Chelsfield - Parish Information
Abstract of will from
Chelsfield proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Geoffrey Copus.2005
Thomas
Brooks of Chelsfield dated 4 March
1812
Abstract of the will of Thomas Brooks of Chelsfield
farmer dated 4 March 1812.
My body is to be buried with as little expense as decency
will permit at the discretion of my Executors.
I leave all my real and personal estate to my friends
Richard Gravett the younger of Chislehurst butcher and John Gregory
Harris of Farningham farmer and their heirs IN TRUST to call in all
debts etc. and to invest the proceeds in Government securities. The
interest thereof and that on stock etc. which I already hold, together
with the rents and profits of my house and garden near the White Hart
Public House, Chelsfield, is to be paid to my dear wife Ann Brooks for
life. She is also to have the use of the house I now occupy and all
household, farming and husbandry goods together with so much of the
ready money in the house as my Trustees may deem necessary for the
purpose of carrying on the business for her own use and benefit for her
lifetime.
After my wife's death, my Trustees are to appoint two
disenterested and competent judges to value my said house and garden
near the White Hart and at their valuation to offer the same to my son
Thomas Brooks. If he does not wish to purchase the premises they are to
be offered in turn to my other sons James, John, William, Robert and
Edward Brooks. If all, any or either of my said sons should purchase the
said premises my Trustees will forthwith make and convey to such son or
sons as good and absolute an estate of inheritance in fee simple in
possession as I myself now have, on payment of the consideration money.
If none of my sons wishes to purchase the premises
then the Trustees are to sell them for the best ready money price that
can be had.
The household goods etc. and money already in the Funds
shall be converted into ready money, all proceeds to be added to the
money arising from the sale of my real estate. The proceeds are to be
divided into 10 equal parts between my sons and daughters Thomas, Ann,
James, John, William, Robert, Isabella, Edward and Grace, the remaining
tenth part to be divided equally between Richard Brooks, Percival
Hackett and John Hackett, the children of my deceased daughter
Elizabeth. The issue of any of my children dying before he or she shall
become entitled to his or her share shall take the parent's share by an
equal distribution as they attain 21 or marry with my Trustees' consent.
My Trustees are to be my Executors and shall
reimburse themselves for their expenses.
Witnesses John Fuller, Mary Fuller, Wm. Hy. Colyer.
24 April 1820 - the contents of the will ratified and
confirmed - witnesses, Sarah Fuller, Mary Fuller, Wm. H. T. Colyer.
Proved 10 November 1821 by the Executors named. [PCC
will PROB11/1649]
Transcribed by Geoffrey
Copus