John Man the Elder (1685 – 1750)

In the name of God Amen  John Man in the Parish of Hurst in the County of Berks, Joyner, being infirm in Bodily Health but of Sound and disposing Mind and Memory, Praised be therefore given to almighty God, yet Considering with my Self the ffrailty and uncertainty of humane Life and as much as in me lyeth to Prevent all Controversies and differences after my decease do make, Publish, and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following: that is to Say, first and Principally I recommended my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God who gave it relying on his Mercy and precious death and Meritt of my only Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ for the Remission of Sins in this Life and to be Pertakers of Everlasting Glory in the Life to come and my Body I Commit to the Earth to be decently interred as my Executors hereinafter named shall think fitt as touching all such Worldly Estates as God in his Great Goodness hath best owed upon me. I give will and dispose of the same as followeth, Viz:  Imprimus that I John Man do give Ann my Wife all my Tenements, Messuages, Lands  and Premisses in hurst in the County of Beark to such use as in the Deeds of   Settlement is mentioned and expressed and which said Settlement I do hereby ratify and Confirm. Item, all and Singular my Goods, Chattells, Household Goods or Stuffe, ready money, debts, Stock in Trade and all other my Personal Estates whatsoever, my Just Debts and ffuneral Charges being first Praised.  I do hereby give and Will the Interest, Profits and Benefits of the same of every Part thereof unto my said loving Wife for and during the Term of her natural Life and to receive what Money I have owing of me and to Pay my Debts as far as it will go, and if any more I desire she will bestow it on her to Daughters Ann and ffrances but not to hurt yourself.  But after my Wifes Decease I do give, will and bequeth my Copyhold Houses and Lands I now dwelleth in goeth by the name of Robin Hoods dwelling houses with all Outhouses, Orchards, Gardens thereunto belonging, and all Messuages and Tenements to the only use and behoof to my Son John and to his Heirs forever, Paying to your Sister Ann  fifteen Pounds of good and lawful money and to lett your Sister ffrancis have the little house next where the Widow Lives in for her Life, paying you Two Shilling the year for Rent for acknowledgement or the House and Garden full and XXXXX as you think fitt.  I leave it to your discretion; and pay to your Brother Thomas ten pounds; and my Working Tools share amongst you and your Brothers; and in to years, as you may be possessed what I have given you, pray pay to your Brothers and Sister if living; and I do will and bequeath to my youngest Son Henry Man the Little House where Willm Smith now dwelleth with the Garden as far as tis Parted containing about 15 pole more or less for him and his heirs forever, if any, paying your sister Ann Ten Pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain and that the fence is where now tis fenced is yours as you may not Quarrell hereafter; and my Will and Pleasure is for you to pay your Sister in to years after you are possessed with what I gave you; and I desire you and your Brothers and Sisters may live Lovingly as you ought to do and be dutiful all to your parents; and I desire you may have all of you one Bed and Bedding; and for the other things if I leave any to my Wifes disposing as she thinks fitt but not all to XXX out.  I hope she will take care of her Daughters, so I hope you will take care of your Mother and see she do not want any thing that is needful; likewise. I do name, constitute and appoint my said loving Wife Ann and her Son John full and Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do likewise name, desire and appoint. I hereby ratify and confirm these presente to Stand good as my last Will and Testament.  In Witness whereof I the said John Man have to this my last Will and Testament Set my Hand and Seal the Seventh Day of March one thousand seven hundred and forty seven in the Twentieth year of our Sovereign Lord George the Second King of England.  John Man Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the said John Man to be his last Will and Testament the day and year above Written in the Presence of us who Subscribed our names as Witnesses hereunto in his presence the Words being first.  interlined John Man. Willm  Crockford, Susanna Smith, William Dean, Witnesses.

A Summatery of the  Capital  Goods of ffanny Man.

A Summatery of my Daughter ffrances Goods her Grand Mother gave her in her Bed Chamber  a very Handsome Pair of Chest and Drawers, Walnut tree, a Handsom Dressing Table, and a Trunk, and a handsome Chest of Speckled Wood standing on a Handsome fframe, and some pictures, a ffeather Bed and Beadstead, and Curtains, and all belonging to the Bed, 4 Pewter Dishes, one Dozen of the best Plates, and my Clock, and the Great looking Glass, half a Dozen of the best Cane Chairs, and the Warming Pan of your Grand Mothers.  So pray Son John so that she is not wronged of her right.  It is my desire she should have all this if I nor your Mother do not XXXXX of them tis my Mind at present, August 5: 1750. Witness my name, John Man.

This Will was proved at London with a Codicil annexed before the Worshipful John Bottesworth Sort of  XX Surrogate of the Right Worshipful John Bottesworth, also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted the tenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred fifty by the Oaths of Ann Man Widow the Relict and John Man the Son of the Deceased and Executors named in the Will to which Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased being first sworn only to administer.   Exd.

NOTES: Both the will itself and this summary are in the same hand, evidently that of John Man himself. ] [The will is endorsed:-] “John Man Joyner The Elder his will; Proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury by Ann Man Widow and John Man the son, executors, 10 Dec 1750. [ note on back ] “This testator was formerly of the Parish of Hurst in the County of Berks but late of the Parish of St George in the County of Middlesex [where he had resided two months] (* interlineated ) and dyed 24th day of November last.

Henry Man (1748 – 1799)

I   Henry    Man  of the South Sea House, London, Gent., make this my last Will and Testament.  I leave to Mr John Morrice of Clark House, East Walling, Gent., all my Property of every denomination or description in Trust to apply the same for the eventual Benefit of my Wife Eleanor Man, my two Sons Peter and Harry Stoe Man, and my Daughters Emma, Sarah and Ann Man in such way as himself and my Wifes ffriends shall deem most advisable, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made at any time whatever and I hereby appoint the aforesd John Morrice my sole Executor for the due execution hereof.  Witness my Hand this twentieth day of ffebruary in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight. Henry Man   Signed in the presence of Thomas Travis & James Towson, South Sea House.

This  Will  was proved at London the thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seventy hundred and ninety nine before the Worshipful John Jewell, Doctor of Laws, and Surrogate of the Right Honorable Sir William Wynne, Knight, and also Doctor of Laws, master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted by the Oath of John Morrice, the sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer.

John Man (1749 – 1824)

The last Will and Testament of John Man Gent of Castle Street in the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks.  That is to say, I Give to my Son William Man all that my Freehold Estate situated in Castle Street in the Borough aforesaid, now let to Miss Welch, with the appertinances thereunto  belonging to keep or dispose of the same in what way he pleases.  I Give to my Daughter Maria Man all that my adjoining Freehold house, now let to Peter Pineau, Esqre with the appurtenances thereto belonging to keep or dispose of the same in whatever manner she may hereafter please.  And to prevent as far as possible future disputes, my will is that the partition Wall and fence between the two Gardens should be considered as annexed and a part of the same House hereby bequeathed to my Son William and my Will further is that the Pump shall remain common to both houses and be repaired at their joint expense and that the Writings be kept by William Man subject to the inspection of his Sister or whoever she may appoint.  I also Give to my Daughter Maria Man all that my Freehold tenement wherein I now reside situated in Castle Street aforesaid and adjoining the above mentioned Freeholds with the appurtinances thereto belonging with the same right of disposal as above mentioned in respect to the adjoining house hereby devised to her.  I Give to my Son William Man and my Daughter Maria Man the Six Cottages I built at the North end of my premises to hold the same jointly and the rents arising therefrom to be equally divided between them with the same right of disposal thereof as above mentioned.  I Likewise Give to them jointly all that my Freehold Estate situated at Binfield in the Count of Berks, and now let to Mr Charles Cove together with the Coppice I hold in my own hands and also two acres and a quarter of newly inclosed land, now let to Roberts, together with the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging.  And my meaning is not to entail the above freehold estates but to leave to my Son and Daughter the same right to dispose of them as I myself possess.  But in respect of the last two mentioned Estates, that is to say, the six Cottages and the Binfield Estate neither shall dispose of his or her moiety without the consent of the other, and as long as they retain them undisposed of, the rents and profits to be divided between them share and share alike.  I Give to my two Nieces Emma and Ann Man each the sum of five pounds and the like sum of  five pounds to my Niece Thomasina Baker.  And whereas I have during my life time by Deed of Gift disposed of all my personal property, that is to say, all my household furniture, plate, linen, etc. to my Daughter and all my Books, Instruments and everything not included in the former Gift to my Son, my Will is that each of them do, out of the first proceeds of the Estates hereby devised to them, pay and discharge in equal moieties all my remaining Debts, Funeral expences and the expence of proving this my Will.  And I hereby leave them Executors of this my Will, signed in the bottom of the first leaf with my name and this last with my hand and seal this 28th day of May 1822.

Signed and sealed and delivered                                    John Man  In the presence of us  Who in the presence of  Each other have hereunto Set our names           P Pineau of Reading        C. Pineau         }      }  Daughters of the above         N S Pineau         } 1824 June 9th

William Mann and Maria Mann the Executors in this Will named were sworn to the truth thereof and as usual and also that the Effects are under £20 in value.

Before me  Thos. E. Williams, D.D.  Surrogate

This Will was proved in the Visitation at Reading on the 9th day of June in the year of our Lord 1824 before the Reverend Thomas Edmund Williams, Clerk, D.D., Surrogate of the Reverend Richard Francis Onslow, Clerk, Master of Arts, Official Principal of the Reverend the Archdeacon of Berks lawfully constituted by the Oaths of William Man and Maria Man, Spinster, the Son and Daughter and Executor and Executrix therein named to whom Adm con was granted being first sworn duly to administer.

Ann Man (1753 – 1831)

This is the last Will and Testament of me Ann Man of Reading in the County of Berks, Spinster.  ffirst I direct all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses to be fully paid and satisfied.  I give and bequeath unto my sister ffrances Man a mourning Ring at the direction of my Executors hereinafter named.  I give and bequeath unto my nieces Emma Man and Ann Man, daughters of my late brother Henry Man, the sum of two hundred pounds each.  I give and bequeath unto my nephew Harry Stoe Man, son of my late brother Henry Man, the sum of fifty pounds.  I give and bequeath unto my niece Anna Maria Man, the daughter of my late brother John Man, as a compensation for her care of me during my life the sum of two hundred pounds.  I give and bequeath unto Susannah Willerton provided I shall reside with her at the time of my decease the sum of nineteen pounds.  All which legacies I desire may be paid within twelve months next after my decease.  All the Rest and Residue of my money in the public stocks or funds I give and bequeath the same unto my nephews Edward Man, James Man and William Man equally share and share alike.  I give and bequeath unto my said niece Anna Maria Man all and singular my rings, plate and all other property not hereby by me disposed.  And lastly, I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said Nephews Edward Man, James Man and William Man Executors 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 second day of January One thousand eight hundred and twenty seven. /—–/  The Mark X of Ann Man (LS) /—-/  Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Ann Man the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament  in the presence of us who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. /—-/ P. Pineau of Reading, Gentleman /—-/ C. H. Pineau /—-/ H. S. Pineau } both of Reading.   The above Will was previously read over to the said Testatrix in her presence and approved by her & in the presence of the subscribing witnesses. P. Pineau.

[NB.  From a letter of Richard Cumberland to his brother George in 1824 we learned that Ann Man was blind.  That would account for the fact that this literate woman signed her Will with an X and had it read over to her.]

James Man (1755 – 1823)

I  James Man  late of the City of  London but now residing in Dartmouth in the County of Devon do make my last Will and Testament. I give & bequeath to Emma Man, oldest surviving daughter of my late Brother Henry Man, one hundred pounds; to her Sister Ann and Brother Harry Stowe Man the sum of fifty pounds each.  I give & bequeath also fifty pounds to each of William Man & Maria Man, Son & Daughter of my Brother John Man of Reading in the County of Berks.  I also give & bequeath the sum of fifty pounds to each of my Sisters Ann & ffrances Man, both of Reading in the C.  I likewise give & bequeath to Georgiana, Wife of my Son Edward Man, either my large silver waiter or silver bread basket as she may elect (which pieces of plate are now in the possession of my brother John) and that which she does not choose, I give & bequeath to Margaret the Wife of my Son James. All the rest of my silver plate and plated articles I give & bequeath to my niece Maria Man above named. I further give & bequeath twenty pounds to each of my particular friends: the Reverend Richard Dennison Cumberland of Cirinchester, George Cumberland of Bristol, John Morrice of London, John Tanner of Camberwell, Aston Hilcoat late of ___ingham and James Yates of Southark, Esquires, for mourning & as a mark of my esteem.  All the rest & remainder of my property of what ever nature soever I leave, give and bequeath to my Sons Edward & James Man, their heirs, exors & assigns to be equally divided between them share and share alike, hereby appointing them my residuary Legatees and jointly with the said John Morrice & James Yates, the Exors of this my last Will & Testament as Witness my hand this sixth day of November one thousand eight hundred & twenty three.

James Man

Appeared personally Henry Desborough the younger of Colney Hatch in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, & Lawrence Desborough of Size    Lane, London, Gentleman, and made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with James Man, formerly of the City of London, afterwards of Reading in the County of Berks, and late of Dartmouth in the County of Devon, deceased, and also with his manner and Character of handwriting and subscription having frequently write and write and subscribe his name and now having viewed and perused the paper writing hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last Will & Testament of the said deceased beginning thus ‘I James Man late of the City of London ‘ and ending thus ‘as Witness my hand this sixth of November one thousand eight hundred twenty three’ and and thus subscribed ‘James Man’.  These deponents lastly made oath that they verily and in their Consciences believe the name ‘James Man’ so thereto subscribed to be of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said deceased.  ++ H.Desborough Jr & Law. Desborough ++  On the 1st day of  January 1824 the said Henry Desborough & Lawrence Desborough were duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me John Danbury Snr prt                                       Bedford

Proved at London 2nd Jany 1824 before the worshipful John Danbury Dr of Laws & Surrogate by the oaths of Edward Man and James Man Esquires the Sons two of the Executors to whom admon was granted having both first sworn duly to adm. Power reserved to John Morrice Esqr and James Yates the other Executors.

Anna Maria Man (1780 – 1860)

This is the last Will and Testament of me Anna Maria Man of Reading in the County of Berks, Spinster.  I desire that my remains be enclosed in a leaden Coffin and interred in the brick grave wherein my later Mother who died on the eighth day of May One thousand eight hundred and xxx eight was buried which brick grave is near to the grave of Mr. Wellington and opposite to the Vicarage in Saint Mary’s Churchyard in Reading aforesaid.  And it is my desire that Messieurs Weaver and sons of Saint Marys Butts, Stone Masons, may be employed as Masons to do what is necessary.  Also that my funeral may be a plain and an inexpensive one, a Hearse and one Coach only be employed and that a stone be placed over my Grave with an inscription thereon stating simply the dates of the respective deaths of my said Mother and myself.  I bequeath to Sophia Man, daughter of my late first Cousin James Man, my silver Teapot, cream jug and sugar tongs, also my purple enamel ring and pin in the red vase to be found in my drawers.  I bequeath to Mrs. Garnet Man, who at the date of this my Will is the wife of my second Cousin Garnet Man, my pearl ring in a black nest and also my pearl brooch.  I bequeath to Mrs. James Man, the widow of my late first Cousin James Man, my large stone brooch. I bequeath to my first Cousin Emma Man, a daughter of my late Uncle Henry Man, my garnet brooch.  I bequeath to my first Cousin Ann Man, a daughter of my said late Uncle Henry Man, my black water brooch.  I bequeath all my plate not hereinbefore disposed of unto such of the children of my late first Cousin Edward Man and James Man as shall be living at the time of my death to be divided amongst them by my Executors in equal shares as nearly as may be per capita.  I bequeath all my furniture, linen, china and household goods (not hereinbefore disposed of) unto the said Sophia Man, daughter of my late first Cousin James Man.  I bequeath to Georgiana Man, Louisa Man, Julia Kirkness, James Man and Frederick Man, Children of my late first Cousin Edward Man, One hundred pounds^ each.  I bequeath to such of the children of my late first Cousin Harry Stoe Man as shall be living at the time of my decease Fifty pounds each.  I also bequeath to the several persons hereinafter named the several sums of sterling money which immediately follow their respective names.  Namely, to the said Sophia Man, daughter of my late first Cousin James Man, Four hundred pounds.  To Mrs. Harry Stoe Man, the widow of my said late first Cousin Harry Stoe Man, Fifty pounds.  To Mrs. Peter Man, the widow of my late first Cousin Peter Man, Fifty pounds.  To the said Mrs. Garnet Man, who at the date of this my Will is the Wife of my second Cousin Garnet Man, Fifty pounds.  To James Man, the son of my late first Cousin, James Man, Fifty pounds.  To my friend Miss Harriet Pinvan five pounds for a mourning ring.  To my servant Elizabeth Dublin, if she shall be living in my service at the time of my decease, Five pounds.  I direct that the Legacy duty and expenses incident to the bequests of the several pecuniary Legacies of Fifty pounds each hereinbefore bequeathed shall be paid out of my residuary personal estate. I direct my Executors hereinafter nominated to purchase within twelve calendar months after my decease in the respective names and for the respective benefit of the several Annuitants hereinafter named the several Annuities which immediately follow their respective names.  Namely, for Mrs. James Man^ the widow of my late first cousin James Man an irredeemable Annuity or yearly sum of Thirty pounds, for my first Cousin Emma Man, daughter of my late Uncle Henry Man, an irredeemable Annuity or yearly sum of fifteen pounds, and for my first Cousin Ann Man, daughter of my said late Uncle Henry Man, an irredeemable Annuity or yearly sum of Ten pounds.  And I direct that the said several Annuities shall be payable during the respective lives of the said several Annuitants in equal half yearly portions and that the same Annuities shall respectively be purchased from Government and not from any public Company or from any private person or persons.  And I direct that, until such purchases shall be made, like Annuities shall be paid to the said several Annuitants out of my general personal estate in equal quarterly portions, the first portion to be paid at the end of three calendar months from my decease.  And I declare that the said Annuitants shall not be allowed to have the value of the said Annuities in lieu thereof.  I devise to my Brother William Man all that my half part or share and all and singular other my parts or shares, estate right, or interest of and in a certain freehold estate situate at Binfield in the County of Berks (which Estate at the date of this my Will belongs jointly to my said Brother and myself)  To hold the said premises unto my said Brother William Man and his assigns during his life for his and their own use and benefit.  And at the death of my said Brother William Man, I devise my said half part or share and all and singular other my parts or shares, estate right, and interest of and in the said freehold estate situate at Binfield aforesaid unto and to the use of Edward Man (Son of my late first cousin Edward Man), his heirs and assigns, absolutely and beneficially.  I also devise to my said Brother William Man all that my half part or share and all and singular other my parts or shares, estate right, and interest of and in certain freehold tenement and haebitaments situate in or near Pearl Court, Grape Passage, Castle Street, Reading, aforesaid (which tenements at the date of this my Will belong jointly to my said Brother and myself).  To hold the said premises unto my said Brother William Man and his assigns during his life for his and their own use and benefit. And at the death of my said Brother William Man I devise my said half part or share and all and singular other my parts or shares, estate right, and interest of and in the said freeholds tenements and haebitaments situate in or near Pearl Court, Grape Passage, Castle Street, in Reading aforesaid unto and to the use of my friend Mary the wife of Edward Bird, of Swallowfield in the Counties of Berks and Wilts, Gentlemen (late Mary Ford, Spinster), her heirs and assigns absolutely and beneficially.  And as to and remaining all the rest and residue of my estate and effects, real and personal (save and except estates vested in me as Trustee or Mortgagee).  I devise and bequeath the same unto Garnet Man, son of my late first Cousin Peter Man, and Edward Man, son of my late first Cousin Edward Man, in the shares and manner following (that is to say) two equal undivided third parts thereof unto and to the use of the said Garnet Man, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, absolutely and beneficially, and the remaining equal undivided third part thereof unto and to the use of the said Edward Man, his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, absolutely and beneficially.  I leave my residuary estate to the said Garnet Man and Edward Man in unequal shares because I have by this my Will given my interest in the said freehold estate at Binfield aforesaid to the said Edward Man after the death of my Brother the said William Man.  I appoint the said Garnet Man, son of my late first Cousin Peter Man, and Edward Man, son of my late first Cousin Edward Man, Executors of this my Will with power to compound debts and settle claims against or in favor of my estate and to retain and allow to each other the expenses of executing my Will.  I devise all estates vested in me as trustee or mortgagee unto my said Executors Garnet Man and Edward Man, their heirs and assigns upon the trusts and subject to the equities affecting the same respectively.  Lastly I revoke all former wills and declare that this writing xxxisting of four sheets of paper contain the whole of my will.  In witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand and I have also set my hand to each of the three preceding sheets of this my Will this twenty fourth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.

Anna Maria Man. Signed, published and declared by the said Anna Maria Man, the Testatrix, as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other do attest and subscrive the same.

Robert Srland, Solr, ReadingWm. Sherwood, Clerk to Messr. Whatley (Sryland Solicitors, Reading)

Proved at London, 2nd April 1860 by the oaths of Henry Garnet Man (in the Will written Garnet Man), Esquire and Edward Desborough Man (In the Will written Edward Man) the Executors to whom Admon was granted.

Georgiana Man (1808 – 1861)

This  is  the  Last  Will  &  Testament  of me Georgiana Man of Boscastle in the County of Cornwall, Spinster, & appoint my brothers Edward Desborough Man and ffrederick Man to be Executors and Trustees of this my Will.  I give and bequeath to my Goddaughter Julia Holworthy Kirkness my Watch and Gold Chain and also the sum of ffive pounds sterling.  To my ffriend Jane Dorothy Abbot the sum of ffive pounds sterling.  To each of my brothers the sum of ffive pounds to purchase something in remembrance of me.  To my aunt Mrs. ffrances Margaret Man the sum of ffive pounds.  And to Sophia Elizabeth Man her daughter my Pearl ring.  And whereas my brother the said Edward Desborough Man is indebted to me in the sum of one thousand one hundred and eighty five pounds I hereby direct and declare that the trustees for the time being of this my Will shall not demand the repayment of the said sum of one thousand one hundred and eighty five pounds from the said Edward Desborough Man before it shall be convient to him to repay the same provided he shall regularly pay the interest thereon every half year.  And I direct that my said Trustees shall stand possessors of the interest to arise from the same.  Upon trust to pay the same to my sister Julia Mary Kirkness during her life and after her decease to my nieces the daughters of my said sister in equal shares.  And on the repayment of the said principal sum of One thousand one hundred and eighty five pounds I direct the trustees for the time-being of this my Will to stand possessed of the said sum of one thousand one hundred and eighty five pounds.  Upon trust to invest the same upon such securities as shall seem expedient to them to pay the Survivors interest and annual income to arise from such investment or investments to my said sister Julia Mary Kirkness during her lifetime.  And from and after her decease to divide and pay the amount of such trust ffund and interest amongst and to the daughters of my said sister Julia Mary Kirkness in equal shares.  And I authorise and empower my said trustees to lay out and appropriate any part of the share of each of my said ??? in my said trust property for and towards their and each of their advancement in life as to them my said trustees shall appear most advantageous.  And I direct that if the trustees of this my Will or either of them or the trustees or trustee to be appointed under this power shall die or desire to be discharged from or refuse or decline or become incapable to act in the trusts hereby vested it shall be lawful for the surviving or remaining trustee with the consent of my said sister Julia Mary Kirkness during their life. And after her decease of the sole authority of such surviving or remaining trustee to nominate and appoint one or more trustee or trustees in the stead and place of such Trustee or Trustees so dying or desiring to be discharged from or refusing or declining or becoming incapable to act in the said trusts either by increasing the number of such trustees or confining the same to the number hereby … as shall be thought expedient. And I declare that the receipt or receipts of the trustee or trustees for the time being of this my Will shall be a full and sufficient discharge for all sum and sums of money whether shall be recoverable for and on account of my said Estate and effects on any account whatsoever Provided also and I further declare that it shall be lawful for the said trustees or trustee at any time at their discretion to vary and change the stocks, funds and securities ??? or ??? of my said Estate and Effects shall have been invested as often as shall be thought fit.  And as to all the residue and remainder of the Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever of which I shall be possessed at the time of my decease or over which I know have any disposing power I give, bequeath and appoint the same / after the payment of the expenses of my illness and my other lawful debts, my funeral and testamentary expenses and the legacies contained in this my Will to my sister Julia Mary Kirkness for her own sole absolute use and benefit.  I revoke all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made.  In witness hereof I have hereto set my hand this sixth day of September one thousand eight hundred and sixty one.

Georgiana Man  —   Signed and declared by the Executrix Georgiana Man as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us was in her presence and in the presence of such other all being present at the same time have at her request subscribed our names as witnesses hereto the words “to divide and pay the amount of such trust fund and interest amongst and” having been first written between the third and fourth lines of the second page or side hereof — Louisa A Harris, Clapham, Surrey, Laurence Desborough, 6 Sise Lane, London

Proved at London 28th October 1861 by the oaths of Edward Desborough Man and ffrederick Man, the brothers, the Executors to whom Admon was granted.

Edward Desborough Man (1814 – 1893)

This  is  the  Last  Will  and  Testament of me Edward Desborough Man of 7 Mincing Lane in the City of London, Colonial Broker, now residing at 72 Marina, Saint Leonards on Sea in the County of Sussex.  I revoke all other Wills or testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me and declare this to be my last Will and testament.  I appoint Ernest George Hill and my nephew John Kirkness, both of 7 Mincing Lane, aforesaid Colonial Brokers, Executors and trustees of this my Will.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Louisa Awdry, wife of Vere Awdry, free of legacy duty, all plate, linen, clothes, watches, jewellery, books, pictures and other household effects belonging to me at my decease to be either retained by her for her own use and benefit or to be sold or divided between herself and others as she may think fit.

I also give and bequeath the following pecuniary legacies, namely: to my said daughter One hundred pounds; to my daughter-in-law Sarah Fanny Man, the widow of my late son James Henry Man, one hundred and fifty pounds; and to each of my Executors who shall prove my Will twenty five pounds; all the said legacies to be respectively free of duty.

I give, devise and bequeath unto and to the use of the said Ernest George Hill and John Kirkness, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns all the real estate and the residue of the personal estate of whatsoever kind and wheresoever situate which may belong to me at the time of my decease or over which I shall have a power of appointment by Will.

Upon trust as soon as conveniently may be after my decease to sell and dispose of such parts thereof as shall not consist of money at such time and in such manner as my trustees or trustee for the time being shall in their discretion think fit.

But with regard to such part of my estate as shall at the time of my decease be invested in the partnership business carried on by the Firm of E.D. and F. Man of No. 7 Mincing Lane, aforesaid, (in which I am now a partner) or due to me from any continuing member or members of such firm –

I direct and empower my acting executors or executor or trustees or trustee to wind up my own interest in such partnership and to ascertain and agree the extent of such interest and the amount of the monies due to me from the partnership if and so far as the same shall be undefined or disputed and to enter into any arrangement or agreement with reference thereto either with any continuing member or members of the firm or otherwise and either in continuation of or substitution for any arrangement or agreement subsisting at my decease or otherwise and from time to time to vary any such arrangement or agreement and generally (in addition to the powers by law given to Executors) to adjust and settle at their or his uncontrolled discretion with the continuing members of the firm all questions relative to my rights and liabilities in respect of the partnership business upon such terms in every respect as my acting executors or executor may think expedient and so that they or he shall not be liable for any loss occasioned thereby.  And in case such continuing members or member of my said firm shall desire temporarily to retain the balance (after payment of so much thereof as next hereinafter mentioned) of the principal money due to me at my decease I direct that the acting executors or executor and trustees or trustee of this my Will shall be empowered to permit such balance to be retained at interest on the personal security of such continuing members or member at the rate of five pounds per cent per annum on the terms and for the period following, that is to say,

First my brother and partner, Frederick Man, shall forthwith on the application of my acting Executors or Executor (and which application I direct to be made as soon as conveniently may be after my decease) either at the discretion of my Executors or Executor hand over to such Executors or Executor the policy of assurance effected upon the joint lives of myself and my said brother Frederick Man for the sum of Five thousand pounds in the London Life Association, dated the twenty first day of September, One thousand eight hundred and sixty six, and numbered 9916, and at his own expense himself do and execute (and if necessary procure any other person or persons to do and execute) all such assurances and things as shall be requisite for enabling my Executors or Executor to obtain payment of the whole monies secured by such policy when and as soon as the same shall become payable or shall (if requested by my executors or executor so to do) himself forthwith receive from the Association and hand to my Executors or Eexecutor the whole of such monies.  And I direct and declare that notwithstanding any right or claim which I may have to a moiety or other part of such policy monies by reason of part payments of premiums the whole of the monies received from such policy by my executors or executive shall be treated as paid by the continuing partners or partner of my said firm and shall be taken in part discharge of the monies due to me from my said firm.

Secondly, such continuing partners or partner shall on the application of my executors or executor to be made from time to time as occasion shall arise provide my said executors or executor with such monies as shall be required and applied for by them or him for the purpose of paying my just debts other than debts due in respect of my partnership business, my funeral and testamentary expenses (including the costs and charges incurred by my Executors), and the several pecuniary legacies herein before mentioned but so that the debts required to be provided for shall not include any mortgage debts due from me if any such there be.  And I direct and declare that the monies so provided shall at the option of my said firm either be repaid by my said Executors with interest at five pounds per cent per annum out of any funds coming to their hands available for that purpose or be taken by my said Executors in part discharge of the first or other instalments of the monies due to me from such continuing partners or partner.

Thirdly, as soon as the ultimate balance of the monies due to my estate from the continuing members or member of my said firm shall have been ascertained by deduction from the original amount of the particulars hereinbefore provided (and which balance I direct to be ascertained as conveniently may be a joins and several bond in such form as my acting Executors or Executor shall approve) shall be executed by the continuing members of the said firm and handed to my executors or executor or trustees or trustee securing the payments of my said executors or trustees of such ultimate balance as aforesaid by four equal annual instalments the first of such instalments to be payable one year after my decease together with interest payable half yearly thereon or on so much thereon as shall from time to time remain unpaid at the rate of five pounds per cent per annum.

And after payment of my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses and the legacies herein before mentioned and subject to the limited power of retainer of such portion of my estate as aforesaid by the continuing members of my partnership firm as I have hereby directed to be exercisable by them, I direct my trustees or trustee to divide the residue of my estate into two equal parts and to lay out and invest one of such parts in their or his names or name in or upon any stocks, funds or securities of or guaranteed by the Government of the United Kingdom or upon real security in England or Wales but not in Ireland.  And to pay the income thereof to my daughter for her life and subject thereto to pay or transfer the capital and the stocks, funds or securities upon which the same shall then be invested to such persons and in such proportions as my said daughter shall by Will appoint and in default of appointment upon trust to pay the income thereof to her husband Vere Awdry for life and after his decease to pay or transfer the said capital unto the child if only one or all the children equally if more than one of my said daughter who being sons or a son shall attain the age of 21 years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that age or previously marry.  And with power for my trustees or trustee (at the request of my said daughter during her life) to pay or apply any part not exceeding together one half of the capital of the share to which any child shall be presumptively or otherwise entitled for the advancement in life or benefit of such child of my said daughter at such time or times and in such manner and proportions as my said daughter shall think fit.  And if my said daughter shall not leave any child her surviving who shall live to attain a vested interest in the said trust premises then (subject to the power of appointment hereinbefore mentioned & to the life interest of the said Vere Awdry) I direct that the said moiety of the residue of my estate shall be held by my trustees upon the trusts hereinafter declared concerning the other moiety thereof.   And I direct my trustees or trustee to lay out and invest in manner aforesaid the other moiety of the residue of my estate.  And to pay the income thereof to the said Sarah Fanny Man for her life and subject thereto to pay or transfer the capital and the stocks, funds and securities upon which the same shall then be invested. Upon the like trusts in favour of the children of my said late son as are hereinbefore declared in favour of the children of my said daughter in case of her death without having excercised the power of appointment by Will hereinbefore given to her except that any advancements made to any children of my said late son shall be at such times and in such manner and proportions as my said trustees or trustee shall think fit.  And if no child of my late said son shall survive me who shall live to attain in the vested trust premises then subject to the life estate of the said Sarah Fanny Man therein I direct that the said last mentioned moiety shall be held by my trustees. Upon the trusts herein- before declared concerning the moiety hereinbefore bequeathed to or in favour of my said daughter and her children.  In witness whereof I have to this and the four preceding sheets of paper set my hand this eighth day of December One thousand eight hundred and ninety one. __  Edward D. Man __

Signed and declared by the said Edward Desborough Man the testator 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 (all being present at the same time) have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.  __  Mary A. Desborough, Spinster, 72 Marina, St. Leonards on Sea Edgar Duke, 59 Sevensey Road, St. Leonards on Sea , Surgeon.

On the 13th day of October 1893 Probate of this Will was granted to Ernst George Hill and John Kirkness the executors.

Louisa Mary (Harris) Man (1824 – 1874)

Transcript of the Will of Louisa Mary Man, 1861

This is the last Will and Testament of me Louisa Mary Man the wife of Edward Desborough Man of Upper Tooting in the County of Surrey, Esquire.  Whereas under the settlement made in contemplation of my marriage with my said husband by Indenture dated the twenty seventh day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty nine, I have a general power by my Will or any Codicil thereto of appointing certain monies stocks funds and securities thereby settled now in exercise of the said power given to me by the said settlement and of every other power hereunto enabling me.  I first the said monies stocks funds and securities to be paid or transferred to my brothers-in-law James Lawrence Man and Frederick Man to be held by them upon the trusts and to and for the intents and purposes hereinafter declared concerning the same, that is to say upon trust for my daughter Mary Louisa Man to vest in her on her attaining the age of twenty one years or on her marriage and in case of my decease before the said Mary Louisa Man shall attain her age of twenty one years or shall marry, then upon trust either to permit the said trust funds to remain in their present state of investment or with the consent of my said husband during his life and after his decease in the discretion of the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will, to convert or sell the same or any part thereof and to invest the monies to arise from such conversion or sale in any of the public stocks or funds of Great Britain or upon government or real or leasehold securities in England, Wales or Ireland or in the stocks shares or securities of any company incorporated by Act of Parliament and paying a dividend or of any foreign government with power to vary the same or any part thereof for any other investment of the description aforesaid.  And to apply the income to arise from such investments or any part thereof for or towards the maintenance or ….or otherwise for the benefit of the said Mary Louisa Man and during such suspense of absolute vesting accumulate the residue (if any) thereof in the way of compound interest by investing the same and the resulting income thereof in and upon such stocks funds shares or securities as are herein before mentioned for the benefit of the said Mary Louisa Man.  And in case my said daughter shall not live to attain the age of twenty one years or marry then from and after her decease upon trust to pay the whole of the said trust fund and the accumulations if any made by virtue of the power lastly herein before contained to the said Edward Desborough Man for his absolute use and benefit.  And I hereby declare that if the said trustees hereby appointed or either of them shall die in my lifetime or if they or either of them or any trustee or trustees to be appointed as herein after is provided shall after my death die or desire to be discharged or refuse or become incapable to act then and so after the said trustees or trustee may appoint a new trustee or new trustees in the place of the trustee or trustees so dying or desiring to be discharged or refusing or becoming incapable to act.  And upon each such appointment the said trust premises shall be so transferred that the same may become vested in the new trustee or trustees jointly with the surviving or continuing trustee or solely as the case may require and every such new trustee shall (as well as before as after the said trust promises shall have become so vested) have the same powers authorities and discretions as if he had been appointed a trustee.  And I declare that the trustees for the time being of this my Will shall respectively be chargeable only with such monies as they respectively shall actually receive and shall not be answerable for each other or for the any banker broker or any other person in whose hands any of the trust monies shall be placed nor for the insufficiency or deficiency of any stocks funds shares or securities nor otherwise for involuntary losses.  And that the said trustees for the time being may respectively reimburse themselves out of the trust premises all expenses involved in or about the execution of the aforesaid trusts and powers.  And I appoint the said James Lawrence Man and Frederick Man Executors and Trustees of this my Will.  In witness whereof I the said Louisa Mary Man the testatrix have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand this seventeenth day of June in the year of out Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three  — Louisa Mary Man  —

Signed and declared by the said Louisa Mary Man the testatrix as her last Will and Testament of us present at the same time who at her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses —  Fred: Man of Mincing Lane, —  William Rochell of Great Marlow.

Proved at London 7th September 1874 by the oath of Frederick Man one of the Executors to whom Admon was granted limited to all such personal estate and effects as the deceased by virtue of a certain Indenture bearing date the 27th January 1849 and of all powers and authorities her enabling had a right to appoint or dispose of and has in and by her Will appointed or disposed of accordingly but no further or otherwise Power reserved of making the like grant to James Lawrence Man the other Executor.

Morrice King Man (1826 – 1864)

Transcription of Morrice King Man’s Will

This is the last will and testament of me Morrice King Man, heretofore of Halstead in the county of Kent England thereafter inspector of government telegraphs in India at present residing at Hobart town Tasmania, I direct that my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses shall be fully paid as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.  I give devise and bequeath unto my brothers in law James Henry Brett Walsh and Charles Edward Walsh both of Hobart Town aforesaid all the real and personal estate whether in possession reversion or expectancy and wheresoever the same respectively shall be situate of which I shall be seized or possessed at the time of my death or over which I shall then have any disposing power to hold the same unto the said James Henry Brett Walsh and Charles Edward Walsh their heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature of the property, upon trust as soon as may be after my death to sell the real estate and to covert into money the personal estate and for that purpose I hereby confer upon them all the powers and authorities necessary for effecting such sale and conversion in the same manner as if they were the absolute owners thereof respectively.  And I direct that my trustees shall stand possessed of the clear monies to arise from such sale and conversion upon trust to invest the same in the name of my trustees, upon real or government securities in Tasmania or elsewhere with power to alter or vary the securities and to pay the annual income thereof to my dear wife Jane Smart Man and in the event of my said wife marrying again then I direct the same income shall be for the separate use of my said wife free from all marital control and shall be paid when the same is received and not be way of anticipation.  And after the death of my said wife I direct that the said trust fund and the securities upon which the same shall be invested shall be paid and transferred between and amongst all my children who shall attain the age of 21 years or marry share and share alike.  I declare that the receipts of my trustees shall effectively discharge purchasers and others from all liability in respect of the monies paid to them and that no trustee shall be liable for involuntary losses.  I authorize my trustees to retain and allow to each other all costs and expenses attending the execution of the trusts of my will.  I appoint the same James Henry Brett Walsh and Charles Edward Walsh executors of my will.  I declare that the expression ‘my trustees’ shall mean the trustees or trustee for the time being of my will and I revoke all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of July One thousand eight hundred and sixty four.

M. K. Man

Signed by the said testator Morrice King Man as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our hands as witnesses.___________________

William RH of Hobart Town Solr _______ James H. B. Walsh of Hobart Town.___________________

(Deceased  died 15 July 1864)                                  Account files 15 March 1865

Probate  of The Last Will and Testament  of Morrice King Man In the supreme court of Tasmania ______________

Be it known by all men by these present that on the fifteenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty four, the last will and testament of Morrice King Man heretofore of Halstead in the country of Kent England thereafter Inspector of Telegraphs in India and late of Hobart town in Tasmania Esquire deceased  a true copy of which will is hereunto annexed  — was exhibited and proved before this honourable court and that administration of all and singular the good chattel rights credits and effects of the said deceased within the island of Tasmania and the dependencies thereof was and is hereby committed to James Henry Brett Walsh and Charles Edward Walsh both of Hobart town aforesaid, book sellers executors in the said Will named they having been first duly sworn well and truly to perform the said Will by paying first the debts of the said decease and the legacies therein bequeathed so far as the estate shall thereunto extend and the law bind them.  And to make and exhibit unto this honourable court a true and perfect inventory of all and every the goods chattels rights credits and effects of the said decease on or before the fifteenth day of March now next and to render a just and true account of their executorship when they shall be lawfully called there unto.  And further that they believe the said goods chattels rights credits and effects of the said decease at the time of his death did not exceed in value one hundred pounds in Tasmania and in the dependencies thereof.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Supreme Court Van Diemen’s Land now called Tasmania, the nineteenth day of September on thousand eight hundred and sixty four by the court.

Jno Aston Watkins Registrar.  Seal of the Supreme Court of Van Diemen’s Land affixed

Edward Garnet Man (1837 -1920)

THIS   IS   THE   LAST   WILL   AND   TESTAMENT of me Edward Garnet Man of Halstead The Riviera Sandgate in the County of Kent Esquire JP First I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses shall be fully paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease by my executors hereinafter named I give and bequeath unto my daughter Dorothy Stuart Man all the furniture in her bedroom the earthenware plate in the hall with blue leaves on it one china rose bowl my oriental dessert service five pieces of blue china to be selected by her also the overmantel and china now in her late mothers sitting room also such kitchen utensils as she may require and such of the contents of the linen cupboard as she may require also the colored portrait picture of her dear mother which hangs in the room now used as my bedroom and I have made these bequests to my said daughter as a slight recognition of her tender care of me I give and bequeath my Family Bible family portraits (save and except the portrait of my late wife hereinbefore mentioned) and the works of Henry Man and also the curios at present on loan to the Folkestone museum to my son Edward James Fowle Garnet Man I give and bequeath the Encyclopedia Britannica and bookcases and also my sermons to my son Morrice Lionel Man I give and bequeath my copy of Southwells Bible to my son Harry Morgan Stoe Man I give and bequeath the Bible with the name ‘Dunning’ on the tile page to my son Hubert William Man I give and bequeath to each of my daughters namely Beatrice Adam Sarah Josselyn Lowis Mary Caroline Casson and Katherine Rosa Crosthwait two of my remaining books each to be selected by them in order of age I give and bequeath the remainder of my books to be divided amongst my children as my executors in their absolute discretion may think best and devise my share in the property known as “Halstead Hall” Halstead Sevenoaks in the county of Kent to my son the said Edward James Fowle Garnet Man absolutely trusting that he will if possible buy out his Uncle George Man’s share therein I give devise and bequeath my leasehold premises known as Halstead Sandgate aforesaid unto my sons the said Edward James Fowle Garnet Man and Hubert William Man (hereinafter called my trustees) and I direct my trustees as soon as conveniently may be after my decease to give in writing to my son the said Harry Morgan Stowe Man the option of purchasing the same at the sum of three thousand one hundred pounds and in the event of my son the said Harry Morgan Stowe Man refusing to exercise such option within one calendar month after receipt of same then I declare that my trustees shall give the same offer to each of my children living at my death successively according to seniority beginning with my eldest son the said Edward James Fowle Garnet Man and I declare that each of my children shall have one calendar month from the date of giving such respective options within which to give notice in writing to my trustees accepting the same and in the event of all my children neglecting or refusing to accept in writing such right of pre emption within the time aforesaid then the said premises shall fall into and form part of my residuary estate and I further declare that no purchaser from my trustees shall be in any way affected by the said right of pre-emption I hereby also declare that it is my wish that my son the said Edward James Fowle Garnet Man in whom the freehold of the premises known as Halstead Sandgate aforesaid in now vested shall sell the same to such of my children as shall exercise the option of purchasing the leasehold interest therein at the same price as he paid for the same together with interest at six pounds per centum per annum from the first day of July one thousand nine hundred and nineteen and as to all the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever I give devise and bequeath the same unto my trustees upon trust to sell call in and convert into money the same or such part thereof as shall not consist of money and out of the proceeds arising therefrom in trust to set aside the sum of one thousand pounds and to Invest the same in or upon any of the stocks funds or securities authorised by law for the investment of trust funds and to pay the income arising therefrom unto my daughter the said Dorothy Stuart Man during her life and after her decease in trust for such person or persons as my daughter the said Dorothy Stuart Man may by deed or will appoint and in default of such appointment and so far as any such appointment shall not extend in trust for my remaining children share and share alike and in further trust to pay to each of my children (save and except my son the said Edward James Fowle Garnet Man and my daughter the said Dorothy Stuart Man) the sum of three hundred pounds and to divide the residue equally between and amongst all my children share and share alike and I hereby further declare that notwithstanding the trust for sale hereinbefore contained that it is my wish that my trustees shall equitably distribute theses residue of my estate amongst all my children to the best of their ability always remembering that my youngest daughter the said Dorothy Stuart Man should be given sufficient effects to furnish a bedroom sitting room and kitchen and that her wishes with regard to which articles she requires should be respected with due regard to equity so far as regards her brothers and sisters and I hereby also further declare that inasmuch as there is a mortgage on my leasehold premises known as Halstead Sandgate aforesaid of nine hundred pounds whichever of my children shall exercise the right of pre-emption hereinbefore contained shall also take over the liability under the said mortgage and be responsible for the same and I appoint my sons the said Edward James Fowle Garnet Man and Hubert William Man EXECUTORS of this my will IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this __, day of July one thousand nine hundred and twenty   — EDWARD GARNET MAN         Signed by the above named Edward Garnet Man the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses       MABEL VERRAIL 19 Hilton Terrace Hailing Nr Rochester at Halstead The Riviera Sandgate      ELIZA ADELINE FRAMPTON Homeleigh Parkstone at Halstead Sandgate

Affidavits of due execution of will filed between the 3rd and 10th days of July 1920.

On the 17th day of February 1921 Probate of this will was granted to Edward James Fowle Garnet Man and Hubert William Man the executors.  Gross value of the estate £5,779.3.6

Other Families’ Wills – Balchen

1. Susannah Balchen (below) is the wife of John Balchen (1658 – 1721) and mother of Richard and Henry Balchen. The next will (2) is son Henry’s.  After that are the wills of Richard’s two sons (3) William and (4) James who are Mary (Balchen) Man’s brothers.[Mary married John Man]. The next will (5) is the will of the  widow of William, Sarah. The next two wills: (6) Mary and (7) John are those of the children of Sarah and William.  Will (8) is that of John Balchen who is Henry’s son and therefore first cousin to Mary and John above.  (These wills consist of transcriptions from the originals downloaded from the PRO as well as PDF’s of the originals which can be requested via email.)

1. Susannah Balchen (1691 -1738)

Transcript of the Will of Susannah Balchen, Widow, 1722

In the Name of God Amen  I Susannah Balchen of the Parish of St. Mary Whitechappel London, Widow, being of perfect mind and memory and calling unto mind and only considering the uncertainty of humane life make this my last Will and Testament.  ffirst and principally, I commit my Soul into the hands of my blessed Maker trusting in his mercies and in the merits of my dear Redeemer for the Remission of all my Sins.  My body I comit to the Earth to be decently but privately buryed at the discretion of my Executors.  As to my Temporal Estate, I bequeath and dispose of it in the following manner.  Imprimus, To my Son Richard (having already had his fortune) I bequeath the Sume of ten pounds.  Item, I bequeath unto his three Daughters, viz.,Susannah, Elizabeth and Mary Balchen the Sume of ten pounds to each of them and likewise to his Son William Balchen I bequeath the Sume of twenty Pounds, the residue and remainder of my Estate, Lands, Tenements, hereditaments with my Goods, Chattels, Plate, Bonds, Arrears of rent withall other properties of what kind soever to me appertaining.  I give and bequeath to my two Sons John and Henry to be between them equally divided whom I constitute and appoint the joynt Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly revoake, disallow and disa?. All former bequests, Wills and Legacies by me heretofor in any wise left or made, declaring, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this tenth day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and twenty two.  Susanh Balchen   Signed, sealed,  published and declared by the within named Testatrix Susannah Balchen to ne her last Will and Testament in Presence of us who Subscribe d our names in Presence of the said Testatrix.  John Clare, Judith Clare, John ffinch.

This Will was Proved at London before the Worshipfull Stephen Cottrell, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted.  By the Oath of Henry Balchen, one of the Executors named in the said Will To whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the deceased, He being first Sworn well and faithfully to administer the Power reserved of making the like grant to John Balchen the other Executor named in the Said Will when he shall apply for the same.                                                                     Ex’d

[On the twenty eighth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and thirty eight.]

2. Henry Balchen (1698 – 1780)

Transcription of the Will of Henry Balchen, 1777.

In  the  name  of  God  Amen   I Henry Balchen of Goodmans ffields in the Parish of St Mary Whitechapel in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, being of sound and disposing Mind, Memory and Understanding, praised be Almighty God, do for avoiding controversies after my decease make public and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say, ffirst and principally my Soul I recommend into the Hands of Almighty God, my Creator listing for pardon and remission of all my Sins by and through Him alone merits and mediation of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  My Body I commit to the Earth to be devoutly interred in the middle Isle of the Parish Church of St Mary White Chapel aforesaid as near my Relations as conveniently may be and I desire and direct that my Burial and ffuneral Expenses shall not exceed thirty pounds. I will and appoint that all my just Debts and ffuneral Charges shall be fully paid and satisfied.  I give and bequeath unto my dear and loving Wife Mary Balchen and her Assignes my Leasehold Messuages or Tenements wherein I now dwell situate in Mansel Street in Goodmans ffields aforesaid for so many years of the  …. in the Lease thereof under which I hold the same as she shall happen to live subject nevertheless to the payment of the Rent and performance of the  ….. in the said Lease and from and after her decease I give and bequeath the said Leasehold Messuages and Tenament unto my Son John Balchen, his Executors, Administrators and Assignes for the remainder of the term of Years which shall be then to  …. therein. I give to my said Wife all my Household ffurniture, plate ————– Towels,                , Rings, China, Linen, Pictures, Liquors and all other household Stores.  I give and bequeath unto the Trustees in the Settlement made previous to my Marriage all that my Leasehold ffarm with the Lands and Appurtances thereto belonging situate at Grays Hill in the Parish of Roresterleigh in the County of Gloucester now in the tenure or occupation of Daniel Luton or his undertenants to, for and upon such of the Trusts expressed in my said Settlement concerning the said Estate as at the time of my decease shall be existing and capable of taking effect.  I give and bequeath unto John Scott of Cranbrook in the County of Kent, Esquire, and to my Son John Balchen twenty Guineas each for their trouble in executing the trusts of this my Will and to each of them a Ring of one Guinea value.  I give unto Richard Cross of Richmond in the County of Surrey, Esquire, a Ring of two Guineas value.  I give and bequeath to my Niece MaryMann and to her four children Ann, ffrances, Anna Maria and James ten pounds each to be paid to them within one Month after my decease. I give and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my Estate unto the said John Scott and my said Son and to the Survivor of them and to the Executors and Administrators of such Survivor upon Trust that they do will all convenient speed lay out and invest the same in some of the public ffunds or other Government Securities and that out of the Dividends and produce thereof they do pay unto my said Niece Mary Mann  and her Assignes for her natural life one Annuity or a Yearly Sum of twenty pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain by four equal quarterly payments on the four usual Days of Payment in the Year (that is to say) the twenty fifth day of March, the twenty fourth day of June, the twenty ninth day of September and the twenty fifth day of December, the first payment thereof to be made on such of the said Days as shall first and next happen after my decease to and for her own sole use and benefit and I direct that the said Annuity shall not in any wise be subject to the Debts, or engagements of her present or any future Husband.  But that the Receipts of my said Niece Mary Mann notwithstanding her coverture shall be good and sufficient discharges for all such Sum or Sums of Money as shall be paid to her on account thereof and that they do pay the residue of such Dividends and Produce unto my said Wife and her Assigns during her natural life and from and after the decease of my said Wife and subject to the said Annuity to my said Niece I give and bequeath the residue of my said Estate and the ffunds and Securities, the same shall be invested unto my said Son John Balchen, his Executors and Administrators and I constitute and appoint the said John Scott and my said Son John Balchen Executors of this my last Will and Testament and lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former and other Wills by me heretofore made and do publish and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this eighteenth day of ffebruary in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and seventy seven.  Hen Balchen @   Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the said Henry Balchen as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have hereunto subscribed our names.  Joseph Baldwin —  Owsley Rowley his Clerk.

And it is my further request that my Executors named in my above Will pay to ffrances Mann forty pounds over and above the ten pounds left her in my Will and Also to Ann ?arrot eigth Guineas if she shall live with me at the time of my death. Nov’r 30 1778.  H. Balchen./.

This Will was proved at London with a Codicil the twelfth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty before the Worshipful Andrew Coltee Duraarel, Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert, also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Perogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted by the Oath of John Balchen the Son of the Deceased and one of the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased having been first sworn only to Administer. Power reserved of making the like.

 William Balchen (1722 – 1765)

Transcription of the Will of William Balchen, 1765

In  the  Name  of  God  Amen I, William Balchin, of Mile End in the Parish of St. Dunstan, Stepney and County of Middlesex, Gentlemen, being of Sound and Disposing Mind, Memory and Understanding, do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament. ffirst, I Will and Order that all my just Debts and ffuneral Expenses shall be fully paid and Satisfied and I leave the direction of my ffuneral entirely to my Executors.  Item, I Give to my ffriends Richard Cross of Lincolns Inn ffields in the County of Middlesex,Esquire, and William Tapp of Broad Street, London, Linnen Draper, my Trustees, the Sum of ten pounds Each for Mourning. to John Mann of Croyden and to Elizabeth ffrench of Stepney all such Debts and Sums of Money as they respectively now owe or may hereafter owe or Stand Indebted to me in at the time of my descease.  All my ffreehold and Copyhold Estates situate and being at Roydon, Thorley, Epping and Witham in the County of Essex, also Herts, and all other my ffreehold and Copyhold Estates whatsoever (which Copyhold Estates I have surrendered to the use of my wife) and also my £3000 four cent Consol. d Bank Annt.y and £1000 Royal Exchange Assurance Stock and all other my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever.  I Give, Devise and bequeath the same Real and Personal Estates, respectively, unto the said Richard Cross and William Tapp, my Trustees, to hold to them, their Heirs, Executors, Admons and Assigns forever according to the nature of such Estates, respectively. Upon the several Trust, nevertheless, and to and for the Uses, Intents and Purposes hereinafter written, expressed and declared of and Concerning the same, respectively, (that if to say) Upon Trust that they my said Trustees and the Survivor of them and the Executors or Administrators of such Survivor do and shall lay out or otherwise continue at Interest my said Personal Estate and receive and take the Interest, Dividends and Proceed of my said £3000 4PCent Bank Consolidated Annuitys and  £1000 Royal Exchange Assurance and out of the interest of the said £1000 Royal Exchange Assurance pay unto my Mother, Martha Balchin, for and during her natural Life one Annuity or Yearly Sum of £30 at such days and times and in such manner as I have paid the same to her since the Granting thereof and which Annuity is hereby directed to be paid by my Trustees is to be in Lien and Discharge of my Engagement made by me to her for the payment thereof and from and after the death of my said Mother I direct that my said Trustees shall pay the Yearly Sum of £10 a Year at the like days and times unto my Sister Ann Balchin  for and during her natural life. And as to the Residue of the Interest and Dividends of the said £1000 Royal Exchange Assurances and as to the [  ] and Dividends of all other my Personal Estates & Effects.  I Trust that they my said Trustees do and shall pay the same unto my dear Wife Sarah to be Applied by her as she shall think Proper to and for the Maintenance and Duration of my Children Sarah, Susannah, Mary and John until they shall respectively attain their ages of 25 years or day or days of Marriage, if a Daughter, which shall first happen. And where and as my said Children shall respectively Attain such age or day or days of marriage, if a daughter, then I Will and Order that my said Trustees shall and do Sell and Dispose of or otherwise Transfer and Assign all my said Personal Estate or equal Part or Share thereof or the Securitys or ffunds Purchased, with or in which the same is now or shall be, may be invested unto and among all and every such Child or Children so attaining his, her, their age or ages of 25 Years ——

——-   to my said dear Wife for her Life to and for her own Use and after her decease do and shall pay or otherwise Transfer and Assign my said Personal Estate or the Securitys for the same unto and among my three Sisters Sussanah Thompson, the Wife of James Thompson, Elizabeth Cumberland, the Wife of George Cumberland and Ann Balchin, Spinster, to be equally divided among them Share and Share alike  ——

—— and in that case I Give and Bequeath the produce of my said Real Estate unto the said Sussanah Thompson, Elizabeth Cumberland and Ann Balchin to be equally Divided among them Share and Share alike, but it is my Will that if the said Ann Balchen become intitled under this my Will either to a Share of the Residue of my Personal Estate or to a Share of the Produce of my Real Estate then and in Either of the said Cases the Annuity of £10  hereinbefore bequeathed to her shall cease.  And I do hereby appoint my Wife and Trustees Guardians of my Children during their minority ——

——  And I do hereby Constitute, Ordain and Appoint my dear Wife Sarah and the said Richard Cross, Esquire, and William Tapp Executors of this my Will and I do hereby revoke all other Wills by me at any time heretofor made and declare this to be my only Last Will and Testament.  In Witness of whereof I, the said William Balchin, to this my Will contained in four Sheets of Paper, wrote on both sides of said Sheets, have to the ffirst three Sheets set  my hand and the ffirst Side of the ffourth Sheet sett my hand and Seal this twenty ffourth day of June One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty ffive.

Wm. Balchin (seal).  Signed, Sealed and Published and Declared by the said Testator William Balchin as and for his Last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who in his presence at his request have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses. Tthe words (sett my hand) between the ffirst and Second and being interlined above  ## G. Cumberland # Tho’s Orlin # Thomas Lamb. ##

This Will was proved at London on the twenty fifth day of September in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty ffive before the Worshipfull Andrew Cobtree Invarell, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull George Isay, also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Pregrogative Court of Canterbury.  Lawfully constituted by the Oath of William Tapp, one of the Executors named in the said Will to whom Adm’tion was granted of all and Singular the Goods, Chattles and Credits of the said deceased, he having been first sworn duly to Administer. Power reserved of making the like grant to Sarah Balchin, Widow, the Relict of the deceased and Richard Cross, Esquire, the other Executors named in the said will when they or either of them shall apply for the same.&p;

Henry Desborough

Transcription of the Will of Henry Desborough, 1827

This   is   the   last   Will  and    Testament of me Henry Desborough of Clapham in the County of Surrey, Esquire. I give and bequeath to my dear wife Louisa Ann Desborough the sum of two hundred pounds of lawful English moneys and to my daughter Georgiana the wife of Edward Man, Esquire, the sum of fifty pounds of like money, such legacies to be paid free of legacy duty as soon as convenient after my decease.  I give and bequeath to my said wife all my household furniture, plate, linen, china, wearing apparel, books, pictures, wines and other liquors for her own absolute use and benefit.  All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever (after payment of my just debts, funeral expenses and testamentary expenses which I desire may be discharged as soon as possible after my decease) I give, devise and bequeath unto my sons Henry Desborough the Younger of the Atlas Assurance Office, London, Esquire, and Laurence Desborough of List Lane, London, Gentleman, their heirs, executors and administrators. Upon the special trusts and confidences hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, upon trust as soon as conveniently may be after my decease to sell and dispose of such part of my said trust property and  in such manner as they shall think proper for the best price and prices that can be gotten for the same and to collect and receive all debts due and owing to me and to convert the whole of my said residuary estate into money. And upon further trusts (after payment of my debts) to lay out and invest the same in their own names or in the names of my trustees for the time being in or upon some of the pubic stocks or funds of Great Britain or some other Government or civil securities at interest and to alter, vary and transpose such stocks, funds and securities from time to time as my said trustees or trustee for the time being shall think fit. And then upon trust to stand possessed of and interested in my said trust property. In trust to pay to or otherwise permit my said dear wife and her assigns to receive the whole of the dividends, interest and annual product thereof for her and their own absolute use and benefit during her life. And from and immediately after the decease of my said wife or my own decease in case I should survive her I direct that my trustees shall stand possessed of and interested in my said residuary estate and the stocks, funds and securities whereon the same may be invested and laid out and the principal, interest and other product thereof from time to time when and as the same may become due and be receivable to my daughter Louisa Ayton, the wife of John Webber Harris of Clapham aforesaid , Esquire, and her assigns for and during her natural life and for her own use and benefit independent of her present or any future husband whom she may happen to marry and so as not to be liable to his debts, engagements or controul and for which the receipt and receipts of my said daughter and her assigns only shall be good and sufficient discharge and discharges to my said trustees.  And from and after the decease of my said daughter Louisa Ayton Harris in trust to pay, apply and divide the said sum of five hundred pounds and the stocks, funds and securities thereof into and among such issue of the body of my said daughter lawfully begotten as may happen to be living at he time of her decease in equal proportions qwith benefit of survivorship between them to be paid to such issue when he, she or they shall attain their age or ages of twenty one years and in the meantime the dividends, interest and product thereof to be applied to and for his, her and their maintenance, education and advancement in the World.  But in case said daughter Louisa Ayton Harris shall die without issue or such issue shall die before the said bequest shall be payable or divisable then the said sum of five hundred pounds and the securities whereon the same shall be placed and all accumulations thereof shall sink into and become part of the residue of my said trust property.  And as to all the rest, residue and remainder of my said trust property I hereby direct that my said trustees or trustee for the tim being of this my Will shall from time to time when and as the same shall, and become recoverable stand possessed thereof and interested therein in trust for my said sons Henry and Laurence and my said daughters Louisa Ayton Harris and Georgiana Man in equal proportions the share and shares of my said sonsbe paid to them as soon as the …. of the case will permit and the share and shares of each of my said daughters invested, paid, applied and disposed of and to be subject to the same contingencies and benefit of survivorship as I have hereinbefore directed with respect to the bequest of the sum of five hundred pounds for the benefit of  my said daughter Louisa Ayton Harris and her issue and in case of their failure to to her brothers and sisters so far as the difference in the names and circumstances of the parties will permit.  And I hereby direct that that the receipt or receipts of my said trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will shall be a good and sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the whole or any part of my said trust property for so much money as in such receipt or receipts shall be mentioned to be received.  And such purchaser or purchasers shall not be bound  to see to the application of his or their purchase money or be answerable or accountable for the misapplication or nonapplication thereof or of any part thereof.  And I  do hereby further direct and appoint that in case my said trustees hereby appointed or either of them or any new or other trustees or trustee to be appointed under this present power shall depart his life or be desirous of being discharged from or shall become incapable of acting in the trusts aforesaid then a new trustee or new trustees shall be chosen and appointed in his or their stead by the surviving or continuing trustee or his personal representative – – and my said trust property shall be conveyed and assigned, appointed trustees or trustee so as to vest the same in him or their as effectually as in the surviving and continuing or original trustees or trustee of this my Will and upon the trusts hereinbefore by me declared respecting the same.  Provided always and I do hereby declare that my said trustees shall not be answerable for oath other but oath for himself and his acts and defaults only and that they shall respectively be accountable only for such losses as my said trust property may sustain in consequence of their or his wilful neglect or default.  And also that they shall be at liberty to retain and allow out of my said trust property all necessary expenses attending the execution of the trust hereby  .. in them.  And whereas I have advanced and lent to my sons Henry and Laurence divers sums of money, now I do hereby direct that the payment thereof by them respectively shall not be rquired until two years after the death of my said wife provided that my said sons shall pay interest on the amounts due from them respectively to my said wife during her life and after her death to the party or parties intitled under this my Will to a distributive proportions of my said residuary estate. And I appoint my sons Henry and Laurence

Executors of this my Will  and hereby revoking all former Wills and Codicils by me heretofore made I do publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament contained in four sheets of paper set my hand and seal, that is to say, my hand to the first three sheets thereof and my hand and seal to this fourth and last sheet this tenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven. – H. Desborough (seal) – Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the said Henry Desborough the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses – S. Humphry No. 7 Peckham Grove, Surrey –  S. J. Pickering No. 2 Tower Royal, Watting Street – Edmund Barlow No. 1Goswell Terrace, Goswell Road.

Proved at London 3rd October 1820 before the Worshipful John Danbury, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oaths of Henry Desborough and Laurence Desborough the sons, the executors to whom administration was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.

Louisa Ann Desborough

Transcription of the Will of Louisa Ann Desborough, 1830.

I   Louisa   Ann   Desborough of Clapham in the County of Surrey, Widow, do make this my last Will and Testament. After payment of my debts I leave various articles of Plate & to my Children to be divided & the remainder sold.  I leave to my Son Henry & in case of his death to his heirs & Executors the Leasehold Estate in Limerick which was bequeathed to my late Husband & to myself by Mr. Eavis Ninbus, late of Bideford in Devon & as in his Will.  I leave to my Sister Sophia Elizabeth Kellner should she survive me the sum of Two hundred pounds, but in case she dies before me I then leave to her Daughters & my Nieces Sophia Kellner & ffanny Kellner the sum of One hundred pounds each & to my Nephews George Kellner and John Kellner the sum of ten pounds each.  As to the rest and residue of my property of whatsoever kind or nature I leave to be equally divided among my Sons and Daughters share and share alike, but in case of the death of any of them then the share of each Son and Daughter so dying to be appropriated and applied to the use & benefit of any Child or Children surviving in equal proportions share and share alike.  I hereby constitute my Sons Henry & Laurence Executors of this my Will.  Louisa Ann Desborough   March 15 1830.

I Louisa Ann Desborough  leave my Plate, Pictures and Books to be divided as follows: To my Son Henry, Neal’s History of Westminster Abbey, 2 Vol.; Bible containing ages of the ffamily; Common Prayer Book by Baskmiller; History of Josephas; Miniature of  Father by Kirkpatrick; of  … Desborough; … of his Grandfather and Grandmother; Profiles of  …  and  ….  Desborough; Portraits of George the Third & Queen Charlotte; Miniature of myself; …. of One Print; Marble Box for his Wife; Plate, Soup Ladle, Wine ffunnell and Marrow Spoon and his ffather’s Gold Seal, Diamond Ring belongs to my Son Henry being the late Coll. Winbusand willed to my Son by Mrs. Eavis Winbus.  To my Son Laurence

Mary Harris

Transcript of the Will of Mary Harris, 1850.

This is the Last Will and Testament of me Mary Harris of Lark Hall Lane, Clapham, in the County of Surrey, Widow, but at present residing in the Town of Plymouth, Devon.  ffirst I desire and direct that my Body may be interred in a plain and decent manner at whatever place I may depart this life and that a plain Tablet or Tombstone may be erected to my memory. And I direct that all my just debts, funeral and Testamentary expenses may be paid by my Executor hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Mary Ann Pennington my white India Shawl and to my daughter ffrances Desborough my scarlet India Shawl. All other of my wearing apparel, rings, trinkets, jewels and personal ornaments I give to my daughter Elizabeth Charlotte Watts.  I also give to my Son in Law Robert Watts my gold watch and to my Son John Webber Harris my Bed, Bedstead and Bed Furniture, chest of drawers, dressing table, Looking glass and wash stand now used by me in my Bedroom to and for his own use and benefit. And to all the Rest, Residue and Remainder of my Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever which I may be possessed of or entitled to at the time of my decease and not otherwise disposed of by this my Will, I give and bequeath the same unto my Son William Charles Harris of the City of Winchester, Gentleman, his executors and administrators. Upon Trust nevertheless as soon as conveniently may be after my decease to call in  and … all such sum and sums of money as may be then due or be owing .. to stand possessed of my said Residuary Estate. Upon Trust to pay and discharge all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, and the costs of proving this my Will. And subject thereto upon Trust to pay the several Legatees hereby bequeathed to the persons hereinafter named (that is to say)  said John Webber Harris the sum of Three hundred pounds and all such interest as may be due me thereon at my decease and which sum of three hundred pounds I advanced and lent to fit out his Son Webber Desborough for India. And upon further Trust to pay unto my Son Henry Harris the sum of one hundred pounds and to each my Daughters in Law Louisa Ayton Harris, Henrietta Harris and Maria Matilda Harris the sum of ten Pounds. And to each of my Grandchildren Agnes Maria Pennington, ffrances Desborough, Webber Desborough Harris, Philip ffarrell Harris and William ffrederick Harris the sum of nineteen pounds and nineteen shillings. And to my Grandson Robert George Watts the sum of fifty pounds. And to my Grandson Philip Henry Watts the sum of ten pounds. And my wish is that the Legacy or Legacies of each of my said grandchildren as may be under age at the time of my decease or when each Legacies may be payable or shall be paid by my Executor to the ffather, if living, of each grandchild under age. And in case of his previous death then to the Mother or Guardian (if any) of each other grandchild or otherwise to the Executors or administrators of his, her or their deceased ffather upon Trust for each grandchild as attains the age of twenty one years. And I declare that the receipt of the ffather, Mother, Guardian, Executors or administrators as the case may be for the legacy of such grandchild so being under age shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my said Executor for the same and that he shall not be thereafter required to see to the application of the same Legacy or be answerable for its loss or nonapplication. And I declare that the said several Legatees given by this my Will shall be paid at or before the expiration of six calendar months next after my decease free of Legacy or other duty which remain after answering the said several purposes aforesaid. I give and bequeath the same to my said Son William Charles Harris to and for his own use and benefit. And I lastly hereby nominate and appoint my said Son, the said William Charles Harris, Executor in trust of this my Will. And I expressly declare that the Legacies given by this my Will or the appointment of Executor hereby made shall not operate to release or discharge any debt or sum of money which may be due to me from occasional Legatees or Executor at the time of my death. And I hereby revoke all former and other Wills by me at any time hereto fore made and declare this to be a my only Will unto which I have subscribed my name this twenty eighth day of  ffebruary one thousand eight hundred and fifty —– .

Mary Harris.

Signed by the said Mary Harris the Executrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names As Witnesses hereto ——  Jonathan Luxmoore of .Sol’r ——- Geo Mitchamore, his clerk.

Proved at London 18th April 1850 before the Worshipful Robert Phillimore, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of William Charles Harris, Esquire, the Son, the sole Executor to whom admon was granted having been first sworn only to administer.

Charles Desborough

To all and singular the faithful in Christ to whom these our present Letters Testimonial shall come or whom the matters herein written do or may hereafter in anywise remain The Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal _____ Greetings in our Lord God everlasting and will that undoubted faith be given to those presents and do make known and will that it be hereby made known unto you that on searching the Registry of said Supreme Court and the Archivist hereof there well and faithfully preserved and kept it has been discovered and plainly found amongst other things in the same that on the fourth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixteen at Calcutta at Fort William at Bengal before the said Supreme Court the last Will and Testament and Codicil of Charles Desborough, late of Calcutta, Esquire, and a Surgeon in the Service of the United Company of Merchants in England trading to the East Indies on their Bengal establishment _____ having whilst living and at the time of his death Goods, Chattels or Credit within the Provinces of Bengal, Behar and Orissa or in the Province or District of Benares or within some or one of Factories, Districts or Provinces which are annexed to or made subject to the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal sufficient to ground the jurisdiction of the said Supreme Court were proved, approved and registered and administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased in any way remaining his said Will and Codicil were on the same fourth day of September granted to John Palmer, one of the Executors in the said Will and Codicil named .He, the said John Palmer, having been first sworn before the said Supreme Court well and truly to administer the same and to make a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased, and to exhibit into the Registry of the said Court within Six months from the said fourth Day of September and also to render a just and true amount thereof power being reserved of making the like grant to the other Executors in the said Will and Codicil named when they should cause and pray the same which said Will and Codicil follow in these words —

In the Name of God, Amen. I Charles Desborough, Surgeon in the Honorable Company’s Service on the Bengal Establishment living in bodily health and of sound and disposing memory do make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say, first I my Lord into the hands of God my Creator hoping and assuredly believing through the only merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour to be made partaker of life everlasting and my body to the eart whereof it is made. And for and concerning all my Worldly Estate, I give , bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth (that is to say). First, I will that all my just Debts and Funeral Charges be paid and discharged by my Executors hereinafter named. Item: I give and bequeath the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds Sterling to a female orphan who was born of Ann Levitt in the parish of All Saints in the Town of Huntingdon in the Month of January 1783 and was Christened there by the name of “Ann” & to the best of my knowledge and belief is called and known by the name of “Ann Davis” and is personally known by some of my Brothers  & Sisters. I most earnestly recommended her to their kindness and protection and