I give and devise All that my Messuage or Tenement with the Yard and Appurtenances thereunto
belonging situate in the Parish of Chilham in the said County and now in the occupation of
Green unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Branch for her life if she shall continue my Widow
and after her decease or marriage I give and devise the same unto my Daughter Mary-Ann Branch her heirs executors administrators and assigns
I give and bequeath unto my said Wife all my live and dead farming Stock household furniture Goods Chattels Monies Securities for Money and all other my personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever with power to manage the same in such manner as shall appear to her most advantageous for and during the term of her natural life if she shall continue my Widow subject to the payment of my just Debts funeral and testamentary expences And after her decease or marriage I give and bequeath the same unto my said Daughter Mary-Ann Branch absolutely
I appoint the said Elizabeth my Wife sole Executrix of this my Will hereby revoking all other testamentary writings
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty
Thomas Branch
Signed by the said Testator as 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 subscribed our names as witnesses
John Abbott; John B. Hogben
The before registered Will of Thomas Branch deceased was proved the twenty ninth day of November 1851 before the Reverend John Metcalfe, Clerk, Surrogate of the Worshipful Travers Twiss, Doctor of Laws, Official General of the Reverend the Archdeacon of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Elizabeth Branch Widow the Relict of the deceased the sole Executrix named in the said Will, She being first sworn duly to perform the same.
Notes:
Thomas Branch of Cockset, Ospringe was buried at SS Peter & Paul, Ospringe, Kent, on 6th October 1851, aged 48 years.
Thomas Branch was the son of John and Grace, baptised at Ospringe on 10th July 1803.
Thomas Branch of Ospringe married Elizabeth Gravenor of Throwley on 17th August 1826 at Ospringe, after Banns. Witnesses were: Thomas
Atherden?, Elizabeth Branch.
See also his Sister's Will: PRC 17/112/321b – Ann Branch, Ospringe, 1852.
Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 26th August 2022
Return to Kent GenealogyWill of Thomas Branch