Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

Richard MARTIN 1779

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I Richard Martin of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being of sound mind memory and understanding do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following in the first place I commend my soul to Almighty God the creator thereof in and through the merits and intermission of Jesus Christ my Savoiour and Redeemer and my body I commit to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my executor herein after named and as to my worldly estate I dispose hereof as followeth that is to say I give devise and bequeath unto my brother Nicholas Martin of Yalding in the said county of Kent yeoman all my messuages or tenements outhouses lands heriditaments and premisses and parts or shares of messuages lands tenements and heriditaments with their appurtenances situate lying and being in the parishes of Harrietsham ? and Marden in the county of Kent now in the occupation of Joseph Russell and John Collins their assigns or undertenants to have and to hold unto my said brother Nicholas Martin his heirs and assigns for ever item all and every my ready money securities for money debts credits linen woollen wearing apparel pay and wages in Chatham dock yard goods chattles and personal estate whatsoever that shall be due owing or belonging unto me at the time of my decease my own just debts funeral expences charges of proving this my will and other incident charges being thereout first paid and satisfied I give and bequeath unto my brother Thomas Martin his executors administrators and assigns and of this my will I nominate and appoint my said brother Nicholas Martin sole executor and hereby revoke all former and other wills and testaments by me at any time heretofore made and declared this to contain as and for my only last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty two Richard Martin signed sealed published and declared by the said Richard Martin the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of [us] who in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto Thos. Bigg Mattw. Kirby Thos. Johnson

Proved 23rd February 1779.Administration to George Martin administrator of Thomas Martin the residuary legatee. Nicholas Martin the executor died before he could execute the will