Aspects of Kentish Local History

Medieval & Later Kent P.C.C. & C.C.C. Wills
Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698

William COOKE 1693

In the Name of God Amen
the Seaventeenth day of May in the Second yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the grace of God King and Queene of England Scotland France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith Anno Dni Onr Thousand and six hundred and Ninety I William Cooke of Chatham in the County of Kent Gentleman Purser of their Majesties good Shipp the Captaine being bound forth to Sea in the same Shipp doe for the quieting of my mind and Settleing that Estate which God of his mercy hath afforded mee make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following that is to say
   First and principally I resign upp my Soule into the hands of Allmighty God my Creator beleiving to be saved by and throught the onely merritts and satisfaction of Jesus Christ my Redeemer
  Item I give devise and bequeath All and every my Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever situate Lying and being in the severall parishes of Offham Gillingham and Ryarsh in the said County of Kent or elsewhere with their and every of their Appurtenances unto my Loveing Sister Elizabeth Cooke and to the Heires of her body Lawfully to be begotten
  And for want of such issue Then I give and devise all and every the said Messuages Lands Tenements and Appurtenances with their and every of their and every of their appurtenances unto my Loveing Mother Deborah Davis wife of Mr Joseph Davis of Chatham aforesaid and to her heires and Assignes for ever
  Item I give and bequeath unto the poore of the Parish of Chatham aforesaid twenty shillings to be disposed of by my Executor hereafter named within one Moneth next after my decease
  Item I give and bequeath unto my Father in Law Mr Joseph Davis Tenn pounds and unto my said Mother Mrs Deborah Davis tenn pounds to buy each of them Mourning
  Item I give and bequeath unto my Loveing brother Joseph Davis Fifty pounds of Lawfull money of England to be paid unto him by my said Executor within one moneth next after he shall Attaine his age of One and Twenty yeares
  Item I give and bequeath unto my Loveing brother Thomas Davis Fifty pounds of like money to be paid unto him by my said Executor within one moneth next after he shall Attaine his age of one and Twenty yeares
  All the rest and Residue of my goods Chattels debts and Legacies being first paid and satisfied I give and bequeath unto my said Loveing Mother Deborah Davis and I doe hereby make and ordaine my said Father in Law Mr Joseph Davis Executor of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me formerly made
  In witness whereof I the said William Cooke have here unto Sett my hand and Seale Dated the day and yeare first above written Will Cooke Signed Sealed published and declared by the said William Cooke to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in the presence of the said Testator John Fletcher Fra. Brooke Will Slaughter Junior John Frankwell
  Proved 6th October 1693 Joseph Davis is written as John Davis in this probate section.

Back to Wills of 17th Century Gentlemen of Chatham 1647-1698 Introduction