Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

William WALL 1709

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I William Wall of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright and now carpenter of Her Majestie's ship "Queen" being in bodily health and of sound and disposing minde and memory (praised be given to Allmighty God for the same) and considering the perills and dangers of the seas and other uncertainties of this transistory life doe for avoiding all controversies after my decease make publish and declare this with my own handwriting to be and stand for my only last will and testament in manner and forme following (that is to say) first I commend my soul into the hands of Allmighty God who gave it and my body I committ to the earth to be decently buryed by my executors at their discretion and as for concerning all my worldly estate I give bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth item I give and bequeath unto my owne dear and loveing wife Elizabeth Wall all them my one messuages and tenements or dwelling houses gardens yards outhouses with all and singular the premisses and every their appurtenances situated and being in Flaggonroe in Deptford and now being in the tenure of Captain Manly Callis one and the other tenement in my own possession to be my dwelling house which Mr. Worth did lately dwell in item I doe give and bequeath unto my dear and loveing wife Elizabeth Wall all and singular such salary wages debts bills bonds sume and sumes of money as alsoe all and singular my household goods implements and all and singular my estate rights title interest whatsoever as utensils of household goods plate chattles and estate whatsoever as shall be any waies due owing or of right shall belong or appertain unto me at the time of my decease item I doe give devise and bequeath the same to have and to hold the said messuages and tenements and all and singular my estate right title interest whatsoever unto my owne dear and loveing wife Elizabeth Wall for her naturall life and after her decease my will and pleasure is that the said messuages or tenements gardens yards and outhouses with all and singular the said premisses with their appurtenances with all and singular the rest of my estate both personall and reale unto my four sons Henry John Jonas and James Wall I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Wall one fourth part of my estate after the decease of their dear mother Elizabeth Wall and to his heirs executors and assignes I alsoe give and bequeath unto my son John Wall one fourth part of my estate to him and his heirs executors administrators and assignes but if it should please God he should dye without issue that his fourth part shall be equally be divided between his brothers that are then liveing I also give and bequeath unto my son Jonas Wall please God he should dye without issue lawfully begotten that his fourth part shall be equally divided between his brothers that are then liveing I also give and bequeath unto my son James Wall one fourth part of my estate to him and his heirs executors administrator and assignes but if it should please God he should dye without issue lawfully begotten that his fourth part shall be equally divided between his brothers that are then liveing soe my designe is that after the decease of their dear mother aforesaid desireing that the said estate may be thus divided as this my willdoes make mention that there may be noe differences nor falling out in the divideing in the same but to let everyone enjoy and possess his fourth part or share without any controversy in the law one with the other but to live in love and unity and to let everyone enjoy his owne peaceable and quietly according to the intent and meaning of this my last will and testament (that is to say) if my son Henry should dye and leave any children that John Jonas and James Wall doe faithfully perform and pay unto the said brother Henry Wall his children their faire share of the rents and fourth part of the estate as shall grow due to them for the better enabling their mother to bring them up and this being my intent and meaning of this my last will and testament and I doe hereby nominate ordain and appoint my said owne dear and loveing wife Elizabeth Wall my whole and sole exectutrix of this my last will and testament I nominate ordain revokeing and making void all other wills and testaments and deeds of gift by me at any time hereforeto made published or declared and I doe hereby ordain and ratifie these presents to stand and be for and as my only last will and testament in witness whereof I the said William Wall have hereunto this last will set my hand and seale this twentieth day of May in the eigth year of the reigne of Our Lady Anne by the grace of God Queen of Great Britaine France and Ireland Defender of the Faith anno domini one thousand seven hundred and nine Wm. Wall signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said William Wall as his last will and testament in the presents of us who have subscribed our hands as witnesses in the presents of the testator and this being Her Majestie's two six penny stamps Willm. Eversfield R. Rogers Charles Smith

Proved 20th February 1709 (1710)