Aspects of Kentish Local History

Wills of Sheerness Shipwrights 1693 - 1855
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.) Wills  (Pre 1858)

JOHN ODELL 1777

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I JOHN ODELL of Sheerness in the Isle of Sheppey in the County of Kent Shipwright being of a sound and disposing mind memory and understanding (praised be God for the same) do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament  in writing in manner and form following  (that is to say)
 All those my several Messuages or Tenements  Land Hereditaments  and premises situate and standing lying and being in the several parishes  of Saint Werburgh  otherwise Hoo in the Hundred of Hoo High Halstow and Higham in some or one of them in the said County of Kent I give and devise unto and to the use and behoof of my Son GEORGE ODELL and my Daughter ELEANOR PARKIN Wife of HENRY PARKIN their heirs and assigns  for ever equally share and share alike as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants
  also I give and devise all that my Messuage or Tenement with the Yard  Backside Garden and Appurtenances  thereto belonging situate and  being in Harding Lane in Woolwich in the said County of Kent  and now or late in the Tenure or Occupation of JOHN HACK his Assigns or under-tenants unto and to the Sole and only proper use and behoof of my said Son GEORGE ODELL his Heirs and Assigns  for ever
 Also I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter ELEANOR PARKIN  the Sum of sixty pounds  Also all and every my Ready money and Securities for money monies in the public Stocks  or Funds Bills Bonds Notes Household Goods Plate Linen  Effects and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever  (from and after payment of my just Debts  the aforesaid Legacy and sixty pounds  and my Funeral Expenses) I give and bequeath unto and equally between my said Son and Daughter GEORGE ODELL and ELEANOR PARKIN  their respective Executors  Administrators and Assigns 
 And I do hereby make nominate constitute and appoint  them my said Son and Daughter GEORGE ODELL and ELEANOR PARKIN joint Executor and Executrix  of this my Will and hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament 
  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this thirty first day of in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord  King George  the third and in the Year of our Lord  one thousand seven hundred and seventy five  JOHN ODELL Signed Sealed published and declared  by the said JOHN ODELL the Testator  as and for his last Will and Testament  in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request  and in he presence of each other  have Subscribed our Hands  as Witnesses  thereto   THOS VAUGHAN  WILLM SHRUBSOLE  JNO NELSON

Codicil,  28th February 1776
It's my desire and intention that whatever Sum or Sums of money may be advanced  by me for the support and Maintenance of my Grandson GEORGE PARKIN during the Remainder of his Apprenticeship  shall be allowed and accounted as part of the said Legacy  of sixty pounds  left by me to my Daughter ELEANOR PARKIN  as Witness my Hand  JOHN ODELL
(No Witnesses)

Affidavit, 10th June 1777
ELIZABETH SPOORE of St. Bridget or Bride's, London, Widow and ELIZABETH CHEETHAM of the parish of St. Edmund the King , London, Spinster are sworn in. They say they were well acquainted with the testator  for several years  and familiar with his handwriting  and signature . They have carefully examined  the codicil and confirm it is in the testator's hand.
Proved 12th June 1777