Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

David GRAY  1710

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I David Gray of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being weak in body but of sound mind memory and understanding doe make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme following that is to say first I bequeath my soul to Almighty God my creator and my body I comitt to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executrixes hereafter named item I give and bequeath unto my wife Freelove Gray one shiling and noe more item all and every the rest and residue of my ready money wages pay goods chattles lands tenements and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever which at the time of my decease I shall be possessed of or intitled unto or which shall then any ways belong or of right appertaine unto me (my owne just debts legacies and funeral expences and charges of proving this my will being paid) I give and bequeath to my three daughters Mary Jenks wife of Benjamin Jenks of Chatham in the said county joyner Elizabeth Wilkins wife of William Wilkins of Deptford in the said county blacksmith and Sarah Rogers wife of John Rogers of Chatham aforesaid joyner and to their executors administrators and assignes equally to be divided between them share and share alike and I doo hereby nominate and appoint my three said loveing daughters Mary Jenks Elizabeth Wilkins and Sarah Rogers joint executrixes of this my said last will hereby revoking all former wills and other wills and testaments by me at any time made spoken or published before the publishing of these presents in witness whereof I have hereto sett my hand and seal the three and twentieth day May anno dni 1710 and in the ninth year of the reigne of Queen Anne etc. David Gray sealed and delivered in the presence of us Wm. Pratt Thos. Johnson John Thomas

Proved 23rd September 1710
Power reserved to Elizabeth Wilkins and Sarah Rogers