Aspects of Kentish Local History

Wills of Sheerness Shipwrights 1693 - 1855
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858)

JAMES WIDGEON 1795

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I JAMES WIDGEON Shipwright in his Majesty's yard at Sheerness being infirm in health but sound in mind and memory and considering the uncertainties of this life do make publish and declare  this my last Will and Testament  in manner following that is to say
First I commend my Soul to God that gave it and my Body to the Earth as it shall please and as for and concerning all my worldly Estate  I give devise bequeath and dispose of  that is to say
 I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter ELIZABETH ANN WIDGEON  the Sum of two hundred pounds in the three per Cent Consols  in the Bank of England to be paid her by my Executor or his Assigns when she arrive at the age of twenty one years or marries and if she dies before she marries  or arrives at twenty one years of age then
I direct the the said Sum of two hundred pounds be given to my Son JAMES WIDGEON or his Wife ALICE WIDGEON if he is not living or to their heirs at Law in case they should be both dead
and I give unto my loving Wife  ESTHER WIDGEON the Sum of Fifty pounds in three per Cents Consols  before mentioned to be paid  her by my Executor with all convenient Speed  after my decease
And as for my wearing apparel of all Kinds I give it to my Son JAMES WIDGEON
and I further direct that all the money that is due to me at the time of my decease from the Dock Yard  money in my house or any private debts after the payment of my just Debts  that the remainder be divided  equally between  my Wife ESTHER and my Son JAMES  aforesaid  I further  direct that that part of my Household Furniture  Plate Linen or China  which was the property of my loving Wife ESTHER  before she was married to me may be returned to her again  And the residue of my Furniture Plate Linen and China  I give to my Son JAMES WIDGEON
I hereby appoint my Son JAMES WIDGEON whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament  hereby revoking all former and other Wills and Testaments  and Deeds of gifts by me at any time heretofore made and I do ordain  and ratify these presents to stand and be for  and as my last Will and Testament
In witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my hand and Seal  the fifteenth day of March  in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety four  and in the thirty fourth year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the third  over Great Britain etc JAMES WIDGEON Signed Sealed published and declared  by the within named Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us BRYAN BENTHAM  WILLIAM SOLE
Proved 15th September 1796