Aspects of Kentish Local History

Wills of 18th Century Chatham Shipwrights
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills 1706 - 1799)

John DAFFORNE 1795

This is the last will and testament of me John Dafforne of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright made published and declared this twenty ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety four in manner and form following that is to say I give and devise all that my messuage tenement or dwelling house with the yard garden backside heridaments and premisses with the appurtenances thereunto belonging situate lying and being in Kings Street in the parish of Chatham aforesaid and now in my own occupation unto and to the sole and only proper use and behoaf of my daughter Esther the wife of John Acworth of Chatham aforesaid taylor and draper her heirs and assigns for ever also I give and bequeath unto my sister Sapentia the wife of Middlesmore James Dafforne the sum of thirty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain also I give and bequeath unto my sister in law Mary Franklin widow the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money also I give and bequeath unto my sister in law Ruth Hadley the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money also I give and bequeath unto my niece Mary the wife of John Barling the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money also I give and bequeath unto Mary Dafforne of Bray in the county of Berks if she shall be living at the time of my decease the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money but in case she shall happen to depart this life in my lifetime then I give and bequeath the said sum of ten pounds unto and amongst all and every the daughters of the said Mary Dafforne which shall be living at the time of my decease equally to be divided between and amongst them share and share alike also I give and bequeath unto my cousin John Taylor of Stafford Street London the sum of four pounds which said several legacies herein before given and bequeathed I desire and direct may be paid to the respective legatees by my executors herein after named within three months next after my decease also I give and bequeath unto my nephew John Dafforne my bureau and bookcase with all and every my books (except Doctor Gillie's works Dean Prideaux's works and geographical dictionary in two volumes) and also my large fir clothes chest also I give and bequeath unto the said Middlesmore James Dafforne and John Barling all and every my wearing apparel both linen and woollen equally to be divided between and amongst them share and share alike all and every the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or quality soever which I shall be possessed of or intitled unto at the time of my decease (subject to and from and after payment of all my just debts funeral expences the legacies herein before given the charges and expences incident to and attending the proving and execution of this my will) I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my daughter the said Esther Acworth her executors administrators and assigns to and for her and her own use and benefit absolutely and lastly I do hereby make ordain nominate constitute and appoint the said Esther Acworth sole executrix of this my will and hereby revoking and making void all former and other will and wills by me at any time heretofore made I declare this only to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said John Dafforne the testator have to this will contained in two sheets of paper to the bottom of the first sheet whereof set my hand and to this second or last sheet set my hand and seal the day and year first above written John Dafforne signed sealed published and declared by the said John Dafforne as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto John Featherstone William Wallis William Jefferys atty. Chatham

Proved 10th August 1795