Aspects of Kentish Local History

Wills of Gillingham Shipwrights 1621 - 1852
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858)

William MUDDLE 1831

THIS IS THE LAST WILL and Testament of me WILLIAM MUDDLE the elder of Brompton in the Parish of Gillingham in the County of Kent Shipwright made published and declared this twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six in manner and form following (that is to say) First I desire to be decently buried by and under the direction of my Executrix and Executor herein after named and that all my just debts and funeral expenses the charge of proving this my Will and all other incidental charges and expenses attending the same be fully paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease Also I give and bequeath all and every my Household Furniture plate linen and china which shall be standing and being in or about my dwelling house and Premises at the time of my decease unto my dear Wife CHRISTIAN MUDDLE to and for her own absolute use and benefit for ever Also I give and bequeath all those my three freehold Messuages or Tenements and Premises situate in the High Street of Brompton in the parish of Gillingham aforesaid and now in the several tenures or occupations of SIMON BOYS WILLIAM BONIWELL and myself unto HENRY WILSTED of Brompton aforesaid Shipwright and my said Wife CHRISTIAN and to the Survivor of them Upon Trust that he the said HENRY WILSTED his Executors or administrators shall and do permit and suffer my dear Wife CHRISTIAN MUDDLE to receive the rents issues and profits thereof as the same shall become due and payable to and for her own absolute use and benefit for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give devise and bequeath the said last three mentioned messuages or tenements and premises unto my Sons and Daughters WILLIAM MUDDLE CHARLOTTE CONQUEST? Wife of JOHN CONQUEST? Lieutenant in his Majesty's Riyal Navy ELIZABETH MUDDLE SARAH MUDDLE JAMES MUDDLE and JOHN MUDDLE their heirs and assigns for ever in equal shares to and for his her and their own absolute use and benefit as tenants in common and not as joint tenants And as to all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever or of what nature or kind soever which I shall be possessed of interested or entitled to at the time of my decease I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said Wife CHRISTIAN MUDDLE to and for her own absolute use and benefit for ever And lastly I do hereby make name and constitute and appoint the said HENRY WILSTED and my said Wife CHRISTIAN MUDDLE Executor and Executrix of this my said Will and do hereby revoke and make void all former and other Wills and Codicils by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I the said WILLIAM MUDDLE the elder to this my last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper to the first sheet thereof have set my hand and to the second and last my hand and seal the day and year first before written WM. MUDDLE SENR. Signed sealed published and declared by the said WILLIAM MUDDLE the elder 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 hereto THOMAS CHURCH RICHD. ROWELL THOS CHURCH JUNR.

Proved 14th March 1831 Power reserved to HENRY WILSTED Proved again 10th October 1831 and granted to HENRY WOLLSTEAD (in the will written as WILSTED)

Headstone Formerly in the Churchyard of St. Mary Magdalene, Gillingham
(No. 250 in my Monumental Inscriptions)

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF
JOSEPH GILBERT
OF THIS PARISH WHO DIED
28th OF MARCH 1824
AGED 79 YEARS
ALSO TO HIS WIVES WHO LAY BURIED
NEAR THIS PLACE
"Our Mortal Frame to the Earth Decays,
But Faith Dispels the Gloom,
Man's Spirit Lives and God shall Raise,
Our Bodies from the Tomb"
ALSO OF
MR WILLIAM MUDDLE
OF THIS PARISH WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON
THE 5th DAY OF FEBRUARY 1831 AGED 67 YEARS
ALSO CHRISTIAN WIFE OF THE ABOVE
WILLIAM MUDDLE WHO DIED 29th OF
OCTOBER 1831 IN THE 68th YEAR OF HER AGE