Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

Richard DELVES 1688

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I RICHARD DELVES of Gillingham in the Countie of Kent Shipwright being sick in bodie but of sound and perfect minde and memorie praised be God Doe make and ordaine this my last will and Testament in writing in manner following Inprimis I bequeath my Soule into the hands of Almighty God my Creator and my body to the earth to be decently buried Item I doe give and devise all them my Messuages Tenements buildings gardens backsides orchard land and premises whatsoever with the appurtenances situate lying and being in Gillingham in the County of Kent called Millfleete now in the occupation of myselfe and of ROBERT STAPLEY and all my part of the Farme called White's with all the buildings lands and premises whatsoever to the same belonging situate lying and being in Gillingham aforesaid now in the occupation of THOMAS LONG or his assignes And all that my Messuage or Tenement buildings land wood grounds and premises with the appurtenances whatsoever conteyning in all about one hundred acres more or less situate lying and being in Buxted in the County of Sussex now in the occupation of myselfe and of JOHN ISTED or his assignes and all other my Lands and Tenements whatsoever unto my three loving brothers WILLIAM DELVES JOHN DELVES and THOMAS DELVES and to their heires and assignes for ever to the intent that they shall sell the same and with the money arising on the sale thereof shall pay all my debts and legacies and the overplus of the money that shall remaine upon sale thereof after my debts and legacies paid I doe will and give unto my said Three Brothers to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike And I doe make my brothers WILLIAM DELVES JOHN DELVES and THOMAS DELVES my joint Executors of this my will Item I doe give unto AUSTIN STAPLEY Sonne of my Cousin ROBERT STAPLEY and to my brother in lawe THOMA S WHAPPAIN? the summe of five pounds apeece and to the poore of the parish of Gillingham Ten shillings all to be paid within six months after my decease And I doe Release and discharge the said ROBERT STAPLEY from the payment of all monies due to me from him Item all the rest of my goods Chattels and personal estate whatsoever I doe give and bequeath unto my said brothers WILLIAM DELVES JOHN DELVES and THOMAS DELVES my Executors equally to be divided amongst them from and after my debts and legacies paid as aforesaid And I doe revoke all former Wills by mee made In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the foure and Twentieth day of January in the third yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord James the second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith etc Anno Dni One Thousand six hundred eighty seaven*

RICHARD DELVES Signed Sealed and published by the said RICHARD DELVES to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of THOMAS FISSENDEN? THOMAS LANGRISH ROBERT SAMMOND? Junr

Proved 25th May 1688

*1688 in the modern calendar