Wills of 17th-Century Gentlemen, Chatham 1647-1698

Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen, Chatham 1647-1698 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (Pre 1858) - Index of names I am grateful to Ted Connell for hosting this work and for compiling the index D.E. Williams, Borstal, Kent August 2021

Surname	Christian name	Age	Place	Occupation	Date Will proved	No.
HOLT	William		Chatham	Shipwright	1647	01
MARCALL	Richard		Chatham		1647	02
WANLER	John		Chatham		1648	03
TROUGHTON	Milkes		Chatham		1651	04
YARDLEY	Edward		Chatham		1656	05
ISAACSON	Richard		Chatham	Painter	1659	06
NORMAN	Jacob		Chatham		1668	07
YOUNG	Benjamin		Chatham	Commodore	1670	08
WILSON	Thomas		Chatham		1676	09
HOMEWOOD	Edward		Chatham	Clerk of Survey	1688	10
CRISPE	Rowland		Chatham		1692	11
COOKE	William		Chatham	Purser	1693	12
SMITH	Samuel		Chatham		1694	13
WRIGHT	Henry		Chatham		1694	14
FLETCHER	John		Chatham		1694	15
BERRY	Anthony		Chatham		1694	16
SLITER	Robert		Chatham	Ropemaker	1695	17
GREGORY	William		Chatham	Purser	1696	18
LEE	Robert		Chatham	Shipwright	1698	19

 Index of Names - Places - Miscellaneous (occupations, ships etc)

Names Alford 10 Allen 4, 5 Almond 13 Ames 10 Aplyn 1, 4 Atkins 10 Avery 10 Bayfine 10 Bayley 10 Baynard 19 Beckford 9 Bell 10 Berry 16 Billingsley 17 Bodham 10 Bonham 4 Bonis 13 Bowles 5 Boyse 4 Bright 5 Brooke 12 Brown 10 Bryan 8 Burnish 11 Burroughs 10 Burton 10 Button 10 Butts 9 Cakett 10 Carkett 10 Castle 10 Chatterton 10 Cheaf 10 Cheney 10 Christian 10 Chuston 2 Clarke 16 Clay 10 Cole 10 Condall 6

Cooke 10, 12 Corklin 10 Crispe 11 Curtis 9, 10 Daniel 10 Davis 10, 12 Denderseld 10 Dixon 10 Dormer 10 Edge 19 Fermes 10 Finch 10 Fitzhugh 10 Flawson 1 Fletcher 5, 12, 15, 16 Fowler 2 Frankwell 12 Fridd 4 Furbarne 16 Fuszer 10 Gibson 10 Gilbourne 8 Glover 10 Goodall 4 Goodman 4 Gore 10 Goslinge 4 Gregory 10 18 Gromwell 14 Harding 10 Hatton 10 Haugh 10 Hawes 13, 15 Hawkings 4 Hawkins 3 Hawlett 7 Hawth 10 Hayes13 Haynes 14 Hayter 10

Hayward 3, 4, 5 Head 4, 6 Heath 4 Hevater 10 Hewer 10 Higgins 10 Holland 10 Holt 1, 5 Homewood 10 Hook 10 Hooke 10 Hudson 10 Isaacson 6 Isles 10 Jeye 10 Jeyes 10 Joett 7 Join???les 5 Keeble 2 Kitchin 2 Knott 1 Landnill 2 Lately 10 Laurence 10 Lee 10 Lee 10 Lee 19 Leggato 5 Legoe 15 Liewsly 10 Loran 15 Maddocks 10 Maddox 10 Manley 10 Marcall 2 Martine 18 Mathews 5, 7 Mayles 3 Medhurst 10 Miles 3 Modersly 10

Morden 10 Moyse 18 Mullens 5 Newall 10 Newall 5 Norman 7 Ouram 19 Palmer 10 Parker 10 Paulrett 5 Pedder 10 Peeke 4 Peirce 4 Peirre 10 Peirson 10 Pelham 10 Penre 10 Pepys 10 Pett 10, 11, 13, 17 Petty 13 Phancy 10 Poole 2 Popple 3 Pulman 3 Raccliffe 10 Ratford 10 Redriffe 10 Rich 10 Rosewell 3, 4, 5, 10,     13, 17 Ryves 14 S???onge 5 Sarjent 8 Saunders 10 Sellers 10 Shadborn 10 Sheafe 7,. 9, 18 Sheldon 10 Sherwin 10

Shuter 4 Sidley 4 Skelton 4 Slaughter 12 Sliter 17 Smith 9, 10, 13,. 16 Somer 3 Stanley 5 Steggen 3 Stephens 10 Stewentw 10 Strange 15 Taylor 7, 19 Thomas 3 Thomson 10 Tilghman 10 Tippetts 10 Tong 10 Trarms 4 Troughton 3, 4 Tunbridge 5 Turkes 3 Turner 5 Tustian 14 Vintle 5 Walker 3, 6 Waller 3 Walsall 13, 15 Wanler 3 Wells 4 Whitfield 10 Wiggens 10 Wilkins 10 Wilson 7, 9 Wright 14 Wyval 10 Yardley 8 Yardly 5 Yeo 10 Young 8

Places Allhallows, Barking 9 Battersea 10 Capstone, Taylor field    wood foxberrey 5 Chalk 4 Chalke pit hill 5 Chatham 1    Pett's house 6    Chatham Streete 5 Chislett 1 Cliffe Mortyners (Mortimers)    Manor 19 Cockwell 5 Cockwell Farm 5    B ? ks Downe 5    Beldam gills 5    Dauckes ? hill 5    Greene rest 5    Hooke 5    Longlandes Snoddest Croft 5    Seaven Acres 5    Tothsande? 5    Whitehill 5

Codenham? (Cottenham?)    Cambridgeshire 7 Conny? wood 5 Crayford 10   Deptford 10 East Indies 5 Essex Shaxland? (or    Shapland ?) Shaxland Hall    Shaxland and Pricklewell    (Prittlewell?) 6 Frindsbury 10 Gillingham 5, 12 Hambro 10 High Halstow 3 Higham 3, 4 Higham Gore Green Farm 4 Higham Mortyners     (Mortimers) Manor 19 Higham Streete 4 Hogge Lane 5 Island of Sheppey 5

Kingston 10 London 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 13    Cannon St near Dawgate 9    Clifford's Inn 3    Holborn Three Tunns 16    Limehouse bridge 3    Morefields 10    Strand 10    Three Crownes St John's,       Walbrooke 9    Tower Hill 10    Tower Street 9 Maidstone 4 Malling 10 Minster, Island of Sheppey 5    Little Todwell 5    Waye Croft 5 Offham 12 Poole 10 Portsmouth 8, 10 Poundsfield, Milton,    Gravesend 3

Lower Halstow 13    Callum and Callum Hills 13 Quex, Birchington 11 Rochester 4, 10 Ryarsh 12 Sheerness 10 Sholden 16 Shoreham 10 St John Walbrooke 9 St Margarets Rochester 3, 5    Blacklande, Heyfielde 5 St Olive Street 10 Stepney Middlese14 Sussex 10 Sydenham 10 Swaffham, Bulbeck 7 Sydenham 10 Upchurch 13 Warnham? Sussex 10 Woolwich 10

Miscellaneous Ansther? Manor 4 Apothecary 10 blacksmith 4 blind maid 4 Brethren of St Bartholomew's    Hospital 13 butcher 5 Chirugeon Overseers 13 Churchwardens 3, 4, 9 Cignet or swann 5 Citizen of London 6 Fisherman 5 hop garden 5 Maidservant 10 malthouse 5 Manor of Higham 4 Master and of the Boates    Apparell and Furniture 10 Minister 3, 4

Military and Dockyard Captain 5, 10 Colonel 11 Chatham Dock Yard 9 Carpentry tools 10 Clerk of the Survey at    Chatham Royal Dockyard 10 Comissioners of their    Majesties Navy Royal 18 Compassmaker 10 Dutch painters 10 Master Ropemaker 17 Master Shipwright 19 Painter and Decorator 6 Purser 4, 10, 12, 18 ropemaker 5 Royal Dockyard at Chatham 17 Royal Navy 6 Sailmaker 10 Ship Advice 8 ship designers and builders 11 Ship St. Andrew 18 shipwright 1, 4 Store Keeper 9 Surveyor of Victualling 9

Ships    Blackmoore Pinck 10    Blackmore 1    Blessing 1    Captaine 12    Happy Entrance 4    Messenger Pinke       (Pinnance?) 10 Ship models    Crowne hull 10    Katherine Yacht 10    Naseby 10    rigged Hoy 10    Royall Charles 10

Parson 10 Pepys 10 Pepy's Diary 9 Port of London 9 prisoners 10 Schoolmaster 13 servant 3, 10 the Fraternity 10 Tobacconist 13 Worshipful Company of    Painters and Stainers 6

William Holt, 1647

Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 William HOLT 1647 William Holt and his wife Sarah appear in the will of Nathaniel Aplyn, a prosperous shipwright of Chatham, written in 1643. So it is likely that Holt is connected with the Royal Dockyard. (See my Wills of 17th Century Chatham Shipwrights, on this site.)    Memorandum that in or about the Tenth day of September in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred fortie seaven William Holt of Chatham in the County of Kent gent being sick and weake in bodie but of good and perfect mind and memorie having an intent to make his last will and Testament and purpose to dispose of his estate after his death declared his last Will and Testament noncupative in manner and forme following that is to say    First I give the land which I purchased in Chislett to my Sonne Henry being fortie pounds by the yeare and of which he shall paie to my Daughter Judith twentie pounds a yeare    Secondlie I give all the   ?   that I have   ?   and my parte in the Shipp called the Blessing unto my Daughter Judith    Thirdlie I give that parte that I have in the Shipp called Blackmore? and then     ?     and land that I have purchased as [     ?     ]iscott house to my Sonne William Also I give him the three tenements in Chatham streete after his Mother's decease    And also the rest of my estate I give to my deare loveing wife for to bring up all my children till such time as they shall come of lawful age    And the said William Holt called upon some persons present at his bedside att the time above said to take notice of his last Will and Testament as above and not to disturb     ?     which will and words of the like in effect      ?      Spoken in the presence and hearing of Thomas Flawson Susanna Knott and Sarah his Wife*    Proved 1st October 1647 * Sarah Holt wife of William, to whom administration was granted. Richard Marcall, 1647 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Richard MARCALL 1647 In the Name of God Amen I Richard Marcall of Chatham in the County of Kent gent being sicke of body but of sound and perfect memory(thanks bee to god for the same) for the avoidinge of contraversie and containing the disposing of that fortune or Talent? which god have lent and     ?     which all I     ?     that is to say the Five and Twentyth day of August in the yeare of our Lord God one Thousand six hundred forty seaven make and ordaine this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following    Imprimis I commend my Soule to god the Father Allmighty maker of heaven and earth     ?     believing through the merritts and Sufferings of Jesus Christ his only Sonne and to have remission of all my Sinnes a glorious Resurrection of this my body And an everlasting lyfe in a never fading state of many high perfections my body I Comitt unto the ground out of which ytt was taken to bee decently interred in that Parish Church where I shall happen to depart this lyfe    Item I give and bequeath unto Amy Marcall my wyfe the Lease of the house and Wharfe where in I now dwell to have and to hold the same during the whole terme of yeares therein yet to run \and        ?         the sayd Amy shall soe longe live And to the end that my sayd wyfe bee accompanied with one that may bee a help? and comfort to her in this her old age my will and mynd is That Rebecca Kitchin and Amy my sayd wyfe shall co-inhabit in my sayd house and use the wharfe and receive the benefit and proffitts thereof and beare and pay the yearely Rent of the sayd house and Wharfe to the     ?     thereof joyntly together And if my sayd wyfe shall happen to depart this lyfe before the sayd lease of my house and wharfe and the number of yeares therein and thereby granted bee expired then my will and mind is that the sayd Rebecca Kitchin shall have the sayd lease To have and to hold to her and her Assignes for and during all the Remaynder of yeares which shall bee then to come and unexpired in the     ?    Item I give and bequeath unto Amy Marcall my wyfe an Annity or yearely Rent of Twenty Pounds for and during the terme of her natural lyfe to be payd unto her all the four most usual Terms in the yeare by even and equal portions which sayd Annity shall be payd by my Executor hereinafter named owt of the moneys to bee made and which shall bee raised? of my Goodes and Chattels And my will and mind is that Anne Chuston my mayd servant who is dumme shall and continue with my sayd wyfe and bee provided for owt out of the sayd Annity And if the sayd Anne my Servant doe survive my wyfe then my will and mynd is that my Executor shall pay unto her as such person as shall keepe her the Yearely Rent of Five Pounds during her natural quarterly by equal portions    Item I give and bequeath unto the above named Rebecca Kitchin the summe of Twenty Pounds    Item I give and bequeath unto my brother in Lawe Walter Poole the summe of Five Pounds    Item I will and ordaine that Forty shillings worth of bread bee distributed on the day of my buryall amongst the Poore of that Parish where I shall happen to bee interred    Item I will the rest of my goodes and Chattels whatsoever as well reall and personal I give and bequeath unto my brother John Marcall of London Esquire whom I make and ordaine my Sole Executor of this my last will and Testament to pay and discharge my funerall debts and Legacies And my mynd and will is that my sayd Executor shall permit and suffer Amy my wyfe to use and enjoy all the goodes and household stuffe shee brought mee in marryage duringe her lyfe And after her decease to have them to his own use and behoofe for everlasting    Item I declare and     ?     this to bee my last will and Testament    And in witnesse hereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale this Five and Twentyth daye of August Anno Dom One thousand six hundred Forty Seaven Richard Marcall Signed sealed and published by the sayd Richard Marcall in the Presence of Stephen Landnill? John Fowler Thomas Keeble    Proved 28th October 1647 John Wanler, 1648 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 John WANLER 1648 In the Name of God Amen I John Wanler of Chatham in the County of Kent gent being of perfect mind and memorie thankes be given unto almightie god doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner following    First and the chiefest of all I comitt my soule into the hands of my Creator hopinge steadfastlie of my salvation onlie in and through the merritts of Jesus Christ my onlie Saviour and redeemer    And as touching my estate which itt hath pleased God to give unto mee through his care and providence I doe will and bequeath in manner and forme following    First I give and bequeath all my lands which I now stand seized of in Higham, Halstow and St Margaretts neere Rochester all in the County of Kent unto my onlie daughter Elizabeth Somer now the wife of Richard Somer of Clifford's Inn London gent and to the heirs of her bodie lawfully begotten by the said Richard Somer    And as for the fowre hundred sixtie and fowre pounds in my Sonne Somer his hands which I deposited to him for     ?     the purchase of his land in Milton neere Gravesend of Mr Turkes called Poundsfield my will and desire is that soe much of that land accordinge to the rate of the purchase as hee bought itt more? bee estated? and settled upon my said daughter and their heires in the same manner if itt shall please god I depart this life before itt bee otherwise settled    Item I give and bequeath to one Mrs Priscilla Steggen? dwelling neere Lymehouse bridge the sume of twentie pounds    Item I give unto Goodwife Pulman the wife of Robert Pulman foure pounds    Item I give unto Robert Pulman twentie shillings    Also I give and bequeath unto my maid servant Jane Popple twentie shillings   Also I give and bequeath unto Robert Walker of St Margaretts and his now wife each of them twentie shillings    Also I give unto Mr Rosewell the Minister of Chatham twentie shillings    Item I give unto the poor people of the Parishe of Saint Margaretts neere Rochester the sume of three pounds to be distributed att the discretion of Mr Thomas and Mr William Somer desiringe them to have respect to the ancientest dwellers there and poorest    Item I give unto the poore of the parish of Chatham the sume of Fortie shillings to be distributed by the Churchwardens for the time being    And the rest of my goods and chattels moneys plate and household stuffe my debts being paid Legacies and funerall expenses discharged I give unto my Sonne Richard Somer whom I make executor of this my last will and Testament    And I desire my good friend Mr Miles Troughton and Mr Edward Hayward to be overseers of this my last will and for their paines I doe give unto each of them twentie shillings to buy either of them a Ringe    In witness of this to bee my last will and Testament I have this one and twentieth daie of September in the three and twentieth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles of England Scotland France and Ireland Kinge defender of the Faith etc Anno Domini One thousand six hundred fortie seaven sett my hand and Seale John Wanler Signed sealed and published in the presence of Mayles? Troughton E. Hayward    Proved 1st April 1648 The Halstow mentioned in the will is High Halstow, where, in the churchyard is the tomb of William Somer, erected in 1607. This tomb was repaired and "beautified" by Wanler's son in law and William Somer's grandson, Richard Somer in 1672. Richard Somer has a mural monument in Rochester Cathedral (see my Monumental Inscriptions of Rochester Cathedral on this site), on which his father in law's surname is given as Waller not Wanler. A John Wanler is a witness of the will of Sir John Hawkins, 1594 Milkes Troughton, 1651 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Miles TROUGHTON 1651 Miles Troughton was a cousin of Nathaniel Aplyn, a shipwright of Chatham and overseer of Aplyn's will of 1643. He may have been the Purser of the the ship Happy Entrance, during the reign of Charles the First     In the Name of God Amen I Miles Troughton of Chatham in the County of Kent gent being weake in body but of perfect memory I praise God yet in respect of my yeares and the uncertainty of my life doe therefore for the quietinge of my minde and dispossinge of that estate wherewith God in his goodnesse hath blessed mee withall in this life make and ordaine this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following    First I bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God and Creator and make and doe     ? believe that through his ? and the all sufficient merritts of his only and most dear sonne Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour and Redeemer that my Sinnes are freely pardoned and forgiven And that in God's tyme I shall bee made a partaker in his heavenly Kingdom and my body to bee buried in the parish church of Chatham as neare my former deceased wife as may bee (not stirringe her bones) if it please God I depart this life in that parish    Item I give unto the most needfull poore of that parish of Chatham Forty shillings to bee delivered into the hands of Mr Edward Hayward and by him together with the church Wardens and Overseers of the poore for the time beinge to bee distributed (as theire necessities require with some respect to such as worke and yet want) within one moneth after my decease by my Executors hereafter named    Item I give unto the widdowe Hawkings? late wife of Thomas Hawkings? tenn shillings    Item I give unto Dorothy Peeke? a poore blinde maide in Chatham tenn shillings if living at my decease    Item I give unto Mr Rosewell Minister of Chatham twenty shillings besides twenty shillings for his paines in a Sermon for the good and benefitt of his living if he bee Minister there at the tyme of my decease    And it is my will that these Four Legacies bee paid accordingly by my Executors within one Moneth after my decease    Item I give unto my Daughter Mary Allen the now wife of James Allen twenty pounds goode money as a token of my Fatherly affection to her This legacy to be paid within Six moneths after my decease by my Executors    And whereas Philadelphia Troughton my daughter in Lawe who married with my sonne James Troughton but     ?     against my will and with whome hee had noe portion     ?     In both with respects I hold not my selfe bounde ( and that by better judgement than my owne) to inport any of my estate unto her yet because shee was my Sonne's wife and in considerstion of her present Condition shee taking what is given her thankfully and in good part and carring herselfe as becomes her towards my name after my decease It is my will and I give her forty shillings per Annum for and during her natural life to bee paid her by my Sonne Samuell Troughton out of those lands and tenements hereafter to bee devised unto him halfe yearely as it is paid him shee allowinge out of such     ?     taxes as shall bee     ?     upon the pounds And I further give unto her upon the former Condition thirty pounds good money to bee paid her by my Executors at one intire payment within the Compasse of one whole yeare after my decease shee giving such sufficient discharge to my Executors as Mr Head of Rochester shall think fitt    Item I give and bequeath to the widdow Wells late wife of Richard Wells her mother's brother     ?     Ten pounds of good money if living if not to her daughter Mary if living if not to her children or for many of them as shall bee living equally amongst them     ?         ?     Boyse will direct you where to finde or heare of them this legacie to be paide by my Executors within one Yeare after my decease    This is the last will and testament of mee Miles Troughton touching and concerning the dispossinge of all my landes and tenements and hereditaments with all and singular the appurtenances lyinge and beinge in the parrish of Higham in the County of Kent except such as I hath formerly disposed of by deed under my hande and seale to Jonathan Troughton my younger sonne with a reservation? of my life therein    I give and devise to Samuell Troughton my elsest sonne living All that my messuage kitchin ? barne stable outhouses backside and orcharde with three score acres of land bee it more or lesse arable pasture and meadow with all their appurtenances belonginge or in any wise appertayninge thereunto commonly called and Known as by the name of Gore greene farme which I bought of Sir John Sidley Baronet lyeing in the parish of Higham and now in the occupation of Edward Fridd or of his assigns and     ?    I give and devise unto my sayd sonne Samuell Troughton all those my two messuages backsides barnes orchards with their appurtenances with eight acres of land bee it more of lesse to each of them Fower acres anciently belonginge to them One of which messuage and Fower acres of land bought of Sir John Sidley The other messuage I bought of Mr Nathaniell Trarms? gent both which messuages landes and hereditaments backsides barnes stable and orchard with the appurtenances sett lyeing and beinge at or neare Gore Green in the parish of Higham both hauld of the Manor of Higham and both in the occupation of Ralph Goodall or his assignes All which severall devise and devises formerly mentioned in this my will with all the singular the messuage lande backside barne stable kitchin outhouses orchards gardens plottes with all the apperteances thereunto belonging or in any wise apperteyninge to them or any of them All which I give unto my said sonne Samuell Troughton and to the heires of his body lawfully begotten or to bee begotten And for want of such issue I give the same severall devises to Jonathan Troughton my younger sonne and to the heires of his body lawfully begotten and for want of such issue to Mary Allen the now wife of James Allen and to the heires of her body lawfully begotten or to bee begotten And for want of such heires my grandchild Ann Skelton and to the heires of her body lawfully begotten or to bee begotten And for want of such issue to bee and remaine to the right heires of mee the sayd Miles Troughton for ever    Item I give and devise unto Jonathan Troughton my younger sonne for and duringe his natuarall life all that my other     ?     messuage backside barne and orchard situate lyinge and beinge in Higham Streete in the parish of Higham in the County of Kent with seaven acres of land bee it more or lesse thereunto belonginge or in any wise apperteyninge arable pasture and meadow And after his decease I give and devise the same messuage lande backside and barne with the appurtenances to John Troughton his sonne my grandchilde and to his heires for ever    And whereas I am stand bound to John Goslinge of Maidstone blacksmith in two obligations in one of Sixty pounds for payment of thirty pounds upon the nine and twentieth day of September which shall bee in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fiftie and one The other in Forty pounds for payment of twenty pounds or the daye of my death or in two or three dayes after    Now it is my will and true meaninge and I doe hereby [direct] my Executors to pay the same money accordinge at the severall tymes expressed in the severall obligations by equall portions as they     ?     Legacies in my will And whereas I have formerly made over by deede     ?     under my hand and seale unto my sonne Jonathan Troughton one messuage or tenement backside orchard barne and stable with three score acres of land bee it more or lesse arable pasture and meadow thereunto belonginge with the appurtenances situate lyinge and beinge in Higham Streete in the parish of Higham and Chalke with a Reservation of my life therein which I bought of Sir John Sidley Baronet and holdeth of the Manor of Higham save only two acres of it lyeth in the parish of Chalke and holdeth of Ansther? Manor to which Goodman Shuter of Higham hath formerly paid the Quit rent and cann informe you of that main... ?     it holdeth of Juncone? those two acres now since the date of that deed I have in     ?     Consideratly Loveinge power but for my life made a lease of the same messuage and land with the appurtenances unto Edward Bonham of Higham husbandman for certaine Yearely rent yet to come Notwithstanding it is my will and desire And I doe hereby require my sayd sonne Jonathan Troughton not withstandinge any advantage hee might take thereof That hee suffer the said Edward Bonham his heires Executors Administrators and assignes quietly and peacefully to hold and enjoy the said messuage and landes with the appurtenances the full terme of Yeares mentioned     ?     in the lease remaininge unexpired at the time of my deceade without his lett ? trouble or molestation Provided alwaiwes that hee the said Edward Bonham his heires Executors administrators and assignes pay his rent duly at the severall Feaste Dayes expressed in the Lease or within the days limited therein wherein it ought to bee paid And that hee the said Edward Bonham his heires Executors administrators and assignes truly Keepe and performe all such Covenants articles clauses and agreements mentioned in the same Lease which on his or theire parts are or ought to bee performed and kept    And I doe hereby make and ordaine my two sonnes Samuell Troughton and Jonathan Troughton my full and whole Executors of this my last will and testament notheing doubtinge out of the confidence I have in them that they wilbee both Faithfull and with what convenient speed execute this my will    And I doe appoynt my wellbeloved Friend Mr John Allen gent and Mr Edward Hayward gent overseers of this my will whome I doe earnestly entreate to bee aiding and assisting to my Executors wherein they may have use of them in the Execution of this my last will or otherwise And I give each of them twenty shillings to make them a Ringe as a Remembrance of my love and affection to them    And whereas there are some words razed out and some interlined in this my will It is soe donne by my own hand before the sealing and declaringe of the same    In witnesse whereof I have to this my last will written with my owne [hand] in two sheets of paper to this First I have subscribed my name and to the second sett my hande and seale this seaventeenth of July one thousand Six hundred Forty Nine Miles Troughton Signed Sealed and declared to my last will and testament in the presence of us whose names are hereunder written Ro Heath Hen Peirce    Proved 25th February 1651 (1652 in the modern calendar) Edward Yardley, 1656 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Edward YARDLY 1656 In the Name of God Amen the twentie ay of Februarie one thousand and sixe hundred Fiftie five I Edward Yardly of Chatham in the Countie of Kent gentleman beinge weake in bodie but of perfect mind and memorie I doe humbly give God praise doe ordaine constitute and make these presents to be and containe my last testament and last will in manner and forme Followinge That is to say First assuringe my self that there is nothing in this world so sure as death neither     ?     any thing so uncertaine as the day and hour & thereof which doth rest onely in the determinable will and power of Almightie God my heavenly father by and from whome I doe onely assure my selfe of sume pardon and forgivenesse of all my sinnes and offence through Jesus Christ my onely Saviour and Redeemer Amen    Then my will and desire is to settle and dispose of all that portion of lande and Tenements goods Chattels and moveables which it hath pleased the Lord to bestowe upon me in manner and forme Followinge    First I doe give will and bequeath unto Dorothie Yardley my deare and most lovinge wife all my lande and tenements which I have within the parishes of Chatham Gillingham Margarets next the Citie of Rochester and the Island of Sheppey in the Countie aforesaid duringe the naturall life of my said lovinge wife    And after her decease I I doe give will and bequeath to Robert Yardley my sonne my farme called Cockwell with a barne stable mill or well house ? and other outhouses with the upper orchard part of it planted with apple trees And the other part to be planted with good pipin trees by William Bright my Tenant at the seasonable time of the yeare And all those severall pieces and parcells of land now beloninge to it That is to say Longlandes Snoddest Croft adjoyinge to it The Croft     ?     the meadowslyinge by Captaine Stanley his hop garden     ?     one piece lying on G     ?    side sixty acres Whitehill     ?     otherwise called Greene rest? Three roods lyingeon B     ?    ks Downe with a pollard elme two growinge at the noth end of the said parcell of land one parcell lyinge on Mr Leggato Bowles dale one parcell lyinge in a field called seaven Acres in the occupation of Edward Vintle? butcher one piece lyinge on the north end of Dauckes? hill one other piece lyinge at the south end of the said Dauckes? hill five roodes lyinge at Mr Holt's? field called Tothsande? and payes yearely rent seaven shillings six pence Blue bottle ? Beldam gills foure acres lyinge at Hooke containinge by estimation fortie foure acres more or lesse for terme of his naturall life    And after his decease to William Yardley my grandchild eldest sonne of Robert Yardley my sonne to him and his heires male And for want of heires male of his bodie lawfully begotten to Robert Yardley his brother And for want of heires male of his bodie lawfully begotten to Henry Yardley his brother And for want of such heires of his bodie lawfully begotten to Robert Yardley his brother And for want of such heires male of his bodie lawfully begotten then to the heires male of my sonne Robert Yardley that shall be hereafter lawfully begotten And for want of such heires male to the right heires of me the said Edward Yardley for evermore    Item I give unto Robert Yardley my sonne my wood called Doggatt Wood with all Timber and Timber     ?     and     ?     wood to him for terme of his naturall life And after his decease to William Yardley my grandchild sonne of Robert Yardley my sonne to him and his heires lawfully begotten and for want of such heires to Edward Yardley my sonne and his heires forever    Item I give will and bequeath to Robert Yardley my sonne one Tenement with a maulthouse and a [parcell] of land belonginge to it with a bake ? Kitchin as also one barne Two stables with a garden and yard and one piece of land lyinge on the North side of the said tenement containinge by estimation foure acres of land more or lesse with all timber and timber     ?     for tyme of his naturall life and to the heires male of theire (sic) bodies lawfully begotten And for want of such heires male to the right heires of Edward Yardley my sonne and to his heires for ever    Item I give to him the said Richard Yardley a piece or parcell of ground lyinge on the East side of my farme called cockwell that is to say from the     ?     post of the lane that leads from Chatham Streete towards Chalke pit hill* or hogge lane to the middle ash there contaninge one hundred thirtie and three feet Assize and from the said ash next the said lane to the wallnut tree sixtie feet of assize And from there over the ground to the streete one hundred yrds twentie and one feet of assize And from there alonge the street to the aforenamed Conny? wood     ?     said lane leadinge to Chalke pit hill of hogge lane sixtie feet of assize which piece of ground I have given him to build a house upon and shallbe inclosed with a pale at his leasure (* Chalk Pit Hill is an extant road towards the Luton end of Chatham and south of the A2)    Item I give will and bequeath to Francis Yardley my sonne my Tenement knowne by the name of the Cignet or swann with the shopp garden yard and stable Ans also my two new tenements next adjoyninge with the gardens and fruit     ?     if he the said Francis Yardley shall hee to come home ot of the East Indies But if he happen to die there Then my will and meaninge is That those three Tenements with their severall appurtenances shall equally divided between Richard Yardley and Edward Yardley my two sonnes and to the longest liver of them and to their heires for ever Provided alwayes that they pay or cause to be paid unto Mary Mathews the wife of Richard Mathews and to Susan Tunbridge the wife of Thomas Tunbridge my two daughters twentie pounds apiece equally between them if they shalbe then livinge But if they happen to depart their life before their legacies shalbe due to either of them Then I doe appoint that it shalbe paid to the two daughters of Mary Mathews and Susan Tunbridge that shalbe then livinge    And further I doe appoint them the said Richard Yardley and Edward Yardley to pay or cause to be paid to Sarah Yardley my grandchild the daughter of Robert Yardley my sonne twentie pounds and to Elizabeth Yardley her sister (daughter of Robert Yardley my sonne) beinge my grandchildren ten pounds at the age of eighteene yeares or day of marriage which shall first happen if they shalbe then livinge    Item I doe give will and bequeath unto Edward Yardley my youngest sonne a Tenement with a small barne one orchard with two pieces or parcells of land lyinge in the parish of Minster on the Island of Sheppey called by the name of little Todwell and two pieces of land called by the name of little Todwell and Waye Croft and in the occupation of Robert Mullens or his Assignes    Item I give unto him the said Edward Yardley my sonne two pieces or parcells of land lyinge in the parishes of Chatham and Margaret's next the Citie of Rochester wherof one is called by the name of Blacklande and the other Heyfielde conteninge by estimation seaventeene acres more or lesse and is in the occupation of Edward Vintle ? of Chatham butcher or his assignes    Item I give will and bequeath unto him the said Edward Yardley my sonne one tenement with a brick chimney in the parish of Chatham and in the occupation of William Newall ropemaker or his assignes    Item I give to him the said Edward Yardley my sonne one acre of woodland with the timber trees and underwoods growing upon it lyinge and beinge in a wood called Taylor field wood and Knowne by the name of foxberrey? in Capstone in the parish of Chatham and now in my owne occupation    Now as concerninge of my yeares yet to come and unexpired in my parsonage Lease from the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral church Rochester my will and true meaninge is that my lovinge wife shall receive the rent Yearly thirtie sixe pounds everie halfe yeare That is to say upon the twentie five day of December usually called Christmas day thirtie sixe pounds And upon the four and twentieth day of June usually called Midsummer day thirtie sixe pounds duringe the continuance of my said lease if my said wife shall so longe live my sonne Robert Yardley discharginge and payinge the Colledge rent as he hath alwayes donne at the usual feasts or dayes of payment That is to say At everie Lady day and everie Michaelmas or within one and twentie dayes after either of the said feastes or dayes of payment But if she happen to die before the expiration of the said Lease then my will and true meaninge is that Richard Yardley and Edward Yardley my two sonnes shall receive the rent of my said sonne Robert Yardley and shall pay and performe such legacies as I shall     ?     then that they shall pay or cause to bee paid hereafter    Item I give to Richard Yardley my sonne twentie pounds and to Edward Yardley my sonne twentie pounds And to Mary Mathews my daughter tenn pounds and also to Susan Tunbridge my daughter tenn pounds to be paid by my Executrix within two yeares next after my decease    Item I give to Sarah Yardley my grandchild the daughter of Robert Yardley my sonne tenn pounds and to Elizabeth Yardley her sister five pounds to be paid by my Executrix at their severall ages of eighteene yeares or day of their marriage which shall first happen conditional that my sonnes and daughters and grandchildren doe seale acquitance severally to my Executrix upon the receipt of their Legacies which shalbe her discharge    Item I give will and bequeath unto Francis Yardley my sonne if he shall live to come home out of the East Indies twentie pounds to be paid by my Executrix his loveing mother if not now to be paid But if my wife shall depart this life before the expiration of my colledge Lease Then I doe appoint my Two sonnes Richard Yardley and Edward Yardley to pay or cause to be paid unto the said Francis Yardley their brother if he shall live to come twentie pounds then my Executrix is ? and to pay him And to pay Mary Mathews and Susan Tunbridge four pounds apiece more if they shalbe livinge And further I doe meanyne them to pay unto Sarah Yardley my grandchild Ten pounds and to Elizabeth Yardley her sister five pounds more than my Executrix is to pay them at the age of eighteene yeares or day of marriage which shall first happen     ?     then I doe enjoyne them to pay unto William Yardley my grandchild ten pounds at the age of foure and twenty yeares if he shalbe then livinge    Item I give to everie one of my grandchildren ten shillings apiece except the     ?     that I have given legacies unto To be paid them by my Executrix at the expiration of my Colledge Lease if they shalbe livinge at the day of my decease    Item I give unto Edward Yardley my gold ringe that usually wear    Item I give unto him my small bible And I give unto Richard Yardley my great old bible after my wife's decease and my deske    Item I doe give to Anthonie Turner? the old Fisherman if he shalbe livinge five shillings    Item I give unto Walter Rosewell twentie shillings to preach my funeral sermon    Item I give to the poore people of the parish of Chatham fortie shillings to be distributed by my Executrix at her leasure    Item I give my maidservant dwellinge with me at the time of my death five shillings    Item I give to Sarah Yardley my grandchild my silver porringer and a spoone to it after my wife's decease    Item all the residue of my goods moveable plate household stuffe debts and whatsoever is not bequeathed I doe give will and bequeath unto Dorothie Yardley my deare and most lovinge wife to dispose accordinge to her owne discretion and will whome I doe ordaine make and appoint my Sole Executrix of this present testament and last will revokinge all other former wills whatsoever    And I doe ordaine nominate and make my very loveing friends Mr John Allen of Margaret's and Mr Edward Hayward of Chatham to be overseers or supervisors of this my present Testament and last will givinge to either of them ten shillings apiece to buy them gloves for their paines making no doubt if theire love and care but that they wilbe very carefull to aide and assist my loveinge wife upon whose care I have laid the     ?     them? for managing all of my      ?     estate    And so I take my leave with my heartie prayers to bless them and so     ?     all and to make them and     ?     live and to die? his    ?    and faithfull servant Amen    In witness whereunto I have written this my present will and testament with my owne hand and have subscribed my name and fixed my seale the day and yeare above written Edward Yardley Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us whose names are hereunto written Thomas Fletcher John Paulrett? Thomas S???onge Edward Join???les    Proved 5th May 1656 Richard Isaacson, 1659 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Richard ISAACSON 1659 Richard Isaacson was a Painter and Decorator, a Citizen of London and member of the Worshipful Company of Painters and Stainers. He worked for the Royal Navy in London, he eventually moved to Chatham, where he leased Phineas Pett's house. Born in 1594, so he was about 64/65 at his death. In the Name of God Amen I Richard Isaackson of Chatham in the County of Kent gent beinge at this present sick in bodie but of disposing memory doe make and declare my last Will and Testament in manner and forme followinge that is to say    First I give and bequeath unto my Nephewe Edward Walker the summe of three hundred pounds of that money which is owing to mee by the state to be paid unto him by my Executrix hereafter named within three months next after shee shall have received the same    Item I give and devise unto my Nephew Isaack Walker and to his heyres for severall? those my lands Tenem[ents] and hereditaments with their appurtenances commonly called Shaxland? (or Shapland?) otherwise Shaxland Hall situate lyeinge and beinge in Shaxland and Pricklewell (Prittlewell?) or either of them in the County of Essex and all other my lands and Tenements whatsoever situate lyinge and beinge in the said County of Essex and the Reversion and Reversions and remaynder of the same from and after the decease of my loveing wife Mary Isaackson to whom I have conveyed the same for her life    Item All my personall Estate whatsoever not allready before bequeathed I give and bequeath to the sayd Mary my wife whome I constitute and ordayne the sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament    In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this present sixteenth day of Aprill in the yeare of our Lord one thousand sixe hundred fifty and nyne The marke of the above named Richard Isaackson Signed sealed and published by the above named Richard Isaackson in the presence of Mary Condall the marke of Anne Head Wm Head Ri Head    Proved 3rd May 1659 Jacob Norman, 1668 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Jacob NORMAN 1668 In the Name of God Amen I Jacob Norman of Chatham in the County of Kent gent doe make and declare my last Will and Testament in manner following    First I give and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Hawlett all the debts which her husband oweth mee    Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Francis Joett the debts of Tenne pounds which one Joshua Mathews oweth mee if it can be recovered    Item I give to my mother Mrs Elizabeth Joett the summe of five pounds which one Robert Whitehead oweth mee on bond if the same can be recovered    Item I give to my sisters Elizabeth and Mary Joett the summe of five pounds apeice to be paid to them respectively within one yeare next after my decease by my executrix hereafter mentioned    Item I give and devise the rents and proffitts of my house with the appurtenances in Codenham? (Cottenham?) in the County of Cambridge late in the occupation of Francis Taylor to my mother Joett for and during the Terme of her life    And after her decease to Mary my wife for her life    And after her decease to the child wherewith she is now Ensient if a sonne and to his heires and assignes for ever But if a daughter then I will the same house afterwards to that daughter and to my daughter Elizabeth Norman their heires and assignes for ever to be equally divided betweene them    Item I give and devise all my Lands whatsoever with their appurtenances in Suff[      ] Bulbeeke? (Swaffham Bulbeck) in the County of Cambridge to my deare wife Mary for the terme of her life    And after her decease to the Child whereof shee is now Ensient and to his heires for ever if it happen to be a sonne but if a daughter then to that daughter and to my daughter Elizabeth Norman their heires and assignes for ever equally to be divided    Item I give & devise my house with the appurtenances in Suffworme Bulbeeke (Swaffham Bulbeck) above said in the occupation of my mother Joett to my said mother Joett for her life and after her death to my said wife for life And after my said wife's death to the child wherewith shee is Ensient if a sonne and to his heires for ever but if a daughter then to that daughter and my daughter Elizabeth Norman and their heires for ever equally And it is my further mind and will That in case the Child wherewith my wife [        ] happen to be a sonne then I give and devise the summe Two hundred pounds to my daughter Elizabeth Norman to be paid att her age of one and twenty yeares or day of marriage which shall first happen    And it is my further will and meaning That if my mother Joett shall      ?     any parte of my estate by vertue of my     ?     or Third That then shee shall have noe benefitt by this my will anything aforesaid to the contrary     ?     standing    All other my personall estate of what nature or Kinde soever not before bequeathed I give & bequeath unto my said deare wife Mrs Mary Norman whome I make sole Executrix of this my Testament     In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this Third day of October one Thousand six hundred sixty and eighte 1668 James Norman Sealed Subscribed and Published in the presence of the interlyning of the words (Elizabeth Norman) being done all along before    ?    John Owen Wilson Henry Sheafe    Proved [?] December 1668 Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction Benjamin Young, 1670 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Benjamin YOUNG 1670 In the Name of God Amen I Benjamin Young of Chatham in the County of Kent gent being in perfect memory health and strength (blessed be Almighty God) being now bound out to sea Commander of his Majesties Ship Fountaine Doe make and ordaine this my last will and Testament in manner and Forme following    Imprimis I give and bequeath my Soule unto God that gave it And my body to the earth to be decently interred in hopes of a Joyfull resurrection to life Eternal through the merritts of my lord and Saviour Jesus Christ    Item I doe give and bequeath unto my sonne Robert Young the sume of Three hundred pounds when that he the said Robert Young shalbe of the age of Twenty one yeares To be paid unto him the said Robert Young without any defalcation or allowances for bringing up learning dyett or Clothes To be paid by my Executrix hereafter to be named and appointed    Item I doe give and bequeath unto my Child That Dorothy my wife is now bigg of and goeth withall and unborn as yet the sume of Three hundred pounds to be paid if that it be a sonne unto him att the age of Twenty one yeares without any defalcation or allowance as aforesaid And if that it be a daughter To be paid unto her att the age of Eighteene yeares or day of marriage which shall first happen by my Executrix hereafter to be named And in case the said Child shall dye and depart this life before that yeare of age and day of marriage as aforesaid Then my will is That my Executrix hereafter to be named shall pay the aforesaid sume of Three hundred pounds unto Robert Young my sonne att the age aforesaid without any defalcation as aforesaid And in Case Robert Young my sonne shall dye and depart this life before than he the said Robert Young shallbe of the age of Twenty one yeares Then my will is that my Executrix hereafter to be named shall pay the Legacies as above bequeathed unto my said sonne Robert Young being Three hundred pounds unto my Child That Dorothy my wife is bigg of and goeth withall unto him or her at the respective yeares or age or day of marriage which shall happen First without any defalcation or allowance as aforesaid These aforesaid Legacies being paid with my just debts that are due    Then my will and desire is That the Surplus or remainder of my Estate both Reall and personall Lands and Tenements goods and Chattels whatsoever I doe wholly give and bequeath unto Dorothy my dearly beloved wife And in case that Dorothy my wife shall dye and depart this life being my Reall Executrix and a widdow Then my will and desire is That all the estate as before said given and bequeathed unto Dorothy my wife both Reall and personall goods and Chattels whatsoever shall goe unto the Right heires of me the said Benjamin Young Onely Excepting the sume of Two hundred pounds which the said Dorothy my wife shall give and bequeath unto whom she pleases att or before the day of her death    Lastly of this my last will and Testament I doe by these presents Constitute and Ordaine Dorothy my truly and dearly beloved Wife To be my Lawful Executrix to performe this my will And in case gmy Executrix as aforenamed shall alter her condition and marry againe to any other man Then my will is That then my Executrix shall then give or cause to be given good and sufficient Security for the payment of my Children's Legacies as is above given and bequeathed without any defalcation or allowance as aforesaid att the yeare of age or marriage as aforesaid unto Robert Yardley gent my Father in Law or Henry Young gent my brother their or either of their Executors or administrators before any such marriage shallbe had and Solemnised    And I the said Benjamin Young doe publish and declare this to be my last will and Testament utterly Renouncing and Revoking all former wills and grants whatsoever    In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this Eighteenth of May In the yeare of our Lord God one Thousand Six hundred Sixty Eight Ben Young Signed sealed Published and declared in the presents of us Wm. Gilbourne Robert Yardley Sam Yardley Henry Young Codicil In the Name of God Amen I Benjamin Young being in perfect health and memory doe will and bequeath unto my daughter Jane att Eighteen yeares of age or day of marriage the Two hundred pounds which I formerly gave in y will That now remaines with my brother Henry Young as overseer and my wife Dorothy Young whole Executrix to the Child my wife them went with Child of being now dead And that the same care in bringing up my daughter Jane be taken as was in my will for the bringing up of the Child That my wife went withall when the said will was by me made And that the will now remaining with my brother Henry Young Stand in full force and vertue    I doe also hereby will and bequeath That if my wife Dorothy be now with Child to give if a Sonne Two hundred pounds att one and Twenty yeares at age or day of Marriage And if it be a daughter to give her Two hundred pounds att Eighteene yeares or day of Marriage which shall happen first And in case either of my Children should depart this life before they Come of age or day of Marriage That then my will is that the sume of money alotted to him or her shalbe equally devoded betweene them of my owne Children that survives The whole sume given by me to my Children is Eight hundred pounds of good and lawfull money of England To be punctually paid by my wife Dorothy being my whole Executrix as followeth    To my sonne Robert Young Foure hundred pounds Sterling att Twenty one yeares of age or day of Marriage To my daughter Jane Two hundred pounds as above said And to the Child my wife goes withall unborne as yet Two hundred pounds    Signed and Sealed on Board his Majesties Shipp Advice The Fifth day of June one Thousand Six hundred and Seaventy att Portsmouth The words (more) and (being) were interlined before Signed and Sealed Ben Young Witnesses Will Bryan Stephen Sarjent    Proved 23rd November 1670 Administration granted to Elizabeth Young (Relict) instead of Dorothy, presumably a mistake. Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction Thomas Wilson, 1676 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Thomas WILSON 1676 A Thomas Wilson is mentioned in Pepy's Diary, may be two individuals? In 1665, a Thomas Wilson was Surveyor of Victualling at the Port of London and in 1667 a Thomas Wilson is Store Keeper at Chatham Dock Yard In the Name of God Amen I Thomas Wilson of Chatham in the County of Kent Gent being weake and infirme of Body but of sound and disposing mind and memory praised be God for the same and calling to mind the frailty and incertainty of this mortall doe therefore for the quieting of my mind and settling that temporal Estate wherewith it hath pleased Almighty God of his mercy to bless me make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following    And First as for my personall Estate and the disposition thereof I give and bequeath unto my honoured Father in Law Richard Beckford of London Esquire the sume of One hundred pounds of lawfull money of England to be by him divided given and distributed to and among himself and all his sonnes and daughters viz of & by summes and shares respectively as to himself in his owne pleasure and discretion shall find expedient which Legacy my mind will and meaning is shall be paid by my Executrix hereafter named within Two monethes next after my decease And til after my ready money debts Leases Plate Jewels household Goods Chattels and personal Estate of what nature or kind soever    I give and bequeath unto my dearely beloved wife Mrs Jane Wilson whom I doe hereby nominate and appoint to be my sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament To whose discretion alone I comitt the Charge Care and Management of my Funerall desiring her that my Body if it may be done without soe great inconvenience to her may be interred in the Parish Church of Allhallows Barking in Tower street London    And as touching and concerning my reall Estate I doe charge give and devise the same in manner and forme following    First I give and devise unto the poor of the aforesaid Parish of Allhallows Barking in Tower streete London for ever one Annuity or yearely Rent Charge of Five Pounds of lawfull money of England per annum to be ever issuing and goeing out of all that my messuage or Tenement with it's appurtenances commonly called or knowne by the name or signe of the Three Crownes situate and being in the Parsh of St John's Walbrooke within the City of London and lately     ?     and now or late in the tenure or occupation of one Mr John Smith? or of his assignes or undertenants which said Annuity or Yearely Rent charge my will is shalbe yearely paid into the hands of the Churchwardens for the time being of the Parish of Allhallows Barking aforesaid for the use of the said poore of the same Parish on the Feast Dayes of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the Nativity of St John the Baptist for even portions for ever The first payment thereof to begin and be made on the said Churchwardens at that Feast day of the Feasts aforesaid which shall next happen (save one) after my decease and not before And for the more certaine payment of the said Annuity or yearely Rent Charge of Five Pounds from time to time according to my mind will and meaning I do hereby will give and grant to the said Churchwardens for the time being such full and ample power and authority from time to time to distraine and take further course at law for the recover of the said Annuity and all arrerages thereof if the same shall not be paid on the respective dayes for that purpose before     ?     as to Grantes of Annuity and Rent Charges is commonly ? granted And it is my further Mind Will and desire that the said Annuity or yearely sume of Five Pounds be from time to time laid out on bread and distributed on Sundays to and amongst the Poor of the said Parish of Allhallows Barking at the discretion of the said Churchwardens for the time being    Item all the rest residue and remainder of the said Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances in the Parish of St John Walbrooke aforesaid And also all those my Two Messuages or Tenements with all and singular their appurtenances situate and being at the lower end of Cannon streete London neere Dawgate and now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Butts or his assignes orundertenants and all other my messuages Tenements and hereditaments whatsoever with their appurtenances whereof I am either seised or possessed of any state either in possession or Reversion And all my Estate right title and interest of in and to the same I give and devise unto my said deare and loving wife Mrs Jane Wilson for and during the terme of her naturall life And from and after her decease I give and devise the same Messuages Tenements hereditaments and premises aforesaid and every of them with theire appurtenances to such Son or Sonnes of mee the said Thomas Wilson as shall be lyving at the time of my decease and to the heires of said Son or Sonnes forever And for default of a Son or Sonnes lyving at the time of my decease I give and devise all the same Messuages Tenements and hereditaments last before mentioned with theire appurtenances after the decease of my said wife Jane Wilson to such Sonn and Sonnes for ever if such Sonn or Sonnes shall happen to outlyve and survive my said wife Jane But if it shall happen that at anytime of my decease I shall have no Sonn or Sonnes lyving and that my said wife Jane shall not be then bigg or ensient of or with a Sonn or Sonnes and that such Sonn or Sonnes being borne after my decease shall happen to depart this life before my said wife Jane Then my Will is and I doe hereby give and devise all my said Messuages Tenements and hereditaments with theire appurtenances before mentioned to be devised by my said wife for her life as aforesaid to my deare and loving wife Mrs Jane Wilson and to her heires and assigns for ever in Fee Simple Anything aforesaid to the Contrary thereof not withstanding       And lastly I doe hereby revoke annull and make void all former or other Wills by mee made and published at anytime before the day of the date of these presents    In Witness whereof I the said Thomas Wilson have to this my last Will and Testament conteyned in Three sheets of Paper to every sheete thereof sett my hand and to the first and last sheets thereof have sett my seale the Fower and Twentyth day of September In the Two and Twentyth yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord King Charles the Second over England etc And in the yeare of our Lord God one Thousand Six hundred and Seaventy 1670 T. Wilson Signed sealed and published by the above named Thomas Wilson to be his last Will and Testament in the presnce of Tho. Curtis Hen. Sheafe    Proved 3rd May 1676 Edward Homewood, 1688 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Edward HOMEWOOD 1688 Edward Homewood was Clerk of the Survey at Chatham Royal Dockyard. He was responsible for all the stores at that establishment. Like all other senior officials, such as Clerk of the Cheque and Master Shipwright and Master Ropemaker, the post of Clerk of the Survey were held by Gentlemen. Pepys refers to him in his Diary In the Name of God Amen I Edward Homewood now of Chatham in the County of Kent Gent being at present in a competent measure of health and enjoying my right memory praised be him from whom all our mercies do proceed yet being sensible of that naturall frailty which attends this mortall and corruptible state Doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme namely    First I bequeath my soule to the Almighty God that gave it in hopes through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour and Redeemer that hee will receive it unto blessednesse with himselfe My body until the promised resurrection of the last day I committ to our common Mother the earth to be decently buryed by the order of my Executors after named    And for what worldly estate it hath pleased God to privilege me with after the of my interment shall be defrayed and my debts paid I doe thus dispose vizt.    Item I doe give and bequeath unto such poore prisoners as are or may be detained in custody for small Debts such as are under or within tenne pounds whether in London or any adjacent County the sume of Two hundred pounds sterling money to the end of they appeare in the conscience of my after named Executors industrious and honest their enlargement may be compounded for upon such advantagious termes for the sake of others who may be concerned in the extent of such release as my Executors in their best judgement may in respect to which I desire the assistance of Mr Fran. Button of Chatm. Sailmaker may be given unto them for their better guidance in the premisses And I doe hereby impower and authorize my Executors after mentioned as to possesse themselves with soe to dispose and pay the same in such parcells and unto such persons within the space of twelve months from and after my decease as shall to them joyntly approveable but to prevent any difference in the opinion hereof which may arise between my Executors I desire that one may nominate one and the other one be ? subject most capable and best qualified to receive the goods hereby intended And in case they should not reconcile in the ? or of circumstances of quality quantity time or place Mr Button aforesaid his conclusion with any one of my Executors by writing under his hand shall enable and     ?     the distribution accordingly my said Executors takeing such Releasees and securities as shall be judged proper in the persons behalfes that noe abuse soe farr as it can be hindered may frustrate the intendment thereof I say two hundred pounds    Item I doe give and in like manner bequeath as before To such other poore prisoners upon what accompt soever they may be committed or putt under restraint out of compassion to their distresse who may be impoverished and in want of release lett their cases be what they will and their judgements and persuasions soe they are not convicted malefactors persons factions or irreligious in their principles where ever they may in custody or under bonds the sume of One hundred pounds ster money to be disposed to them in such parcells and at such times according to the numbers of them as shall be thought in the conscience of my Executors to be most agreeable to my purpose to preserve them (as men) from perishing All which I desire that Mr Abra. Tilghman of Debtford would satisfy himselfe about and gett the best information hee may in the truth of any pretensions made hereunto for the better governing my Executors in    ?    this piece of charity But if any difference should arise between my Executors in their judgement hereupon Mr Tilghman aforesaid is desired to nominate under his hand soe it be with the consent of one of them what shall be done therein according to the order and method except in the foregoing clause the said one hundred pounds to be disposed in twelve months from and after my decease    Item I doe give and in like manner bequeath to such poore either gentlemen Tradesmen or Labourers that are incapable of relieving themselves or families by their honest endeavors or that are past their worke such as are not     ?     or idle such as have not beene impoverished by ill husbandry but would take paines and be industrious if able such as may not be of the parishes charge or (if they be) yet not sufficiently provided for and soe not to be taken of by this wherein I desire that Mr Tilghman before mentioned would satisfy himselfe in the best manner hee can for the better enabling my Executors after named to dispose this Release The sume of Two hundred pounds sterling money to be sett forth and paid as above unto such persons in such parcells and and at such times as my Executors in their judgment and consciences shall thinke most fitt to supply (in measure) their necessities and want But in case of their non accordance or disagreement as before in or about the same upon any circumstance thereof That then Mr Tilghman before named with the consent of one of my Executors may and is hereby impowered to nominate and appoint by writing under his hand To whom what where and when the same shall be issued which my Executors are to comply with and pay accordingly as in the clauses before goeing willing also that the said two hundred pounds may be distributed within twelve months from and after my decease    Item I doe give and in like manner bequeath to such poore widowes and towards the disposing or putting forth parent or friendlesse children as are not of a parish charge some such where they inhabit e are not thought sufficiently provided for by the releife afforded them whom in such cases I would include but not take of The sume of one hundred pounds sterling money to be disposed by my Executors for their better subsistance according to the judgement of charity and education wheresoever they may understand and find objects suitable within the space of twelve months from and after my decease In the capacity of which persons Mr Button aforenamed to make enquiry and take ? But in concluding upon the distribution if my Executors not both accord and agree as is before specified That then Mr Button shall with the consent anyone of my said Executors determine by writing under his hand To whom what and when the same shall be be paid as in the other clauses fore going I say £100    Item doe give and bequeath towards the better subsistence of my Kinsman Wm. Homewood junior of whom I had the bringing up (to remain in the interim in the hands of my Executors till within twelve months from and after my decease they may see a proper occasion to imploy or dispose it for his most good) the sume of Forty pounds sterling money But in case of his death ere ?hee shall have received the benefitt thereof That then all or what shall remaine unbestowed upon him doe goe and is to be paid by my Executors to the Father and Mother of the said Willm. Homewood with respect had to their other Sonne To the survivor or survivors of them in a month after £40    Item I doe give and bequeath to my poore Relations in Sussex who I understand may be about foure in number the sume of Forty pounds ster. money to be disposed and paid by my Executors unto such or soe many of them as cozen Peirson of Kingston shall advise to be most in need thereof     ?     Mr Tilghman before named in a journey by him to be made for that intent (whose charges to be borne by my Executors ) shall find and approve to be soe in such proportions as shall be concluded may best doe them a pleasure by putting them in a way of subsistence or livelihood in the world and this to be rendered in or at the end of three months from and after my decease in case their yeares and capacity doe then     ?     I say to the survivors or survivor of them £40    Item I give and bequeath to my kinsman Andrw. Pedder towards the better bringing up or maintenance of his two daughters Avery and Anne ( besides the plate household stuffe etc afternamed) the sume of Thirty pounds sterling money to be paid or allowed him    ?    by my Executors for such purpose upon his obligation soe employ it it and produce a particular thereof within the space six months from and after my decease But in case hee should not then be alive That then the whole or what parte is undisposed be rendered and paid to their Grandmother my cozen Avery for that use shee giving some kind of security for the better answering my intendment according to the to the discretion of my Executors for the good of both or either of the said children which shall survive I say £30    Item I doe give and bequeath to Edward Ames sonne of Mr John Ames deceased in case the hundred pounds principal money unpaid to his late Father by Mr Colvile or Assignes doe continue out of prospect of satisfaction by the space of twelve months from and after my decease and that Mr Willm. Hewer doe answer to my order two hundred pounds due from him upon Bond I say under both the considerations the sume of Twenty pounds sterling money and with the same promise to each of his two naturall sisters the sume of Tenne pounds sterling to be paid bu my afternamed Executors unto him and them at the end of thirteen months from and after my decease But in case of either of their deaths before expiration of that time That then the whole Forty pounds To be divided betweene the survivor of them or all of it disposed to the survivor presently after I say £40    Item I doe give and bequeath to any of the Daughters of Capt. Clay deceased as may appeare in the judgement of my Executors to have need thereof within the space of six moneths from and after my decease The sume of Tenne pounds sterling money according the advice and with the ? of the elder of them and to be paid to one or more from her or their     ?     present supply £10    Item I give and bequeath to Mrs Cooke of Sydenhan in this County widow the sume of Five pounds sterling money to be paid unto her at the end of two moneths after and from my decease But in case shee may not then be living to be disposed and be paid either to her daughter or grand daughter at the discretion of my Executors I say £5    Item I give and bequeath Mr Abra. Denderseld and to Mr John Christian of London both Dutch painters to each of them the sume of Five pounds ster to be paid unto them by my Executors in two moneths after my decease In case they should then not be both alive the whole sume of Tenne pounds to be paid unto him that shall survive I say £10    Item I doe give and bequeath unto Steph Newall late servant to Mr Button the sailmaker of this place who hath beene sometime usefull to me in my lodging etc the sume of Five pounds ster moneyto be paid unto him by my Executors at the end of sixe moneths from and after my decease or as may otherwise seem best for his accommodation in the judgement of my Executors and to be paid unto him accordingly I say £5    Item I doe give and bequeath to the persons under and after mentioned namely to my cozen William Homewood father of my kinsman before mentioned in Sussex if his sonne before legacied shall have received what I allotted him and this his Father in case of his death be not concerned in the same which may not be concluded upon till twelth moneths after my decease soe then and in that case to be paid unto him by my said Executors if hee be at that time alive else to goe to the mother and other brother or the survivor of them the sume of Five pounds sterling money I say £5    To my cozen Elizabeth Peirson of Kingston to be paid unto her by my Executors in three moneths after my death but if shee should not then be living to be disposed to her sonne Robert of that place five pounds sterling money I say £5    To my cozen Robert Peirson of Kingston last named to be paid to be paid unto him by my Executors in three moneths after my decease but id hee should not then be living to his Mother above named the sume of Five pounds sterling I say £5    To my cozen Mary Avery late of Shoreham to be paid unto her by my Executors within three moneths after my decease But if shee should not then be living To her sonne and daughter at my Executors discretion or to the survivor of them five pounds £5    To my cozen Adam Daniel in Sussex to be paid unto him by my Executors in three moneths after my decease But if hee should not be then living to be disposed at my Executors' discretion to the use of one or more of his children Five pounds sterling money five pounds    To my cozen George Hudson now 'tis said gone towards Hambro To be paid him by my Executors within three months after my decease But if hee should not be then living To his Wife or or her Father Five pounds sterling money I say £5    To Mr Richard Peirre of Chatham that sometime writt in my Office To be paid unto him by my Executors within three moneths after my decease or in case of his death to his wife Fivepounds sterling money £5    To Mr Peter Jeyes now my Ins???m of this place the sume of Five pounds sterling money to be paid him by my Executors in three moneths after my decease If hee be not then living To Robt. Wilkins that lately served under me in that capacity I say £5    To the Boy William Fitzhugh who now lives with me in the House in case hee continue and wellbehave himselfe the sume of Five pounds sterling money to be paid by my Executors at the end of three moneths after my decease But if hee be not then living to his Mother I say £5    To the Maidservant upon the condition above mentioned the sume of Five pound sterling money to be paid by my Executors at the end of three moneths after my decease If shee should not be then living the Boy last mentioned to enable his disposition otherwise I say £5 Item I doe give and bequeath to each of the persons here ??????scribed being all under the same ????? causes of respect with me and in number six To Hen Cole  To John Bayley To Michl. Wiggens To Goodmn. Carkett  To Goodmn. Higgins To Widow Gore now of Depd. £5 £5 £5 £5 £5 £5 To each of the six persons here noted the sume of Five pounds sterling money to be paid by my Executors within three moneths after my decease But in case they should not then be all living the whole Thirty pounds to be equally disposed and divided betweene them vizt. those of them who shall survive £30 Item I doe give and bequeath to Mr Fran. Button and to Mr Abram. Tilghman whose trouble I have engaged to assist as Overseers in the disposition and distribution herein the the sume of Tenne pounds sterl. money to each to be paid unto them by my Executors within three moneths after my decease But in case of eithers' death before that time the whole to be paid to the survivor I say £20    Item I doe give and bequeath to Valentine Corklin of this place the summe of five pounds sterling to be paid unto him by my Executors within three moneths after my decease But if hee should not be then living to Edward Chatterton of the Fraternity in a Weekes time I say £5    Item I give and bequeath to the Poore of the parish of Warnham? in Sussex where I received my first breath And to the Poore of that of Chatham or where else I may at last resigne it To those of the two places mentioned certaine and the third uncertaine the sume of five pounds to each said no of poore persons or community ? Which are in a capacity of receiving Almes therefrom To be paid by my Executors within a moneth after my decease to the Minister and churchwardens of each place to be distributed by them at ? apart from their other collections at the moneths end I say £10? or £15?    Item I doe give and bequeath to the poore of the parish where I may happen to be buried the sume of five pounds sterling money to be paid by my Executors to the Minister and Churchwardens of that place for them to distribute to such community? of necessitions? p[ersons] aparte from their other collections in a weeke after my internment £5    Item I doe give and bequeath to Mr Chas. Smith of Chatham Apothecary and to Mr Peter Pett of London gentleman who I doe nominate and hereby appoint Executors of this my will in confidence of their care and paines if they doe undertake and performe what I doe here by these presents enjone and     ?     (besides what I doe allott them in the latter parte of this writing ) To ech of them the sume of Tenne pounds sterl. They to withdraw the same to their owne uses in a moneth's time after my decease But in case of one's death after hee hath enjoyed upon this last piece of service and respect in my behalfe 'ere hee may have gone through with what is incumbent I desire that the survivor ? May accept his parte towards his better enablement to complete what I have given in charge? and to receive the whole twenty pounds as a testimony of my thankfull heart I say £20    Item I doe hereby forgive and acquitt the persons following of whatever money they are in my debt vizt. Mr Morden Mrs Parker Mr Gregory the Parson and Mr Palmer who I conclude may be all living hereby wholly discharging them or their Executors of any further reckoning or account for or about the same    Memd. The last charge relating to me in the Codicill affixed and for all other moneys that will remaine either in cash or what shall come in by proceeds of Debts Salary Bills in arrears or otherwise besides what sumes are herein by these presents disposed and allotted as before mentioned I say the rest and residue soe remaining or arising (if any be left) I doe give and bequeath to such     ?     poore and necessitous persons as my Executors in their judgments shall think fitt to bestow the same upon after the expiration of twelve moneths or the utmost time of any allotment before wherein the other distributions may be run out each of my said Executors dividing the said sume oe sumes of money whatsoever it may bee betweene them to give and deale forth in such parcells to such poore and needy whome they may encounter wheresoever and whensoever    Item I doe give and bequeath that my 1/32 part of the Messenger Pinke (Pinnance?) burthen about 150 Tunns whereof Mr Glover is now Master and of the Boates Apparell and Furniture to her belonging and appertaining together with my parte of the stock and of profitts that are arisen and undivided at the time of my decease and what may hereafter arise by the said Vessell's earning or freight to Mr Charles Smith one of my nominated Executors if hee shall please in that capacity to concerne himselfe To hold and enjoy the same to his owne proper use and behoofe for ever    Item I doe give and bequeath my 1/16 parte of the Blackmoore Pinck burthen about 120 Tunns of which Capt Fermes may be Master and of all the boates apparell and furniture to her belonging together with my parte of the stock and of the profitts that are arisen or may arise as in the head above To Mr Peter Pett my other nominated Executor in case hee shall please in that capacity to concerne himselfe To hold and enjoy the same to his owne proper use and behoofe for ever    Item I doe give and bequeath my collections of Spirituall and Morall matter in transcripts some of my owne slender experiences in severall indigested notes and papers with with certaine other bundles of mixt kindes contained in a small redd trunck at my lodging To Mr Abra. Tilghman to be disposed unto him in tenne dayes after my decease But if hee may not be then liveing to Mr Chas Finch of Deptford in either of whose respects for passing by the plaine dresse and ordinary manner of laying them downe as they were summaries for my owne composure and satisfaction in some passages of my life I doe in some measure intitle myselfe that noe advantage may be taken therefrom But that they (comprehending my mind and meaning therein) doe make the best of it to themselves    Item I doe give and bequeath my manuscripts and all papers relating to the Navy in severall covers and bundles and some in a haire trunck at my lodging To Mr Samuel Pett To be disposed unto him by my Executors in tenne dayes after my decease But in case hee may not be then liveing To Mr Finch before named    Item I doe give and bequeath all my bookes of sortes and kinds (a catalogue of which doth remaine with them) in two open frames a presse three shelves and other places To Mr Charles Smith and Mr Peter Pett aforenamed my nominated Executors together with Mr Samuel Pett Mr Rich. Mr Gibson Mr Finch and Mr Tilghman aforenamed to be disposed unto them in a moneths time after my decease or to soe many of them as may then be living Themselves meeting together where my said bookes are lodged and making choice of each one by turnes round till the whole of them shall be run out and their numbers made equall    Item I doe give and bequeath all my pieces of painting and other pictures and figures of sorts and kinds with the Frames thereto belonging or otherwise To the six persons last before named vizt Mr Smith Mr P Pett Mr Samuel Pett Mr Gibson Mr Finch and Mr Tilghman to be disposed unto them or the survivors of them in a moneth's time after my decease Themselves meeting together as in the clause of my bookes before mentioned and making their owne choice after they are put aparte in their sizes according to the order I have placed their names each of them round until the whole of them shall be withdrawne    Item I doe give and bequeath my modell of the Royall Charles her hull a first Rate whose body (under water) was made by Mr Fra. Sheldon before shee was pitcht which after was called the Naseby since finisht by Phancy to Mr Willm. Hewer to be disposed unto him in a moneth's time after my decease But if hee may not be then liveing To be given by my Executors to Mr Robt. Maddox in a weeke after    Item I doe give and bequeath my fifth Rate modell with one deck rigged in a glassed frame as shee is now completed to Mr John Tong neare Town Malling in this County to be rendered hm by my Executors at a moneth's end after my decease But hee may not be then liveing To Mr Finch in a weeke after    Item I doe give and bequeath my Modell of the Crowne hull a fourth Rate first molded by Mr Willm Castle that built her To Mr Richd Isles of Tower Hill Sailmaker with the Crotches shee is to stand on To be disposed unto him by my Executors in a moneth's time after my decease But if hee may not be then liveing To his brother Ames in a weeke after    Item I give and bequeath my Modell of the Katherine Yacht in her launching posture halfe bodyed in a Walnutt tree glassed frame for her To Mr Abra Tilghman to be rendered unto him by my Executors in a moneth's time after my decease But if hee may not be then alive to be disposed to Mr Charles Finch in a weeke after    Item I doe give and bequeath my rigged Hoy framed in timber the paper'd     ?     case and Frame shee sitts in to Mr Fran. Button To be rendered him by my Executors in a moneth's time after my decease But if hee may not be then liveing To Mr Steph. Lee of Chatham in a weeke after    Item I doe give and bequeath the Hull of a third Rate Modell rigged? out of First uncompleted together with a third Rate Block of Molds in a halfe body and of two small yachts rigged To Mr Chas Finch to be disposed unto him by my Executors in a moneth after my decease But in case hee may not be then liveing To be rendered to Mr Jeye my present Instrument in a weeke afterwards    Item I doe give and bequeath the silver Watch now in use with me to Mr Samuel Pett from whom it did proceed To be rendered by him my Executors in a month's time after my decease together with a black velvett Cap a sword belt and paire of stockings of the late King's But in case hee may not be then living To Mr Thos Hooke of London in a weeke after    Item I doe give and bequeath to Mrs Burton of this place my large black fram'd looking glass a redd cabinett on a black frame together with a silver plate and porringer of the same to be rendered unto her by my Executors in a moneth after my decease but But (sic) if shee may not bee then living to be disposed between the daughters or to the daughter surviving    Item I doe give and bequeath to Mrs Martha Smith of this place my best cabinett of Wallnuttree wood on a Frame of the same as alsoe a silver cup with two cares? to be disposed to her in a moneth after my decease    Item I doe give and bequeath to Mrs Jane Lee of this place all my Chinaware and glasses where they now are together with my round hollow magnifying looking glass in an olive frame to be disposed unto her by my Executors in a moneth's time after my decease    Item I doe give and bequeath to Andrew Pedder my late Kinswoman's Husband all my wearing apparell of Lynen and woollen hatts and other kind And towards compleating his House furniture my two featherbedds with bolsters and pillowes and two flock quilts to lye under them A Portugall hard wood bedstead in two parts and another with quilt topps and feet a paire of sad stuffe curtaines and vallence fringed with with [       ] eight chaires of the same suitable a Pantado Quilt twoo greene ruggs and foure blanketts a paire of new Holland sheets and pillowbeers the callicut inwards Hangings Headcloth coverlid and window curtaines my wenscott chest of drawers in two partes two Spanish Tables two wenscott framed tables two shag Carpetts one paire of fireirons with brass tops a double grate or range an iron stove together with all the appurtenances to the same belonging a large copper Kettle now fixt a brasse kettle two brasse or bell metal skilletts and a warming pan my minuit 30 howers clocke six pewter dishes two large two middle two lesse twelve pewter plates a bason cisterne two chamber potts close stoole and bedd panne a still upon a frame and two flagon potts with an old bason and Ewer two iron potts two gridirons Lignuum vitae mortar and pestle and punch bowle my large haire trunk and wooden one iron bound two chests and two wenscott boxes fir Lynen a Jack two spitts wood firesreene hanging shelfe with glasses five cane chaires two peeles and cloth beaters six tumblers and a dozen such casks as hee shall choose All the above together with a silver Tankard six silver spoones and a small one card cup of the same and two olive fram'd lookinge glasses I doe allott and dispose to the said Andr. Pedder with respect had to the child Avery and the other or to the survivor of them that they may have somewhat hereof secured to or for them accordinge to the discretion of my Executors and as they think most agreeable to my purpose supposeing hee may marry againe and have children by some other woman of the quite obliterating our relation every of which parcells above ( under the provision which may be made in particular for the girle Avery) to be disposed and dealt for and by my Executors to the aforesaid Andrew Pedder in a moneth or six weeks time after my decease But in case of his death to be otherwise secured or the proceeds thereof imployed for her or their most good in the donation of the Thirty pounds in money by a clause foregoing    Item I doe give and bequeath my gunns and other weapons or Armes unto two Executors Mr Smith and Mr Pett themselves making choise of one and one as in my Bookes and pictures to be withdrawn by them or the survivor of them in a moneth after my decease    Item I doe give and bequeath to Mr Benjamin Rosewell what of my Carpentry tooles and such like implements hee cares to accept and the same of my canes and sticks To be disposed unto him by my Executors within a moneth's time after my decease for accompanying of which I desire hee may receive a silver wyre hatband and a crimson silke Turkes Sash now in my Seale skin Trunk with about half a score combs in my dressing box All my other furniture reliques or implements of what sort soever which I shall stand possessed of at the time of my decease my Executors may dispose at their pleasure I say whatever shall be undealt forth by the foregoing donations I doe give and allott to them according to be withdrawne to their order in two mineths after my decease And lastly as before expressed I doe constitute and appoint my loveing and approved friends Mr Cha. Smith of Chatham Apothecary and Mr Peter Pett of London gentleman to be Executors of this my last Will and Testament upon whom by meanes hereof doe hope noe great trouble will arise The six leases before written under my owne hand I confirme to the revokeing and making void all former ones of this nature    At Chatham This Thirtyeth of August 30th One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Seaven Edw. Homewood Signed and sealed and declared to be my last Will and Testament after the addition of pasting in of a piece of paper (since written through) at the latter end of the foregoing leafe and the incerting of two olive framed looking glasses with ye comprehension of the Codicill affixted in the presence of The marke of Jos. Avery Richard Medhurst William Cakett    I could desire that the necessaries or conveniences which shall by vertue hereof be distributed may not be withdrawne together or at once but with deliberation by degrees without a general wreck? Uprore or confusion till at the quarters end or soe longe as my Lodgings may be held They may be fairly unfurnished    I doe desire that whenever it shall please the Almighty God to require the breath of my life That my body may have a quiet and calme buryall without that confusion noise and cbservation that does accustomarily attend such ceremonyes And in case I should decease at Chatham cold wish and doe desire that my body might bee carryed up by water in the evening of the day accompanied with some few of my friends to Freindsbury over the River and there disposed in some green spott ot plott of ground neare unto the Church wall until the morning of the generall summons from the dead into which wall desire that a stone may be affixed of about 30" long and sixteen deep thus inscribed or cut Memd such  a stone is among my  things at  the Hill  Here resteth in hope until the promised resurrection them body of Edw. Homewood late Clerke of the Survey in his Majesties Yard at Chatham whose soule being withdrawne from it's visible forme in this temporall and mortall state was translated into Eternity the [         ] of [            ] 168[  ]    And if I doe    ?     time to the last under my present circumstances of Imployment doe nominate for rings of about eight shillings each and a glass or two of wine All the warranted Officers of the yard tha Victuall and Tower Agents here together with the Guard Captaines and about 20 in the streete or Towne which I have borne most respect to not exceeding in all above Fifty Men To each of them that shall trouble their appearance on this occasion one such Ring And that as many more Rings of the same sorte be provided and sent to the persons on the other side named...... which will be in all.......                                    100 Rings                                      at 8s                                     800------ £40 suppose in oth charges               £10 = £50    If it shall please God to deprive me of life at London or thereabouts I desire that my body be then conveyed with foure or five particular Friends to Crayford in this County and there for the delightfull sight thereof bee committed in like sorte as before is splendid Otherwise if businesse or divertizement shall occasion me to travell elsewhere remote from those parts of Chatham or London in which severall accidents or occurences may happen to put a period to my dayes I desire (being abroad) that my friends would please in such case to contrive for my buryall in the same Churchyard where I may happen to dye in like manner as is before mentioned at a very moderate expence yet in either That the whole hundred persons be accommodate with Rings Supposing still that my relation to the Navy service at Chatham doth soe bespeake it and in such case only such as The Officers of the yard reckon 30        such as Mr Cheaf Mr Lee  Mr Modersly Mr Davis  Mr Ben Rosewell Mr Haugh Mr Clay Mr Lately    ?    Shadborn    ?    Penre? my Instruments  The Officers of the yard reckon 30 My Executors and two friends intrusted as Assistants 4 Others in Towne etc to the number of 16 Nominated beside for Rings altho not present    in person Sir Jo. Tippetts  Mr Hayter  Mr Maddocks  Mr Whitfield  Mr Liewsly Redriffe  Mr North Raccliffe  Capt Ratford at Sea  Mr Hatton at Sea  Mr Pet, Thomson Morefields  Mr Jo. Burroughs Strand  Mr Sherwin St Olive Street  Mr Finch Deptford  Mr Harding Deptford Capt Manley Rochester  Mr Jo Stewentw.?  Mr Wyval?  Memd. 50 Rings may be first  provided the residue in tenne  Mr Pepys  Mr Hevater  Mr Sam Pett  Mr Brown Hawth.  Mr Alford Sheerness  Mr Dormer Sheerness  Mr Fuszer Sheerness Mr Daniel Sheerness Mr Petts Woolwich  Mr Curtis Woolwich Mr Bayfine Woolwich Mr Yeo Rochester  Mr Tong of Malling  Mr Holland of Poole  Mr Dixon  Kinsman Pedder Sir Ph. Pett Mr Stephens Mr R Gibson Mr Geo Hudson     Cozen Mr Ric Isles Mr Edw Ames Mr Bell                   Compassmaker Mr Sellers              Compassmaker Mr Laurence Woolwich Mr Bodham Woolwich Mr Pelham Woolwich Mr Cheney the Purser Mr Atkins Mr Hook Mr Saunders Battersey May be taken in to make up this no of 50 or of the 16 above dayes after Mrs Burton Mrs Lee Mrs Smith cozen Avery    Now after all in case I dye a private person unconcerned with the Navy businesse The afore named or specified Officers not at all to be concerned as such except some distinguishing friends among them Not otherwise and to the order of my allotment in 100 Rings to be broken and only to the no of 40 or 50 provided in all as my Executors shall best approve to be disposed unto such a number of persons of the above noted Edw. Homewood     Proved 29th August 1688 Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction Rowland Crispe, 1692 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Rowland CRISPE 1692 Rowland Crispe was probably a member of the Crispe family of Quex, at Birchington. His wife was Anne Pett, one of the famous Pett family of ship designers and builders and Peter Pett was a witness of this will. So that probably links him to Chatham Dockyard. In the Name of God Amen I Rowland Crispe of Chatham in the County of Kent gent beinge sicke and weake in body but of sound perfect and disposing mind and memory praised be God Doe make and Declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme following that is to say    First and principally I comend my Spirit unto the Lord who gave it and my body I comit to the Earth from whence it was taken to be decently interred by and at the discretion of my Executrix by me hereafter named assuredly beleiving by and through the only Merrits death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Redeemer to Obtaine a glorious resurrection of soul and body in a full pardon of all my Sinns    And as for touching and concerning that worldly estate the Lord hath pleased to bless mee with all in this life I give and dispose the same as followeth (that is to say)    I doe hereby give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Anne All and every my debts plate gold and silver rings jewells ready money goods chattels and estate whatsoever    And I doe hereby nominate ordaine and appoint my said well beloved wife Anne full and sole Executrix of this my last will and testament and my loveing Son Rowland Crispe Overseer of the same whom I will and desire (not questioning his will and readiness) to be aiding and assisting to my said Executrix in the same Executorship    And lastly I doe hereby revoake annull and make void all and every former and other will and wills by me made or published at any time or times before the date hereof and these presents to be and contain my only last will and testament    In witnesse whereof I have here unto sett my hand and seale this seven and twentieth day of September Anno Rex & Regina William & Mary Angl Tertio Anno Din One Thousand Six hundred ninety and one Rowland Crispe Signed sealed published and Declared by the above named Rowland Crispe the Testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses in the said Testator's presence Peter Pett Col L Burnish? John Rosewell    Proved 29th April 1692 Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction William Cooke, 1693 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 William COOKE 1693 In the Name of God Amen the Seaventeenth day of May in the Second yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the grace of God King and Queene of England Scotland France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith Anno Dni Onr Thousand and six hundred and Ninety I William Cooke of Chatham in the County of Kent Gentleman Purser of their Majesties good Shipp the Captaine being bound forth to Sea in the same Shipp doe for the quieting of my mind and Settleing that Estate which God of his mercy hath afforded mee make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following that is to say    First and principally I resign upp my Soule into the hands of Allmighty God my Creator beleiving to be saved by and throught the onely merritts and satisfaction of Jesus Christ my Redeemer   Item I give devise and bequeath All and every my Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever situate Lying and being in the severall parishes of Offham Gillingham and Ryarsh in the said County of Kent or elsewhere with their and every of their Appurtenances unto my Loveing Sister Elizabeth Cooke and to the Heires of her body Lawfully to be begotten   And for want of such issue Then I give and devise all and every the said Messuages Lands Tenements and Appurtenances with their and every of their and every of their appurtenances unto my Loveing Mother Deborah Davis wife of Mr Joseph Davis of Chatham aforesaid and to her heires and Assignes for ever   Item I give and bequeath unto the poore of the Parish of Chatham aforesaid twenty shillings to be disposed of by my Executor hereafter named within one Moneth next after my decease   Item I give and bequeath unto my Father in Law Mr Joseph Davis Tenn pounds and unto my said Mother Mrs Deborah Davis tenn pounds to buy each of them Mourning   Item I give and bequeath unto my Loveing brother Joseph Davis Fifty pounds of Lawfull money of England to be paid unto him by my said Executor within one moneth next after he shall Attaine his age of One and Twenty yeares   Item I give and bequeath unto my Loveing brother Thomas Davis Fifty pounds of like money to be paid unto him by my said Executor within one moneth next after he shall Attaine his age of one and Twenty yeares   All the rest and Residue of my goods Chattels debts and Legacies being first paid and satisfied I give and bequeath unto my said Loveing Mother Deborah Davis and I doe hereby make and ordaine my said Father in Law Mr Joseph Davis Executor of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me formerly made   In witness whereof I the said William Cooke have here unto Sett my hand and Seale Dated the day and yeare first above written Will Cooke Signed Sealed published and declared by the said William Cooke to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in the presence of the said Testator John Fletcher Fra. Brooke Will Slaughter Junior John Frankwell   Proved 6th October 1693 Joseph Davis is written as John Davis in this probate section. Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction Samuel Smith, 1694 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Samuel SMITH 1694 In the Name of God Amen I Samuel Smith of Chatham in the County of Kent Gent being in good health of body and of sound and disposing mind and memory (praised be God for the same) And not knowing how soon it may please God to take me out of this life Doe therefore and for the quieting of my mind and setling and disposing of that Estate it hath pleased God to bless me with make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following vizt    Impris I give devise and bequeath unto my deare and loving wife Frances All and every my Messuages Lands and Tenements situate lying and being in the parishes of Lower Halstow and Upchurch in the said County of Kent To have and to hold the same Messuages Lands and Tenements to her my said wife Frances and her Assigns for and during the term of her naturall life she keeping and maintaining the same and every of them in good tenantable repaire plight and conditional    Item I give and bequeath unto her my said wife Frances All that my Messuage or Tenement with the yard backside and appurts thereunto belonging situate and being in the parish of Chatham aforesaid late in the tenure or occupation of John Rosewell Schoolmaster which I hold of and from the Brethren of St Bartholomew's Hospital To have and to hold the same Messuage and premisses last mentioned to her my said wife Frances and her Assignes for and during soe many yeares as she may naturally live and noe longer she keeping and maintaining the same and every part thereof in good tenantable repaire plight and condition    Item I give and devise unto my son Nevill Smith All and every my Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments with their appurts situate lying and being in Lower Halstow and Upchurch as aforesaid (Excepting Estate in Lower Halstow aforesaid called Callum and Callum Hills ) which premisses by me devised to my said son Nevill I bought and purchased to me and my heires and Assigns of and from Mr Thomas Pett and his Sisters and relations To have and to hold the same Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments and every of them with their appurts (Except aforesaid Estate called Callum and Callum Hills) to him my said son Nevill Smith and to his heires and Assigns for ever expextant from and immediately after the death of my loving wife aforesaid    Item I give and devise unto the child and children my wife is ensient or goes with All that my Land and Estate aforesaid situate and being in Lower Halstow aforesaid called or known by the name or names of Callum and Callum Hills or howsoever otherwise called which I late bought and purchase to me and my heires and Assigns of and from Mr Petty and his wife To have and to hold the same Land and Estate last mentioned with the appurts to such the child or children my said wife is ensient or now goes with and to the heires and Assigns for ever of the same child or children expectant immediately after the decease of her my said wife Frances    Item I give and bequeath unto the said child or children my said wife is ensient or now goes with All that my aforesaid Messuage or Tenement with the yard backside and appurts thereunto belonging situate and being in the parish of Chatham aforesaid late in the tenure or occupation of the said John Rosewell and which I hold from the said Brethren of St Bartholomew's Hospital To have and to hold the same Messuage or Tenement and premisses last mentioned with the appurts from and immediately after the decease of her my aforesaid wife Frances until the same before mentioned child and children she my said wife now goes with and to the Executors Administrators and Assigns of the same child and children for and during out all the time and terme of yeares I have therein    Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Phillippia the sume of Fower hundred pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto her by my Executrix hereinafter named when and if she my said daughter shall live to be married or attaine unto her age of one and Twenty yeares    Item I will direct and appoint That my Executrix she until the same Fower hundred pounds shall become due and payable as aforesaid put out and placed at Interest upon the best security and securities my said Executrix hereinafter named can from time to time gett for the same either in an intire sume or by severall sumes or parcells thereof and the Interest benefit or advantage which shall be raised thereby my said Executrix shall lay out and employ for and towards the maintenance and education of my said children now born and of such the child and children my said wife goes with or which I shall have by hereditaments    Item I will and direct That when and soe soon as my said son Nevill shall be of yeares and capacity fitt to place out at some very good Trade Calling or profession That he shall be soe placed out and at least the sume of Seaventy pounds of lawfull money given with him to some good discreet Master who shall well deserve the same money with him    Item I further will and appoint and it is my true intent and meaning That if any of my Children now born or which I shall have by my said wife Shall either dye before the Estate reall or personal herein before by me given the same child and children will or ought according to the true meaning of this my Will to come to the same child and children soe dyeing    or else not live to be born or being born alive shall not live to have right to or enjoy such of my Estate I have given to the same child and children respectively That then the same Estate reall and personall which should or ought to have gone to and been enjoyed by the same child and children soe dyeing or not being borne alive as aforesaid shall goe to and be enjoyed by the survivor and survivors of my said children his her or their heires Executors Administrators and Assignes respectively share and share alike if more than one then one shall survive at their severall respective age and ages of one and Twenty (Saving my said Wife's rights I have as aforesaid given to her for life)    Item I doe give and bequeath unto such of my children as shall be living at my wife's decease the some of Two hundred pounds of lawfull money of England and which I will shall be had and received by the Overseers of this my Will in Trust for such of the same children which shall be living at the time of my said wife's decease and to be by them the said Overseers paid to such of the same children last mentioned at their respective age or ages of one and Twenty yeares    Item all the rest and residue of my personall Estate (after my debts Funerall charges and probate of this my Will paid and satisfied) I give and bequeath unto her my said wife Frances whom I doe hereby make constitute and ordain full and sole Executrix of this my Will hereby revokeing all former Wills or Testaments by me at any time heretofore made or published    And lastly I doe hereby nominate and appoint my very good friend Mr James Almond of London Tobacconist and Mr Andrew Hawes of Chatham aforesaid Chirugeon Overseers of this my Will    In witness whereof I the said Samuel Smith have to this my present last Will and Testament contained in three sheetes thereof sett my hand and to the first and last sheet thereof my seale this present five and Twentieth day of June in the fifth yeare of the reigne of King William and Queen Mary of England etc Anno Domini One Thousand six hundred ninety three Sam Smith Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Samuel Smith the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto (the above words vizt Overseers of this my Will and fower fower being first interlined) in the presence of the said Testator Mary Bonis John Hayes Jo. Walsall    Proved 22nd May 1694 Henry Wright, 1694 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Henry WRIGHT 1694 In the Name of God Amen The three and twentyeth say of April Anno Domini one thousand six hundred eighty eight and in the fourth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord King James the second etc I Henry Wright of the parish of Chatham in the County of Kent gent being now bound out to Sea in his Majesties service and being in good health of body mind and memory (praised be God)yett calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and the time most uncertainte Doe make and declare this my last Will as followeth    Imprimis I commend my soule to Almighty God And my body I comitt to the earth from whence it came   And as for touching and concerning all such sumes of money wages and pay from my service to be performed aboord any of his Majesties Shipp ot Shipps or any other debts dues or personall estate whatsoever I doe hereby give and bequeath the same and every parte thereof unto my Trusty Friend Joseph Ryves of the parish of Stepney in the County of Middlesex Gentleman his Executors Administrators and Assignes And I doe hereby make and ordaine my said trusty Friend Joseph Ryves full and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament revokeing all other Wills by me heretofore made and this to remaine as my last Will and Testament    In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written Hen. Wright Sealed published and declared to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of John Tustian Henry Gromwell Ant. Haynes Senr    Proved 5th June 1694 John Fletcher, 1694 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 John FLETCHER 1694 In the Name of God Amen I John Fletcher of Chatham in the County of Kent gent doe make my last Will and Testament as followeth    I doe give and bequeath unto my deare and tender Mother Elizabeth Fletcher all and every my goods chattels and personall estate be the same as consisting of any nature or kind whatsoever adter my debts funerall charges and probate of this my Will paid and satisfied saveing only the sume of tenn shillings which I give to my wife to buy her a bible    And as touching my reall Estate I give and devise the same be it Messuage Lands Tenements and Hereditaments or any parte share or dividend thereof or howsoever otherwise unto my loveing brother Peter Fletcher his Heires and Assignes for ever    And of this my last Will and Testament Doe make constitute and ordaine her my said Mother Elizabeth Fletcher full and sole Executrix hereby revokeing annulling and making void all former Wills and Testaments by me made at any time heretofore made or published    In witnesse whereof I the said John Fletcher have to this my present last Will and Testament sett my hand and seale the tenth day of April in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred ninety and foure John Fletcher Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Fletcher the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in the presence of the same Testator Jo. Loran Andrew Hawes Paul Strange Thos. Legoe Jo. Walsall    Proved 28th June 1694 Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction Anthony Berry, 1694 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Anthony BERRY 1694 In the Name of God Amen I Anthony Berry of Chatham in the County of Kent Gentleman being in good health sound perfect and disposing mind and memory thanks bee given to Almighty God for the same doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and forme following    Imprimis I comend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Maker and my body to the Earth to bee buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named    Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Mr Robert Berry and to my Sister Elizabeth the Wife of Mr Edward Smith the sume of Tenn Shillings apeece to buy them Mourning Rings    All the rest and residue of my goods household stuffe bedding plate linen and other my Chattels reall and personall I give and bequeath unto my deare and loving Wife Jane Berry And I further give and bequeath unto my said deare and loving Wife Jane Berry All my Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever with their and every of their Appurtenances situate lying and being in the parish of Sholden in the said County of Kent or elsewhere within the Kingdom of England To have and to hold to her her heires and Assignes forever    And I doe hereby nominate ordaine constitute and appoynt my said deare and loving Wife to full and whole Executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking annulling and making void all former and other last wills and testaments by mee made    In witnesse whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the twentieth day of Aprill in the Fourth yeare of the Raigne of our Soverraigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King and Queene Anno Dni one thousand six hundred Ninety Two Antho: Berry Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Anthony Berry to be his last will and testament in the presence of Jo Furbarne Isaac Clarke John Fletcher Clarke and Fletcher live att the Three Tunns in Holborne    Proved 19th December 1694 Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction Robert Sliter, 1695 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Robert SLITER 1695 Robert Sliter was the Master Ropemaker of the Royal Dockyard at Chatham, the Gentleman responsible for the organisation and manufacture of the vast amount of rope needed in warships of the period. In the Name of God Amen I Robert Sliter of Chatham in the County of Kent Gentleman being weake in body but of perfect minde and memory (praised be God for the same)doe make my last Will and Testament in manner and form following vizt    Imprimis I bequeath my soul unto God my most merciful Creator hoping through the Merits and mediation of my dear Redeemer Jesus Christ to obtain eternal salvation and my body to the Earth from whence it came to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named and as for that worldly Estate wherewith God hath blessed me I bequeath it and every part of it (after my Funerall and expenses and debts are paid) to my deare wife Sarah Sliter whom I appoint sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament during her naturall life and at her death the same or so much of it as shall then remain to be disposed as she shall think fit by her Will and I doe hereby revoke and make void all wills by me formerly made    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this Four and twentieth day of September Anno Dni one thousand six hundred ninety four And in the sixth year of the reign of our Soveraign Lord and Lady William and Mary by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the Faith etc Ro: Sliter Signed sealed Delivered Published and declared in the presence of Anna Pett Ben Rosewell Cast Billingsley    Proved 23rd August 1695 Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction William Gregory, 1696 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 William GREGORY 1696 In the Name of God Amen I William Gregory of Chatham in the County of Kent Gent Purser of their Majesties Ship the St. Andrew being bound to Sea in the same Shipp and at this present in good heath of body and of a sound and disposing mind and memory praised be Almighty God And not knowing how soon it may please Almighty God to take me out of this mortall life Doe therefore for the quieting of my mind and disposing of that estate wherewith it hath pleased Allmighty God in his mercy to blesse me make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following that is to say    I give and bequeath unto the honourable Edward Gregory of Chatham aforesaid Esq one of the Comissioners of their Majesties Navy Royall and to his Executors Administrators and Assignes All and every my Salary wages and pay due and to be due to me in their Majesties service And all my plate ready money debts credits goods chattels and all other my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever to his and their own uses    And of this my last Will and Testament I constitute and ordaine him the said Edward Gregory the sole and only Executor    And lastly I the said William Gregory doe hereby revoke and make void all former and other Wills and Testaments by me made spoken or published at any time or times before the publishing of these presents    In witnesse whereof I the said William Gregory have to this my present last Will and Testament sett my hand and seale the seaven and twentieth day of March in the second yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary King and Queen of England Scotland France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith etc Anno Domini onr thousand six hundred ninety W. Gregory    Signed sealed and published by the above named William Gregory as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of Jo. Moyse John Martine Richd. Sheafe    Proved 4th December 1696 Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction Robert Lee, 1698 Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Robert LEE 1698 Robert Lee was Master Shipwright at Chatham, 1681-1698, he was responsible for the construction of ships In the Name of God Amen I Robert Lee of Chatham in the County of Kent Gent being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory praise be given to Allmighty God therefore Considering the uncertainty of human life do make and ordaine this my present last Will and Testament in manner and forme following that is to say    First I commend my Soule into the hands of Almighty God who gave it hopeing through the meritorious death and passion of my Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free remission of all my Sins and to Inherit everlasting life And my body I commend to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named And as touching the disposition of such temporall Estate as it hath pleased Almighty God of his Infinite goodness to bestow upon me I give and dispose thereof as follows    First I will that all my debts and funerall Charges be paid and discharged    Item I give and bequeath unto my dear Sister Sarah Edge the summe of ten pounds if she survives me    Item I give and bequeath unto my Son William Lee the summe of one hundred pounds    All the rest of my personall Estate goods and Chattels whatsoever I do give and bequeath unto my loveing and dearly beloved wife Elizabeth Lee dureing her naturall life whom I also make full and Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and after her decease    I doe give and bequeath unto my Son William Lee above named and his heires for ever All that manner or reputed manner (sic) commonly called or Known by the name of Mortyners (Mortimers) Situate lying and being in the parishes of Higham and Cliffe in the County of Kent aforesaid    But the rest of my Estate goods and chattells I leave to be disposed of at the will of my Executrix above named    And I do hereby revoke disannull and make void all former Wills and Testaments whatsoever by me heretofore made    In witness whereof I the said Robert Lee to this my last Will and Testament have put my hand and seale the Seventeenth day of March in the tenth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord William the third by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King defender of the Faith etc Anno Domini 1697 Robert Lee Sealed and published in the presence of 1697⅞ Robert Lee Sealed and published in the presence of William Baynard S. Taylor J. Ouram?    Proved 18th June 1698 Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction ModernWillsSheerness KAS Previous Previous Wills of Sheerness Shipwrights Next Next Wills of Rochester Shipwrights 1652 - 1837 Kent Archaeological Society Registered Charity 1176989 Documents Guidance Licensing Minutes Privacy