Will of John Bates

of Penshurst, Kent

I give and bequeath to my Eldest son James Bates if alive at the time of my decease the sum of One Shilling
and to my dearly beloved wife Martha Bates I give and bequeath the interest or profits of half my property during the minority of my Grandson John Fairhall Bates and my Granddaughter Jane Elizabeth Bates that is if I die before they the said John Fairhall Bates & Jane Elizabeth Bates attain the age of Twenty one years
and the interest or profits of the other of my property I give and bequeath to my son William Nimrod Bates during the minority of my Grandson and Granddaughter as aforesaid

but should the said John Fairhall Bates & Jane Elizabeth Bates my Grandchildren have arrived at the age of Twenty one Years at the time of my decease and should my wife Martha Bates survive that period then my will is that my said Wife receive twenty six pounds per Annum out of the property or its profits during her life
and after her decease my Will is that my son William Nimrod Bates or his heirs have a moiety or half of the property and the other half to go to my Grandchildren John Fairhall Bates & Jane Elizabeth Bates or their heirs to be divided in equal shares between them

but should either of my aforesaid Grandchildren die without issue or heirs before the decease of my said Wife then my will is that his or her share as it may be go to the other of them viz to the said John Fairhall Bates or Jane Elizabeth Bates as it may be
or if they should both die before they have attained the age of twenty one years or before my Wife Martha Bates they not having any heirs Then my Will is that the Whole of the Property go to my son William Nimrod Bates & his heirs after the decease of my Wife Martha Bates

further I appoint my Brother Isaac Bates sole Executor of this my Will and Trustee of my Estate as long as a Trustee shall be needful and in case he should die or refuse to act then for him to appoint Executors or Trustees as he may think proper and my Will is that he as Executor or Trustee or such Person or Persons as he may appoint be allowed all reasonable expences for their services in filling the Office of Executor or Trustee

and as a token that this is in very deed my last Will and Testament I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven John Bates
Witness William Taylor - John Shorter

Proved 9 June 1837

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