Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

John EASON proved 1801

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN

I John Eason of the parish of Chatham in the county of Kent shipwright being somewhat indisposed in body but of a sound and perfect memory and understanding blessed be god do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) in the first place I commend my soul to almighty god my creator hoping to be saved by and through the only merits and satisfaction of Jesus Christ my saviour and redeemer and my body I commit to the earth to be decently interred and buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named and as to my worldly estate I dispose thereof as follows (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto my good friend John Coveney of Brompton in the parish of Gillingham in the county of Kent shipwright the sum of ten pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain and as for the rest residue and remainder of my estate as my messuage or messuages lands tenement or tenements heriditaments and real estate whatsoever and wheresoever with their and every of their appurtenances and also all and every my plate linen woollen china pewter brass beds and bedding household stuff and implements of household ready money and securities for money moneys in the public funds or stocks debts goods chattels and estate whatsoever both real and personal (my just debts funeral expences and other incidental charges being thereof first paid and satisfied) unto and to the use of my relation John Day son of John Johnson Day and Maria Ann Day deceased his executors administrators and assigns for ever to be given up and paid to him within six months after my decease by my executor hereafter named and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the aforesaid John Coveney of Brompton in the parish of Gillingham shipwright whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament and I do declare and direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said executor to reimburse and take to himself out of my said personal estate all his reasonable charges and expences which he shall sustain or be put to in the performance and execution hereby reposed in him and that my said executor shall not be charged chargeable with or accountable for any more money than what shall actually come to his respective hands nor for any involuntary loss that shall or may happen therein or in any part thereof in witness whereof I the said John Eason have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal dated the eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred John Eason signed sealed published and declared by the said John Eason to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in the presence of the said John Eason and of each other John Cole William Penrose jno. Sommerton.

Proved 29th July 1801

ST. MARGARET'S CHURCHYARD, ROCHESTER.  
2ND FROM THE LEFT, TOMB OF THOMAS CORNWELL, 1752
JOHN EASON WAS BURIED UNDER THIS MONUMENT. 
THE LEDGER HAS AN ARMORIAL CREST AND THE INSCRIPTION.

“HERE LIES THE BODY OF
MR THOMAS CORNWELL
OF WOOLWICH IN THE COUNTY OF KENT
WHO DIED THE 11TH DAY OF MARCH
1752 AGED 64 YEARS
ALSO MR ROBERT EASON
DEPARTED THIS LIFE JANUARY 29RD 1766
AGED 84 YEARS
ALSO ELIZABETH EASON DAUGHTER
OF ROBERT AND ELIZABETH EASON
DIED 12TH JANUARY 1800
AGED 86 YEARS
ALSO JOHN EASON BROTHER OF THE
ABOVE ELIZABETH DIED THE 24th JULY
1801 AGED 82 YEARS”