Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

Jonathan LASH - 1689

In the name of God amen the fifteenth day of March in the first yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord William and Lady Mary by the grace of God King and Queene of England Scotland France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith etc. annos dni. one thousand six hundred eighty eight (1689) I Jonathan Lash of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being by God's permission designed to take a voyage to sea in their Matys. ship Warspight and considering the dangers of the sea and the uncertainty of this life doe for the quieting of my minde and setting that estate which it hath pleased God to afford me make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and forme following (vizt.) first and principally I give and surrender up my soule into the hands of Almighty God my creator believing to be saved through the only meritt and satisfaction of Jesus Christ my saviour and redeemer and my body I comitt to the earth or sea which God of his provedence shall appoynt Item I give devise and bequeath unto my loving friend Judith Goter of chatham aforesaid spinster all and every such sum and sums of money goods chattels and all other my estate reall or personall under what name title or condition soever which at the time of my decease I shall be possessed of or have any rights title or interest in or to and I doe hereby nominate and appoynt the said Judith Goter to be full and sole executorix of this my last will and testament hereby revoaking and making voyd all other wills and testaments by me made at any time formerly made provided alwaies that if I shall live to returne from my said voyage or if she the said Judith Goter shall be marryed to any person before my death that then this present writing and all things therein contained shall be utterly voyd frustrated and of none effect anything therein contained or expressed to be contrary thereof in any wise not withstanding in testimony whereof I the said Jonathan Lash have to this my present last will and testament sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written Jonathan Lash signed sealed published and declared by the said Jonathan Lash to be his last will and testament in the presence of us John Lawrence Elianor Dyer Walter Dyer.

Proved 5th December 1689