Aspects of Kentish Local History

Wills of 17th Century Chatham Shipwrights
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills 1603 - 1699)

Robert SAGGS  - 1657

In the name of God amen the ninth daie of March in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred fiftie foure I Robert Saggs of the parish of Chatham in the countie of Kent shippwright being sicke and weake in bodie but of good and perfect memorie (thanks be to Almighty God) and being desirous to settle in order doe make this my last will and testament in manner and forme following (that is to say) first Ii comend my soul to Almighty God and my bodie to the earth from whence it was taken to be buryed in such decent and Christian manner as to my executrix hereafter named shall be thought meete and convenient and as touching such worldly estate as the Lord in mercy hath lent me my will and meaning is that the same shall be imployed and bestowed as hereafter in this my will is exprest and first I doe revoke and renounce anull and make void all other wills by me formerly made and declared and appoint this my last will and testament Item I give and bequeath my whole temporal estate as well moveable as immoveable goods and chattels debts dues and all whatsoever to me in any way appertaineth or belobg etc unto my loveing wife Ellen Saggs during the time and terme of her life whome I doe hereby constitute ordaine and appoint my executrix Item I give unto my daughter Ellen Rogers after the decease of her mother Ellen Saggs aforesaid the house or tenement wherein I now dwell situate and being in Chatham aforesaid and also one moetie or halfe of my moveable goods and household stuffe to be possest and enjoyed by her and her heires lawfully begotten of her body for ever and after her and theire decease I give and bequeath the said house unto my sonne Andrew Rogers and his heires after him for ever if he shall survive and outlive his wife my said daughter Ellen Rogers and her heires aforesaid Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter in lawe Ellen Saggs after the death and decease of her mother in lawe Ellen Saggs aforesaid the lease of one house or tenement wherein one Mr Brickley? shipwrite now dwells standing at the ende of the land wall situate and being in Chatham aforesaid with the appurtenances thereto belonging together with what right title or interest I have in or to the same which said tenement adjoyneth to another tenement of mine standing in the place aforesaid and is distinginshed from the same by the name of that part or tenement which lyeth next the Brook which said house or tenemt with the appurtenances my said daughter in law Elizabeth Saggs shall hold possessed and enjoy during her life or the terme of the lease (which shall first terminate) and after her decease I doe bequeath the same unto my said daughter Ellen Rogers and her heires but if my said daughter in lawe Elizabeth Saggs or her heires shall survive and outlive my said daughter Ellen Rogers and her heires then my will and meaning is that the said tenement with the other thereto adjoyning namely that next the church shall be possest and enjoyed (with the appurtenances thereto belonging) by my said daughter in lawe Elizabeth Saggs the other moietie or halfe of my moveable goods and household stuffe after the death of my said wife Ellen Saggs but if my said daughter in lawe Elizabeth Saggs shall decease and depart this life before my said wife Ellen Saggs then my will and meaning is that the said tenement lying next the Brooke shall be possest and enjoyed by my said daughter Ellen Rogers of her heires which shall then be surviving and liveing as also the last said moytie of my moveable goods and household stuffe Item I give unto my grand daughter Mary Rogers the daughter of my said daughter Ellen Rogers that other aforesaid tenement next the church standing at the ende of the land wall aforesaid with the appurtenances thereto belonginge which said tenement the said Mary Rogers or her heires shall have possession and enjoy from the death of her grandmother aforesaid during their lives or the terme of the lease (which shall first terminate) but if my said daughter Ellen Rogers or her heires shall survive and outlive her said Mary Rogers and her heires then my will and meaning is that she the said Ellen Rogers or her heires which shall so survive and outlive the said Mary Rogers and her heyres shall from thenceforth namely from the death and decease of the said Mary Rogers and her heires (after the death of my said wife Ellen Saggs) have hold possesse enjoy the said tenement next the church standing at the ende of the land wall aforesd with the appurtenances thereto belonging and this I doe delare to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I doe hereto sett my hand seale thae daie and yeare above written Robert Saggs signed sealed published and declared to be the last will and testament of the said Robert Saggs in the presence of Lawrence Hadlowe Rob Wigson Rob Sliter.

Proved 16th October 1657