Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

John STUBBS 1799

This is the last will and testament of me John Stubbs of the parish of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright made published and declared the twenty seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight in manner and form following (that is to say) first I direct that all my just debts funeral expences the charges of proving this my will and all other incidental charges and expences attending the same shall be fully paid and satisfied by my executor or executrix hereinafter named as soon as conveniently can be after my decease also I give and bequeath unto my nephew William Stubbs a seaman in His Majesty's navy and now at sea the legacy or sum of two hundred pounds stock five per cent bank annuities now standing in my name in the books of the governor and company of the Bank of England also I give and bequeath unto my niece Mary Kitson wife of Jeremiah Kitson of Deptford in the said county blacksmith the legacy or sum of two hundred pounds stock five per cent bank annuities and now also standing in my name in the books of the governor and company of the Bank of England also I give and bequeath unto my niece Elizabeth Winder wife of John Winder late of Chatham aforesaid sadler the legacy or sum of two hundred pounds stock five per cent annuities also standing in my name in the books of the governor and company of the Bank of England but my will and mind is and I do direct that the said legacy or sum of two hundred pounds stock hereto before by me given to the said Elizabeth Winder shall not be subject or liable to the debts or control of her said husband and that her receipts alone not withstanding her coverture shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor or executrix for the same also I give and bequeath unto my nephew John Stubbs carpenter of His Majesty's ship The Emerald the legacy or sum of eight hundred and fifty pounds stock in the five per cent bank annuities and now also standing in my name in the said book of the governor and company of the Bank of England also I give and bequeath unto my said nephew the said John Stubbs all and every the rest and residue of my real and personal estate of what nature or kind soever which I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease and lastly I do hereby make nominate and appoint my said nephew the said John Stubbs sole executor of this my will but in case my said nephew shall not be living at the time of my decease then I give and bequeath the said legacy or sum of eight hundred and fifty pounds stock five per cent bank annuities and all the rest and residue of my said real and personal estate unto the said Elizabeth Stubbs wife of my said nephew John Stubbs and in that case do hereby make nominate and appoint the said Elizabeth Stubbs sole executrix of this my said will hereby revoking and making void all former wills and codicils by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said John Stubbs the testator have to this my last will and testament contained in two sheets of paper to the first sheet thereof have set my hand and to this last my hand and seal the day and year first above written John Stubbs signed sealed published and declared by the said John Stubbs the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto Jno. Prall attorney Rochester Edward Wibley of Chatham cordwainer

Proved 30th July 1799