildings,
yard, garden and five acres of land called Solefield in Chelsfield, in which I
now live, for ever, for her sole use and benefit. I give her also all my farming
stock and implements and household effects.
I also bequeath to her for life all that field or piece of land in
the parish of Cudham, known by the name of Westfield and containing three acres
and a half, and also all that cottage, garden and wheelwright's shop in Cudham,
now in the occupation of Francis Charman as tenant thereof, and also all those
five houses or tenements with the yards and gardens situate on the western side
of Cudham Street and now or late occupied by John New, Robert Whitehouse, George
..?.., James Whitehouse and James Martin. After her death I give Westfield to my
son William Alwen and his heirs for ever.
After my wife's death my Executors shall sell the wheelwright's
shop and the five houses in Cudham street, and pay the proceeds from such sale
to my five children Harriet wife of James Grub, Mary Alwen spinster, Sarah wife
of William Reeves, William Alwen and Eliza Alwen spinster equally share and
share alike.
If Harriet Grub should die in my wife's lifetime her share shall be
invested in Government securities for the benefit of her children until they
each attain 21 years.
If Sarah Reeves should die in my wife's lifetime her share shall be
given to her husband William Reeves and his heirs, and I make this disposition
in consequence of the great expense that the said William Reeves has been to on
acount of his wife's illness.
I nominate my son William Alwen and Benjamin Perren my wife's
brother Executors.
W: Alwen witnesses Jno: Hills, George Alwen.
Codicil - 6 April 1838 - very indistinct in photocopy - refers to daughter
Harriet and her husband James Grub. The same witnesses sign.
Proved 20 December 1838 Benjamin Perren one of the Executors named with power
reserved to William Alwen the son the other Executor named in the
will. [PCC will PROB11/1903]
Transcribed by Geoffrey
Copus