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Wills of Rochester Shipwrights 1652 - 1837
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858)

William COCKERELL 1837

THIS IS THE LAST WILL and Testament of me WILLIAM
COCKERELL of the parish of Saint Nicholas in the City of Rochester in the County of Kent Superannuated Shipwright first I direct the payment of all my just debts general and testamentary expenses by my Executors hereinafter named and I charge any deficiency in my personal estate for that purpose upon my reality and as to all that my freehold estate situate in   ?   and being in the parish of Saint Nicholas aforesaid and consisting of    ?    and one messuage or tenement with the appurts thereunto belonging now in my own occupation and five several tenements or Cottages with their appurts now or lately in the several occupations of JAMES TAFFS the Elder Mr COLLEY [           ] CRESSEY JOHN BRIDE and GEORGE SIMMONS respectively and more particularly described and shewn forth upon a plan or ground plot on which plan or ground plot I have annexed to this my will for the purpose of evidencing the portion intended to be by me made of the same estate amongst the several relations in the proportion and manner hereinafter mentioned I give and devise unto my nephew JOSEPH THOMAS TAFFS the son of my nephew JOHN TAFFS late of Saint Nicholas aforesaid Joiner deced all that piece or parcel of ground part of the same estate containing by estimation in width at the front facing towards to the High Street leading from Chatham to Rochester and adjoining in the West side thereof to the premises lately in the occupation [of] E.J. DUDDERIDGE and at the rear thereof adjoining to the piece of Ground hereinafter by me devised to WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS thirteen feet in length from front to rear on both side thereof sixty three feet of assize (assize, to fix a measurement) little more or less as the same piece of ground now in the occupation of [        ] PESCOTT To hold the same piece or parcel of Ground with the rights and appurts thereunto belonging unto the said JOSEPH THOMAS TAFFS his heirs and assigns for ever I give and devise unto my nephew JAMES TAFFS the younger another Son of my said nephew JOHN TAFFS all that piece or parcel of Ground part of the same estate containing by estimation in Width at the front facing towards the said High Street leading from Chatham to Rochester aforesaid and adjoining to the before mentioned piece of Ground on the West side thereto and the rear thereof adjoining to the said piece of Ground by me herein before devised to the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS thirteen feet in length from front to rear on both sides thereof sixty three feet of assize little more or less to hold the same piece or parcel of Ground lastly described with the rights and appurts thereunto belonging unto the said JAMES TAFFS the younger his heirs and assigns for ever subject nevertheless to the right of my nephew JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS to remove the Shop by him erected on the front of the said piece of Ground or to sell the same it being his sole property I give and devise unto my nephew WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS Son of my said nephew JOHN TAFFS all that messuage or tenement with the piece of Ground at the West end thereof part of the same estate containing by estimation in front facing towards the said High Street leading from Chatham to Rochester aforesaid and adjoining on the East side thereof to the piece of Ground lastly described and devised to the said JAMES TAFFS and at the rear thereof adjoining to part in part to the piece of Ground herein after devised to the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS and in part to the Common Yard herein after mentioned twenty five feet and in length from front to rear on both sides thereof twenty six feet of assize little more or less saving and reserving unto my nephew JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS and his heirs and assigns tenants or others having a right thereto a right of way or passage from and out of the premises herein after devised to him into out of and through the Easternmost Corner of the said piece of Ground into the said Common Yard in manner as in the said plan is now marked and I also give and devise unto the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS the small piece of Ground adjoining at the Easternmost Corner of the premises hereby devised to him and containing eighty eight feet by nine feet and also that piece or parcel of Ground containing by estimation in length from the West end thereof adjoining the premises so lately occupied by E.J. DUDDERIDGE to the East and thereof adjoining the roadway or passage hereafter described thirty six feet in width at both ends thereof nine feet of assize little more or less To hold the same messuage or tenement piece or parcel of Ground with the rights and appurts respectively subject as aforesaid unto the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS his heir and assigns for ever I give and devise unto my nephew JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS another Son of my said nephew JOHN TAFFS all and every the messuage or tenement now in my own occupation and the tenement or Cottage situate behind and in the occupation of [        ] COLLEY part of the same estate containing on the front facing towards the same High Street leading from Chatham to Rochester aforesaid and adjoining on the West in    ?    of the tenement lastly described and devised unto the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS and in part to the same Common Yard and at the rear thereof adjoining to the road way or passage of about seven feet in length leading from Hangman's Lane to the aforesaid estate sixteen feet and from the front to rear at both side thereof thirty eight feet of assize little more or less and also all that small piece of Ground adjoining the said Common piece of Ground herein before devised unto the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS and containing about eight feet by nine feet and also all that other piece or parcel of Ground containing by estimation in length from the West end thereof adjoining the premises so lately occupied by E.J. DUDDERIDGE to the East?, end thereof adjoining the Road way or passage herein      ?      thirty six feet and in width at both ends thereof nine feet of assize little more or less and adjoining the South side thereof to the        ?       singular dimensions    ?    devised to the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS as aforesaid to hold the same several tenements or Cottage and    ?    with the aforesaid right of way from into and out of he said    ?    in the occupation of [         ] COLLEY over and through the Southernmost Corner of the said piece of Ground herein before devised to to the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS and all other the rights and appurts to the same tenement or Cottage Ground and heredits respectively belonging unto the said JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS his heirs and assigns for ever I give and devise unto my nephew GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS Son of my said nephew JOHN TAFFS all that my those my two tenements of Cottages situate and being in or near Hangman's Lane aforesaid now used as one tenement And also with a right of way or passage of about three feet in width along the Northernmost end of the     ?     hereinafter devised to my niece SARAH BRIDE and her issue and also all that piece or parcel of Ground containing by estimation in length from the East end and adjoining the premises so lately occupied by E.J. DUDDERIDGE to the east end adjoining the road way or passage hereinafter mentioned thirty six feet and on both ends thereof nine feet of assize little more or less adjoining on the South side thereof to the said piece of Ground of similar     ?     herein before devised to the said JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS and as measuring eight feet by nine feet or thereabouts To hold the same several tenements or Cottages     ?     with their respective rights and appurts unto the said GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS his heirs and assigns for ever I give and devise unto my niece SARAH ANN BRIDE all that tenement of Cottage situate ? in the back of the said tenements so as lastly aforesaid devised unto the said GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS and now in her husband's occupation subject nevertheless to the right of the said GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS his heirs and assigns ? at any time hereafter to make and use at his or their free ? a passage rear way from the tenement herein before devised to him of the width of three feet and to the height of the first floor of the said tenement devised to the said SARAH ANN BRIDE at the Northernmost end of the said tenement so devised to her from the said Cottages or tenements of the said GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS into the road way or passage in front of the said house so devised to the said SARAH ANN BRIDE as aforesaid and also all that Small piece of Ground adjoining to the said Small piece of Ground ? aforesaid devised to the said GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS on the South side thereof and adjoining about eight feet by nine feet and also all that piece or parcel of Ground adjoining on the South side thereof to the piece of Ground of similar dimensions herein before devised to the said GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS and containing by estimation in length from the West end thereof adjoining to the said premises so lately occupied by E.J. DUDDERIDGE to the East end thereof adjoining the Road way hereinafter mentioned thirty six feet and in width at both ends thereof nine feet of assize little more of less To hold the same tenements or Cottages and pieces of Ground herein before lastly devised with their rights and appurts unto the said SARAH ANN BRIDE and her assigns for her natural life and from and after her decease I give and devise the same heredits unto all and every the her Children in equal shares and proportions if more than one to take as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and if but only one surviving Child then to him or her and their his or hers heirs and assigns for ever I give and devise unto my nephew JAMES TAFFS the Elder of Poplar in the County of Middlesex Shipwright all that piece or parcel of Ground containing by estimation as well on the South end thereof adjoining in part the said piece of Ground herein before devised unto the said SARAH ANN BRIDE and in part to the premises lately occupied by the said E.J. DUDDERIDGE as on the north end thereof adjoining the King's Arms Wharf premises seventy eight feet and as well on the East side thereof adjoining to certain heredits now or lately the property of EDWARD MANCLARK and [         ] VINYARD as on the West side thereof adjoining to Garden Ground formerly belonging to Mrs LLOYD seventy nine feet assize little more of less with the tenement or Cottage erected and being on part of the said piece of Ground and now in the occupation of the said GEORGE SIMMONS To hold the same piece or parcel of Ground tenement of Cottage with the rights and appurts thereunto belonging unto the said JAMES TAFFS the Elder his heirs and assigns for ever I give and devise unto the said JOSEPH THOMAS TAFFS JAMES TAFFS the younger WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS SARAH ANN BRIDE and her issue as aforesaid and JAMES TAFFS the elder full free and uninterrupted use and usage for themselves their heirs and assigns servants tenants or assigns of the several heredits by night and by day and with horses carts or other use of the said Road way or passage leading from Hangman's Lane aforesaid to the aforesaid Estate and also continues into the Road way or passage of about four feet in width in front of the tenements so now occupied by the said [         ] BRIDE and    ?    the Road way or passage    ?    widening    ?   , in front of the said several pieces of Ground so herein before devised unto the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS JOHN CHRITOPHER TAFFS GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS and SARAH ANN BRIDE and also the like full free and uninterrupted use and usage of the draw water well sunken and being at the corner of and near the said tenement or Cottage now occupied by the said [        ] BRIDE for the purpose of having drawing and taking and carrying away water therefrom on all occasions and also like full free and uninterrupted use and usage of the said Common Yard now unenclosed and at the back of the piece of Ground firstly described in the devise to the said WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS they the said several parties according to their respective rights and interest in or to the same several roadways or passages well and Common yard and their respective use thereof bearing paying and discharging the expenses of Keeping the same respectively with their appurts in repair as need or occasion may require I hereby nominate and appoint my said nephews JOSEPH THOMAS TAFFS and JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS joint Executors of this my will and hereby revoking all former wills by me made do declare this only to be and contain my last In Witness whereof I the said WILLIAM COCKERELL the testator have to this my last will and testament contained in five sheets of paper written on one side only to each sheet thereof subscribed my name and to the last of them affixed my Seal this nineteenth day of August?, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four WM. COCKERELL Signed Sealed published and declared by the said WILLIAM COCKERELL the testator as and for his last will and testament 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 GEORGE ACWORTH Atty Rochester WM SINNOCK HENRY MORGAN his Clerks
Plan Follows, signed by Cockerell and above Witnesses.

THIS IS A CODICIL
to the last will and testament of me WILLIAM COCKERELL dated the nineteenth day of August One thousand eight hundred and thirty four and which I make in manner following that is to say I give and bequeath unto my nephew JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS the ? of furniture in my parlour videllet (videllicett, the formal form of viz) pier ?, Glass Bureau ? table Pembroke table half dozen chairs Benffet?, and    ?    new carpet and tea tray arm chair pictures and ? in the Chamber I give and bequeath unto my nephew GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS the following articles of furniture in my Chamber Videllet bedstead beds and bedding pier?, Glass wash hand stand half dozen chairs dressing Glass easy Chair pictures commode and ? and carpets and I give and bequeath the following legacies to my several nephews and nieces the Children of JOHN TAFFS Videllicet to JOSEPH THOMAS TAFFS and JAMES TAFFS the sum of ten pounds each to JOHN BRIDE and SARAH ANN his wife the sum of the sum of ten pounds to the said JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS the sum of twenty pounds to WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS and GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS the sum of ten pounds each and to HANNAH ELIZABETH LEONARD the sum of ten pounds on her attaining her majority and during her minority to be invested in the Savings Bank for her use the interest to be applied for her benefit during such her minority or    ?   , accumulations at the discretion of her mother and in case of the decease of the said HANNAH ELIZABETH LEONARD under age then the said legacy of Ten pounds and all accumulations I give and bequeath unto her mother MARY TAFFS?, and as to my plate trinkets and all other my Personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto and equally between the said JOSEPH THOMAS TAFFS JAMES TAFFS SARAH ANN BRIDE JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAFFS WILLIAM THOMAS TAFFS GEORGE COCKERELL TAFFS and HANNAH ELIZABETH LEONARD and in all other respects I hereby confirm and ratify my said will and direct this my first codicil thereto to be taken and constitute a part thereof In Witness whereof I the said WILLIAM COCKERELL have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven W. COCKERELL Signed sealed published and declared by the said WILLIAM COCKERELL the testator as and for a codicil to his last will and testament 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 GEORGE ACWORTH Solr. Rochester HENRY MORGAN JAMES BURTON his Clerks

Proved 11th March 1837

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