Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

William HOUGHTON - 1691

In the name of God amen the ninth day of Aprill in the second yeare of the raigne of William and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England etc. annos dom dei 1690 I William Houghton of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright late belonging to Their Majties Shipp The Bonaventur since of their Majties The Bredah being in good health and praised bee God Allmighty of asound and perfect mind and memory but having designe and purpose by God's leave to goe to sea in Their Majties service or otherwise and knowing the casualties of the seas and hazards and dangers of warr and other the uncertainties of this life doe make this my last will and testament in manner and forme following first and principally I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of God my maker and for my body I appoint it to the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent manner if God so dispose or otherwise to the divine providence looking for a blessed and glorious resurrection through the sole meritts of Christ Jesus my saviour and redeemer and as for such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to blesse me in this life I give devise bequeath and dispose the same as hereafter in these presents as mentioned and expressed Imprimis I give and bequeath to my aunt Elizabeth Lee of Chatham aforesaid and to William Lee her son to my kinsmen William Houghton James Houghton and Richard Houghton and to Sarah Houghton their sister the sonnes and daughter of William Houghton late of Tichfield in the county of Southton deced. to each and every of them the sume of tenn shillings to be paid at the end of twelve moneths next after my decease Item I give and bequeath to Elizabeth my deare wife all that messuage or tenement and two acres of land of mine situate lying and being in Alton Eastbrook in the county of Southton. now in the tenure or occupation of one Zachariah Clarke or his assignes also all those two closes of land which I have situate lying and being in the parish of Loound? in the county of Southton. aforesaid contening by estimation eight acres by them more or lesse one wherof is called or known by the name of Cow Croft and the other by the name of Blakes now in the tenure or occupation of Bartholomew Westcoat or his assignes to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement and two acres of land situate at Alton Eastbrook aforesaid and the said two closes of land situate in Looms? aforesaid with their and every of their rights members and appurtenances to the said Elizabeth Houghton my wife and her heirs and assignes for ever and to and for none other use intent or purpose whatsoever Item all the rest of my goods and chattels rights and creditts and personall estate whatsoever I give and bequeath to the said Elizabeth my wife whom I make the full whole and sole executorix of this my last will and testament and revokeing all former wills by mee made I doe ratifye and confirme this and none other to be my very last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and sealethe day and yeare first above written Wm. Houghton signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said testator William Houghton to bee his last will and testament in the presence of us John Watson ( ? ) Anne Woodman Mary Strognell Joshua Woodman.

Proved 4th February 1690 (1691)