Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

Thomas HOPLEY 1788

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I Thomas Hopley of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being weak in body but of sound mind memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say first I recommend my soul to Almighty God my creator in hopes of mercy through the merits of my dear Redeemer Jesus Christ my body I commit to the earth to be plainly and decently interred at the discretion of my executor herein after named and as to such moneys goods chattels which it hath pleased God to bless me after payment of all my just debts funeral expences and the costs and charges of proving and executing this my will I give and dispose thereof as follows imprimis I give devise and bequeath unto Samuel Hopley and Mary Hopley son and daughter of my late brother Samuel Hopley caulker the sum of five pounds each and to William Hopley and Mary the wife of James Markham the son and daughter of my late brother Matthew Hopley cordwainer his or her executors or administrators the like sum of five pounds each also I give to Sarah wife of Thomas Tame now of Woolwich in the said county of Kent labourer the sum of five pounds I give to Thomas Smith son of my said late sister Ursula Smith and now a labourer in Chatham yard the like sum of five pounds and my will is that all and every my said legacies shall be paid within twelve months next after my decease I give to my said nephews William Hopley and Thomas Smith all my woollen wearing apparel to be divided between them at the discretion of my executor herein after named I give to my cousin Elizabeth Tame whom I brought up and now lives with me the sum of three hundred pounds three per cent reduced annuities now standing in my name in the books of the governor and company of the Bank of England to be paid to her upon her attaining the age of twenty one years I also give and bequeath unto my said cousin Elizabeth Tame all that my moiety or one third part of a certain messuage or tenement situate at Margate in the said county of Kent next and adjoining to Mrs. Smith's at Margate aforesaid to hold to her her heirs and assigns for ever I give and devise unto the said William Hopley and Elizabeth Tame all such wages as shall be earned from the time of my decease by my servant and apprentice John Collins who now works in Chatham yard as a shipwright which wages I do desire my executor herein after named to receive from time to time deducting his board and divide equally between them share and share alike I give to William Berry my executor herein after named my long cane and a gold ring and as to all the rest and remainder of my goods monies securities for money household furniture plate linen ? goods or effects whatsoever or wheresoever whether real or personal or of what nature or kind soever I give devise and bequeath unto my said cousin Elizabeth Tame to the proper use and behof of the said Elizabeth Tame her heirs executors and administrators for ever and I do hereby constitute and appoint my said friend William Berry of Chatham aforesaid shipwright sole executor of this my will hereby revoking all former and other wills by me before made at any other time and do declare this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said Thomas Hopley the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of may in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six Thomas Hopley signed sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Hopley as and for his last will and testament who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our names as witnesses thereto Robert Dadd J. Harrison Jno. Phillips

Proved 28th January 1788