Aspects of Kentish Local History

Wills of Gillingham Shipwrights 1621 - 1852
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858)

John CLARK 1825

THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me

JOHN CLARK of Middle Street Brompton in the Parish of Gillingham in the County of Kent Shipwright which I make in manner following that is to say I do hereby give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife ELIZABETH CLARK All the Rents arising from my four freehold Houses situate in Middle Street Brompton in the Parish and County aforesaid to be by her Enjoyed during the term of her natural life And upon her decease to be enjoyed in the same manner (that is to say for her life) by my beloved Daughter ANN LUCY CLARK who is to receive the Rents of the aforesaid Houses for her sole and only proper use and benefit and support But it is agreed that my said daughter after the decease of myself and Wife shall board and lodge with my affectionate Son HENRY CORVEL CLARK of Maidstone in the County of Kent Cabinet Maker I do hereby Authorise my said Son to receive the Rents of the aforesaid Houses and during the time my aforesaid Daughter shall lodge with him to pay her the Sum of twelve pounds Sterling per Annum for her own private use and benefit and out of the produce of the said Rents But if my aforesaid Daughter ANN LUCY CLARK from any cause whatsoever should wish to leave the lodging of my Son HENRY CORVEL CLARK either finally or such a length of time as she may think proper I do hereby desire that she may be permitted so to do and that during her absence from the house of my aforesaid Son She shall be allowed as much Money per Week for her Subsistence as the produce of the Rents in the Opinion of my hereafter named Executor will possibly admit of If however my said Daughter ANN LUCY CLARK should marry I then desire that my aforesaid Son HENRY CORVEL CLARK to continue to receive and jointly with my other Executors have the management of the Rents of my aforesaid Freehold Houses But that from the day of her Marriage my aforesaid Daughter shall receive the Sum of twenty four pounds sterling per Annum to be paid to her out of the said Rents and to be    ?    to her during the term of her natural life Upon the decease of my said Daughter without Issue I then give and bequeath my said Houses to my said Son HENRY CORVEL CLARK for his sole use and benefit But if my aforesaid Daughter leaves Issue I then desire that upon her decease the Houses shall be sold and the money arising from the sale thereof I give and bequeath to the Children of my aforesaid Son and Daughter HENRY CORVEL CLARK and ANN LUCY CLARK to be divided between them for their use and benefit in equal parts shares and proportions I further give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter the aforesaid ANN LUCY CLARK the following Articles of Furniture Namely One Bed Six Chairs Four pair of sheets and four Blankets to be selected by my said Daughter Together with any other Articles she may particularly wish for from my personal property and Effects and upon the decease of my Wife ELIZABETH CLARK I also bequeath to my said Daughter All my said Wife's Wearing Apparel and personal Effects I do hereby give and bequeath unto my Affectionate Son the before named HENRY CORVEL CLARK All and singular my ready Money due to me for arrears of Wages or any other Cause The Remainder of my Household Goods and Furniture together with my Plate Linen China and also all the rest reside and remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever the same both shall or may consist Subject to such    ?    there upon as my beloved Wife ELIZABETH CLARK may think proper to make and also subject to the payment of all my just Debts and Funeral charges and expenses I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my aforesaid Son HENRY CORVEL CLARK of Maidstone in the County of Kent Cabinet Maker JOHN RIGDEN of Lenham in the said County Yeoman and JOHN DUNBAR DORRETT of the Parish of Saint Nicholas Rochester in the said County Shipwright to be joint Executors hereof hereby giving them full and equal power to act jointly as occasion may require for the benefit of my aforesaid Legatees And hereby revoking and making void All former and other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen JOHN CLARK Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said JOHN CLARK 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 subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto L. FENNER of Brompton WILLIAM COLLINS Brompton CHARLES BARTLETT Chatham

Proved 11th February 1825. Granted to HENRY CORVEL CLARK, JOHN RIGDEN is now dead and Power reserved to JOHN DUNBAR DORRETT.