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Chelsfield Wills - Part 1  Abstracts of will from Chelsfield proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
James Burton of Chelsfield dated 14 February 1740

Abstract of the will of James Burton of Chelsfield yeoman dated 14 February 1740.
   To be frugally and decently interred in Chelsfield Parish Church.
   I leave all my farm called Lillys with the house, garden, lands, woods and appurtenances in Chelsfield now in my own occupation; all that my messuage or tenement now in the occupation of John Winson in Chelsfield; all that platt of ground in Chelsfield called The Plantation now in the occupation of the Rev. Mr. Petty; all that woodland situate in the parish of Lullingstone or Lullingstein, in both or one of them, now in my own occupation; and all that my arable land in Cudham now in the occupation of Richard Glover, with all my other real estate whatsoever to Thomas Whiffin and Thomas Child, both of Chelsfield, yeomen, In Trust -
   to receive the rents etc.of my real estate and to pay them to my wife Susannah for life (after the deduction from time to time of the interest due on the mortgage now lying on Lillys Farm) but subject to the conditions hereafter mentioned.
   After her death, they are to pay half of the rents etc. to my daughter Mary King, wife of John King, during her lifetime, for her sole and separate use. After her death my Trustees shall stand seized of the said moiety of my real estate for the use of all the children of the said Mary King and their respective heirs at age 21.
   After my wife's death, my Trustees shall pay the other half of the rents etc. to my daughter Barbara Judd, wife of Thomas Judd, during her lifetime, then to her children and their respective heirs at age 21. If the said Barbara have no surviving children, then at her death the profits of the whole estate shall be paid to my daughter Mary King [ and further provisions, not taken.]
   I leave to my Trustees all the stock on my farm, goods, chattels etc., except for my household goods, plate, linen and furniture, which I give to my wife Susannah. They are to sell all the stock etc. to pay my debts, funeral expenses etc. and then to apply the proceeds to reducing the principal sum due on the said mortgage. If this should prove deficient then they are to fell and dispose of all such timberlike trees and pollards as they in their judgement and discretion shall think fit, now growing on any part of my estates, and to apply the proceeds to further reducing the mortgage.
   If this can still not be paid off then my Trustees are to sell my before-mentioned parcel of arable land in Cudham and also the before mentioned parcel of woodland in Lullingstone or Lullingstein, to pay all the principal and interest.
   But if all these my methods herein prescribed should prove insufficient, then my Trustees shall on my wife's death accrue the rents etc. of my estate for the absolute payment of the said Mortgage, and in that case during that time the rents shall not be paid to my daughters or their heirs.
   If the sale of the lands should prove necessary and my wife refuse to join in it then she is to lose all benefit of my will.
   I leave £10 each to Thomas Whiffin and Thomas Child if they prove my will and undertake the Trusteeship.
   I leave all residue of my personal estate to my wife Susannah " and it is my will and intent that she may live rent free in the said Lillys Farm House and have the use of a Bed Room and the fore Parlour therein during her life if she so pleases."
   I appoint the said Thomas Whiffin and Thomas Child as my Executors.
   Witnesses Edward Mace, John Cressey, Henry Nurse.
 Proved 6 March 1741 by the Executors named.    [PCC will, PROB 11/716]

Transcribed by Geoffrey Copus 

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