Chelsfield - Parish Information
Abstract of will from
Chelsfield proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Geoffrey Copus.2005
James Style of
Chelsfield dated 10 August 1710
Abstract of the will of James Style of Chelsfield
gentleman dated 10 August 1710.
To be buried at the discretion of my Executors.
I leave £3 to the poor of Chelsfield, to be distributed
within a fortnight of my death by the assistance of the Churchwardens
there.
To George Mace my servant £3, and to every other servant
that shall be living with me at the time of my death I leave 20s.
To Anne Heath, lately my servant, £3. To my loving sister
Mrs. Hannah Cony £10 for mourning.
I leave to my kinsman William Soane and his assigns during
his lifetime an annuity or yearly rent of 50s. to be paid out of my
messuage farm and lands now in the occupation of Thomas Know in
Chelsfield, payable quarterly.
I appoint my good friends and neighbours Mr. John Petty and
Mr. William Cox of Lullingstone as my Executors and in case the said
William shall happen to die before my son John Style shall attain 21
years, then I appoint William’s son Mr. John Cox in the room of his
father, jointly with Mr. John Petty during my son’s minority.
I desire my Executors to sell off my stock and let my farms
and to that end I appoint the said John Petty and William Cox to be
Guardians to my son John and to take care of his estate during his
minority. But I desire my said sister Mrs. Hannah Conly if she please to
take upon her the education of my said son and I do desire his said
Guardians to pay and allow for his Education what my said sister shall
allow in reason.
My Executors shall employ all the moneys that shall be made
of my goods and stock towards the payment of my debts and legacies and
for the better and more speedy paying of them I give to my Executors:
All those two messuages or tenements in Sevenoaks Town
which I purchased of Charles Haddon Gentleman, upon Trust to sell them
and to employ the proceeds towards payment of my debts, legacies and
funeral charges.
I also desire my Executors to employ all the rents and
profits of my farms, lands and real estate (after my son’s education
is paid for) first towards my debts and legacies etc., and then they are
to render an account of the rents and profits of my son’s estate
received by them, crediting their charges and expenses for their pains,
when he attain 21 years, and then to pay him what shall be due to him. I
leave John Petty and William Cox £10 each, and I desire William Brome
Esq. to be Overseer, and I also leave him £10.
If my son John should die under 21 and without lawful heirs
of his body, then in that case –
I give to my kinsman Thomas Burton and his heirs for ever
all my messuage, farm and lands called Hall Farm which I purchased of
Captain William Somers.
I give to my kinsman John Burton and his heirs for ever my
messuage, farm and lands in the occupation of my kinsman James Burton
and also all that my messuage, farm and lands in the occupation of
Thomas Know.
I also give to my said kinsman James Burton and his heirs
for ever my messuage, farm and lands called Lylles and also my Manor
called Goddington and the Manor House, farm lands and quit rents,
royalties and appurtenances thereto belonging, and also all other my
messuages lands and tenements whatsoever in Chelsfield, Orpington and
Lullingstone, upon condition that he and his heirs pay to my kinsman and
Godson William Ebbutt £150, and to Anne Ewers, Dorothy Ebbutt and
Elizabeth Ebbutt, the sisters of the said William Ebbutt, £10 each
within 3 months of the death of my son John dying as aforesaid;
And also on condition that he pay to the said William Soane
if living after the death of my son as aforesaid an annuity of £10 for
life.
If any moneys remain in the hands of my Executors at the
time of my son’s death as aforesaid, then after the payment of any
debts and expenses it is to be paid to my said kinsmen Thomas, James and
John Burton equally.
James Style Witnesses William Hodsoll, John X Heath senior,
George Heath, Anne Heath.
Proved 20 October 1710 by John Petty with power reserved to William Cox.
[PCC will PROB 11/517 ]
Transcribed by Geoffrey
Copus