Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

Henry RICH proved 1848

THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
of me Henry Rich of Chatham in the County of Kent Shipwright but sometimes called Gentleman which I make in manner following that is to say I nominate and appoint my dear Wife Elizabeth Executrix and my Son George Rich of Chatham aforesaid Shipwright and my Son in law John Barnaby and William Buck both of her Majesty's Dockyard in Chatham aforesaid Shipwrights Executors of this my Will And immediately after my decease I desire that all my Books which shall be in my dwelling house at my death may be equally divided between my six children hereinafter named or among such of them as shall be then living And I give and bequeath all my household goods and furniture plate linen china and effects (except my said books) and all my ready money which shall be in my dwelling house at the time of my death and all arrears of pension due to me at my decease and all sums of money due to me and payable from the Treasurer of the Union Benefit Society of which I am a member unto my said Wife Elizabeth absolutely for her own use and benefit she paying thereout all my just debts funeral expenses and expenses of proving this my Will as soon as conveniently may be after my decease And I give and bequeath unto them my said Wife Elizabeth and the said George Rich John Barnaby and William Buck all my securities for money money in the Public stocks or funds and money deposited in the Chatham Savings Bank in the names of myself and my said Wife or due to me anyway heresoever and also all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Estate whatsoever and wheresoever Upon Trust ( after the payment of all my just debts funeral and other expenses ) to invest the remainder of such moneys in the Public stocks or funds or on real securities at interest or allow the same to remain in it's then actual state of investment as they my said executrix and trustees shall think best And I direct that my Wife Elizabeth may receive the dividends interest and annual produce of the same stocks funds real securities as and when they shall become due for and during the term of her natural life for her own use and benefit And I do further direct and authorise my said Wife if she shall think proper yearly and once in every year during her life to draw out and receive the sum of five pounds from money deposited in the said Savings Bank for her own use provided that if my said Wife shall at any time become confined through sickness or shall require   ?   and attendance then and so long as such illness shall continue I direct and desire my said executors and trustees and the survivors and survivor of them his executors or administrators to pay to her my said Wife in addition to the interest and annual produce of my moneys before directed to be received by her and the annual sum to be drawn out of the Savings Bank aforesaid such a weekly sum of money as they may think necessary for her support And I direct and authorise them from time to time to sell out a sufficient sum from the moneys in the stocks or funds to enable them so to do And from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath all my stocks funds and real securities residue of the said sum in the Chatham Savings Bank aforesaid and wheresoever unto my six children namely Ann the Wife of the said John Barnaby the said George Rich Jane the Wife of the said William Buck Henry Rich Catherine late the Wife of Thomas Netherwood and now his Widow and John Rich equally to be divided among them share and share alike for their respective use use and benefit And if either of my said children shall be then dead leaving any lawful child or children then I give and bequeath the share of each child or children unto the child or children which he or she may so leave if more than one equally to be divided amongst them on the youngest attaining his or her age of twenty one years and if but one then to such only one on his or her attaining that age and to his or her executors administrators and assigns And I direct my said executors and trustees during the minorities of any or either of such my grandchildren to invest the whole share of the deceased parent of such minor or minors in the funds and pay and apply the interest from time to time as it becomes out unto my said Grandchildren if more than one equally between them them for their respective benefit And I do declare that they my said executrix and executors shall not be answerable or accountable the one for the other or others of them nor for involuntary losses and that they shall be allowed their reasonable charges and expenses occasioned in the execution of this my Will or the trusts thereof And lastly I revoke all former Will or Wills by me made and do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Henry Rich the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty ninth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven Heny. Rich Signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Rich the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament ( the word "executrix" between the fourth and fifth lines from the top of the first page the words "Savings Bank" between the fourth and fifth lines from the bottom of the second page and the word "share" between the ninth and tenth lines from the top of the 3rd page having been first interlined and the word "revoke" in the sixteenth line from the top of the third page having been first partly written on an erasure ) in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses Thos Netherwood Cordwainer of Chatham Richd Buck Shipwright of same place

Proved 18th December 1848 Power reserved to Elizabeth Rich