Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

John WATERMAN - 1664

In the name of God amen I John Waterman of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being att this present weake in body but of a sound and disposing memory and not knowing how soone it may please Almighty God to take me out of this mortall life doe therefore for the setting and disposeing of the estate which it hath pleased God of his mercy to blesse me withall make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme following that is to say first I give and bequeath unto my loveing sonne Nathaniel Waterman twenty shillings I give unto my daughter Eleanor the wife of Peter Jee the sume of twenty shillings Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth the wife of John Eason the sume of twenty shillings all which severall legacies before mentioned my mind and will is shall be paid to my sonne and daughters before mentioned by my executorix hereafter named within one yeare next after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto Bennett my wife for and towards her comfortable maintenance and livelyhood and for the better education and bringing up my sonne Phillip all those severall messuages and tenements wherin I now dwell in the tenure and occupation of William Pett John Tihurst or any under them lying and being in the parish of Chatham aforesaid and the ground and soil wheron they are built and the lease of them and all my estate and interest therein with all and singular the appurtenances to her my said wife her executors administrators and assignes for and during all the residue of the terme of yeares which is yet to come and unexpired in the same Item all other my leases and chattels and all my ready money plate bedding pewter brass lynen woollen household stuffe moveable goods debts credits estate whatsoever I give unto my said wife whom Ii constitute and ordain executorix of this my last will and testament desireing her that she pay all just debts as I shall owe att the tyme of my decease and all the legacies before mentioned according to my intent and meaning before expressed and lastly I the said John Waterman doe hereby revoke all other wills and testaments by mee made and published att anytyme before the publishing of these presents in witness whereof I the said John Waterman have to this my present will and testament sett my hand and seale this nynteenth day of November in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred and sixty foure J. Waterman signed sealed and published by the above named John Waterman in the presence of Tho. Fowler the marke of Peter Amos.

Proved 13th December 1664