Aspects of Kentish Local History

Wills of 18th Century Chatham Shipwrights
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills 1706 - 1799)

James JARMON or JARMAN 1751

Inscription on headstone in St. Mary's churchyard, Chatham
In Memory of James Jarmon who died 25th Sept: 1751 aged 59 Years

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I James Jarman of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright do make my last will and testament as follows I humbly recommend my soul to Almighty God in hope of eternal salvation through the merits of my dear Redeemer Jesus Christ and my body I commit to be buryed in such place and in such manner as my executor herein after named shall in his discretion think fit I give to my cozen John Clements of Bishopsgate Street London tallow chandler the sum of one hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain and my family tankard also to my cozen John Diggins shipwright of Portsmouth yard and his sister Mary Pierce each fifty pounds apiece also I give to four children of my cousin Nightingale Ronsel each ten pounds to be paid by my executrix herein after named also to my cousin James Jarman son of Gregory Jarman shipwright in Chatham yard the sum of ten pounds also I give unto the two daughters of Mr. Henry Sheaf Ann and Sarah the sum of twenty pounds each and to Mr. Henry Sheaf's two sisters Mrs. Frances and Mrs. Sarah Sheaf of Rochester gentlewomen the sum of twenty pound each also I give to Edward Read son of Edward Read where I now board the sum of thirty pounds also I give to Richard Mills son of Robert Mills shipwright in Chatham yard the sum of thirty [pounds] also I give to Elizabeth Barnes wife of Henry Barnes silversmith but now labourer in Chatham yard the sum of five pounds I give to Mary Petty widow of Francis Petty deceased the sum of two pounds I give to William Warren yeoman of Cliffe and his daughter Mary Carr and his son James Warren and his daughter Ann and his daughter Elizabeth Smith each five pounds a piece also I give the sum of five pounds to be laid out in bread for poor widows that do not receive alms of the parish to be paid [at] the discretion of my executrix and to my friends Richard Banks barber and Richard Demetrius shipwright each one guinea to buy them a gold ring all which several and sums of moneys as aforesaid given and bequeathed to the several legatees and persons before named I will order and direct shall be paid to them respectively by my executrix out of my personal estate within one year next after my decease and that the legacies of those persons who shall not at [the] time be of the age of seventeen years shall be paid to their respective fathers or mothers in case of the death of their fathers or mothers and that the receipts and acquaintances of such fathers and mothers shall be a full and absolute discharge to my executrix for their respective sums of money or legacies aforesaid also I give and bequeath all that my fee simple messuage tenement and heriditaments situate and being in Chatham aforesaid in the possession or occupation of William Shaw gunner of the Newark man of war with their appurtenances and all other my freehold and real estate and my interest therein unto Mary Estrey living in the house with me as a servant during her natural life and after her decease to my cousin John Clements aforesaid and his heirs for ever also after payment of my just debts and funeral charges the probate of this my last will and testament and the several legacies or sums of money due owing to me upon mortgage bond bill note or otherwise and the securities for the same and all the moneys which shall be due and owing to me from the government and all rents and arrears of rent due and owing to me and all others my goods and chattells rights credits and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto Mary Estrey aforesaid her administrators and assigns forever and I name make and appoint the said Mary Estrey only executrix of this my last will and testament and I do hereby annull and make void all former and other wills and testaments at any time hertofore made or published by me and declare these presents to be and contain my new and only will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the sixth day of June in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty one James Jarman signed sealed published and declared by the said James Jarman the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his sight and presence and in the presence of one another at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses Robt. Mills Arthur Polhill Beresford Maplesden

Proved 8th October 1751