Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

Abel WATSON 1795

This is the last will and testament of me Abel Watson of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding which I make in manner and form following (that is to say) first I desire that all my just debts funeral and testamentary charges and expences be fully paid and satisfied and from and after the payment thereof I do hereby give devise and bequeath one full and equal fourth part or share of and in the produce of the sum of one hundred pounds stock 3 per cent reduced annuities now standing in my name in the books of the governor and company of the Bank of England (which I direct to be sold out by my executors as soon as conveniently may be after my decease) unto my son Abel Watson of Chatham aforesaid shipwright one other full and equal fourth part or share of and in the said produce of the said sum of one hundred pounds stock unto my son William Watson of Chatham aforesaid shipwright one other full and equal fourth part or share of and in the said produce of the said sum of one hundred pounds stock unto Elizabeth Watson and Mary Watson spinsters daughters of my late son John Harris Watson deceased in equal parts shares or proportions and the remaining one other full and equal fourth part or share of and in such produce of the said sum of one hundred pounds stock unto my son Thomas Watson of Chatham aforesaid joiner and I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my said two sons Abel Watson and William Watson all my wearing apparel both linen and woollen to be divided between them in equal parts or shares and to my said two grand daughters Elizabeth Watson and Mary Watson the sum of five pounds five shillings to be divided between them in equal parts or shares being equal to my last mentioned bequest to my sons Abel and William Watson and I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my dear wife Jane Watson and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life or so long as she shall continue my widow all those my four freehold messuages or tenements and premisses situate and being in the parish of Chatham aforesaid devised to me under and by virtue of the will of the late Mr. Roland Fuller deceased and from and after the decease of my said wife Jane or on her intermarrying again with any other person I do hereby give devise and bequeath one fourth part or share of the said four messuages or tenements to my son Abel Watson one fourth part or share therof to my son William Watson one other fourth part or share thereof to the said Elizabeth and Mary Watson and the remaining one fourth part to my son Thomas Watson their and each of their respective heirs and assigns to hold the same as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and I do hereby direct my executors herein after named to permit and suffer the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds due to me on bond to remain and continue on such security by the party who holds the same and from time to time to receive and pay the interest thereof as and when the same shall become due to my said dear wife Jane for and during the term of her natural life and widowhood or otherwise empower and permit her to receive the same and from and after my said wife's decease or second marriage then I do desire my executors to call in and divide the same to such person or persons and in such parts shares and proportions manner and form as the herein before mentioned sum of one hundred pounds stock 3 per cent reduced annuities is given and devised but in case either of them the said Abel Watson William Watson Elizabeth Watson Mary Watson and Thomas Watson shall happen to die before my said wife or her second marriage then I do direct that the part or share to him her or them so dying shall go to their respective legal representatives and next of kin according to the statute of distribution and as to my stock in trade household furniture plate linen china and also all the rest residue and remainder of my estate effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever the same doth shall or may consist of I do hereby give devise and bequeath the same unto my said dear wife Jane Watson for her own sole and separate use and benefit and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my friends George Conquest of Chatham aforesaid surgeon and Thomas Gilbert of the same place draper executors hereof and I do hereby give to each of them the sum of one pound one shilling as a token of my respect for the trouble they will have in the execution of this my will and hereby revoking all former 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 have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five Abel Watson 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 attorney Chatham R. Morgan his clerk William Wallis Chatham cooper

Proved 6th November 1795