Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

James FRENCH proved 1839

THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
of me James French of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright made published and declared the thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine in manner following that is to say First I direct that I may be decently buried under the discretion of my Executor and Executrix hereinafter named And I direct that my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease And I give and bequeath unto my Son John Watkins French who is now beyond the Seas the sum of ten pounds sterling provided he returns to England and in person claims payment thereof within five years next after my decease such sum to be invested in the Savings Bank in the names of the Executor and Executrix of this my will but should he not return and claim such legacy within the same period of five years then I give and bequeath the same and the accumulation of interest thereon unto my Son Thomas French and Frances Stubbersfield the Wife of John Stubbersfield of Maidstone in Kent Turner equally to be divided between them share and share alike and their respective executors administrators and assigns absolutely And I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Edward James French my small god Seal with my initials engraved thereon And unto my Grandson James Stubbersfield my silver watch and one gold Seal Also I give and bequeath all that my leasehold piece or parcel of Ground situate lying & being near the Upper End of a certain Street or Lane called East Lane otherwise King Street in Maidstone aforesaid together with the messuages tenements or cottages and all other the buildings now standing and being thereon and which messuages tenements or cottages are now in the occupation of [         ] Froud [          ] Sparks [          ] Johnson and [          ] Langford unto my said daughter Frances Stubbersfield her executors administrators and assigns absolutely And I give and bequeath all that my leasehold messuages or tenements with the garden and premises thereunto belonging now in my own occupation situate and being in Chatham aforesaid And all monies and securities for money household Goods furniture plate linen china and books and all other my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever not herein before specifically bequeathed or disposed of unto and equally between my said Son Thomas French and daughter Frances Stubbersfield and their respective executors administrators and assigns absolutely And I declare that the several bequests herein before made to my said daughter shall be free from the control debts or engagements of her said present or any future husband And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said Son Thomas and daughter Frances Stubbersfield Executor and Executrix of this my Will And I revoke and declare void all former Wills and Codicils by me made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year first above written James French Signed published and declared by the said James French the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us Chas. Dorrett Rochester the mark X of Charlotte Freeman

Affidavit 25th November 1839
Charles Dorrett of Rochester, Gentleman is sworn and states that he and Charlotte Freeman , Widow, were requested by the deceased to act as witnesses at the execution of his will. He and Freeman signed in the presence of the deceased and of each other

Proved 30th November 1839 Power reserved to Frances Stubbersfield