Will of Thomas Bates

of Frittenden, Kent

I nominate and appoint my Grandson Stephen Bates otherwise Stephen Bates Baker (son of my late son Thomas Bates deceased) and Robert Orpin of Frittenden aforesaid Miller Executors of this my Will
And I desire and direct them to pay and satisfy as soon as conveniently may be after my decease All the just Debts that I may happen to owe my funeral and testamentary charges and all other incidental Expences such Mortgages Debts and Incumbrances as may affect my real Estate I desire to be paid by the said Stephen Bates by or out of the Property hereinafter given and devised to him in such manner as to prevent the same from operating to the prejudice or injury of my other Creditors or Legatees

I give and bequeath unto the said Robert Orpin the sum of ten pounds of lawful sterling money for his care and fidelity in the execution and performance of this my Will to be paid to or retained by him forthwith after my decease

Also I give unto my dear Wife Jane Bates the sum of two shillings weekly and every week from the day of my death to be paid her by my said Executors for and during the Term of her natural Life to and for her own use and benefit

Also I give unto my Son in Law Edward Simmons and to each of my two Grandchildren Edward Simmons and Elizabeth Simmons (the children of my late daughter Jane) the sum of one pound a piece to be paid them respectively by my said Executors within one year next after my decease

And as to the remainder and residue of my ready monies and securities for money and all Goods Chattels Effects and other my personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or quality soever the same may happen to be at the time of my decease I give and bequeath the same unto my Grandson and Executor Stephen Bates his Executors Administrators and Assigns to and for his and their own use and benefit

Also I give and devise unto the said Stephen Bates and his Heirs All and every my Messuages or Tenements Buildings Farms Lands Hereditaments and real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever with their and every of their rights members and appurtenances as may affect the same To hold the said Hereditaments and real Estate (subject as aforesaid) unto and to the use of the said Stephen Bates his Heirs and Assigns for ever

Provided always and I do hereby direct and declare that my said Executors shall not be answerable or accountable for any more money than they respectively shall actually receive or shall come to their respective hands by virtue of this my Will nor shall they or either of them be answerable or accountable for any misfortune loss or damage that may happen or arise in the execution of this my Will unless the same shall happen or arise by or through wilful neglect or default nor shall either of them be answerable or accountable for the other but each of them shall be answerable and accountable for himself and his own acts deeds receipts and defaults

And also that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Robert Orpin to retain to himself and for his Co-Executor to pay and allow to him all loss costs charges damages and expences that he may sustain or be put unto in the execution of this my will together also with a fair and adequate allowance and compensation for his Journies Trouble and loss of time in by or about the same over and above the Legacy hereinbefore given to him

And I expressly revoke and make void all former and other Wills and Codicils by me at any time or times heretofore made and published
In Witness whereof I the said Thomas Bates the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper subscribed and set my hand and seal to wit my hand to the preceding sheet and my hand and seal to this last sheet the day and year first above written
Thos Bates

The writing contained in this and the preceding sheet of paper was signed sealed and published by the said Thomas Bates 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 hereto subscribed our names as Witnesses the words �otherwise Stephen Bates Baker� being first interlined in the first sheet
Giles Miller � Jno Jas Walter � Thos Brook Springett

October 18, 1831
Stephen Bates otherwise Stephen Bates Baker of Frittenden Farmer one of the Executors named in this Will was duly sworn as usual And that the Goods Chattels and Credits do not amount in value to the sum of One Hundred Pounds
Power reserved to Robert Orpin the other Executor when he shall apply for the same
Before me John Nutcalfe Surrogate

Testator died 7th May 1831

Notes:
Thomas Bates aged 88 was buried at Frittenden 14 May 1831
Thomas Bates, wdr & Jane Cramton wid botp were married 8 Aug 1810 Frittenden
21 Feb 1770 Thomas Bates ba & Mary Baker sp botp married by banns at Frittenden. Witnesses were James and Edward Bates his brothers. They were the sons of Henry and Sarah.
Thomas Bates Baker base born son of Mary Baker was baptised 18 Mar 1764

Grandson Stephen son of Thomas jun�r and Mary Bates was bapt 6 Sep 1789
Thomas Bates ba & Mary Southon sp married 25 Jan 1789

Jane daughter of Thomas & Mary Bates was baptised 24 Dec 1775.
She married Edward Simmons at Chatham 3 Sep 1797
She was buried at Frittenden 4 Aug 1804 (affidavit from Woodchurch)
Elizabeth daughter of Edward & Jane Simmons was bapt at Woodchurch 6 Dec 1802.

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