Baker Will 1724

Will of John Baker

of Canterbury, Kent

Source: Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Canterbury Cathedral Archives PRC 17/84/21e
Submitted by Shelagh Mason

In the Name of God Amen The Eleventh day of August Anno dini One Thousand Seven hundred and Four* in the Eleventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George by the Grace of God of Great Britain Frances and Ireland King defender of the Faith etc.
* George I reigned 1 Aug 1714 to 31 Jul 1727 � so the date the Will is made is confirmed as 1724.
I John Baker of the Parish of Holy Cross Westgate near and without the Walls of the City of Canterbury in the County of Kent Cordwainer being weak in Body but of perfect sense memory and understanding praised be Almighty God for the same [and] considering the uncertainty of this present Life and that it is appointed for all Men once to dye And that as nothing is as more certain than Death as nothing in this Life is more uncertain than the Hour of Death do therefore for the setling of my House in order make and ordain this my present Last Will and Testament in manner and [form] following
First and before all things I recommend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God my creator hoping to be saved by and thro� the only Merits death and passion of Jesus Christ my alone Saviour and Redeemer And my Body I committ to the Earth whereof it was first framed [formed?] to be decently interred in Christian like manner in the Churchyard of Holy Cross Westgate aforesaid there to remain untill the glorious Resurrection of the Just
And as touching that portion of worldly Goods and Estate whereof it hath blessed Almighty God to make me Steward of and for which I am most heartily thankfull to his Majesty I do hereby give and dispose of the same in such manner and to such uses intents and purposes as are hereinafter mentioned and expressed

Imprimis I give unto my welbeloved Wife Susanna All and singular my Goods Chattels Household Stuffe Wards and debts owing to meat her free disposing as she shall think fitting in her Judgment and discretion Except my Cloth which I give to my Son Edward Baker at the End of Seven years from the date of this my Last Will and Testament

Also I give unto my welbeloved Wife Susanna My Two Houses the one wherein I now dwell and the other wherein one Thomas Sprat lives in next adoiyning to my said dwelling house The house wherein I live I give to my beloved Wife Susanna as long as my Son George shall attain his age of One and Twenty Years And the other house wherein Thomas Spratt lives in I give to my beloved Wife Susanna during her Life

Item I give to my Son John all the Linnen I made for him
Also I give more to my Son George my Silver Tankard

And of this my present Last Will and testament I do hereby ordain constitute and appoint my said Wife to be my Sole Executrix desiring her to see this my Will truly performed

In Witness whereof to this my last Will and Testament containing One Sheet of Paper and this part of a Sheet I have to the Top of the first Sheet set my Seal and to this Last part of a Sheet my Hand and Seal dated the day and year first written
John Baker

Interlineacions in the first sheet being read over and allowed by the Testator before the Sealing and delivery hereof and afterwards
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said John Baker to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as Witnesses in the sight and hearing of the Testator
John Colby, Elizab: Colby; Sam: Stevens

Probatum fuit: Secundo die Decembris Anno Dini 1724 [2nd December 1724]

Notes:
John Baker, 24, Ba., Cordwainer of Westgate (Canterbury), married Susan Farbrasse of Chartham, 21, Sp. on 26th Sept. 1692 at St. Mary, Chartham, by Licence.
Their children (all Christened [C] at Holy Cross, Canterbury unless otherwise specified):
30 Oct 1693 George (Bu: 15 Nov 1693);
16 Oct 1694 Elizabeth;
11 Feb 1697 Ann (Bu: 18 May 1702);
22 Oct 1699 Edward (Bu: 26 Dec 1731);
18 Oct 1702 John;
16 May 1710 Catherine (Bu: 15 Apr 1711);
17 Aug 1713 George.

John Baker was christened 5th May 1667 at Holy Cross, Westgate, Canterbury, s. of George and Anne.
John Baker was buried 4th September 1724 at Holy Cross, Canterbury.
Susan Baker, Widow, was buried there 19th September 1731.

See also George�s Will:
PRC 17/79/160 Will of George Baker, Cordwayner of Thanington dated 5th September 1697 who was buried 28th November 1697 at Holy Cross, Canterbury and whose Will was Proved February 1698

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 30th November 2018. All rights waived for personal use � BUT please quote source and reference.

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Will of John Baker
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