Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights

Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (Pre 1858) - Index of names                          - Transcribed by D.E. Williams 2020 Wills of 17th Century Chatham Shipwrights    Wills of 18th Century Chatham Shipwrights    Wills of Rochester Shipwrights 1652-1837

Surname	Christian name	Age	Place	Occupation	Date Will proved	No.
ACWORTH	James		of Chatham	shipwright	1814	01
BARNABY	Lewis		of Chatham	shipwright	1844	02
BELCHAR	Thomas		of Chatham	shipwright	1805	03
BERRY	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1805	04
BORER	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1857	05
BRITTAIN	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1807	06
BROMLEY	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1838	07
BUCK	James	55	of Chatham	shipwright	1812	08
COUCHMAN	Daniel		of Chatham	shipwright	1814	09
COWARD	Henry	78	of Chatham	shipwright	1803	10
CRANE	John	64	of Chatham	shipwright	1853	11
DAY	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1810	12
DOVE	Richard		of Chatham	shipwright	1820	13
EASON	John	82	of Chatham	shipwright	1801	14
FRENCH	James		of Chatham	shipwright	1839	15
FULLER	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1831	16
GIBSON	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1818	17
GIBSON	Thomas		of Chatham	shipwright	1825	18
HERRINGTON	Joseph		of Brompton	shipwright	1810	19
HUNT	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1813	20
LAWRENCE	Thomas		of Chatham	shipwright	1810	21
MARTIN	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1840	22
MASKELL	Richard		of Chatham	shipwright	1822	23
METCALFE	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1805	24
MOORE	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1817	25
MORRIS	Richard		of Chatham	shipwright	1834	26
MORRIS	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1843	27
MOSLEY	John	70	of Chatham	shipwright	1847	28
NORTH	George		of Chatham	shipwright	1835	29
PATRICK	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1835	30
PEMBLE	Isaac		of Chatham	shipwright	1842	31
PHILLIPS	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1822	32
RICH	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1846	33
RICH	Henry		of Chatham	shipwright	1848	34
RICH	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1853	35
SMITH	George		of Chatham	shipwright	1812	36
STAFF	Leonard		of Brompton	shipwright	1817	37
STIGANT	William		of Brompton	shipwright	1837	38
STONE	William		of Chatham	shipwright	1839	39
STURLA	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1828	40
SUTTON	James		of Chatham	shipwright	1855	41
TAYLOR	Henry		of Chatham	shipwright	1848	42
TOOKEY	Joseph		of Chatham	shipwright	1822	43
TOOKEY	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1849	44
WEAKS	John		of Chatham	shipwright	1832	45
WILLIS	Edward	74	of Chatham	shipwright	1854	46
WISE	Thomas		of Chatham	shipwright	1811	47
Surname	Christian name	Age	Place	Occupation	Date of Will	No.

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

Names Ackworth 1 Ady 3 Arnott 33 Ashdown 6 Ashley 2 Atcheson 25 Austin 28, 31 B(a)rber? 38 Baker 1, 25, 36 Bamey? 11 Barnaby 12 Barnaby 2, 25, 34 Bassett 25 Bate 22 Bear 25 Beaumont 3, 17, 45 Beck 31 Belchar 3 Berry 4, 21 Billinghurst 43 Birch 11 Bird 16 Bishop 17 Blackader? 45 Bolton 16 Booth 39 Borer 5 Borkett 19 Bovid? 40 Bowles 10 Brames 37 Briggs 29 Brittain 6 Britter 21 Bromley 7, 18, 21 Buck 8, 34 Burchall 47 Burnett 12 Butcher 21 Butler 25

Caddy 46 Chinery? 11 Church 2 Clark 16 Clift 33 Coates 28 Cole 14 Collne? 40 Coomber 7, 30 Cooper 30, 36 Cordwell 6 Couchman 9 Coveney 14 Coward 10 Cox 21, 30 Crane 11 Crispin32 Croden 33 Crosley 8 Cryer? 3 Davies 38 Davison 5 Day 12, 14, 22, 46 Death 38 Devonport 2 Dorrett 15 Dove 13 Down 13 Dunstall 9 Dyer 29 Eason 14 English 13 Essell 42 Evenden 414 Fareham 38 Ferguson 29 Filmer 27 Finnell 25 Flanagan? 33 Ford 45 Foster 21, 27 Franklin 39 Freeman 15 French 15 Froud 15 Fuller 16, 25

Gammon 27 Gardener 25 Gardiner 1 Geffery 47 Gibson 17, 18 Gilbert 22 Gillett 10 Goord 46 Gowar 10 Gowen 31 Grace 27 Graham 21 Grant 1 Grayham 21 Greet 32 Hammond 1 Hanney? 11 Harrison 3, 17 Hayes 6 Headgecock? 33 Heard 28, 33 Herrington 19 Hoar 4 Hodge 45 Hope 1 Hopper 19 Hughes 2, 28, 41 Hughill 16 Hulett? 47 Hunt 20 Hyman 6 James 11 Jarrett 44 Jeffery 47 Jefferys 4, 25 Johnson 14, 15, 24 Kains 40 Kennet 10 Kennett 30 Kipps 5 Lane 45 Langford 15 Law 45 Lawrence 21, 23 Lester 30 Lewis 2, 26, 30, 45 Lieger? 47 Loft 21 Lott 42 Luck? 11 Luff 1

Marshall 1 Martin 22 Maskell 23 Mason 26 Mathews 16 Matthews 16, 45 May 2 Merkiff 25 Metcalfe 24 Mitchell 37 Moore 25, 39 Morgan 8, 13, 39 Morris 9, 24, 26, 27 Mosley 28 Moverley 7 Muddle 45 Murtagh 22 Myer 20 Needham 22 Nelloth 37 Netherwood 34 Nicholls 25 Nichols 33 North 29 Oliffe 30 Parkin 25 Parry 28 Pascall 17, 26 Patrick 30, 45 Pegan 4 Pemble 13, 22, 31 Penrose 14 Periman 9 Pestell 11 Phillips 4, 32 Pledge 46 Povall 7 Purcell 35 Rawson 6 Record 38 Rice 25, 33, 34 Rich 24, 35 Rickon 11, 46 Rosse 26 Rowen 19

Saunders 22 Sawyer 29 Scott 37 Simmonds 19 Sinclair 41 Smith 36 Snodgrass 10 Solomon 19 Sommerton 13, 14, 23 Sparks 15 Spence 45 Spillit 35 Staff 37 Stanton 4 Steel 22 Stephens 8,13,28,33,38 Stigant 38 Stiles 2 Stone 39 Stoneham 18 Stubbersfield 15 Stubbs 13 Sturla 40 Sutton 41 Taffs 27 Taylor 30, 38, 42 Thomas 22 Thorpe 10 Till 19 Tomlin 26 Tonkin 25 Tookey 42, 43, 44 Victualler 29 Waitall 21 Watkins 15 Watson 41 Wattle 13 Watts 19 Weaks 45 Wenman? 46 West 6, 19 Whiffen 4 White 28 Wilkens 7 Wilkins 46 Willis 46 Wills 6, 47 Willson 3 Winford 26 Wise 47 Witheridge 45 Wood 45 Wright 21 Wyatt 16, 28

Places Australia 41 Brompton 7, 10,13, 19, 30, 37, 38    River Row 7    Middle Street 38    Wood Street 19 Chatham    Best Street 46    Cage Lane 1, 28, 41    Chapel 44    Clover Lane 12    Fort Pitt Street 27    Fort Row 18    Hogg Lane 23    James Street 46    Meeting House Lane 26    New Road 33    Ordnance Place 11, 18, 22, 27, 40    Richard Street 46    The New Road 31    Queen Street 8, 17, 25    Slicket's Hill 10    The Brook 25

Frindsbury 13 Fulham Middlesex 37 Gillingham 30 Gravesend 16 Greenwich 22 Hull 28 Kennington Road 6 London    Blackfriars Road 6    Cannon Street 33    Charlotte Street 6    Haymarket, City of Westminster         41    Great Queen Street Lincoln's       Inn Fields 31

Maidenhead 20 Maidstone 13, 15, 38    East Lane, King Street 15 New Brompton 42 New South Wales 28 Newington, Surrey 47 Offham 19 Oxford 16 Plymouth 13, 29 Poplar, No 2 Naval Row 31 Portsea 3 Portsmouth 25 Rochester 15, 19, 26, 40, 42, 45    St Margaret 45       Delphs Lane, now Delce Road 46    St. Margaret's Bank 13 Sheerness 25, 36, 37    Blue Town 16 Whiton? 3

Miscellaneous Archdeacon 45 Attorney at Law 20, 25, 45 Baker 41 Bootmaker 46 Brewer 28 brewhouse 1 Builder 46 Carpenter 13, 22, 29 Clerk 19, 41, 42, 44, 45 Clerk to     Messrs Stephens & Son 28 Coachman 31 Cordwainer 33

Fisherman 36 Glazier 29 Grocer 2, 28, 41 Iron Founder 46 Joiner 13 Laborer 41 Messrs Essell Hayward &    Essell Solicitors  42 Nursery Man 37 Pawnbroker 38 Pensioner 45 Plumber 29, 46 Publican 30 Servant 45

Shoemaker 29 Shop and bake house 28 Shopkeeper 13 Sir John Hawkins Hospital 45 Solicitor 26, 28, 42 Superannuated Clerk 2 Surgeon 1 Timber Converter 25 Tools 17, 18 Turner 15 Victualler 16

army, navy, docks etc    Arctic Service, this ship 39    Capt Royal Nav20    Captain 40 Coast Blockade Service 29 Deptford Dock Yard 39 Lieutenant and Paymaster 22 Mariner 44 Mariner the 25 Master Shipwright of     Chatham Dockyard 39 Ninth Company of the first    Regiment of Foot Guards 22 North West Passage 39 private Soldier 22, 28 Rigger 45 Royal Marines 22 Sergeant Major of the     Royal Denbigh 22 Sixth Six Regiment of Foot Submeasurer 32 ships    Bomb Vessel Terror 39    Canopus 6    Erebus 39

James Acworth, 1814

Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) James ACWORTH - 1814 THIS IS THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of me JAMES ACWORTH OF Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright First I direct that all my just Debts & Funeral &Testamentary expenses be paid I give unto my grandson James Acworth son of my son William Acworth my Silver Tankard marked with the letters E.A.A. to be delivered to him immediately after my death Also I give unto my Wife Elizabeth Acworth all that my Leasehold Messuage or Tenement with the Appurts situate in Clover Lane Chatham & now in my own occupation & all my estate term & interest therein to hold unto my said wife her executors administrators & assigns Also I bequeath unto my said wife during her life the interest dividends & annual produce arising from my stock in the public funds & and from all other my personal estate from & immediately the death of my said Wife I bequeath my said stock in the public funds & all other my personal estate not specifically bequeathed by this my will unto my Son & Daughters who shall be living at the death of my said Wife & and the children of each of them who shall be then dead to be divided amongst them in equal shares & proportions the child or children of a deceased Son or Daughter taking only the share which his her or their parent respectively would have been entitled to if living Also I direct that my said Wife shall have the use but not the absolute property of my household goods &furniture & household linen during her life & upon her death I bequeath the same to my Daughter Sarah Luff Widow for her own use & benefit Also I give unto my said Wife for her own use all my plate & china Also I unto my Son William Acworth all my moiety or half part & all other my part shares & interest of & in all that freehold messuage or tenement with the appurts situate in Cage Lane Chatham aforesaid & now in the occupation of [          ] Baker together with the brewhouse adjoining & belonging & also in the occupation of the said [          ] Baker & also of & in all that freehold messuage or tenement now in the occupation of my Son Edward Acworth situate in Cage Lane aforesaid & adjoining to the said messuage in the occupation of the said [          ] Baker to hold the same unto my Son William Acworth his heirs & assigns upon trust nevertheless to pay to or otherwise admit & suffer my said Wife to receive & take the annual rents issues & profits of the said premises so given to my said Son as aforesaid during the time of her natural life for her own use & from & immediately or as soon as conveniently may be after the decease of my said Wife Upon Trust for my said Son William Acworth his heirs or assigns do & shall make sale & absolutely dispose of the heredits so given to him as aforesaid in one or more lot or lots & either by public auction or private contract as he or they shall think proper with liberty if he or they shall deem it expedient from time to time to buy in & resell the same at any future auction or by private contract without being liable to answer for any loss or diminution in price by such resale & convey & assume the same when sold as aforesaid unto the person or persons who shall agree to become the purchaser or purchasers thereof nevertheless I declare my will to be that in case my said Wife shall depart this life before the expiration of such lease granted by me & my Sister Ann Grant to George Hammond of the said messuage & brewhouse in the occupation of the said [          ] Baker of which nine years are unexpired my part share & interest of & in the same messuage & brewhouse & of & in the said messuage in the occupation of my said Son Edward Acworth shall not be sold under the trusts herein before declared until the expiration of such lease & that in the meantime my said Son William Acworth shall stand seized of of my part share & interest of & in the said heredits Upon Trust to permit my said Son Edward Acworth & in case of his death his Wife & family to reside in the said messuage now in his occupation without paying any rent for the same & upon further trust to receive & take the rents annual profits of the second messuage & brewhouse in the occupation of the said [          ] Baker & to pay the same unto the proper hands of my said Daughter Sarah Luff for her own use & in case of her death before the expiration of the said lease to apply the same in the discretion of my said Son for the benefit of her children & I direct that the person or persons who shall become the purchaser or purchasers of all or any part of the heredits herein before given to my said Son William Acworth or shall be the tenant or occupier thereof or any part thereof & shall pay his her or their purchase money or rents & profits or any part thereof to my said Son William Acworth his heirs or assigns or any other person or persons under his or their direction shall not be obliged to   ?   to the application of the same purchase money or rents & profits or any part thereof or be answerable or accountable for the misapplication or non-application of the same or any part thereof & that all receipts which shall be given for the said purchase money or the said rents & profits or any part thereof by my said Son William Acworth his heirs or assigns or any other person or persons to whom the same shall be paid under his or their direction shall be good & sufficient discharge for the sum or sums of money which therein or thereby respectively shall be acknowledged to be or to have been received & as to the money arising from the sale of the heredits herein before directed to be sold I give & bequeath the same unto all my Sons & Daughters who shall be living at the time of the death of my said Wife & and the children of such of them as shall be then dead to be divided amongst them in equal shares & proportions the child or children of a deceased Son or Daughter taking only the share which which his her or their parent respectively would have been entitled to if living & I appoint my said Wife & Son William Acworth executor & executrix of this my will & I direct that the trustee & executors of this my will not be answerable or accountable for any other money and effects than such as shall come to into their hands respectively under this my will nor for any Banker   ?  , Broker   ?  , or other person entrusted with the receipt or possession of any monies or effects in the course of executing this my will or the trusts thereby nor for any other less misfortune or damage which may happen to my estate unless the same shall happen or be occasioned by or through his or her respective wilful default & that my trustees & executors shall not be answerable or accountable for each other neither one for the acts receipts of defaults of the other but each for his or her own acts receipts of defaults only the joining in receipts for the sake of conformity to notwithstanding I likewise direct that it shall be lawful fir the trustee & executors of this my will his or her executors or admons to deduct reform   ?  , allow & discharge in the first place by or out of the money which shall come to the hands of them or any of them under or by virtue of this my will all costs charges damages & expenses which they or any of them shall or may suffer sustain expend or be put in or about the execution of this my will or the trusts thereof or in any wise relating thereto & I revoke all former wills In witness whereof I have to each of these three sheets of paper written on one side only subscribed my name & to the last of them affixed my seal this 17th day of January 1814 James Acworth these three sheets of paper were each of them signed by the above named James Acworth the testator & the last of them sealed by him & were by him published as his last will & testament in the presence of us who in his presence & at his request have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto T. Hope, Surgeon, Chatham, Alex Gardiner, Chatham,   ?   ?   Marshall Proved 13th August 1814 Power reserved to Elizabeth Acworth, Widow Lewis Barnaby, 1844 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Lewis BARNABY - 1844 I Lewis Barnaby Senr of Chatham in the County of Kent formerly a Shipwright in is Majesty's Dock Yard of the same place but now a Superannuated Clerk do revoke all former wills made by me heretofore do declare this my last will and testament I desire all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid by my Executors hereinafter named I give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Barnaby Wife to Nicholas Barnaby fifty pounds and one silver pepper box to my Son John Barnaby fifty pounds and five silver tea spoons to my Son Lewis eighty pounds and my silver watch to my daughter Mary Ann eighty pounds all my household furniture books linen pictures china and one pair of silver Sugar Tea Tongs to my daughter Ann Wall Ashley Wife to William Ashley eighty pounds and one and one silver Milk Pot to my Son Nathaniel eighty pounds and one pair of silver Table Spoons to my Son Thomas thirty pounds and one pair of silver Salts I also give to my Sons Lewis and Nathaniel all my wearing apparel and body linen equally share and share alike I give to my daughter Mary Ann for her natural life or so long as she remains unmarried the interest of ten hundred pounds stock in the three per cent Consols in the Bank of England to stand in the name of my Executors and Trustees I desire my freehold houses to be sold by private Contract or public Auction and all sums of money arising therefrom and all sums standing in my name in the Bank of England or County Bank all sums arising from mortgages bonds bills of hand or whatever I am possessed of at the time of my decease and all sums of money remaining after my Executors have paid my funeral expenses just debts and legacies and transferring the ten hundred pounds 3 pr cent Consols in the name of my trustees I wish to be divided between my seven children Sarah John William Lewis Mary Ann Ann Ashley and Nathaniel and should my daughter Mary Ann marry my trustees shall divide the ten hundred pounds stock between Mary Ann and her Brothers and Sisters share and share alike should any of them be dead leaving child or children they shall have their father of Mother's part but should Mary Ann die unmarried the ten hundred pounds stock shall be divided between her Brothers and Sisters share and share alike any of them being dead leaving child or children they shall have their father's or Mother's share And I do appoint my daughter Mary Ann Executrix and my friend Mr William Hughes Grocer and my friend Mr William Devonport in the Dock Yard both of Chatham Executors of this my Will and to each of these Gentlemen I give the sum of five pounds And I do appoint Mr William Hughes Grocer and Mr William Devonport in trust to this my Will Signed this thirty first of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty six Lewis Barnaby Witnesses Benjamin Church John May James Stiles Sarah John Wm Lewis Ann Ashley Nath Affidavit dated 21st March 1844 Mary Ann Barnaby of Cross Street, Brook, Chatham, Spinster and Thomas Barnaby of 28 Borough Market, Southwark, Tallow Chandler are sworn. Mary Ann affirms the will is in her father's handwriting and that she was present when the will was executed. Her father had crossed out one of the words seven relating to his children and replaced it with six. (I take it that John is John William Barnaby, although this is not made clear in the will) Thomas Barnaby states that that in his fathers' lifetime, he was give a cash sum by his father, which amounted to his portion of the money his father left to his children, this is the reason 7 was replaced by 6. Proved 23rd March 1844 Thomas Belchar, 1805 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Thomas BELCHAR - 1803 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Thomas Belchar of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being of a sound mind and understanding do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say First I commend my Soul to the Mercy of God hoping for the Pardon of all my Sins [   ?   ] and only for the obedience and death of his dear Son Jesus Christ and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named 2nd as to all my Worldly Estate both Real and Personal I give and bequeath as following First I give to my beloved Wife Mrs Margaret Belshar the whole of my property (Viz) houses monies in the Public Funds in the Navy 5 per cent one thousand pounds monies on mortgage bond note of hand & household goods plate linen china etc during her natural life if remaining unmarried but if she should marry again then in that case I will and direct that the houses household goods plate linen china etc be all sold and turned into money within one month after such marriage and also in like manner if she remains unmarried I will and desire that at her death and not before the houses household goods plate linen china be all sold and turned into money and the money arising from such sale or [ Obscure ] and added to all other monies whether in Public Funds or private hands into one sum and then divide into two just and equal parts the one part to be fully and wholly at her disposal and the other part or half to be disposed of within one month (after either her marriage or death) as thereafter directed that is to say I give and bequeath to the children of my dear Sister Mary Cryer?, late of Portsea deceased the one half of the above said half of my property be it what it may I also give and bequeath the other half of the above property to the children of my dear Sister Mary Willson deceased late of Whiton?, each of these halves to be equally and justly divided between each one and all the (the following appears in the margin in small and smudged words) children [        ] and in case [         ] of either of their children at the time of executing this my will and [         ] children alive then such children to have their Mother's or Father's share duly and equally divided to each one and all of them share and share alike and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Mrs Margaret Belshar my beloved Wife sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former and other wills at any time before made I testimony thereof I the said Thomas Belshar the Testator have set my hand and Seal this 21st day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three Thomas Belshar Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Belshar the Testator in the presence of and in the presence of each other we subscribe our names as witnesses thereto H. Harrison Thomas Ady William Beaumont Proved 6th March 1805 Note in Margin 13th June 1846, this is in very small handwriting and difficult to follow. The will was not administered by Margaret Belshar. Administration granted to the Rev William Wilson, one of the children of Mary Willson. Margaret Belshar by her will appointed her brother, Rev Francis Harrison sole executor, who by his will appointed William Francis Harrison his sole executor, who died intestate. William Berry, 1805 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William BERRY - 1804 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN This is the last Will and Testament of me William Berry of the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright that is to say First I do hereby give and bequeath unto my Grand daughter Ann Berry the sum of twenty pounds I also give unto my Daughter Elizabeth Wife of John Phillips the sum of ten pounds I also give unto my Daughter Sarah Wife of William Pegan the sum of ten pounds I give unto my Daughter Martha Wife of Joseph Hoar all my household goods plate linen and china with what money shall or may be found at my decease standing in my Name in the Books of the Bank of England Stock with all such money as shall be due to my Servant on my account in his Majesties Yard at Chatham or elsewhere and all Club Monies debts of what denomination Real or Personal wheresoever Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Daughter Martha Hoar sole executrix to this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and annulling all other wills at any time hereforeto made by me and I do declare this alone to be my last Will written [   ?   ] hand and Sealed with my Seal this first day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four and in the presence of the undersigned witnesses hereto William Berry Signed Sealed and delivered published and declared by the said William Berry in the presence of us and we in the presence of each other to be his last Will and Testament the day and date above written as witness our hands John Whiffen William Stanton Edwd Jefferys Proved 21st November 1805 William Borer, 1857 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William BORER proved 1849 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me William Borer of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright I direct my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease and subject to the payment thereof I give devise and bequeath all my Real and Personal Estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto my dear Wife Ann absolutely and I do hereby appoint my said Wife Ann sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and hereby revoke and make void all former Will and Wills by me hereforeto made and do declare this alone to be and contain my last Will and Testament In witness thereof I the said William Borer the Testator have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of November One thousand eight hundred and forty nine William Borer Signed by the said William Borer as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto Alfred William Davison John Kipps Proved 25th September 1857 John Brittain, 1807 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) John BRITTAIN proved 1807 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Brittain of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being of sound and disposing Mind memory and Understanding do make this my last Will and Testament I do resign my Soul to Almighty God hoping for a full and perfect Remission of all my Sins through the Merits and Mediation of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my Body I desire may be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named And as to such Worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I dispose thereof in manner following that is to say I direct that all my just debts and funeral Expenses be in the first place paid and satisfied and after payment and Satisfaction thereof I give and bequeath onto my Daughter Jane Mary Wills Wife of Cordwell Wills of Charlotte Street Blackfriars Road in the County of Middlesex my Son Benjamin Brittain now serving on board His Majesty's Ship Canopus my Daughter Polly West Wife of Bartholomew West of Chatham aforesaid Robert Brittain now serving on board His Majesty's ship [        ] William Ashdown Joseph Ashdown John Ashdown and Thomas Ashdown the children of my late Daughter Sarah Ashdown All and every my household goods wearing apparel ready money Goods Chattels and effects of what Nature or Kind soever to be equally divided between them share and share alike And I do hereby constitute and appoint my said Daughter Jane Mary Wills my said Son Benjamin Brittain and my said Daughter Polly West joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the tenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and six John Brittain Signed Sealed published and declared by the testator John Brittain as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his Request and in the presence of each other have set and subscribed our Name as Witnesses thereto Geo Hayes Kennington Road Elizabeth Rawson Codicil I John Brittain of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright have made and duly executed my last Will and Testament in writing bearing date the tenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and six Now I give unto my my Wife Sarah Brittain one shilling And I do ordain and declared this my present Writing to be a Codicil to my said Will and that the same shall be considered as part thereof In Witness whereof I have to this Codicil set my hand and Seal the nineteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and seven John Brittain Signed Sealed declared and published by the said John Brittain as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament and to be taken as part thereof in the presence of Celia Hyman Affidavit dated 23rd September 1807 Elizabeth Rawson Wife of John Rawson of Charlotte Street Blackfriars Road Surrey is sworn. She states she was a witness to the will , which she has carefully examined. She confirms that the will and codicil are in John Brittain's hand and that the signatures are his. Proved 24th September 1807 Power reserved to Benjamin Brittain and Polly West Proved again 28th September 1807 William Bromley, 1838 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William BROMLEY proved 1838 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me William Bromley of Brompton in the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright made published and declared this twelve day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five First I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary charges and expenses may be paid as soon as convenient after my decease and I give and devise all that my messuage or tenement with the outbuildings yards garden rights and appurtenances thereunto belonging situate lying and being at or near River Row Brompton in the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent and now in my own occupation and all other my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my dear Son and Daughter William Bromley and Ann Wilkens Widow and their respective heirs and assigns to hold the same unto and to the sole and only proper use and behalf of the said William Bromley and Ann Wilkens and their respective heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants Also I give and bequeath unto my dear Son Charles Bromley the legacy of one hundred pounds sterling and unto and equally between and among my said Sons William and Charles all my wearing apparel and wearing linen and subject and charged and chargeable with the payment of the said legacies and my debts funeral and testamentary charges and expenses I give and bequeath all and every my ready money and securities for money money in the public stocks or funds book and other debts household goods and furniture plate linen and china and all other my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto and equally between and among my three dear Children the said William Bromley Ann Wilkens and Charles Bromley and their respective executors and administrators and assigns and I make nominate and appoint my said Children Ann William and Charles Bromley Executors and Executrix of this my Will and hereby revoking all others by me heretofore made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I the said William Bromley the testator hereunto set my hand and Seal on the day and year first above written The mark of X William Bromley the Testator Signed sealed and published and declared by the said William Bromley the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto Nathl.Richd.Coomber Brompton W.W. Moverley Brompton Geo Povall Clerk to Messrs Twopenny & Essell Solrs. Rochester Proved 14th April 1838 James Buck, 1812 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) James BUCK proved 1812 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me James Buck of Queen Street near the Brook in the parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright which I make in manner following that is to say I do hereby give & devise unto my dear Wife Mary Buck All my moiety part & share of & in all those freehold Messuages Tenements or Dwellings yards gardens & premises situate on the Brook or Smithfield Bank in the said parish of Chatham & which I became entitled to as the only Son & heir at law of my late Father Benjamin Buck deceased & and who with his Brother Richard Buck became possessed of the entirity of the said heredits in equal Moieties as devised in fee & co-heirs in Gavelkind of their Father Crosley Buck To hold my said Moiety part & share unto her the said Mary Buck her heirs & assigns for ever And I do hereby give & bequeath All my ready money & securities for money Wages household Goods Furniture Plate Linen & China & Also all the rest residue & remainder of my Estate & Effects whatsoever & wheresoever of what nature or kind soever the same   ?   shall or may consist of which I may be entitled unto at the time of my decease in by or through any right ways or means whatsoever unto her the said Mary Buck for her own use & benefit And I do hereby nominate constitute & appoint the said Mary Buck sole Executrix hereby & hereby revoking & making void all former & other Will & Wills by me at any time hereforeto made do declare this only to be & contain my last Will & Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the tenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eleven James Buck Signed Sealed published & declared by the said James Buck for his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request & in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto Joanna Stephens Anna Stephens W. P. Morgan Proved 15th October 1812 Headstone in St. Mary's Churchyard, Chatham, (the whole of St Mary's inscriptions are on this website) SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF Mr JAMES BUCK (SHIPWRIGHT) WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE SEPT. 21st 1812 AGED 55 YEARS ALSO OF Mrs MARY BUCK WIFE OF THE ABOVE WHO DIED THE 4th OF FEBRUARY 1827 AGED 67 YEARS Daniel Couchman, 1814 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Daniel COUCHMAN proved 1814 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Daniel Couchman of the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being in good health and of sound mind & memory & understanding blessed be Almighty God for the same but considering the uncertainty of this mortal life do make & publish this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following First and principally I commend my Soul to Almighty God and my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my Daughter hereafter named And as to all such Worldly substance I may be possessed of at the time of my decease I dispose thereof as follows Viz I give and bequeath unto my two Daughters Sarah Couchman and Polly Couchman all my property in the Bank of England Share and Share alike But that each of them only enjoy the interest of their own share during their natural lives then at the decease of of either of them her said property shall return to the survivor of them except a child or children be left then to each child or children Share and Share alike and my Daughter that my survive the other if she shall have no child or children may leave the said property to whomsoever as she shall think proper I also devise unto my said Daughters all my freehold messuages or tenements I may have at my decease with the appurts & privileges thereunto belonging Share and Share alike as near as maybe to enjoy them and to leave them to be enjoyed in all respects as my other property above mentioned I also give & bequeath unto my said Daughters all monies owing to me from his Majesty's Yard or elsewhere or howsoever due unto me together with all my household goods and furniture plate linen china and everything belonging to me of what kind or nature soever Share and Share alike I do also appoint my said Daughters their own Executors and I do declare this to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal this the Sixth day of August in the thirty eighth year of the Reign of our Sovereign George the third and in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and ninety eight Daniel Couchman Signed Sealed published and declared by the within written Daniel Couchman the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto set our names as Witnesses in his presence and of each other Benj. Morris John Dunstall John Periman Proved 20th September 1814 Henry Coward, 1803 Henry COWARD proved 1803 I Henry Coward of the parish of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to die do make ordain and constitute this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I recommend ny soul into the hands of god that gave it and my body to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased almighty god to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form first give and bequeath to my wife Mary Coward the sum of ten pounds r year during the term of her natural life to be paid out of the interest of my property in the bank long annuities and from and after her decease i give the said ten pounds a year bank long annuities as follows to my daughter Elizabeth wife of Mr William Gillett five pounds per year to be disposed of as she shall think proper without any control from her husband or any other person and to my daughter Ann wife of Mr Robert Kennet the other five pounds per year bank long annuities to be disposed of as she thinks proper without any control from her husband or any other person I also give unto my wife Mary Coward my freehold house situate on Slicket's Hill in the parish of Chatham in the county of Kent together with the land and all the appurtenances thereunto belonging during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give the said house and Land together with the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto my son Henry Snodgrass Coward and unto his heirs for ever I also give unto my daughter Elizabeth wife of Mr William Gillett other ten pounds per year bank long annuities and the same to be at her disposal as she shall think proper without any control from her husband or I any other person I also give unto my daughter Ann wife of Mr Robert Kennet other ten pounds per year bank long annuities and the same to be at her disposal as she shall think proper without any control from her husband or any other person I also give unto my son Henry Snodgrass Coward the sum of five pounds per year to be paid out of the interest of my property in the bank long annuities for and during the term of his natural life and the same to be paid to him half yearly as the dividends shall become payable at the Bank of England and from and after his decease I give the said five pounds per year bank long annuities to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten (if any) but in case of default of issue then I give the said five pounds per year bank long annuities to my daughter Catherine coward to be at her disposal without control from any person whatsoever I also give unto my grand daughter Elizabeth Gillet four pounds per annum bank long annuities and the same to be improved for her use until she shall attain the age of twenty one years and then the said four pounds per annum with the accumulated interest thereof shall be at her sole disposal without control from any person whatever I also give unto my daughter Ann wife of mr Robert Kennet one silver table spoon marked with a lyon on it also I give unto my son Henry Snodgrass Coward one silver table spoon marked h. C. F. 1st 30 together with all my wearing apparel I also will and desire that my wife and daughter Catherine shall have co-jointly for their use all the rest and residue of my household goods and furniture together with plate linen china beds bedding and such other of my household effects and utensils that is in or about my house at the time of my decease that is to say so long as my wife and said daughter Catherine shall find it to be for their mutual interest and advantage to live together and are both agreeable to each other but if it should happen that any circumstances may arise to either so as to prevent them living together then I hereby desire and direct that my wife shall have for her use during her life time such part of my household furniture which is now and has been commonly used in the back parlour and back chamber of my present dwelling house with such kitchen utensils and effect as shall be agreeable to an inventory thereunto annexed but if my wife shall not have power to sell or dispose of the said goods or any part thereof as it is my will that at her decease they shall become the sole property of my daughter Catherine and I desire that my executors will take such security from my wife for the said goods being returned safe to my said daughter Catherine after my wife's decease as they shall think proper and all the remainder of my household goods and effects of whatever nature or kind soever that may be in and about my house at the time of my decease except what is named in the inventory before mentioned I further desire and direct that the same shall become the sole property of my said daughter Catherine whensoever she and her mother my wife shall determine to live seperate from each other I also give unto my son in law Mr William Gillett the sum of twenty pounds of lawful money to be paid out of my property and I do hereby constitute and ordain him the said Mr William Gillett joint executor with my daughter Catherine of this my last will and testament also I give unto my daughter Catherine my watch and unto my son in law Mr William Gillett my gold buttons with all my draugths of shipping and all the rest and residue of my property and effects whether in the funds of the bank of England or elsewhere together with my servant in the dock yard at Chatham during the residue of his apprenticeship and also all wages debts dues and demands to me belonging that is not otherwise disposed of by this my last will and testament I give and bequeath the same and every part therof unto my said daughter Catherine Coward whom I make constitute and ordain to be joint executor of this my last will and testament with my son in law Mr William Gillett aforesaid first to pay all my just debts funeral expences and the attendant charges of proving this my last will and testament and my will and meaning is that the several legacies that i have bequeathed in this my last will and testament shall not become due or payable until six months after my decease at which time each party that are permitted to do so may by the hands of my executors sell out of the funds or not as they shall think proper and I do hereby revoke and make void all former will or wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this only to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of march in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and one Henry Coward signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Coward to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in his presence and in the presence of each other (being first interlined in page 5 line 20 with the words Mr William Gillett in page 6 with the word of and in the same page 6 on the 15th line after the word executors sell out) witnesses Richd. Bowles Elizth. Bowles Ann Thorpe Affidavit 9th March 1803 Catherine Coward of Brompton is sworn. Her mother died in her father's lifetime . She knows of no inventory being made, if one does come to light she will bring it forth. Proved 9th March. Administration granted to Catherine Coward Notes in Margin 10th November 1815 Catherine Coward, lately Mrs Catherine Gowar, is now dead. She did not administer the will, so administration is now granted to her husband Thomas Gowar. 23rd December 1834 Thomas Gowar also died without administering the will. Administration granted to Catherine Gowar, daughter of Thomas and Catherine Gowar, (formerly Coward) Henry Coward's headstone was formerly in the churchyard of St. Mary Magdalene, Gillingham. It was, along with the majority of monuments there, destroyed in the 1960's. Adjacent to the headstone was the chest tomb of the Gillett family. See Gillingham, St. Mary Magdalene Monumental Inscriptions on this website. HERE LIES INTERRED WITHIN THIS VAULT THE REMAINS OF HENRY COWARD LATE QUARTERMAN OF THE SHIPWRIGHTS IN HIS MAJESTY'S DOCKYARD CHATHAM WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 6th DAY OF FEBRUARY 1803 AGED 72 YEARS ALSO MARY WIFE OF THE ABOVE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 11th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1801 AGED 62 YEARS ALSO CATHERINE DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE AND WIFE OF THOMAS GOWER WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 7th DAY OF NOVEMBER 1813 AGED 42 YEARS John Crane, 1853 John CRANE proved 1853 I John Crane of Chatham in the County of Kent [Shipwright] being in good health of body but for the settling of my worldly affairs make this my last Will and Testament Item I give my house and appurtenances thereto belonging situate in Ordnance Place in the above parish and now in my own occupation to my Wife Sarah Crane to hold during the term of her life or to part with ot? in distress Also all my money in the Savings Bank twenty pounds from the Union Benefit Society five pounds from a Death Society and all moneys coming to me for her own use with the rent of the house purchased by me of Thomas Bamey? But at her death or if she should think it proper to marry again this house shall become the property of Thomas & Harriet Bamey? For their children Item I give unto my Wife Sarah the free use of all my goods and chattels during the term of her natural life but at her death all shall be sold and divided to my Brothers and Sister Susannah Pestell or to their children Item I give unto my nephew John Crane my Watch and five pounds in money Also to Elizabeth Bamey? I give six silver tea spoons and one pound in money Also to Sarah Jane Hanney? I give my small bed with bedsted pillows blankets two sheets two oak tables part of the earthenware and part of tinware and five pounds in money Item whatsoever of my property that is not disposed of by this will at the death of my Wife shall be sold and the money divided to my Brothers Chinery? Crane or his children to William Crane or his children to Thomas Crane if living if not his portion shall be given to John Crane the Son of Chinery? Crane also to my Sister Susannah Pestell or her children each of my Brothers and Sister shall have an equal share and lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my said Wife Sophia and James Rickon Executors of this my last Will and Testament made in the year of our Lord 1849 my clothes and bees? I leave to my Wife to dispose of as she may think proper this is my Will written by myself containing one sheet of paer to which I set my name July 5th 1849 John Crane Witnesses William Birch James Luck? Robert James Affidavit 19th September 1853 Samuel (sic) Birch of 2 (   ?   ) Street, Brompton, Shipwright, one of the witnesses, is sworn. He confirms that the alterations made in the will were made by the testator before the will was signed and witnessed. Proved 22nd December 1853 Power reserved to James Rickon Headstone in St Mary's Burial Ground in Whiffen's Avenue (all the inscriptions are on this website) SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN CRANE WHO DIED NOVR 25th 1853 AGED 64 YEARS "The Memory of the Just is Blessed" ALSO OF SOPHIA CRANE RELICT OF THE ABOVE WHO DIED OCTR 9th 1861 AGED 70 YEARS "Looking unto Jesus" William Day, 1810 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William DAY proved 1810 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I William Day of the Parish of Chatham Shipwright being very weak but of perfect mind & memory thanks be give to Almighty God for the same do hereby make this my last Will & Testament in manner following First I give & commend my Soul to Almighty God for the forgiveness of my Sins not doubting of his mercy and pardon and my body I commend to the Earth to be buried in a decent & becoming manner at my request in the Parish of Saint Margaret next Rochester and in resect of my property I give & dispose of in manner following First I bequeath to my father and mother the interest of seven hundred pounds in the three per cents during their natural lives & after their decease the principal to be equally shared between my brother and four sisters and in case my brother or either of my sisters die before my father and mother their children to inherit their share my wearing apparel to be divided between my father & brother my working Tools I leave to my brother and as I have money debts owing to me I hereby empower my brother Thomas Day to follow the Course of Law hereby to recover them and I do hereby appoint Richard Burnett Senr and John Barnaby my joint Executors to this my last Will & Testament In Witness whereby I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this third day of October 1809 Wm Day Witnesses Richard Burnett Jno Barnaby Thos Day Proved 23rd May 1810. Richard Dove, 1820 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Richard DOVE proved 1820 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Richard Dove of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright which I make in manner following that is to say I do hereby give and bequeath unto my good friends Jane Sommerton of Brompton in the County of Kent Spinster John Stubbs of Frindsbury in the County of Kent a Carpenter in the Royal Navy and William English of St. Margaret's Bank within the Liberty of the City of Rochester in the same County Joiner one of my Executrixes and and my Executors hereinafter named and appointed the Sum of one thousand and seven hundred pounds three pounds per cent consolidated Bank Annuities part of the Stock in that fund now standing in my name in the Books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England upon the several trusts and to and for the ends intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned that is to say upon Trust that they my said Trustees and the Survivor and Survivors of them and the executors & admons of such survivor do and shall permit and suffer and if necessary duly authorise & empower my dear Sister Susannah Down of Chatham aforesaid Widow one of my Executrixes hereinafter also named and appointed to receive and take the interest and dividends of the said Sum of one thousand and seven hundred pounds Stock for her own use and benefit for and during the term of her natural life And from and after her decease if in the minority of my Great Niece Jane English daughter if the said William English by my late niece Elizabeth English formerly Down then upon Trust and that they the said Jane Sommerton John Stubbs and William English and the Survivors and Survivor of them and the Executors and Admons of such Survivor do and shall receive and take the Interest and Dividends of the said Sum and use pay and apply the same in such way and manner as may be most eligible and they in their discretion shall think proper for and towards the support maintenance education and placing out in the World of my said Great Niece Jane English until she attains the age of twenty one years and any surplus money or monies which may remain in the hands of my said Trustees shall when and as the same amount to a proper and competent Sum be placed out at interest in the same or one of the Public Funds or Stocks or on some Real or Government Securities in the joint names of them my said Trustees ad the Survivors and Survivor of them and Executors and Admons of such Survivor as on accumulating fund on the said one thousand and seven hundred pounds Stock and go as I have hereinafter bequeathed the same And from and after my said Great Niece arriving at such age then upon Trust to receive and pay to or otherwise duly authorise and empower her my said Great Niece Jane English to receive and take the said Dividends and Interest for and during the term of her natural life independent of any husband with whom she may intermarry and not to be subject or liable to but free from his and their debts undertakings and engagements whatsoever And I do hereby declare that her Receipt & Receipts whether married or sole and not withstanding her    ?    shall be a good and sufficient discharge for such Dividends and Interest respectively And from and after the decease of my said Great Niece Jane English either before or after her attaining the said age then upon Trust that they the said Jane Sommerton John Stubbs and William English and the Survivors and Survivor of them and the Executors and Admons of such Survivor do and shall stand possessed of of the said one thousand seven hundred pounds and any accumulation? that may have been made as aforesaid for the only proper use and benefit of all and every the child and children of my said Great Niece Jane English lawfully begotten if more than one in and by equal parts shares and proportions as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants and if but one then to such only or   ?   surviving Child and in case any of her Children at the time of her decease shall have departed this life leaving issue of his her or their body or bodies lawfully begotten then upon Trust and my mind and will is that such issue shall have and be entitled to the part and share or parts and shares which his her or their respective Father or Mother Fathers or Mothers would have been entitled     ?     in the like division proportion and    ?    as is hereinafter directed of and concerning the Children of the said Jane English and in either case in the event of Infant Children becoming entitled the interest and dividends of their respective parts to be paid and applied for and towards their maintenance education and placing out in the World as aforesaid and if my said Great Niece Jane English shall depart this life without leaving any Child or Children or the issue of any such then from and after my said Sister's decease upon Trust to transfer to or sell out pay and divide the said one thousand seven hundred pounds Stock and any accumulation thereon unto and amongst my Nephew William Wattle of Maidstone in the said County of Kent Shopkeeper Son of my late Sister Sarah Wattle deceased my Nephew Michael Dove Son of my late Brother Nicholas Dove deceased and my Great Nephew Richard Dove of Plymouth in the County of Devon Son of my late Nephew Richard Dove who was Son of my Brother Robert Dove deceased and to their respective Executors Admons in and by parts shares and proportions as Tenants in Common as aforesaid And I do hereby give and bequeath the Interest and Dividends of the Sum of five hundred pound three per cent consolidated bank annuities the residue of my stock in such funds unto my said Sister Susannah Down for and during the term of her natural life for her own use and benefit And from and after her decease then I give and bequeath the Sum of three hundred pounds stock part thereof unto my said Nephew William Wattle for his own use and benefit and the sum of one hundred pounds the residue thereof unto my said Nephew Michael Dove for his own use and benefit But if they my said Nephews William Wattle and Michael Dove or either of them shall depart this life in the lifetime of my said Sister Susannah Down then I direct the legacy or legacies of him or them so dying to fall into and become part of the residue of my Personal Estate and go as I have bequeathed the same and subject to and after the payment of all my just debts funeral and Testamentary Charges and Expenses I do herby give and bequeath unto my said dear Sister Susannah Down All and singular my ready money in the public stocks or funds or due to me upon mortgage bond bill note or otherwise household goods and furniture plate linen and china and also all the rest and residue and remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever the same doth shall or may consist or which may be due owing or belonging to me at the time of my decease in by or through any right ways or ? whatsoever for her own sole and absolute use and benefit And I do hereby authorise and empower my Trustees and Executrix and Executors and each and every one of them at and upon all times and occasions whatsoever to reimburse themselves and each and every of them out of my said Estate and Effects or the Income or Produce thereof all costs charges and expenses which they or either of them shall pay expend or be put unto or which shall be occurred or sustained by them any or either of them in or about the execution of this my will or the Trusts thereof or any suit or proceedings act matter or thing whatsoever relating thereto And I do hereby declare that neither of my said Trustees and Executrixes and Executors shall be responsible or accountable for any more monies or any part or parts of my said Estate and effects or the income or produce thereof than shall be as ? received by them or coming to their respective hands by virtue of of this my Will or the Trusts thereof nor the one of them for the others or other of them but each of them for herself and himself and her and his own acts receipts and payments or disbursements only And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Sister Susannah Down and the said Jane Sommerton Executrixes and the said John Stubbs and William English Executors of this my Will and hereby revoking and making void all former and other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In witness thereof I the said Richard Dove have to this my last Will and Testament contained in four sheets of paper wrote on one side thereof only set my hand to the first three sheets thereof and my hand and seal to this fourth and last sheet the thirty first day of October in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and ten Richard Dove Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto J Stephens W. P Morgan Codicil Whereas I the said Richard Dove have made and duly executed my last Will and Testament as herein before expressed since which the said Jane Sommerton hath departed this life Now I make this a Codicil to my said Will and do hereby revoke and annul the appointment of the said William English as a Trustee and Executor thereof and in his place and instead nominate and appoint Richard Pemble the Younger of Chatham aforesaid Carpenter to be a Trustee and Executor with the said John Stubbs and I do hereby give and bequeath to them the said John Stubbs and Richard Pemble the Younger the Sum of five pounds each as a token of respect for their care and trouble herein And I do hereby ratify and confirm my said Will and the Trusts thereof In all other respects than what the same is    ?    altered and changed In Witness whereof I the said Richard Dove have hereunto set my hand and seal the fifth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirteen Richd Dove Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator as a Codicil to the foregoing Will in the presence of J. Stephens Joanna Stephens Proved 31st July 1820 John Eason, 1801 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) John EASON proved 1801 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Eason of the parish of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being somewhat indisposed in body but of a sound and perfect memory and understanding blessed be god do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) in the first place I commend my soul to almighty god my creator hoping to be saved by and through the only merits and satisfaction of Jesus Christ my saviour and redeemer and my body I commit to the earth to be decently interred and buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named and as to my worldly estate I dispose thereof as follows (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto my good friend John Coveney of Brompton in the parish of Gillingham in the county of Kent shipwright the sum of ten pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain and as for the rest residue and remainder of my estate as my messuage or messuages lands tenement or tenements heriditaments and real estate whatsoever and wheresoever with their and every of their appurtenances and also all and every my plate linen woollen china pewter brass beds and bedding household stuff and implements of household ready money and securities for money moneys in the public funds or stocks debts goods chattels and estate whatsoever both real and personal (my just debts funeral expences and other incidental charges being thereof first paid and satisfied) unto and to the use of my relation John Day son of John Johnson Day and Maria Ann Day deceased his executors administrators and assigns for ever to be given up and paid to him within six months after my decease by my executor hereafter named and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the aforesaid John Coveney of Brompton in the parish of Gillingham shipwright whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament and I do declare and direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said executor to reimburse and take to himself out of my said personal estate all his reasonable charges and expences which he shall sustain or be put to in the performance and execution hereby reposed in him and that my said executor shall not be charged chargeable with or accountable for any more money than what shall actually come to his respective hands nor for any involuntary loss that shall or may happen therein or in any part thereof in witness whereof I the said John Eason have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal dated the eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred John Eason signed sealed published and declared by the said John Eason to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in the presence of the said John Eason and of each other John Cole William Penrose jno. Sommerton. Proved 29th July 1801 ST. MARGARET'S CHURCHYARD, ROCHESTER.   2ND FROM THE LEFT, TOMB OF THOMAS CORNWELL, 1752 JOHN EASON WAS BURIED UNDER THIS MONUMENT.  THE LEDGER HAS AN ARMORIAL CREST AND THE INSCRIPTION. “HERE LIES THE BODY OF MR THOMAS CORNWELL OF WOOLWICH IN THE COUNTY OF KENT WHO DIED THE 11TH DAY OF MARCH 1752 AGED 64 YEARS ALSO MR ROBERT EASON DEPARTED THIS LIFE JANUARY 29RD 1766 AGED 84 YEARS ALSO ELIZABETH EASON DAUGHTER OF ROBERT AND ELIZABETH EASON DIED 12TH JANUARY 1800 AGED 86 YEARS ALSO JOHN EASON BROTHER OF THE ABOVE ELIZABETH DIED THE 24th JULY 1801 AGED 82 YEARS” James French, 1839 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) James FRENCH proved 1839 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me James French of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright made published and declared the thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine in manner following that is to say First I direct that I may be decently buried under the discretion of my Executor and Executrix hereinafter named And I direct that my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease And I give and bequeath unto my Son John Watkins French who is now beyond the Seas the sum of ten pounds sterling provided he returns to England and in person claims payment thereof within five years next after my decease such sum to be invested in the Savings Bank in the names of the Executor and Executrix of this my will but should he not return and claim such legacy within the same period of five years then I give and bequeath the same and the accumulation of interest thereon unto my Son Thomas French and Frances Stubbersfield the Wife of John Stubbersfield of Maidstone in Kent Turner equally to be divided between them share and share alike and their respective executors administrators and assigns absolutely And I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Edward James French my small god Seal with my initials engraved thereon And unto my Grandson James Stubbersfield my silver watch and one gold Seal Also I give and bequeath all that my leasehold piece or parcel of Ground situate lying & being near the Upper End of a certain Street or Lane called East Lane otherwise King Street in Maidstone aforesaid together with the messuages tenements or cottages and all other the buildings now standing and being thereon and which messuages tenements or cottages are now in the occupation of [         ] Froud [          ] Sparks [          ] Johnson and [          ] Langford unto my said daughter Frances Stubbersfield her executors administrators and assigns absolutely And I give and bequeath all that my leasehold messuages or tenements with the garden and premises thereunto belonging now in my own occupation situate and being in Chatham aforesaid And all monies and securities for money household Goods furniture plate linen china and books and all other my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever not herein before specifically bequeathed or disposed of unto and equally between my said Son Thomas French and daughter Frances Stubbersfield and their respective executors administrators and assigns absolutely And I declare that the several bequests herein before made to my said daughter shall be free from the control debts or engagements of her said present or any future husband And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Son Thomas and daughter Frances Stubbersfield Executor and Executrix of this my Will And I revoke and declare void all former Wills and Codicils by me made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year first above written James French Signed published and declared by the said James French the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us Chas. Dorrett Rochester the mark X of Charlotte Freeman Affidavit 25th November 1839 Charles Dorrett of Rochester, Gentleman is sworn and states that he and Charlotte Freeman , Widow, were requested by the deceased to act as witnesses at the execution of his will. He and Freeman signed in the presence of the deceased and of each other Proved 30th November 1839 Power reserved to Frances Stubbersfield William Fuller, 1831 William FULLER proved 1831 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I William Fuller of Chatham (but late a Shipwright in His Majesty's Dock Yard at Sheerness) in the County of Kent being at present in good health and sound in mind and understanding (thank God for the same) do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say In the first place I resign my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and as for my Worldly Estate and effects which I may die possessed of after payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses and the charge and cost of proving this my last Will and Testament by my Executors as soon after my decease as convenient I give and bequeath to my Son James Fuller (the lawful Son of my Wife Ann Fuller) the sum of one shilling lawful money of Great Britain I also do give and bequeath to my Sister in Law Elizabeth Clark Spinster the Sister of my aforesaid Wife residing with me and during the term of her natural life All those two leasehold Messuages in Blue Town Sheerness in the County of Kent one now occupied by Thomas Hughill and the other occupied by Thomas Bolton and others But it is my desire after her death the two foregoing leasehold messuages or tenements should be for my Grandson James Samuel Matthews now living with me and Son of James and Elizabeth Matthews Victualler of Gravesend in the said County of Kent and I do further give and bequeath to my said Sister in Law Elizabeth Clark Spinster all my Household Goods furniture Linen China Clothes and everything else belonging or which may be coming to me or anything that may be known to be mine for her own personal use And I do hereby appoint my Son in Law James Matthews Victualler of Gravesend and my Sister in Law Elizabeth Clark Spinster to be my two Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby declare and direct that they [my] said Executors shall not be answerable one for the other and by no means for involuntary losses and charges by the execution of the said trust And I do revoke and make void all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament written and subscribed my name and affixed my seal this sixteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine William Fuller Signed sealed and declared by the said William Fuller the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto James Wyatt (of) Chatham Kent Thomas Bird (of) Oxford Proved 21st May 1831 James Mathews, written Matthews in the will. Power reserved to Elizabeth Clark William Gibson, 1818 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William GIBSON proved 1818 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I William Gibson of the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being of sound and disposing Mind and Memory but considering the uncertainty of life I do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following First and principally I resign my Soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping to be saved through the alone merits of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter mentioned Imprimis all Bills funeral charges all and whatever that is now or may become my Sole right to make good (being acquitted and discharged ) I then give and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Bishop without Covert and and every of my Messuage Land Tenement together with the Yards Garden Wash house Outhouses with the Appurtenances situate and being in Queen's Street Chatham in the County of Kent also my Beds and Bedding Linen and Woollen Books and Plate and also every ready Money Money at Interest and Money due to me in his Majesty's Yard To have and to hold for her natural life with the concurrence of my Executor hereinafter named and at her decease to my five Sons namely William Thomas James John and George Gibson to enjoy every of the above mentioned particulars also my Clothes and Tools to share and share alike as they can agree And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my aforesaid Son Thomas Gibson my sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal on the Second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen William Gibson Signed Sealed published and declared by the Testator for and as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us and in his presence of each other as Witnesses J. Harrison Wm Pascall Sen Wm Beaumont Proved 16th April 1818 Thomas Gibson, 1825 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Thomas GIBSON proved 1825 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Thomas Gibson of the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being of sound and disposing mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of life I do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following First and principally I resign my Soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping to be saved through the alone merits of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer And my body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of Mary my lawful Wife and all Bills funeral charges All and whatsoever that is now or may become my Sole right to make good (being acquitted and discharged) I then give and bequeath to Mary my lawful Wife my leasehold tenement together with the Yard Garden Wash house Outhouses with the Appurtenances Situate and being in Fort Row Ordnance Place Chatham in the County of Kent Also my Beds Bedding Linen and Woollen Books and Plate And also every ready money and money due to me in His Majesty's Yard with all Club moneys with my Clothes and Working Tools I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my aforesaid Wife Mary Gibson my Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal on this twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four Thomas Gibson Signed Sealed Published and declared by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us and in his presence and the presence of each other as Witnesses Samuel Stoneham Thomas Bromley Proved 10th December 1825 Joseph Herrington, 1810 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Joseph HERRINGTON proved 1810 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Joseph Herrington of Brompton in the Parish of Chatham Shipwright first I give and devise all that my Messuage or Tenement with the Barn Stable Shop Outhouses and Buildings Yards Gardens Orchard and one piece or parcel of Land thereunto belonging and adjoining containing by Estimation two acres be the same more or less and also all that my other pieces or parcels of Land now Planted with Hops containing by Estimation two acres more or less and which said last mentioned Messuage Lands and Premises are situate lying and being in the Parish of Offham in the said County of Kent and late in the tenure or occupation of Ann Watts but now of me the said Joseph Herrington my undertenants or assigns and also all those my Messuages Tenements Hereditaments and Premises situate lying and being in Wood Street Brompton in the Parish of Gillingham in the said County of Kent now in the several Tenures or Occupations of Mr Borkett Mrs Till Mrs Rowen and Mr West their or one of their assigns undertenants and all other my Messuages Farms    ?    Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever unto my dear and loving Wife Sarah Herrington and her assigns for and during the Term of her natural life she keeping the same in good and tenantable repair and from and immediately after her decease I give and devise the said several Messuages Tenements Hereditaments and Premises situate lying and being in Offam aforesaid unto my Son Joseph Herrington his Heirs and Assigns for Ever and from and immediately after the decease of my said Wife Sarah Herrington aforesaid I give and devise the said several Messuages Tenements Hereditaments and Premises situate and being in Wood Street Brompton aforesaid unto my daughter Ann Herrington her Heirs and Assigns for Ever And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my Real and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or quality soever from and after payment of all my just Debts Legacies and Funeral Expenses and the Charge of Proving this my Will I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said Wife Sarah Herrington her Executors Admons and Assigns to and for her own use & benefit I do hereby make and ordain nominate constitute and appoint my said Wife Sarah Herrington Sole Executrix of this my Will and hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made I declare this to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Joseph Herrington the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament Contained in this and the foregoing Sheet of paper thereof sealed at the Top of the first of the said Sheets where the said two sheets are fixed together to each Sheet thereof set my hand and to this last my Seal Dated the twenty eighth day of July one thousand eight hundred and four Joseph Herrington Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said Joseph Herrington the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his Presence at his request and in the Presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto Richard Hopper S. Simmonds of Rochester Jh. Solomon his Clerk Proved 15th June 1810 William Hunt, 1813 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William HUNT proved 1813 I William Hunt of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright do make my last Will and Testament as follows I give to my Wife Elizabeth all my Goods Chattels Furniture Plate China Linen ready Money Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and appoint her Sole Executrix of this my Will hereby revoking all former Wills and declaring this only to be my last In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the twenty second day of August one thousand eight hundred and three W Hunt Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said William Hunt the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses Jno Myer Capt Royal Navy Jas Hunt Attorney Maidenhead Proved 5th July 1813 Thomas Lawrence, 1810 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Thomas LAWRENCE proved 1811 I Thomas Lawrence Shipwright of Chatham in the County of Kent being of sound and disposing mind memory Do hereby make this my last Will & Testament & as for such worldly Effects which I shall be possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease First I give & bequeath to my Aunt Hester Berry the Sum of Eighty pounds next I give & bequeath to my niece Elizabeth Cox fifty pounds next I give & bequeath to my niece Hester Wright & to her Son George Wright Thirty pounds next I give & bequeath to my wife's niece Ann Grayham Ten pounds next I give & bequeath to my wife's niece Sarah Butcher fifteen pounds next I give & bequeath to my wife's nephew John Britter Ten pounds next I give & bequeath to Ann Loft of Chatham Twenty five pounds next I give & bequeath to Mrs Susannah Waitall Ten pounds my Aunt Hester Berry is to have the use of all my Household Furnture and Goods for her life and then the household Furniture and Goods to go to my wife's niece Ann Grayham All my body Linen & wearing apparel to go to my niece Hester Wright Two Table Spoons Silver I give to my wife's niece Ann Grayham I hereby revoke all other Wills made by me & do declare this to be my last Will & Testament Witness I have set my hand & Seal this fifth day of November one thousand eight hundred & ten I do herebt Constitute & Appoint my Aunt Hester Berry and my Wife's niece Ann Grayham Executrixes of this my Will Thomas Lawrence Witnesses J. W. Wm Foster Thos. Bromley Proved 4th January 1811 Ann Graham is the wife of James Graham William Martin, 1840 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William MARTIN proved 1840 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me William Martin the Elder of Ordnance Place in the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being infirm in body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding First I direct that my body be decently interred by or at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named I give and bequeath to my Grandson William Martin Son of my Son William Martin my watch I give and bequeath to Caroline Wife of my said Son William Martin the gold ring which I now wear I give and bequeath to my good friends William Bate of Chatham aforesaid Gentleman and George Pemble of the same place Carpenter their executors admons and assigns all and every other my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever which I may be possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease namely all my household furniture wearing apparel plate linen and trinkets Money securities for money money in the Savings or any other Bank or Elsewhere deposited stock money to become due at my decease from the benefit Society of which I am a member and also any amount of pension due to me during my lifetime from the Paymaster of Her Majesty's Dock Yard at Chatham aforesaid and remain unpaid at the time of my decease and also a certain legacy bequeathed to me under the will of Elizabeth Gilbert of Chatham aforesaid lately deceased In Trust in the first place to dispose of all such parts of my Estate and Effects as shall not consist of money or securities for money and to pay thereout all my just debts and funeral and Testamentary expenses which they may sustain or be put to the Executors of the Trusts hereby reposed in them and after the payments to be made thereout as aforesaid to dispose of the residue or surplus thereof in manner following that is to say I give and bequeath to my Son William Martin aforesaid one third of my residuary personal estate to be paid to him by my Executors I give and bequeath to my Daughters namely to Sarah the Wife of John Murtagh formerly of the Royal Marines at Chatham aforesaid to Mercy formerly the Wife of John Thomas late Sergeant Major of the Royal Denbigh to Mary the Wife of Robert Steel Lieutenant and Paymaster of the Sixty Sixth Regiment of Foot Soldiers and to Ann the Wife of of William Needham Private in the Ninth Company of the first Regiment of Foot Guards the remaining two thirds part of my residuary personal Estate to be divided amongst them in equal parts share or proportion to and for their own proper use and benefit and not to be at all subject to the control or management of their or either of their husbands and I declare that the Sole receipt of each of my daughters notwithstanding their coverture shall be a sufficient discharge or sufficient discharges to my Executors for the legacies hereby bequeathed to my said daughters individually provided nevertheless that if my said daughter Sarah the Wife of John Murtagh aforesaid shall have departed this life previously to the proving of this my Will then I give and bequeath to my Grand daughter Ann Thomas of Greenwich Spinster the share of my residuary personal Estate herein before bequeathed to my said daughter Sarah and in case my said Son William Martin or either or any of my said daughters Mercy Mary and Ann shall have departed this life previously to the proving of this my last Will leaving lawful issue then I bequeath the share or shares of my Estate hereby bequeathed to my said Son or such of my said daughters or daughter as may have departed this life aforesaid to the surviving lawful issue of my said Son or such of my said daughters as may have died aforesaid if more than one share and share alike so that in every case the surviving children of my said Son or daughters shall possess their own parent's share respectively or their severally attaining the age of twenty one years without the control of the surviving parent whom I design to have no distinctive or separate interest in the bequests hereby made and I declare that in every case the sole and separate receipt of each individual so becoming entitled to any part of my personal estate shall be a sufficient discharge to my Executors for the legacies hereby bequeathed to them respectively and I further declare that neither of my Executors shall be responsible or accountable for the receipt or other acts of the other of them nor for any loss which my said Estate may sustain unless the same shall arise or be occasioned by his or their wilful neglect or default and I hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said William Bate and George Pemble Executors of this my last Will and declare this only to be and contain my last said Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said William Martin have to this my Will set my hand and affixed my Seal this first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine William Martin Signed sealed published and declared by William Martin the Testator in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses W. Saunders John Day Proved 31st October 1840 Richard Maskell, 1822 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Richard MASKELL proved 1822 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Richard Maskell of the Parish of Chatham Shipwright being in good health of body and of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding (praised be to God) do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say first and principally I surrender my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping to be saved by and through the only merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred and buried by and at the discretion of my Executrix hereinafter named Also I make constitute and appoint my dear and loving Wife Sarah Maskell Executrix of this my last Will and Testament Also I give and devise all that my Messuage or Tenement with the Yard Garden and Appurtenances belonging thereto situate lying and being in Hogg Lane in the parish of Chatham aforesaid now in my own occupation unto my dear Wife Sarah Maskell for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give and devise the above unto my Son John Maskell his heirs and assigns for ever Also from and after payment of my just debts funeral expenses the charges of proving this my Will and other incident Charges and the Execution thereof I give and bequeath all and every the Rest and Residue of my ready Money and Securities for Money pay and Wages due to me in His Majesty's Yard at Chatham debts plate Linen Woollen pewter Brass   ?   Beds Bedding household Stuff and Implements of household Goods Chattels and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever or of what nature   ?   kind or Quality soever the same shall or may consist of at the time of my decease to the use of my said dear Wife Sarah Maskell to and for her own respective use and benefit And I do hereby revoke and void all former and other Will or Wills by me heretofore made and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Richard Maskell have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand this twenty third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three Richd Maskell Signed sealed published and declared by the said Richard Maskell to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereunto Susanna Sommerton William Lawrence Jno Sommerton Proved 20th June 1822 Note in the margin, dated 13th October 1840 The will was not administered by Sarah Maskell so administration granted to John Maskell. The writing is very small and not clear but John must be the son and probably his mother's executor. John Metcalfe, 1805 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) John METCALFE proved 1805 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Metcalfe of the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being feeble and weak in Body but of sound Mind Memory and understanding do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit First and principally I commend my Soul into the hand of Almighty God who gave it hoping for pardon and Remission of all my Sins thro the Merits and Satisfaction of Jesus Christ my alone and only Saviour and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor and my Executrix hereinafter named and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give bequeath and dispose thereof as follows that is to say to Thomas Metcalfe my Son and Katherine Jonson my Daughter Widow of George Jonson both of Chatham aforesaid All that I am and shall be possessed of to have share and share alike and I do hereby nominate and appoint the said Thomas Metcalfe and Katherine Jonson Joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament I witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the eighteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four John Metcalfe The word my Daughter being interlined Signed Sealed Published and Declared in the presence of Richard Morris Henry Rich? Proved 24th January 1805 Katherine Johnson's name, by mistake written in the will Katherine Jonson John Moore, 1817 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) John MOORE proved 1817 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me John Moore of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright made published and declared this nineteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen in manner and form following that is to say I give and devise unto my Niece Elizabeth Bear of Chatham aforesaid Widow All those my three freehold Messuages Tenements of Dwelling Houses with Outhouses Yards Backside Gardens and Appurtenances thereunto severally belonging situate lying and being in or near a certain Street called Queen Street in the Parish of Chatham aforesaid one of which is now in my own occupation and the other two are now in the tenure or occupation of Robert Moore and James Rice or one of them their or one of their Assigns or under tenants To hold the same unto and to the use of her the said Elizabeth Bear and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life Upon Condition nevertheless that she the said Elizabeth Bear or her Assigns do and shall from time to time and at all times during the term of her natural life keep the same in good and tenantable repair And from and immediately after the decease of the said Elizabeth Bear a failure of complying with of breach of the Condition aforesaid Then I give and devise the said Three freehold Messuages Tenements or Dwelling Houses with the Outhouses Yards Backsides Gardens and Appurtenances thereunto belonging unto and to the sole and only Proper use and behoof of John Moore Bear Ann Mary the Wife of William Butler Thomas Bassett Bear and Henry George Bear (the Children of the said Elizabeth Bear) equally to be divide between them share and share alike to take as Tenants in common and not as Joint Tenants and to their several and respective heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and devise unto my Niece Jane Tonkin of Chatham aforesaid Widow all those my other three freehold Messuages Tenements or Dwelling Houses with the Outhouses Yards Backsides Gardens and Appurtenances to them severally belonging situate lying and being in or near Queen Street in the Parish of Chatham aforesaid one of which is now in the tenure or occupation of the said Jane Tonkin and the other two are in the several tenures or occupations of Jacob Atcheson and [         ] or one of them their or one of their Assigns or Undertenants To Hold the same unto and to the use of her the said Jane Tonkin and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life Upon Condition nevertheless that she the said Jane Tonkin or her Assigns do and shall from time to time keep the same in good and tenantable repair And from and immediately after the decease of the said Jane Tonkin or failure of complying with or breach of the Conditions aforesaid Then I give and devise the said three freehold Messuages Tenements or Dwelling Houses with the Outhouses Yards Backsides Gardens and Appurtenances thereunto belonging unto and to the sole use and only proper use and Behoof of Elizabeth Tonkin John Merkiff Tonkin William Tonkin and Jonathan Tonkin George Samuel Tonkin and Jane Ruth Tonkin ( the Children of the said Jane Tonkin) equally to be divided between and amongst them share and share alike as Tenants in Common and not as joint Tenants and to their several and respective heirs or Assigns for ever Also I give and bequeath unto my nephew William Fuller of Sheerness in the County of Kent Timber Converter and Lewis Barnaby of Chatham aforesaid Shipwright (my Executors hereinafter named) All those my eight leasehold Messuages Tenements or Dwelling Houses with their Outhouses Yards Gardens and Appurtenances to them severally belonging situate lying and being in or near a certain Street called the Brook in the Parish of Chatham aforesaid and which now are in the several Tenures or Occupation of John Baker Elizabeth Bear George Finnell William Gardener [         ] or some of them their or some of their Assigns or Undertenants which said Premises I hold by virtue of and under a certain Indenture of Lease thereof made and granted to me the said John Moore the Testator by and from the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Rochester in the County of Kent aforesaid To hold the same Leasehold premises with their Appurtenances unto the said William Fuller and Lewis Barnaby their Executors and Administrators for and during all the residue of the Terms of years which shall be therein to come and unexpired at the time of my decease and for and during all such further or other Term of Years as shall be granted to my said Trustees of the said Leasehold Premises upon any renewal or renewals of the present or any future or other Lease or Leases thereof upon & for the several Trusts hereinafter mentioned and declared of and continuing the same that is to say upon Trust that they the said William Fuller and Lewis Barnaby and the survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of such Survivor shall and do permit and suffer my Sister in Law Elizabeth Merkiff of Chatham aforesaid Widow or her Assigns to hold possess and enjoy the said Leasehold premises and to let and set the same and to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits thereof to and for her or their own use and benefit absolutely for and during so many years of the Term or Terms of years for which the said Leasehold Premises are or shall be holden as she shall live the said Elizabeth Merkiff or Assigns during that time at her or their own Costs and Charges paying the yearly Rent reserved and observing performing fulfilling and Keeping all and every the Covenants Clauses Provisions Conditions and Agreements contained in the Lease thereof and which by and on the part and behalf of the Tenant or Lessee of the said Premises are or ought to be paid done observed performed fulfilled and kept And likewise keeping the said Leasehold Premises in good and sufficient Repair and the Lease thereof duly renewed in the Names of my said Trustees of the Survivor of them his Executors or Administrators in a proper course of Renewal and paying the fine and fees on such Renewal and upon further Trust that the said William Fuller and Lewis Barbaby and the Survivor of them and the Executors and Admons of such Survivor shall and do permit and suffer John Timothy Merkiff of Portsmouth in the County of Hampshire Mariner the Son of the said Elizabeth Merkiff or his Assigns to hold possess and enjoy the said Leasehold Messuages Tenements or Dwelling Houses with the Outhouses Yards Gardens and Appurtenances thereunto belonging and to let and set the same and to receive and take the Rents Issues and Profits thereof to and for his or their own use and benefit absolutely from and after the decease of the said Elizabeth Merkiff for and during so many Years of the Residue of the Term or Terms of Years for which the said Leasehold Premises are or shall be holden as he shall live the said John Timothy Merkiff or his Assigns during that time at his or their own Costs and Charges paying the Rents performing the Covenants Clause Provisions Conditions and Agreements reserved and contained in such Lease and keeping the said Leasehold Premises in good and sufficient Repair and the Lease thereof duly renewed in manner aforesaid in a Proper Course of Renewal and paying the Fines and Fees upon such Renewal And upon further Trust that they the said William Fuller and Lewis Barnaby or the Survivor of them his Executors or Administrators do and shall from and after the decease of the said John Timothy Merkiff assign all and every the same Leasehold Messuages Tenements or Dwelling Houses with the Outhouses Yards Gardens and Appurtenances thereunto belonging unto all and every the Children of the said John Timothy Merkiff as well Daughters as Sons which shall be living at the time of my decease in and by equal parts and proportions share and share alike to take as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants and to their several and respective Executors Administrators and Assigns to and for their own use and benefit absolutely for and during all the then residue of the Term of Years for which the said Leasehold Premises are or shall be holden free and discharged of and from all Trust and Trusts whatsoever Also I give and bequeath unto the said William Fuller and my nephew George Fuller (Brother to the said William Fuller) the Sum of one hundred pounds apiece three pounds per centum per annum Consolidated Bank Annuities being part of a larger Sum standing and being in my name in the Books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England Also I give and bequeath unto Phoebe Fuller Ann Fuller and [         ] Fuller the three Children of my nephew John Fuller deceased the like Sum of one hundred pounds three pounds per centum per annum Consolidated Bank Annuities equally to be divided between and amongst them share and share alike and to their several and respective Executors Administrators or Assigns to and for their own Use and Benefit absolutely Also I give and bequeath unto Hannah Nicholls and Ann Nicholls Nieces to my late Wife the Sum of Ten pounds apiece of Lawful Money of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland current in Great Britain Also I give and bequeath unto the said William Fuller and Lewis Barnaby the Sum of Ten pounds apiece of like lawful money money   ?   in the Public Stocks or Funds Specialities Bonds Bills Notes and debts together with all and singular my Household Goods and Furniture and Implements of Household Plate Linen China Glass and Effects standing and being in or about and belonging to my Dwelling House and premises at the time of my decease And also all and every the rest residue and remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or quality soever which I shall be possessed of interested in or entitled unto at the time of my decease and not by me specifically bequeathed or disposed of Subject to and from and after first paying or discharging thereout all my just Debts Funeral Expenses and Legacies herein before give and the Charges and Expenses incident to and attending the proving and Execution of this my Will I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto the said Elizabeth Merkiff Jane Tonkin Elizabeth Bear and John Timothy Merkiff in and by equal parts and proportions share and share alike to take as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants and to their several or respective Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns to and for their own use and benefit absolutely And lastly I do hereby make ordain nominate constitute and appoint the said William Fuller and Lewis Barnaby joint Executors of this my Will and hereby revoking and making void all former and other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made I declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said John Moore the Testator have to this my Will contained in five sheets of paper subscribed my hand and set my seal in manner following that is to say to the bottom of the first four sheets thereof I have set my Hand by subscribing the same with my Name and have affixed my Seal to the corner   ?   of the last Sheet thereof where all the said Sheets are fastened together and to this fifth and last Sheet thereof I have Signed and subscribed my Name and set my Seal the day and year first above written Jno Moore Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Moore the Testator in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto Willm Jefferys Atty at Law Chatham Wm. Parkin W.S. Jefferys his Clerks Proved 7th October 1817 Richard Morris, 1834 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Richard MORRIS proved 1834 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Richard Morris of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright made published and declared the twenty seventh day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & twenty nine in manner following that is to say First I desire that my body may be decently interred under the direction of my Executors hereinafter named And I give and devise all that my freehold messuage tenement or dwelling house with the appurtenances situate in Meeting House Lane in the Parish of Chatham aforesaid and now or lately in the occupation of myself and William Rosse and all other my Real Estate unto and to the use of my Sons and Daughters John Morris Elizabeth Winford Sarah Jemina Mason James Morris Rebecca Pascall and Joseph George Morris equally to be divide between them share and share alike as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants and their several and respective heirs and assigns forever And I give and bequeath to my Grandson James Tomlin the Sum of nineteen pounds nineteen shillings if and when he shall attain the age of twenty one years And I give and bequeath all and every of my ready money and securities for money monies or stock in the Public Stocks or funds goods chattels and personal Estate whatsoever which I may be possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease after and subject to the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the pecuniary legacy herein before bequeathed unto my said Sons and Daughters John Morris Elizabeth Winford Sarah Jemmina Mason James Morris Rebecca Pascall and Joseph George Morris equally to be divided between them share and share alike And I make and appoint my said Sons John Morris and Joseph George Morris Executors of this my Will and do revoke and declare void all former Wills & Codicils by me made In witness whereof I the said Richard Morris the Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year first above written Richd Morris Signed sealed published and declared by the said Richard Morris the Testator as and for his his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto D. B. Lewis Solicitor Rochester James Lewis D. R. Lewis his Clerks Proved 3rd November 1834 John Morris, 1843 John MORRIS proved 1843 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me John Morris of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright made published and declared the tenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven in manner following that is to say First I desire that I may be decently buried by and at the discretion of my Executrix and Executors hereinafter named And I give and devise all that my freehold messuage or tenement with the appurtenances thereto belonging situate in Fort Pitt Street Ordnance Place Chatham aforesaid and now or late in my own occupation and all other my real Estate unto and to the use of my dear Wife Ann and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life if she shall so long continue my widow sole and unmarried And I also give and bequeath the benefit use and enjoyment of all and every my moneys and securities for money monies in the Public Stocks or funds household goods and all other my Personal Estate whatsoever (after and subject to the payment of my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses) unto my said Wife during such her widowhood with full power for her to apply and exhaust such part of the principal of my said moneys stocks funds and all other personal estate as she shall find to be necessary or think fit in and towards her maintenance and support during such of her widowhood and from and after the decease or second marriage of my said Wife whichever shall first happen I give and bequeath and devise my freehold messuage or tenement with the appurtenances and all other my real estate and also all and every the residue of my said moneys stocks funds and all other personal estate or so much and such parts thereof as shall remain unapplied and unexhausted as aforesaid to my Sons and Daughters John Foster Morris Richard Morris Sarah Jemmima Morris William Filmer Morris Elizabeth Morris and Mary Ann Gammon equally to be divided between them share and share alike and their respective heirs executors and administrators as tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants And I make constitute and appoint my said Wife and my Sons John Foster Morris and William Filmer Morris Executrix and Executors of this my last Will and Testament and do revoke and declare void all former Wills by [me] made In Witness whereof I the said John Morris the Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day year first above written Jno Morris Signed Sealed and Published and Declared by the said John Morris the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto Joseph Thomas Taffs Alexander Grace James Taffs Fort Pitt Street Ordnance Place Proved 24th October 1843 John Mosley, 1847 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) John MOSLEY proved 1847 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me John Mosley of Cage Lane in the parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright which I make in manner following that is to say I nominate and appoint my dear Wife Hannah Mosley Executrix and my good friends John Coates of Chatham a Shipwright and William Hughes of Chatham aforesaid Grocer Executors hereof and direct them from and out of my personal estate to pay and satisfy all my just debts funeral and testamentary charges and expenses and the expenses of proving this my Will And I do hereby give and devise unto them the said John Coates and William Hughes All that my freehold tenement or dwelling house situate in Cage Lane and parish of Chatham aforesaid with the yard and appurtenances therein belonging now in my own occupation And also all that my freehold tenement or dwelling house Shop and bake house situate in the same Lane and parish and adjoining the premises before described with the yard and appurtenances thereunto belonging now in the occupation of James Austin To hold the same unto and to the use of them the said John Coates and William Hughes their heirs and assigns upon the several trusts and to and for the ends intents and purpose hereinafter expressed and declared that is to say Upon Trust to receive and take the rents and profits thereof as the same shall from time to time become due and permit and   ?   the same to her my said Wife Hannah Mosley or otherwise permit and suffer and duly authorise her to receive and take the same for and during the term of her natural life she keeping the said premises in good and tenantable repair and insuring the same from loss or damage from fire And from and immediately after her decease Upon Trust to so receive and take the said rents and profits and pay the same unto my dear Son William Mosley or otherwise permit and suffer and duly authorise him to receive and take the same for and during the term of his natural life he repairing and insuring as aforesaid and from and immediately after his decease upon Trust to receive and take the said rents and profits as aforesaid and pay the same unto Caroline Wife of the said William Mosley or otherwise permit and suffer and duly authorise her to receive and take the same for and during the term of her natural life she   ?   repairing and insuring as aforesaid And from and immediately after the decease of the survivor of them the said Hannah Mosley William Mosley and Caroline Mosley then as to the said tenement or dwelling house hereditaments and premises and the rents and profit thereof Upon Trust for all and every the child and children of them the said William Mosley who being a Son or Sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or have lawful issue or being a Daughter or Daughters shall attain that age or marry to be divided amongst them in and by equal parts shares and proportions as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and to their several and respective heirs and assigns absolutely and for ever provided always and I do hereby declare and direct that the trusts herein before contained for the benefit of my said Son William Mosley his Wife and Children respectively subject to and upon this express condition that he she or they do and shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid the following legacies or sums of money which I charge upon the said freehold hereditaments and premises with interest thereon respectively at five pounds per centum per annum from the respective times when the same shall become payable that is to say unto my dear Daughter Mary Ann Parry Wife of George Wyatt Parry of Ordnance Place in the parish of Chatham aforesaid Brewer the full and clear sum of sixty pounds sterling money for her own use and benefit And in case of her decease before the same becomes payable then the sum of twenty pounds of like money to each of her Sons John White and James White her children by her first husband Thomas White which legacies respectively I direct to be paid and payable at the end of six calender months next after the decease of my said Wife And to my Grandson John Mosley a private Soldier in one of her Majesty's Infantry Regiments and lately embarked for New South Wales the sum of twenty pounds in case he shall return to England within twenty years from the date of this my Will but not otherwise and to be paid and payable to him within six calender months after such his return and proving his identity And in case default Shall be made in payment of the said legacies or sums of money any or either of them or any part or parts thereof respectively within the respective times herein before appointed for payment thereof Then Upon Trust and I do hereby empower them the said John Coates and William Hughes and the survivor of them his heirs executors or administrators as soon as conveniently may be thereafter to make sale and absolutely dispose of the said tenements or dwelling houses hereditaments and premises and the fee simple and in inheritance thereof either entirely in one lot or by parcels and in several lots by public auction or private contract or partly by public sale   ?   the purchaser or purchasers thereof respectively for the best price or prices that can be reasonably had and gotten for the same with power to buy in the said hereditaments or any part thereof at any public auction and again to resell the same by public auction or private sale without liability for any loss that may arrive thereof And to facilitate such sale or sales do and Shall make and execute all such deeds conveyances and assurances in the same as shall be needful to effect and confirm the same And I do hereby declare that upon payment of the money to arise on any such sale or sales it shall and may be lawful to and for my said Trustees and the survivor of them his heirs executors and administrators to give and sign any receipt or receipts of such moneys respectively which receipt or receipts shall be a good and effectual discharge or good and effectual discharges to any purchaser or purchasers of the said premises or any part thereof and his her or their respective heirs executors administrators and assigns shall not afterwards be obliged to ? to the application of such purchase money or any part thereof do acknowledged to be received nor to be answerable or accountable for any loss inapplication or misapplication thereof or of any part thereof or to enquire into the necessity or expediency of any such sale as aforesaid And it is my mind and will and I do hereby direct them my said trustees and the survivor of them his executors and administrators by and out of the moneys to arise from any such sale or sales as aforesaid in the first place to pay and satisfy such of the said several said legacies or sums of money herein before bequeathed or directed to be paid and ? as aforesaid as shall then have become payable And subject thereto lay out and invest any residue or surplus of the said moneys in their or his names or name in the Parliamentary Stock or Public Funds of Great Britain or at interest upon Government or Real Securities in England and pay the interest dividends or annual produce of the same trust moneys stocks funds and securities as and what the same shall arise and become due To the said William Mosley for his life and after his decease to the said Caroline Mosley his Wife for her life And after the decease of the survivor of them the said William Mosley and Caroline his Wife upon Trust to transfer pay and divide the said residue of purchase moneys or the stocks funds and securities that may so be invested and the dividends interest and annual produce of the same unto and between all and every the child and children of him the said William Mosley who being a Son or Sons shall attain the said age of twenty one years or having lawful issue or being a Daughter or Daughters shall attain that age or marry to be divided between and amongst them in and by equal parts shares and proportions as tenants in Common as aforesaid and to their several and respective executors and administrators And I give and bequeath all my household goods and furniture plate linen and china unto my said Wife Hannah Mosley to have the free use and enjoyment thereof for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give and bequeath the same and all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto my said Son William Mosley and my Daughter Mary Ann Parry and my other Daughter Hannah the Wife of Charles W[       ] of Hull in the County of York to be divided between and amongst them in and by equal parts and shares as tenants in Common as aforesaid for their own respective use and benefit provided always and I do hereby declare that if the trustees appointed in this my Will or to be appointed as hereinafter mentioned any or other of them their any or either of their heirs executors or administrators shall die or be desirous of being discharged from or refuse decline or become incapable to act in the trusts hereby in them respectively reposed before the said trust   ?   shall be fully executed and performed then it shall be lawful for the surviving or continuing trustee his executors or administrators by any writing or writings under his her or their hand and seal or hands and seals legally executed to nominate substitute and apply any person or persons to be a trustee or trustees in the stead or place of the trustee or trustees so dying or desiring to be discharged or refusing   ?   or becoming incapable to act as aforesaid And thereupon all the said trust estates stocks moneys and premises shall be thereupon conveyed and transferred so that the same may be effectually vested in the person or persons so to be appointed as aforesaid either solely or jointly with the surviving or continuing trustee or trustees as occasion shall require upon and for the trusts intents and purposes herein before expressed and declared of and concerning the same or such of them as shall be then substituting   ?   and capable of taking effect And the person or persons to be appointed as aforesaid shall have all the powers and authorities of the trustee or trustees in whose room he or they shall be substituted provided also that the said several trustees of this my Will and each of them and the heirs executors administrators or assigns of them and each of them shall be charged and chargeable respectively for such money only or other part or parts of any estate and effects or the income or produce thereof as they shall respectively actually receive by virtue of the trusts hereby in them reposed notwithstanding their or any or either of their giving or singular or jointly in giving or signing any receipt or receipts for the sake of conformity And any one or more of them shall not be answerable or accountable for the others or other of them or for involuntary losses And also that it shall be and may be lawful for them respectively with and out of the moneys which shall come to their respective hands by virtue of this my Will or the trusts thereof to retain to and reimburse themselves respectively and also to allow to his her or their co-trustees or co-trustee all costs charges damages and expenses which they any or either of them shall or may incur sustain expend or be put unto in or about the execution of this my Will or the trusts thereof or any suit or proceeding act matter or thing relating thereto And lastly I revoke all former Will or Wills by me made and do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said John Mosley the Testator have at the foot or end of this my last Will and Testament contained in six sheets of paper written on one side thereof only set my hand this sixteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty John Mosley Signed and declared by the said John Mosley the Testator as and to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto J Stephens Solicitor Chatham J W Heard Clerk to Messrs Stephens & Son Proved 28th April 1847 John Coates and William Hughes have renounced executorship of the will. (I am not surprised, they probably did not understand it!) Headstone in St Mary's Burial Ground in Whiffen's Avenue (all the inscriptions are on this website) IN MEMORY OF JOHN MOSLEY WHO DIED 25th AUGUST 1841 AGED 70 YEARS ALSO HANNAH MOSLEY WIFE OF THE ABOVE WHO DIED 26th SEPTEMBER 1845 AGED 74 YEARS ALSO WILLIAM MOSLEY SON OF THE ABOVE WHO DIED 17th NOVEMBER 186[4] AGED 46 YEARS George North, 1835 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) George NORTH proved 1835 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me George North a Superannuated Shipwright from His Majesty's Dock Yard at Chatham in the County of Kent made published and declared this seventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty three First I give and bequeath unto my Son George John North now of Plymouth in the County of Devon Carpenter in His Majesty's Royal Navy and Thomas Victualler of Chatham aforesaid Plumber and Glazier their Executors Administrators and Assigns all such Sum or Sums of money as shall be invested in the three and a half per cent per annum Consolidated Annuities standing in my name in the Bank of England or any other Public Stocks or funds and all Interest and Dividends which shall or may be due there or thereon at the time of my decease together with all such sum or sums of money as shall be standing in my name or belonging to me at the Savings Bank at Chatham aforesaid and all Interest which shall or may be due thereon at the time of my decease together also with such sum or sums of money to which I shall be then entitled from the Benefit Club or Society to which I belong at Chatham aforesaid and all monies or debts whatsoever which shall or may be due and owing to me at the time of my decease Upon Trust that they my said Executors and the Survivor of them and their Executors and Administrators of such Survivor do and shall as soon as conveniently can be after my decease in the first place transfer pay and apply the whole of the aforesaid Monies Stock Funds and Securities in the three and a half per cent Consols or other Public Stock or Funds and the Interest and Dividends then due thereon unto between and amongst my said Son George John and my Daughters Maria Wife of John Ferguson of Chatham aforesaid Dyer and Mary Wife of Thomas Sawyer of the Coast Blockade Service at [        ] in the said County of Kent their Executors Administrators and Assigns and for his her and their own use and benefit notwithstanding their coverture in equal shares and proportions and that the receipt alone of my said Daughters shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my said Executors for the same And secondly that they my said Exors do and shall receive and take my said Monies and Interest at the Savings Bank and my Club Money at Chatham aforesaid and upon receipt thereof after deducting from my said Club Money my funeral expenses do and shall pay and apply the same unto my dear Wife Alice to and for her own use and benefit Also I give and bequeath unto my said Son George John my Clock Bureau my Wearing Apparel and Clothes and my Chest to and for his own use and benefit And as to all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Household Furniture Goods Chattels and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever which I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said Wife to and for her own use and benefit And I do will order and direct that all my just debts the charges of proving this my Will and all reasonable and necessary costs charges and expenses whatsoever that my said Executors shall be put unto in and about the execution of this my Will and the Trusts in them reposed shall be paid and discharged out of my said Monies and Estate and Effects before the same shall be divided amongst the before mentioned persons entitled thereto And I nominate constitute and appoint the said George John North and Thomas Victualler Executors of this my last Will and Testament and hereby revoke all former and other Wills by me at anytime hereforeto made I do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have at the bottom of the first sheet of this my Will (the whole whereof is contained in two sheets of paper) subscribed my name and to this second and last sheet my hand and seal the day and year first before written George North Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the above named George North the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto Benj. Briggs Jane Victualler Affidavit 13th January 1835 George Ferguson of Chatham, Shoemaker, is sworn. He was well acquainted with the Testator and is familiar with his handwriting and signature; he has carefully examined the will and believes it is all in the hand of the Testator. Proved 14th January 1835 Power is reserved to Thomas Victualler Benjamin Briggs, one of the witnesses, is a Grocer of Chatham, he also witnessed Thomas Victualler's will. William Patrick, 1835 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William Lester PATRICK proved 1835 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me William Lester Patrick of the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright made published and declared this thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four in manner and form following that is to say I devise to be decently and privately buried and that a headstone be erected to my memory by and at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named I give and bequeath unto my Son James Patrick the sum of one hundred and ten pounds of lawful money of England stock in the new three and a half per cent being part and parcel of a larger sum of four hundred and twenty five pounds of like lawful money now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England to and for his own use and benefit absolutely and I give and bequeath unto my Son John Patrick the sum of one hundred and ten pounds of lawful money of England stock in the new three and a half per cents being part and parcel of a lager sum of four hundred and twenty five pounds now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England to and for his own use and benefit absolutely Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary the Wife of William ? the Elder Shipwright the sum of one hundred and ten pounds of lawful money of England stock in the new three and a half per cents being part and parcel of a larger sum of four hundred and twenty five pounds of like lawful money now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England to and for her own use absolutely Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann Cox Wife of Thomas Cox deceased Widow the sum of sixty pounds of lawful money of England other part of the larger sum of four hundred and ten pounds (sic) of like lawful money now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England to and for her own use and benefit absolutely Also I give and bequeath unto my Grand daughter Sarah Cooper formerly Sarah Oliffe Spinster if she should be living at the time of my decease the sum of fifteen pounds of lawful money of England other part of the said sum of four hundred and twenty five pounds new three and a half per cents now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England and not to be subject to any debts bills bonds notes or other securities of her husband but for her own benefit Absolutely and her receipt alone shall be a discharge but in case She should happen to depart this life on or before my decease then I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said Daughter Ann Cox to and for her own use absolutely for ever Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandson William Lester Patrick the sum of ten pounds other part of the said sum of four hundred and twenty five pounds of lawful money of England new three and a half per cents now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England to and for his own use and benefit Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandson John Patrick the sum of five pounds of lawful money other part of the said sum of four hundred and twenty five pounds of like lawful money new three and half per cents now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England to and for his own use and benefit Absolutely Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Phillip Lewis the sum of twelve pounds of lawful money of England being part and parcel of a larger sum of four hundred and twenty five pounds standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Directors of the Chatham Savings Bank Also I give and bequeath unto I give and bequeath unto my Grand daughter   ?   Lewis the sum of twelve pounds of lawful money being part and parcel of a larger sum of money now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Directors of the Chatham Savings Bank to and for her own use Absolutely I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Thomas Lewis the sum of twelve pounds of lawful money being part and parcel of a larger sum of money now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Directors of the Chatham Savings Bank to and for his own use & benefit Absolutely I give and bequeath unto my Grand daughter Joane? Lewis the sum of twelve pounds of lawful money being part and parcel of a larger sum of money now standing in my name in the Books of the Governor and Directors of the Chatham Savings Bank for her own use absolutely Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandson James Lewis the sum of twelve pounds part & parcel of a larger sum of money now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Directors of the Chatham Savings Bank to and for his own use absolutely Also I give and bequeath unto unto my dear Wife the sum of twenty pounds of lawful money of England together with all her wearing apparel household goods and furniture and implements of household plate linen china glass fixtures and other effects belonging to her person previous to her intermarriage with me for her absolute benefit I give and bequeath to Susan Stella ( Sturla?) previously Susan Oliffe Spinster the sum of five pounds of lawful money and not to be subject to any debts bonds bills notes or other securities of her husband but for her own absolute benefit and her receipt to be a discharge only Also I give and bequeath unto Nathaniel Richard Coomber of Brompton in the parish of Chatham Shipwright and James Patrick my Son heretofore named the sum of five pounds each of lawful money acting as overseers of this my will Also I give and bequeath all and Rest Residue and remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or   ?   soever which I shall be possessed of interested in or entitled unto at the time of my decease and every part thereof unto my Sons the sd James Patrick and John Patrick and to my Daughters Maria Coomber and Ann Cox to and for their absolute benefit to be equally divided between them share and share alike after first discharging all the legacies by me hereinbefore given and bequeathed and all my just debts funeral expenses and the charge and expenses interest to and attending the proving and execution of this my will and my will and desire is that the several legacies by me hereinbefore given and bequeathed shall as conveniently may be after my decease to be paid to the several legatees herein contained and lastly I hereby make nominate and ordain constitute and appoint the said James Patrick and Nathaniel Richard Coomber Executors of this my last Will and hereby revoking and making void all former and other will and wills by me at any time or times heretofore made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament I witness whereof I the said William Lester Patrick the Testator have to this my will contained in five sheets of paper subscribed my hand and set my seal in manner following that is to say to the bottom of the first four sheets thereof I have set my hand by subscribing my name to the same and have affixed my Seal to the corner of the first sheet where all the said sheets are fastened together and to this fifth and last sheet thereof I have signed or subscribed my name and set my Seal the day and year first above written W. L. Patrick Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Lester Patrick as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request & in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto John Kennett Publican Gillingham James Taylor Gent Chatham Proved 17th February 1835 Isaac Pemble, 1842 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Isaac PEMBLE proved 1842 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Isaac Pemble of The New Road Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright that is to say after payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses I give devise and bequeath all my real and personal Estate unto my executors hereinafter named their heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature and quality thereof upon trust to permit my dear Wife Sarah Pemble to have the use of my household furniture and effects and to receive the rents issue and profits of my real and personal estate for and during her life and from and immediately after her decease I direct my said trustees and executors to divide the said household furniture and effects and real and personal estate unto and equally between all and every my children who shall be living at my decease unto whom I give devise and bequeath the same and to their respective heirs executors and administrators as tenants in common and it is my will and desire that my said trustees and executors shall have the power at the decease of my said Wife to make sale and dispose of all or any part of my said real or personal estate if they shall think fit either by public sale or private contract and I direct that the receipt of my trustees and executors or the survivor of them his executors administrators or assigns shall be a good and sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers thereof or of any party thereof and that such purchaser or purchasers shall not be answerable or accountable for non-application or misapplication of such purchase money or any part thereof and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Thomas Austin of Chatham in the County of Kent Tailor and Robert Beck of the same place Stationer Executors of this my will In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty Isaac Pemble Signed by the said Isaac Pemble the Testator in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses William Gowen No 2 Naval Row Poplar Coachman John Thomas Austin Gentleman 56 Great Queen Street Lincoln's Inn Fields London Proved 15th June 1842 Thomas Austin and Robert Beck have renounced executorship of the will. Note in margin: 14th April 1857 The will was was not administered by Sarah Pemble. Granted to    ?    Pemble one of her children. John Phillips, 1822 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) John PHILLIPS proved 1822 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Phillips of the Parish of Chatham Shipwt and Submeasurer in his Majesty's Yard at Chatham in the County of Kent being of sound disposing mind and memory and understanding praised be God do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say First and principally I surrender my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping to be saved by and through the merits and satisfaction of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer And my body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my dear Children After all my funeral expenses and all other debts are discharged I then bequeath to my dearly and well beloved Daughter Sarah Phillips the Interest of all Sums of money vested in the Public Funds likewise all the profits arising from leasehold or freehold Estates at the time of my decease keeping the said Estate in good and Tenantable repair and satisfying any demands thereon likewise any sum arising from any Society likewise all my Wages due to me at my decease likewise all my Goods and Chattels Wearing Apparel Plate Linen and China and other Effects to her during her natural life while single but if she should alter her condition and marry then the said Interest and other effects to be valued and equally divided amongst the whole of my Children share and share alike likewise I constitute and appoint my Daughter Sarah sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witness thereof I the said John Phillips the Testator have set my hand and seal in the presence of the undermentioned the 22nd June 1821 J. Phillips W. Greet Gent G.W. Crispin Gent Proved 10th May 1822 William Rich, 1846 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me William Rich of the New Road Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright which I make in manner following that is to say First I desire to be decently and privately interred by and at the discretion of my Executrix and Executor hereinafter named And I nominate and   ?   appoint my dear Wife Catherine Rich and my good friend William Heard of Cannon Street London Cordwainer Executrix and Executor thereof And I give and bequeath to him the said William Heard the sum of five pounds as a token (of) my respect for the care and trouble he will have in the execution of this my Will and the trusts thereof and I give devise and bequeath unto them the said Catherine Rich and William Heard all that my leasehold messuage or tenement with the outhouse yard garden and appurtenances thereunto belonging situate and fronting the New Road in the parish of Chatham aforesaid in which I now reside to hold the same unto them the said Catherine Rich and William Heard their Executors administrators and assigns for all the residue of the term of years thereof granted which shall be to come therein at the time of my decease subject nevertheless to the payment of the rent and performance of the leasee's covenants the lease whereby I hold the said premises reserved and contained   ? m  upon the trusts and for the ends and intents and purposes therein   ?   expressed and   ?   that is to say upon trust to permit my said Wife Catherine Rich to reside and dwell in the said messuage tenement and premises rent free for the period of six calender months next after my decease she quietly giving up the said premises at the expiration of the said six calender months in as good   ?   and condition as the same shall be in at the time of my decease and from and immediately after the expiration of the said six months or if my Wife previously ceased to reside and dwell at the said premises then as soon as conveniently may be after her quitting and leaving the same Upon a further trust that they the said Catherine Rich and William Heard or the survivor of them his or her executors or administrators do and shall make sale and absolutely dispose of the same leasehold messuage or tenement hereditament and premises for all the residue of the said term of years which shall be then to come therein either by public auction or private contract for the best price that can be reasonably had and   ?   for the same and do and shall enter into make or execute all such ? contracts conveyances and assurances as shall be necessary to effect and confirm such sale and I do hereby declare the the receipt or receipts of of them the said Catherine Rich and William Heard or of the survivor of them his or her executors or administrators for the moneys to arise by such sale of the said premises shall effectually discharge the purchaser or purchasers paying such moneys from the same and from all liability for any loss misapplication or non-application thereof or of any part thereof and from all obligation of seeing to the application of the same moneys or any part thereof and of enquiring into the necessity propriety of any such sale Also I do hereby direct them my said trustees or the survivor of them her or his executors or administrators from and out of the said moneys in the first place to pay all income   ?   rent repairs and other   ?   affecting the said premises together with the costs and charges or   ?   (of) the said sale and in the   ?   out and perfecting the title of the said premises and to stand possessed of the residue of the said moneys upon trust   ?   And I do hereby give and bequeath the sum unto my dear Children by my late Wife Elizabeth namely my Sons John Rich William Rich and George Rich and my daughters Ann Elizabeth Nichols Wife of James Nichols Sarah Arnott Wife of William Arnott and Mary Clift Wife of Thomas Clift to be equally divided between and amongst them share and share alike for their respective use and benefit And it is my mind and Will and I do hereby direct them my said Executrix and Executor as soon as may conveniently may be after my decease to sell out and transfer so much of my stock in the public funds as will not in the whole produce more than the clear sum of of one hundred pounds and thereout to pay and satisfy the following legacies namely to my said Son John Rich the sum of ten pounds To my said Son William Rich the sum of ten pounds To my Son George Rich the sum of ten pounds To my said daughter Sarah Arnott the sum of ten pounds and to my said daughter Mary Clift the like sum of ten pounds To Ann Flanagan? Wife of Daniel Flanagan   ?   , and daughter of my said Wife Catherine by her former husband Edward Croden the sum of ten pounds And to Thomas Christopher Headgecock    ?    Croden And as to any residue of the moneys to arise from such sale of stock I do direct the same to be paid and applied or so far as the same will extend in satisfaction of my just debts funeral and testamentary charges and expenses and the expenses of proving this my Will and as to all the rest and residue of my stock in the public funds with all other my moneys out at interest and upon security I give and bequeath the same unto them the said Catherine Rich and William Heard upon trust to permit and suffer her my said Wife Catherine Rich to receive and take dividends interest and annual produce thereof for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I direct the said stock funds and securities to be called in transferred and converted into money and I give and bequeath the net moneys arising therefrom and from the dividends and interest thereof unto and among them my said Children John Rich William Rich George Rich Ann Elizabeth Nichols Sarah Arnott and Mary Clift and the said Children of my said Wife namely her daughter the said Ann Flanagan and her Son the said Thomas Christopher Croden in and by equal shares and proportions for their respective use and benefit provided always that if any or either of them my said children or the said children of my said Wife Catherine shall depart this life before me and in my lifetime then I give and bequeath the legacy or legacies part or share and moneys heretobefore to each one so dying unto any child or children he or she may leave if more than one in equal parts and if but one then the whole to such only one and if any or either such children of a deceased child shall be under the age of twenty one years then the part or share of each such minor to be paid to his or her natural guardian for his or her own use And in case any or either of them my said children or the said children of my said Wife shall die in my lifetime without leaving any child or children surviving then the legacy or legacies part or share and moneys herein before bequeathed to each one so dying shall go unto his or her brother or brothers sister or sisters of the whole blood if more than one equally between them and if but one then the whole to such only one And I give and bequeath my eight day clock with it's mahogany case unto her my said Daughter Ann Elizabeth Nichols for her own use and benefit And as to all my rights share and interest in the Club or Society called the "Mourner's Friend" of which I am (a) member with all moneys benefit and advantage to be received or served therefrom (my said daughter Ann Elizabeth Nichols who is my nominee therein having only been so appointed by me in compliance with the Rules and Regulations of the said Club or Society) and all my ready moneys household goods and furniture (except my said clock) plate linen and china and all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever (subject to the payment thereout of the said legacies hereinbefore given to him the said William Heard and of my debts funeral and testamentary charges and expenses and the expenses of proving this my Will or of such part or parts thereof as the said residue of moneys arising from the said sale of stock thereinbefore firstly directed to be sold may prove insufficient to satisfy) I give and bequeath the same unto her my said Wife Catherine Rich for her own absolute use and benefit And I do hereby declare that it shall and may be lawful for them my said Trustees Executrix and Executor to deduct and reimburse themselves respectively and to all each other all costs and charges which they or either of them shall pay expend incur in or about the execution of this my Will or the trusts thereof and that they shall not be answerable the one for the other of them or for the acts receipts or payments of the other of them but each of them for herself and himself and her or his own acts receipts and payments and wilful default only And lastly I revoke all former and other Will or Wills by me made and do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said William Rich the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained in four sheets of paper written on one side thereof only set my hand to the first three sheets thereof and my hand and Seal to this fourth and last the seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six Wm. Rich Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Rich the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto (the word "inability" in the last line but one of the first page having been first partly written on an erasure) J. Stephens M. S. Stephens CODICIL Whereas I the above written William Rich the Testator have made and published my last Will and Testament in manner above set forth Now I make this Codicil thereto and direct the same to be taken as part thereof and do hereby appoint my Son John Rich of Chatham aforesaid Shipwright to be an Executor of my said Will jointly with my Wife Catherine and friend William Heard therein named as Executrix and Executor thereof And I give devise and bequeath to him the said John Rich jointly with them the said Catherine Rich and William Heard all that my leasehold messuage or tenement and premises in my said Will mentioned and [    ?    ] to hold the same unto them the said John Rich Catherine Rich and William Heard their executors administrators and assigns for all the residue of the term of years [    ?    ] upon the trusts [    ?    ] the ends intents thereof [remaining] in the lease [    ?    ] the said premises and with the power in my said Will expressed and declared     ?     of and [    ?    ] the same thereof [    ?    ] premises and the moneys to arise from the sale thereof and with under and Subject to the like [    ?    ] as to the appropriation and division of such sale moneys in my said Will is expressed and contained and I direct all the several bequests in my said Will made and contained to be paid executed and performed by them the said John Rich jointly with my said Wife Catherine Rich and the said William Heard the same as if he had been therein originally appointed an Executor In all other respects I do hereby ratify and confirm my said Will and the several devises bequests and trusts therein contained In Witness whereof I the said William Rich the Testator have to the foot or end of this Codicil to my said Will written on the back of the fourth sheet thereof set my hand this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two Wm. Rich Signed by the said William Rich the Testator and by him declared to be a Codicil to this my last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto J. Stephens M. S. Stephens Proved 23rd September 1846 Henry Rich, 1848 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Henry RICH proved 1848 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Henry Rich of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright but sometimes called Gentleman which I make in manner following that is to say I nominate and appoint my dear Wife Elizabeth Executrix and my Son George Rich of Chatham aforesaid Shipwright and my Son in law John Barnaby and William Buck both of her Majesty's Dockyard in Chatham aforesaid Shipwrights Executors of this my Will And immediately after my decease I desire that all my Books which shall be in my dwelling house at my death may be equally divided between my six children hereinafter named or among such of them as shall be then living And I give and bequeath all my household goods and furniture plate linen china and effects (except my said books) and all my ready money which shall be in my dwelling house at the time of my death and all arrears of pension due to me at my decease and all sums of money due to me and payable from the Treasurer of the Union Benefit Society of which I am a member unto my said Wife Elizabeth absolutely for her own use and benefit she paying thereout all my just debts funeral expenses and expenses of proving this my Will as soon as conveniently may be after my decease And I give and bequeath unto them my said Wife Elizabeth and the said George Rich John Barnaby and William Buck all my securities for money money in the Public stocks or funds and money deposited in the Chatham Savings Bank in the names of myself and my said Wife or due to me anyway heresoever and also all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Estate whatsoever and wheresoever Upon Trust ( after the payment of all my just debts funeral and other expenses ) to invest the remainder of such moneys in the Public stocks or funds or on real securities at interest or allow the same to remain in it's then actual state of investment as they my said executrix and trustees shall think best And I direct that my Wife Elizabeth may receive the dividends interest and annual produce of the same stocks funds real securities as and when they shall become due for and during the term of her natural life for her own use and benefit And I do further direct and authorise my said Wife if she shall think proper yearly and once in every year during her life to draw out and receive the sum of five pounds from money deposited in the said Savings Bank for her own use provided that if my said Wife shall at any time become confined through sickness or shall require   ?   and attendance then and so long as such illness shall continue I direct and desire my said executors and trustees and the survivors and survivor of them his executors or administrators to pay to her my said Wife in addition to the interest and annual produce of my moneys before directed to be received by her and the annual sum to be drawn out of the Savings Bank aforesaid such a weekly sum of money as they may think necessary for her support And I direct and authorise them from time to time to sell out a sufficient sum from the moneys in the stocks or funds to enable them so to do And from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath all my stocks funds and real securities residue of the said sum in the Chatham Savings Bank aforesaid and wheresoever unto my six children namely Ann the Wife of the said John Barnaby the said George Rich Jane the Wife of the said William Buck Henry Rich Catherine late the Wife of Thomas Netherwood and now his Widow and John Rich equally to be divided among them share and share alike for their respective use use and benefit And if either of my said children shall be then dead leaving any lawful child or children then I give and bequeath the share of each child or children unto the child or children which he or she may so leave if more than one equally to be divided amongst them on the youngest attaining his or her age of twenty one years and if but one then to such only one on his or her attaining that age and to his or her executors administrators and assigns And I direct my said executors and trustees during the minorities of any or either of such my grandchildren to invest the whole share of the deceased parent of such minor or minors in the funds and pay and apply the interest from time to time as it becomes out unto my said Grandchildren if more than one equally between them them for their respective benefit And I do declare that they my said executrix and executors shall not be answerable or accountable the one for the other or others of them nor for involuntary losses and that they shall be allowed their reasonable charges and expenses occasioned in the execution of this my Will or the trusts thereof And lastly I revoke all former Will or Wills by me made and do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Henry Rich the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty ninth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven Heny. Rich Signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Rich the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament ( the word "executrix" between the fourth and fifth lines from the top of the first page the words "Savings Bank" between the fourth and fifth lines from the bottom of the second page and the word "share" between the ninth and tenth lines from the top of the 3rd page having been first interlined and the word "revoke" in the sixteenth line from the top of the third page having been first partly written on an erasure ) in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses Thos Netherwood Cordwainer of Chatham Richd Buck Shipwright of same place Proved 18th December 1848 Power reserved to Elizabeth Rich John Rich, 1853 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) John RICH proved 1853 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me John Rich of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright in Her Majesty's Dock Yard First I direct that I may be decently and privately buried and that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease and I do hereby charge and subject to such payment all my personal estate I give and bequeath all my clothes goods money securities for money and all other my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever appertaining to me at the time of my decease to my beloved Wife Jane Rich during the term of her natural life and from and after the decease of my said Wife Jane Rich I give and bequeath all the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattels money securities for money and all other my personal estate and effects whatsoever to my dear children William Jane Mary Ann Henry Elizabeth Nancy and Alfred Rich their heirs and assigns for ever to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike as soon as is convenient after the decease of my said Wife Provided also if either of my children die without lawful heirs by their own body begotten then and in such case my will is that his or her share be equally divided between those who may survive but if they leave lawful issue then their share shall be equally divided amongst his or her own children share and share alike Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved Wife Jane Rich and my Son William Rich Executrix and Executor of this my last Will In Witness thereof I the said John Rich have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this twenty sixth day January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred forty two Jno Rich Signed Sealed published and declared by the said John Rich as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses George Purcell Thomas Spillit Proved 30th June 1853 Power reserved to Jane Rich George Smith, 1812 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) George SMITH proved 1812 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I George Smith late of the Ville of Sheerness in the County of Kent Shipwright now in the Parish of Chatham in the aforesaid County being settled in my Mind & my intellect sound nothing wasting   ?  , do make this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following and I do hereby revoke all other Will or Wills by me made First I do resign my Soul to the Almighty God who gave it & my body to the dust from whence it came in hope of a joyful resurrection through the only merits & intersession of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ next I give & bequeath to my beloved Wife Hannah Smith after my just Debts being duly paid by my Executrix hereinafter mentioned all & every my Household Furniture with my Plate Linen China and every thing article thereof which is now or shall be in my possession at the time of my decease with all my Money in the House & which may be owed to me by any person or persons whatever or what may be due to me in his Majesty's Dock Yard at Chatham or any other at the time of my decease Item I give & bequeath to my beloved Wife Hannah Smith during her natural life the Interest of all my stock in the four per cent Annuities & five per cent Navy or any other fund or funds at the time of my decease with full power to transfer two hundred pounds Stock out of the four per cent Annuities for her own use at any time she thinks proper Item at the decease of my beloved Wife Hannah Smith aforesaid I give & bequeath the remainder of my Stock in any Fund or Funds whatever to be equally divided between our two Dearly beloved Daughters Sylvester Matilda Smith and Caroline Ann Smith share & share alike Furthermore I leave my beloved Wife Hannah Smith my whole & sole Executrix to this my last Will & Testament and to dispose of the residue of her property as she may think proper Finished writing this my last Will & Testament with mine own hand on one single sheet of paper the twenty seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nine and In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this same twenty seventh of February 1809 George Smith Signed Sealed & delivered in the presence of us Thomas Cooper Fisherman John Baker Sarah Cooper Spinster Proved 13th February 1812 Note in margin 25th May 1837 The will was not administered by Hannah Smith , who died intestate, so administration granted to Sylvester Matilda Smith, Spinster, one of the daughters. Leonard Staff, 1817 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Leonard STAFF proved 1817 I Leonard Staff of Brompton next Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being of a sound mind but weak in body do make this my last Will and Testament whereby revoking all other wills I give and bequeath unto Judith my Wife all the property of whatever description which I may possess at the time of my decease except the sum of five hundred pounds which I will to be invested in the Public Funds or in such other manner as my Executors hereinafter named may think proper the interest thereof I bequeath to my said Wife Judith during her natural life and at her decease I give & bequeath to my Son Leonard Peter now of Brompton aforesaid the sum of ten pounds to be paid out of the said five hundred pounds and the remaining sum of four hundred and ninety pounds I give and bequeath to my two Daughters named Susanna and Sarah Ann share and share alike and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said Wife Judith Mr Peter Brames of Fulham Middlesex Nursery Man and Mr John Nelloth of Sheerness Kent to be the Executors of this my last Will and Testament In Witness thereto I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 6th day of August in the year of our Lord 1817 Leonard Staff Witnesses Geo Mitchell Geo Scott Proved 21st October 1817 Power reserved to Peter Brames William Stigant, 1837 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) William STIGANT proved 1837 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me William Stigant of Brompton in the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright which I make in manner following I nominate constitute and appoint my dear Wife Susan Stigant Executrix and my Son William Stigant the younger and Brother in law Robert Davies of Maidstone in the said County Pawnbroker Executors hereof and I give and bequeath to them my said Son and Brother in law Robert Davies the sum of ten pounds each as an acknowledgement for the care and trouble they will have in and about the execution of this my Will and the trusts thereof And I do hereby give and bequeath All my household goods and furniture plate linen & china unto her my said Wife for her to have the free use and enjoyment thereof for and during the term of her natural life without being accountable for any loss spoil or diminution that may happen to the same or any part thereof And I give and devise unto them the said Susan Stigant William Stigant the younger and Robert Davies All those my freehold messuages tenements or dwelling houses with the yards gardens ground & appurtenances thereunto respectively belonging situate in or near Middle Street Brompton and in the Parish of Chatham aforesaid as the same are now in the occupation of myself and under tenants And all other my messuages or tenements lands hereditaments and real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever To hold the same unto and to the use of them the said Susan Stigant William Stigant and Robert Davies their heirs and assigns Upon the Trusts hereinafter expressed and declared concerning the same And I give and bequeath all my goods chattels stocks securities moneys and other Personal Estate and Effects ( except and subject to the specific bequests of parts thereof herein before contained ) unto them the said Susan Stigant William Stigant and Robert Davies their executors admons and assigns according to the nature and quality thereof respectively And I do declare that my said real and personal Estate herein before devised and bequeathed to them the said Susan Stigant William Stigant and Robert Davies their heirs executors admons and assigns as aforesaid are so devised and bequeathed Upon and for the trusts intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and contained of and concerning the same respectively that is to say Upon trust with all convenient speed to call in and convert into money my said Personal Estate or such part thereof as shall not consist of money or good securities and stand possessed of the moneys to arise therefrom and of and in the stocks funds and securities I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease Upon Trust and out of the same in the first place to pay and satisfy all my just debts funeral and testamentary charges and expenses and the pecuniary legacies therein before bequeathed And subject thereto Upon trust that they my said Wife and the said William Stigant the younger and Robert Davies and the survivors and survivor of them do and shall lay out and invest the residue of the moneys so to arise as aforesaid in their his or her names or name in the purchase of stock in the Pubic funds of Great Britain or at interest on real or Government Securities And do and shall pay or otherwise permit and suffer my said Wife to receive and the the rents issues and profits of my said messuages or tenements land hereditaments and premises and the dividends interest and annual produce of all and every the said stock funds and securities so to be purchased or of which I may die possessed and of all other my Personal Estate for her own use and benefit for and during the term of her natural life subject nevertheless as to the said messuages tenements buildings and premises to her keeping the same in good and tenantable repair order and condition And upon further trust from and immediately after the decease of my said Wife that they the said William Stigant the younger and Robert Davies or the survivor of them his heirs executors admons or assigns do and shall make sale and absolutely dispose of my said freehold estate either entirely and together or in parcels by public Auction or private Contract to any person or persons willing to become the purchaser or purchasers thereof respectively for such price or prices as to them the said William Stigant the younger and Robert Davies or the survivor of them his heirs executors admons or assigns shall seem reasonable And for promoting and facilitating such sale or sales do and shall enter into make and execute all such contacts agreements covenants conveyances and assurances which he or they may deem necessary And I declare that the receipt or receipts of them the said William Stigant the younger and Robert Davies and the survivor of them his heirs executors admons or assigns for any money or monies to arise by such sale or sales as aforesaid shall effectually discharge the purchaser or purchasers paying the same therefrom and from being answerable or accountable for the loss misapplication or non application thereof and from being obliged to see to the application thereof or of any par thereof or to enquire into the necessity pr propriety of any such sale And it is my mind and will and I do hereby direct them the said William Stigant the younger and Robert Davies and the survivor of them and the executors admons and assigns of such survivor by and out of the moneys which can be first and most readily obtained from my Personal Estate or from the sale or sales herein before directed of my said freehold estate to pay unto each of my three youngest Daughters namely Susan Stigant Caroline Stigant and Mary Stigant the sum of One hundred pounds for her use & benefit Nevertheless in case either of them shall then be under the age of twenty one then I direct my said executors or the survivor of them his executors or admons to retain ? such legacies respectively amounting together to the sum of three hundred pounds in such stocks funds or securities as the same shall be standing in at the time of the decease of my said Wife or otherwise to invest the same in their names or in the name of such survivor of them his executors or admons in the purchase of stock funds in the Public funds or at interest upon real or Government securities and that they and he do and shall stand and be possessed of the said stock funds and securities constituting the said legacies or which shall be purchased and taken as last mentioned Upon trust to pay and apply the dividends interest and annual produce thereof as and when the same shall from time to time arise and become due for and towards the support and maintenance of such my three youngest daughters respectively and the survivor and survivors of them until the youngest or ? surviving or only surviving one shall attain the age of twenty one years and from that event Upon trust to pay to each of them the said Susan Stigant Caroline Stiganr and Mary Stigant her said legacy or sum of One hundred pounds for her own use and benefit And in case any or either of them should depart this life under the said age then I direct the legacy of each one so dying shall sink into the residue of my Personal estate and go as I have herein after bequeathed the same And subject to the payment or due provision ?, for the legacies last mentioned then from and after the decease of my said Wife Upon trust and I do hereby give devise and bequeath the moneys to arise from the sale of my said freehold estates and all and every the said trust stock funds and securities And all the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto and equally between such of my dear Sons and Daughters Sally the now Wife of John Fareham Thomas William Stigant the said William Stigant Edward Stigant Catherine the now Wife of William Taylor Elizabeth the now Wife of John Death Harriet Stiganr George Stigant Eliza Stigant John Stigant and the said Susan Stiganr Caroline Stigant and Mary Stigant who shall be living at the time of the decease of my said Wife and the lawful child or children Girls as well as Boys of any or either of them who may then be dead and their respective heirs executors admons and assigns in and by equal parts and shares as tenants in common and not as joint tenants such child or children of each one of them so deceased taking only per stripes and not per capita (and if more than one equally between them as tenants in common) the part of share which his her or their Parents would have taken if living Provided always and I do direct that from and after the decease of my said Wife and until my messuages or tenements and hereditaments shall be disposed of as aforesaid that they the said William Stigant the younger and Robert Davies and the survivor of them his heirs executors admons and assigns shall stand and be possessed of the same and the rents issues and profits thereof upon and for the same trusts intents and purposes upon and for which the said trustees or trustee for the time being would in pursuance of this my Will be possessed of and invested in the moneys to arise from the sale thereof or as near there unto as may be Provided also and I do declare that if the trustees appointed in this my Will or to be appointed as hereinafter mentioned any or either of them their any or either of their heirs executors admons shall die or be desirous of being discharged from or refuse or become incapable to act in the trusts hereby in them respectively repose before the said trusts shall be fully executed then and in that case and when and so often as the same shall happen it shall ans may be lawful to and for the surviving or continuing trustees or trustee or the executors or admons of the last surviving or continuing trustee by any writing or writings under his or her hands and seals or hand and seal duly executed but only by and with the consent and approbation of my three eldest Children or three eldest surviving Children not being trustees of this my will to be testified by some writing under their respective hands to nominate and appoint a person or persons to be a trustee or trustees in the stead or place of the trustee or trustees so dying or desiring to be discharged or refusing declining or becoming incapable to act as aforesaid And when and so often as any such or trustees shall be so nominated and appointed all the trust estates stocks moneys and premises the trustee or trustees whereof shall so die or desire to be discharged or refuse decline or become incapable to act as aforesaid shall be thereupon with all convenient speed conveyed assigned and transferred in such sort and manner and so that the same shall and may be legally and effectively made   ?  , in the   ?   person or persons so to be appointed as aforesaid either solely or jointly with the surviving or continuing trustee or trustees as occasion shall require to the uses   ?  , and inpowering   ?  , for the trusts intents and purposes herein before expressed and declared of and concerning the said estates moneys and premises of such of them as shall be then subsisting and capable of taking effect and the person or persons so to be appointed as aforesaid shall have all the power and authorities of the trustee or trustees in whose room he or they shall be substituted And I hereby declare that the said trustee or trustees so he is by ? or to be appointed as aforesaid shall not be answerable one for another nor for involuntary losses and shall be allowed therein reasonable costs and expenses occasioned in the execution of the trusts of this my will And lastly I revoke all former Wills by me made and o declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament contained in five sheets of paper written on one side thereof only set my hand to the first sheet thereof and my hand and seal to this the fifth and last sheet this twelve day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four Wm. Stigant Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Stigant the Testator as and for his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto J. Stephens the mark X of William Record E. B(a)rber? Proved 24th June 1837 The name Robert Davies, as written in the will, is actually Robert Davis William Stone, 1839 William STONE proved 1839 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me William Stone of His Majesty's Dock yard at Chatham in the County of Kent Master Shipwright First I desire to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executrix & Executors hereinafter named & appointed & do direct them to pay and satisfy all my just debts funeral & testamentary charges & expenses as soon as conveniently may be after my decease & I do hereby give and bequeath to my dear Wife Dinah Stone all such part and so much of my household goods and furniture plate linen and china as she may choose to select for her own use & accommodation and do direct my said executrix and executors to sell and dispose of the residue and all other my Personal Estate not consisting of money or securities for money & with the monies arising therefrom & any other monies which shall come to their hands by virtue of this my Will after discharging the aforesaid debts and expenses lay out the residue in the purchase of Government Stock in the same funds in which my other monies may be standing at the time of my decease and I do hereby give and bequeath unto my said dear Wife Dinah Stone the dividends or Interest of such respective Stock funds or securities for & during the term of her natural life for her own absolute use and benefit and from & after her decease I do hereby give & bequeath the said Stocks funds and securities and all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever the same   ?   shall or may consist unto my dear Children namely Sarah Booth now the Wife of William Booth William Stone Joseph Stone Josiah Stone Ebenezer Stone Elizabeth Stone Reuben Stone and Charles Stone in and by equal parts shares and proportions for their respective use & benefit and do direct the same to be paid or transferred to them accordingly within three months next after the decease of the Survivor of me and my said Wife and I do hereby nominate constitute & appoint my said dear Wife Dinah Stone Executrix and the said William Stone and Josiah Stone Executors hereof and hereby revoking & making void all former other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said William Stone the Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twelve day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four Wm Stone Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Stone the Testator as and for his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request & & in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto Wm Morgan J Moore Proved 15th April 1839 Power reserved to Dinah Stone and William Stone William Stone was not a Shipwright as the others recorded here but the Master Shipwright of Chatham Dockyard, 1830 to 1839; previous to coming to Chatham he was Master Shipwright at Deptford Dock Yard, 1813 to 1830. A post usually filled by a "Gentleman". He was in charge of the shipwrights and responsible for their work, constructing ships and for rebuilding them. His will is of interest, contrasting with many of the wills published here, rather brief with no real estate or personal estate detailed, and no value of the estate indicated. In 1830 he was responsible for converting the Bomb Vessel Terror for Arctic Service, this ship, with the Erebus, was used by Sir John Franklin in his ill - fated attempt to find the "North West Passage" in 1845. John Sturla, 1828 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) John STURLA proved 1828 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Sturla of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being in Bodily Health and of sound and disposing mind and memory but knowing the uncertainty of life do for avoiding controversy after my decease make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Wife Catherine Sturla of Chatham aforesaid all and singular whatsoever I may be possessed of at the time of my decease for her use during her natural life and at her decease I give and bequeath unto my youngest Son William Sturla the interest of all money that I or my Wife shall be in possession of at the time of my decease with the rents arising from my two freehold houses situate in Ordnance Place Chatham to be laid out for the purpose of bringing him up and otherwise providing for him till he is twenty one years old at which time I give all my surviving Children at the decease of me and my Wife and after my youngest Son shall arrive at the age of twenty one years All my property real and personal to be divided amongst them share and share alike and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my Wife Catherine Sturla and Captain John Kains of Rochester in the County of Kent Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills Testaments and deeds of gifts by me at any time hereforeto made and I do ordain and ratify this present to stand and be for and as my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof of this my said Will I have set my hand and Seal this twenty second day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen and in the fifty ninth year of our Sovereign Lord George the third of Great Britain and Ireland King etc. John Sturla Signed Sealed published and declared in the presence of Benj. Bovid? John Kains Senr. John Collne? Shipwright Proved 21st October 1828 Power reserved to John Kains Note in margin 17th October 1837 The will was not administered by Catherine Sturla, who died intestate or by John Kains. So, administration was granted to John Sturla the son. James Sutton, 1855 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) James SUTTON proved 1855 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me James Sutton of Chatham in the County of Kent Superannuated Shipwright from Her Majesty's Dock Yard at that place which I make in manner following I appoint my friends John Watson of 54 Haymarket in the City of Westminster Baker and William Hughes of Chatham aforesaid Grocer Executors and Trustees of this my last Will And I do give and bequeath to each of them the sum of five pounds for the care and trouble he (sic) will have in and about the execution of this my Will and the trusts hereof And I give and bequeath my Mahogany double chest of drawers All the carpets in the house in which I reside and dwell One mattress one mahogany armchair One wash hand stand basin and ewer one night commode one round tea table one large tea tray all my china and earthenware two china jars one ornamental shell cut in halves two black and white ornamental shells and six small shells on the mantel piece in my living room one tea kettle All my sauce pans and other metal utensils in my large tool chest and all the articles and things in the cellar of my said dwelling house unto Thomas Evenden of Chatham aforesaid Laborer and Elizabeth Ann his Wife both now residing with me for their own absolute use and benefit And I give devise and bequeath All those my several Tenements or Dwelling houses with the Outhouses ground and appurtenances thereunto belonging situate at or near the bottom of Cage Lane in Chatham aforesaid but in that part thereof which lies in the Parish of Gillingham in the said County as the same are now in the several tenures or occupations of myself and others and all other my Real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever And also the Residue of my personal Estate unto the said John Watson and William Hughes theirs heirs executors and administrators according to the nature and terms thereof respectively Upon and for the trusts intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared concerning the same respectively that is to say As to my freehold tenement or dwelling house with the piece of garden ground in the rear thereof and the outhouses and appurtenances thereunto belonging situate and fronting the High Street of Chatham and in the Parish of Gillingham aforesaid and now in my own occupation Upon trust for the said Thomas Evenden and Elizabeth Ann his Wife for the term of their joint lives and the survivor of them for his or her life for their his or her own absolute use and benefit they the said Thomas Evenden and Elizabeth Ann his Wife and the survivor of them keeping the said premises in good and tenantable repair and insured from loss or damage by fire And subject to the trust hereinafter declared of the said tenement or dwelling house grounds hereditaments and premises and real estate and all my residuary personal estate Upon trust that they the said John Watson and William Hughes or the survivor of them his heirs executors or administrators or other the Trustee or Trustees for the time being of this my Will do and shall make sale and dispose of All such part and parts thereof as shall be in their nature saleable by public Auction or private Contract or partly by public sale and partly by private Contract and under and subject to such conditions and stipulations relative to the   ?   or otherwise as they or he may think fit and with full power to purchase in the said hereditament or any part thereof at any public auction and to resell the same by public or private sale without liability for any loss consequently thereupon and do and shall get in such parts of my estate as shall not be in their nature saleable and do and shall stand possessed of the whole of the moneys that may come to their or his hands by such sale or sales and getting in of my said real estate and residuary personal estate after payment thereout of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses the legacies hereinbefore bequeathed and the expenses of proving and incident to the execution of this my Will Upon trust to pay and divide the same unto and between my Son George Sutton at present residing in Australia or other parts beyond the seas and all and every his child or children living at my decease and the child or children then living of such of them if any who shall then be deceased in and by equal parts shares and proportions   ?   the child or children of each one so deceased taking   ?   equally between them if more than one the part or share which his her or their deceased parent would have been entitled to if living And I authorise and Empower my said trustees or trustee for the time being to pay and apply the who;e or such part as they or he shall think fit of the share or shares of and in the said trust moneys which any child or children under the age of twenty one years may be entitled to and the trust lastly herein before declared or of the income thereof in and towards his her or their maintenance education or placing out in life And I declare that in case the Trustees herein named or either of them or any trustee or trustees to be appointed under this present provision shall die or desire to be discharged or refuse decline or become incapable to act in the trusts hereby declared it shall be lawful for the surviving or continuing trustee or trustees of this my Will competent to act whether declining further to act or not or for the executors or administrators of the last surviving trustee by one instrument in writing appoint any fit person or persons to be a trustee or trustees in the place of that trustee or trustees so dying or desiring to be discharged or refuse decline or become incapable to act or disdain aforesaid shall be thereon conveyed and transferred unto the person or persons so to be appointed as aforesaid either solely or jointly with the surviving or continuing trustee or trustees as occasion shall require to the use and upon and for the trusts intents and purposes herein before expressed and declared of and concerning the said trust estate securities moneys and premises of such of them as shall be then subsisting and undetermined and capable of taking effect And I direct and declare that the trustees or trustee for the time being of my Will shall not be answerable for each others acts or receipts nor for involuntary losses And shall be at liberty to retain   ?  , and allow to each other all expenses incident to the execution of the trusts and powers of my Will And I further direct and declare that the receipt or receipts of the trustees or trustee for the time being of my Will shall exonerate purchasers and all other persons paying or transferring moneys or funds to such trustees or trustee from all liability in respect of the application thereof And lastly I revoke all former Will or Wills by me made and so declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said James Sutton have at the foot or end of this my last Will and Testament contained in four sheets of paper written on one side thereof only and on the fourth and last sheet and at the foot or end of each preceding sheet thereof set my hand the twenty fourth day of November in the year One thousand eight hundred and fifty three James Sutton Signed by the said James Sutton the Testator and by him declared to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto Matthew S. Stephens Solicitor Chatham A? Sinclair his Clerk Proved 31st January 1855 Henry Taylor, 1848 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Henry TAYLOR proved1848 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Henry Taylor of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright I give and bequeath all and every my personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever unto my wife Elizabeth Taylor her executors administrators and assigns absolutely And I give and bequeath all the real estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever which I may be possessed or have power to dispose of at the time of my decease unto and to the use of my said wife Elizabeth Taylor and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give and devise the same unto and to the use of my son Henry Taylor his heirs and assigns if he shall be then living and in case of his decease during the lifetime of my said wife Then I give and devise the same unto my said wife her heirs and assigns for ever And I declare that the receipts of my executors hereinafter named for such monies stocks funds and securities as shall be paid or transferred to them by virtue of my will shall effectually discharge the persons paying or transferring the same from all liability to see to the application thereof And I declare that my said Executors shall be answerable for their own respective acts receipts and defaults only and shall be at liberty to retain and allow to each other out of monies coming to their hands by virtue of my Will all expenses incurred in executing the trusts thereof And I hereby revoke all other Wills and I appoint my said wife Elizabeth Taylor and John Tookey the younger of New Brompton Shipwright Executrix and Executor of this my Will In Witness whereof I the said Henry Taylor the testator have to this my last Will and Testament in writing set my hand this twenty seventh day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty two Henry Taylor Signed by the said Henry Taylor the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto George Essell Solicitor Rochester Chas Lott Clerk to Messrs Essell Haywood?, and Essell Solr Rochester Proved 9th October 1848 Power reserved to John Tookey Joseph Tookey, 1822 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Joseph Stanley TOOKEY proved 1822 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Joseph Stanley Tookey of the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being in bodily health and of sound mind memory and understanding thanks be to Almighty God for it Calling to mind the uncertainty of this frail Transitory life and that all flesh must yield unto death when it shall please God to call Do make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following First I commit my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator in hopes of Eternal Salvation thro the alone merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred by and at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and for the settling of my Temporal Estate and such Goods Chattels and debts and whatever else it may please God to bless me with I do order give and dispose the same in manner and form following that is to say Imprimis I will and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Bennet Tookey all my Worldly Goods and Chattels or whatever else I may be invested with or any ways belonging unto me at the time of my decease for her natural life and after her decease I will and bequeath the lease of my dwelling house furniture and apparel unto my Son John Tookey Shipwright of the parish of Chatham in the County of Kent and I will and direct unto my grandson John Tookey Son of the above my silver Watch and I will and bequeath the whole of the remaining property unto my two Sons John Tookey of the parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright and William Tookey of the parish of Saint Margaret's* in the County of Kent Shipwright to be equally divided between them whom I do make and appoint my Executors In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen Joseph Stanley Tookey Sealed and Signed in the presence of William Billinghurst Sarah Billinghurst Witnesses Proved 26th April 1822 * No doubt, St. Margaret's, Rochester John Tookey, 1849 John TOOKEY proved1849 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me John Tookey of Chapel Steps in the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright I give devise and bequeath all my Real and personal estate property and effects whatsoever and wheresoever whether in possession reversion remainder or expectancy which I shall be seized or possessed or have power to dispose of at the time of my decease (subject to the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses) unto my Wife Charlotte Tookey her heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature of the same estate respectively and hereby revoking all former Wills I appoint my said Wife Charlotte Tookey Executrix and my son John Henry Tookey Executor hereof In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of November One thousand eight hundred and forty eight John Tookey Signed by the said John Tookey the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses William Davis Jarrett Chatham Mariner? Jarrett Clerk to Messrs Essell Hayward & Essell Solr Rochester Proved 15th March 1849 Power reserved to John Henry Tookey, who is a Minor John Weaks, 1832 John WEAKS proved 1832 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me John Weaks of Chatham in the County of Kent Superannuated Shipwright from his Majesty's Dock Yard at Chatham made published and declared the nineteenth day of April in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight in manner following that is to say First I desire that my body may be decently and privately buried by and at the discretion of my Executrix and Executor herein after named And I give and bequeath unto my Sister in Law Agnes Hodge of Chatham aforesaid Spinster and her assigns the dividends interest and annual produce of the sum of one thousand pounds now standing in my name for and during the term of her natural life And from and after her decease I give and bequeath the principal of the sum of one thousand pounds now four per centum annuities unto the persons and in the proportions following that is to say the sum of four hundred pounds stock part thereof unto my nephew Jeremiah Weaks son of my late brother William Weaks he sum of four hundred pounds stock other part thereof unto Henry Witheridge of Chatham aforesaid Gentleman the sum of twenty five pounds stock other part thereof unto Mary Lane of the City of Rochester Widow lately Servant to the Reverend Archdeacon Law the sum of fifty pounds stock other part thereof unto William Beaumont of Chatham aforesaid superannuated Shipwright from his Majesty's said Dock Yard the sum of fifty pounds other part thereof unto Fanny Wood now a Servant to the before named Henry Witheridge the sum of twenty five pounds part thereof unto John Spence of St Margaret Rochester Rigger And the sum of fifty pounds stock residue thereof unto David Blackader? now a Pensioner in Sir John Hawkins Hospital at Chatham the same several legacies to be paid and transferred immediately after the decease of the said Agnes Hodge Also I give and bequeath unto unto the said Henry Witheridge the sum of twenty five pounds like new four per centum annuities other part of the said Stock now standing in my name the same to be payable and transferred to him immediately after my decease And all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my ready money and securities for money monies in the public stocks or funds household goods and implements of household plate linen and china and other my personal Estate and effects whatsoever and of what Kind soever not herein before specifically bequeathed and subject to and after payment thereof of my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses I give and bequeath unto the said Agnes Hodge absolutely and to and for her own use and benefit And I make nominate and appoint the said Agnes Hodge and Henry Witheridge Executrix and Executor of this my last Will and Testament and revoke and declare void all former Wills and Codicils by me made In Witness whereof I the said John Weaks have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written Sarah *(sic) Weaks Signed Seale published and declared by the said John Weaks the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us D.B. Lewis Atty at Law Rochester James Lewis his Clerk (*These P.C.C. Wills are all registered copies, the originals, except those of famous people, having been pulped during the 1980's! It seems that the Clerk working on this will had an unknown Sarah on his mind.) THIS IS A CODICIL to the above written Will of me the above named John Weaks and which I desire may be annexed to and taken as part thereof Whereas the stock of four per centum annuities bequeathed by my said Will has lately been or is about to be commuted to stock of three and a half per centum annuities now I declare that the bequests in my said Will of such stock in four per centum annuities or the dividends thereof shall be taken and considered as bequests of the like nominal amount of stock in the three and a half per centum annuities or the dividends of the aforesaid stock to Mary Lane Widow at the decease of my Sister in Law Agnes Hodge And I give and bequeath unto William Lester Patrick a Superannuated Shipwright of Chatham Dock Yard the sum of then pounds sterling to be paid to them within one month next after my decease And unto Elizabeth Muddle of Chatham Widow the sum of twenty five pounds stock of the said three and a half per centum annuities at the decease of the said Agnes Hodge provide she the said Elizabeth Muddle shall be living with the said Agnes Hodge at her decease such last mentioned legacy being the one which by my said Will was intended for John Spence (who is deceased) And in case David Blackader? to whom I have in my said Will bequeathed the sum of fifty pounds of the aforesaid stock at the decease of the said Agnes Hodge should happen to die in my lifetime or before the said Agnes Hodge then I bequeath the same fifty pounds stock at the decease of the said Agnes Hodge unto [         ] Blackader? his Wife And I ratify my said Will in all other points In Witness whereof I the said John Weaks have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty John Weaks Signed Sealed published and declared by the said John Weaks the testator as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us D. B. Lewis James Lewis THIS IS A CODICIL to the last Will and Testament of me John Weaks bearing date the nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight and which I desire may be annexed and taken as part thereof Whereas I did by my said last Will and Testament give and bequeath unto my Sister in law Agnes Hodge subject to and after the payment thereout of my just debts funeral and testamentary charges all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and not specifically bequeathed absolutely and for her own use and benefit Now I do hereby revoke the aforesaid bequest And I do hereby give unto my nephew Jeremiah Weaks all my wearing apparel with my silver watch chain and seal and a clothes chest now standing in my bed room I give and bequeath unto Henry Witheridge Executor of my said Last Will and Testament in trust for the use and benefit of my Sister in law Agnes Hodge for and during the term of her natural life all my residuary property as bequeathed in my said Will with power to my said Executor to invest such sums or sums of money as may remain after the payment thereout of my just debts funeral and testamentary charges and such legacies as are specifically bequeathed by my said Will with a Codicil annexed in government or or other securities and from time to time to sell out or dispose of such sum or sums of money as may appear to him to be necessary for the further use benefit comfort and benefit of my said Sister in law during her life and from and after her decease I do hereby give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Muddle now living with me after the payment thereout of the just debts and funeral charges of my said Sister in law all the remainder of such sum or sums of money with all the residuary property as described in my said Will for her absolute use and benefit as a testimony of my respect for her care and attention to my said Sister in law and on the further consideration of her managing and to use the best personal endeavours to provide and administer to the comfort of my said Sister in law during her present affliction and continuing to remain with her until her decease And I ratify my said Will with Codicil annexed in all other points In Witness whereof I the said John Weaks have hereunto set my hand and seal the ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty John Weaks Signed Sealed published and declared by the said John Weaks the Testator and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us Allen Matthews Henry Ford Proved 17th May 1832 Agnes Hodge is now dead leaving Henry Witheridge as surviving executor Edward Willis, 1854 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Edward WILLIS proved 1854 I Edward Willis of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being of sound mind and understanding do make and publish this as my last Will and Testament I direct my funeral expenses and my just debts to be paid by my Executors hereinafter named out of my cash in hand money in the bank rents due from my houses notes of hand or any moneys that should be due to me at my decease My leasehold houses in Delphs* Lane in the Parish of Saint Margaret Rochester two leasehold houses situate in Best Street in the Parish of Chatham two houses in James Street in the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent with all moneys due to me at my decease the houses to be sold by my Executors and the money after my just debts are paid to be equally divided between my lawful   ?  , children Henry Willis Maria? Willis Edward Willis Jane Day? Elizabeth Wenman? And Sarah [Faded] my wearing apparel and watch I bequeath to my two Sons jointly Henry Willis and Edward Willis My daughter Mary Ann Pledge I bequeath two leasehold houses and garden adjoining situate in Richard Street in Chatham in the County of Kent also all my household goods plate linen and china that may be in my possession at my decease for the benefit of the above named Mary Ann Pledge and her three children But if Mary Ann Pledge should [die, remarry?] the two leasehold houses and garden adjoining shall become the property of my grandchildren as under named George William Pledge Edward Gilbert Pledge Mary Ann Pledge And I appoint John Henry Rickon Iron Founder Robert Goord Plumber John Goord Plumber to be my whole and sole Executors and they are to be paid all reasonable expenses that may attend in executing my Will and this is my last Will and Testament and I renounce all former Wills In Witness hereof I have set my hand and seal this eighth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three Edward Willis Sign'd in the presence of us as Witnesses James Wilkins Builder Chatham William Caddy Bootmaker Chatham Affidavit dated 14th July 1854 James Wilkins of Chatham, Builder is sworn. He is the surviving witness. He confirms that he and William Caddy witnessed and signed the will at the same time, after Willis signed the will in their presence. Proved 25th July 1854 Power reserved to John Goord *Delphs Lane is the present day Delce Road Headstone in St Mary's Burial Ground in Whiffen's Avenue (all the inscriptions are on this website) SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ELIZABETH WIFE OF EDWARD WILLIS SHIPWRIGHT WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 15th DAY OF JULY 1849 AGED 68 YEARS "Blessed are the Dead which Die in the Lord" ALSO TWO GRANDSONS OF THE ABOVE ALSO GILBERT PLEDGE SON IN LAW OF THE ABOVE WHO DIED 10th AUGUST 1851 AGED 55 YEARS ALSO TWO OF HIS CHILDREN WHO DIED IN INFANCY ALSO EDWARD WILLIS [HUSBAND] OF THE ABOVE [DIED 12th MARCH 1854 AGED 76 YEARS] Thomas Wise, 1811 Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858) Thomas WISE proved 1811 THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me Thomas Wise of the Parish of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being of sound mind & memory that is to say I give all my household Furniture plate Wearing apparel with whatever Money I may have at the time of my decease after my just debts & Funeral Expenses are discharged & paid to my Sister Rachel Jeffery of Newington in the County of Surrey Widow for her sole use & benefit And I likewise give unto the said Rachel Jeffery the Interest of one hundred & fifty pounds 3 per Cent Consolidated Annuities during her natural life After the decease of my said Sister Rachel Jeffery I give the said one hundred & fifty pounds 3 per Cent Consols to my Nephews Robert Wise Robert Geffery (sic) Benjamin Geffery & to my Nieces Ann Burchall and Jane Wills to be divide among my said Nephews & Nieces equally Share & share alike And I do hereby constitute & appoint Robert Wise & Rachel Jeffery above mentioned Executor & Executrix of this my last Will & Testament I do hereby revoke all former Wills made by me & do constitute & appoint this my last Will & Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this eleventh day of July in the Year of one thousand eight hundred & ten Thomas Wise Signed sealed published & declared as his last Will & Testament by the abovesaid Testator Thomas Wise in the presence of us who at his desire have subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereto in presence of the said Testator & of each other James Hulett? Maria Lieger? Proved 19th November 1811 Power reserved to Rachel Jeffery ModernChathamWills KAS Previous Previous Wills of Rochester Shipwrights 1652 - 1837 Next Next Requiem Masses performed for benefactors to St Andrew’s Priory, Rochester, c.1235 Kent Archaeological Society Registered Charity 1176989 Documents Guidance Licensing Minutes Privacy