Aspects of Kentish Local History

Wills of 19th Century Chatham Shipwrights
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858)

Thomas BELCHAR - 1803

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I Thomas Belchar of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright being of a sound mind and understanding do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say First I commend my Soul to the Mercy of God hoping for the Pardon of all my Sins [   ?   ] and only for the obedience and death of his dear Son Jesus Christ and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named 2nd as to all my Worldly Estate both Real and Personal I give and bequeath as following First I give to my beloved Wife Mrs Margaret Belshar the whole of my property (Viz) houses monies in the Public Funds in the Navy 5 per cent one thousand pounds monies on mortgage bond note of hand & household goods plate linen china etc during her natural life if remaining unmarried but if she should marry again then in that case I will and direct that the houses household goods plate linen china etc be all sold and turned into money within one month after such marriage and also in like manner if she remains unmarried I will and desire that at her death and not before the houses household goods plate linen china be all sold and turned into money and the money arising from such sale or [ Obscure ] and added to all other monies whether in Public Funds or private hands into one sum and then divide into two just and equal parts the one part to be fully and wholly at her disposal and the other part or half to be disposed of within one month (after either her marriage or death) as thereafter directed that is to say I give and bequeath to the children of my dear Sister Mary Cryer?, late of Portsea deceased the one half of the above said half of my property be it what it may I also give and bequeath the other half of the above property to the children of my dear Sister Mary Willson deceased late of Whiton?, each of these halves to be equally and justly divided between each one and all the (the following appears in the margin in small and smudged words) children [        ] and in case [         ] of either of their children at the time of executing this my will and [         ] children alive then such children to have their Mother's or Father's share duly and equally divided to each one and all of them share and share alike and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Mrs Margaret Belshar my beloved Wife sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former and other wills at any time before made I testimony thereof I the said Thomas Belshar the Testator have set my hand and Seal this 21st day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three Thomas Belshar Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Belshar the Testator in the presence of and in the presence of each other we subscribe our names as witnesses thereto H. Harrison Thomas Ady William Beaumont

Proved 6th March 1805

Note in Margin 13th June 1846, this is in very small handwriting and difficult to follow.
The will was not administered by Margaret Belshar. Administration granted to the Rev William Wilson, one of the children of Mary Willson.
Margaret Belshar by her will appointed her brother, Rev Francis Harrison sole executor, who by his will appointed William Francis Harrison his sole executor, who died intestate.