Aspects of Kentish Local History

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

ABRAHAM BATT 1822

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN  I ABRAHAM BATT the Elder of the Ville of Sheerness in the Isle of Sheppy in the County of Kent Superannuated Shipwright being of sound and disposing mind  memory and understanding praise be unto Almighty God for the same but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following  (that is to say)
In the first place I do hereby direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses and the cost and charge  of proving this my will  shall be paid and discharged by my Executrix herein after named  as soon after my decease  as conveniently may be and as to my worldly Estate I give and dispose thereof as follows
I give devise and bequeath  unto my dear Wife FRANCES BATT all that my piece of Freehold  Ground with the six small tenements and two shops thereon  erected and built  situate lying and being near the Upper White Horse in Blue Town  in the Parish of Minster in the said Isle of Sheppy  in the said County of Kent  and now in the respective tenures or occupations of JOHN PRICE and THOMAS FIFE and others together with the rents issues and profits thereof for ad during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease then
I give  devise and bequeath the Freehold property aforesaid unto my four Children ABRAHAM BATT  FRANCES ANN THOMPSON ELIZABETH BATT and ANN BATT their Heirs and Assigns for ever in equal parts shares and proportions  as Tenants in common  and not as joint Tenants 
but in case any or either of my said Children shall die in the lifetime of my said dear Wife  leaving any lawful issue him her or their respective children or lawful issue their heirs and assigns him her or surviving then 
I give devise  and bequeath the share or shares of him her or them so dying  in my said Wife's lifetime  without issue as aforesaid unto such of my Children  as shall be living at the time of the decease of my said Wife their heirs and assigns for ever  in equal parts shares and proportions as tenants in common  and not as joint tenants
I also give devise and bequeath  all that piece or parcel of leasehold land adjoining and lying at the back part  of the said before mentioned Freehold Premises and which I lately purchased of the Assigns of WILLIAM CAREY now deceased  and all my term and interest therein and the rents issues and profits thereof unto my said dear Wife FRANCES BATT during the term of her natural life and immediately after her decease
I give devise and bequeath the said leasehold Ground in the same and like manner in every respect  as is herein before mentioned  and contained concerning the disposition  of my said Freehold property during my term and interest in the said leasehold Ground but subject nevertheless  to the payment of the annual Ground rent  and performance of the Covenants contained in the original Indenture of Lease under which the same is held
I give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife  FRANCES BATT all that my present dwelling house situate lying and being in the said Ville of Sheerness aforesaid near the Telegraph and also all my household furniture therein at the time of my decease to hold the same unto my said Wife during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease then
I give devise and bequeath the said dwelling house and furniture unto my two youngest Daughters ELIZABETH BATT and ANN BATT share and share alike during their natural lives and if either of them shall depart  this life before my said Wife then 
I give devise and bequeath the share of her so dying to the survivor  of them during her natural life  and from and after the decease of the survivor  or longest lived of them  then
I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto and amongst such  of my said other Children as shall be then living  in equal parts shares and proportions  as tenants in common and not as joint tenants 
I give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife the interest dividends  and proceeds of all sum and sums of money that may be invested and standing in my name at the time of my decease in the public funds called  the Navy five per cents for her own use and benefit during her natural life and from and immediately after her decease
I give devise and bequeath the said principal sum and sums of money unto and amongst all such my said four Children as shall be then living share and share alike but if either of them shall depart this life before the decease of my said Wife leaving any lawful issue him her or them surviving then it is my will  and I do hereby direct the share or shares of him her or them so dying in the lifetime of my said Wife shall go to and be received  had and taken  by him her or their respective Issue  if more than one share and share alike  and I do hereby declare and direct that the respective  shares and interests  of my said Daughters FRANCES ANN THOMPSON and ELIZABETH BATT and ANN BATT of in and to my said freehold leasehold  and personal property so given devised and bequeathed  to them in manner aforesaid shall not be subject to or liable to the debts  management control interference  or engagements of the present husband of the said FRANCES ANN THOMPSON or of any future husband or husbands of the said FRANCES ANN THOMPSON ELIZABETH BATT and ANN BATT and that the receipts  of them my said Daughters notwithstanding their coverture  shall be good and sufficient receipts and discharges for all such sum or sums of money to which  they shall be entitled  under and by virtue  of this my Will as to all the residue and remainder  of my personal Estate  and Effects  of every description  (not herein before otherwise disposed of by me) 
I give and bequeath the same unto my said dear Wife for her own absolute use and benefit And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute  and appoint my said Wife FRANCES BATT sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament 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 true last Will and Testament
In witness whereof  I have to this my said last Will and Testament  written and contained in three sheets of paper to the first and second sheets thereof  subscribed my name  and in the third or last sheet thereof subscribed my name and affixed my seal  this thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord  one thousand eight hundred  and twenty one  ABR. BATT Senr Signed sealed published and declared  by the testator  as and for his last Will and Testament 
the words “ELIZABATH BATT and ANN BATT” between the thirtieth and thirty second lines of some sheets  having been first obliterated and struck out in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence  and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses  hereto EDWARD HOOKEY Clerk to W. HOSKING Solicitor Sheerness  JAS. HOOKER Clerk to WM. HOCKING Solicitor Sheerness  SAML. FELLARS Baker Garrison
Proved 9th August 1822

Note in margin: 26th August 1825
The will was not administered by FRANCES BATT, so administration granted to ABRAHAM BATT the son and ANN THOMPSON, wife of WILLIAM THOMPSON, the daughter, administrators of the goods of FRANCES BATT.