Austen Will 1652

Will of John Austen

of Brenchley, Kent


Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury PROB 11/221/387
Transcribed by Dianne Bowles, 23 January 2022.
In the name of God Amen I John Austen of Brentchley in the County of Kent Clothier being sicke and weake in body but of perfect minde and memorie praysed bee God therefore this present foureteenth day of Jannuary in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fiftie and one Doe make and ordaine this my present last Will and Testament in manner and forme following
First and principally I recomend my soule into the handes of Almightie God my Creator hopeing and assuredly beleeving it shall bee reunited to my bodie and both received into eternall blisse and happinesse in and through the only merritts death and bitter passion of my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And my bodie I committ to the earth from whence it came to bee decently buried in the parish Church or Church yard of Brentchley aforesaid att the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named

Allso I give and bequeath to the poore people of the said parish of Brentchley the sume of Fortie shillings to bee payd and distributed to and amongst them att the tyme of my buriall by my Executrix hereafter named
Item I give and bequeath unto my Brother Jefferie Austen (if it shall happen that Marie my wife bee not with child) the sume of Fiftie poundes of Lawfull money of England to bee payd unto him (in case as aforesaid) within one whole yeare next after my decease by my Executrix hereafter named

Item I give and bequeath unto Anne Austen my Sister (if my wife happen not to bee with child) the sume of Thirtie poundes of Lawfull money of England to bee payd unto her in such case as aforesaid) within one whole yeare next after my decease my Executrix hereafter named,
Item I give and bequeath unto Joane Austen my sister (if my wife happen not to bee with child) the sum of Tenne poundes of Lawfull money of England to bee payd unto her (in such case as aforesaid) with in one whole yeare next after my decease by my Executrix hereafter named (in such case as aforesd)

Item in case Marie my wife happen to bee with child Then I only give and bequeath in such case to the said Jeffery Austen my Brother the sume of Tenne poundes of lawfull money of England to bee payd unto him (in such case) within one whole yeare next ensueing after my decease
Item in case my wife bee with child Then I doe only hereby give and bequeath to the said Anne Austen my Sister the Sume of Five poundes of lawfull money of England to bee payd unto her in such case within one whole yeare next after my decease
Item in case my wife bee with child Then I doe only hereby give and bequeath to the said Joane Austen my sister the sume of Three pounds of Lawfull money of England to bee payd unto her within one whole yeare next ensueing after my decease

Item all the rest of my goods and Chattells moveables Anuityes Lands Tenements and hereditaments whatsoever which I shall happen to dye possessed of or intituled unto I doe hereby give and bequeath to the said Marie my Welbeloved wife whome I doe hereby mak and ordaine full and whole Executrix of this my present last Will and Testament

And I doe make and ordaine my loveing Unckles Edward Kealie of Lamberherst in the said Countie Clothier and Richard Austen of Horsemonden in the said County Cloathier Overseers of this my present last Will and Testament
And I doe hereby give and bequeath to each of them the sume of Tenne shillings to bee payd them by my said Executrix

And my Will and mind is that Marie my wife and Executrix shall pay or cause to bee payd to the said Edward Kealie and Richard Austen my said Overseers the said Legacies and Sumes of money by mee hereby given and bequeathed to the said Jefferie Austen Anne Austen and Joane Austen my brother and sisters when the same according to the tenor contentes true intent and meaning of this my present last Will and Testament shall become due and payable to bee disposed of for the best profitt and advantage for the said Jefferie Austen Anne Austen and Joane Austen my said brother and sisters untill they shall happen to come and attaine unto their severall and respective ages of one and Twentie yeares

In wittnes whereof to this my present last Will and Testament being in Two sheetes of paper to one sheet thereof I have sett to my hand and to the other sheer thereof I have sett to my hand and seale Dated the day and yeare in and by this my Last Will and Testament first written
John Austen
Sealed subscribed published declared and delivered upon the Last Will and Testament of the said John Austen in the presence of
Marie Baylie her marke - Margrett Rogers - Meiqz? Johis Streater, Script

This Will was proved before John Eaton Doctor of Lawes att London Surrogate to the Right Worshipfull Sir Nathaniell Brenton Knight Doctor of Lawes Mr or Keeper of the Prerogative Court the Fourteenth day of Aprill in the yeare of our Lord one thousad six hundred fiftie two by the Oath of Marie Austen the Relict and Executrix named in the said Will To whome Administracon was committed of all and singuler the goods chattells and Debts of the said deceased which any manner of wayes concerne the said Will shee being first Legally sworne Will and and truely to administer the same.


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Will of John Austen
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