Cook Will 1753

Will of William Cooke

of Chatham, Kent


Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury TNA Ref.: PROB 11/799/56
Submitted by Shelagh Mason
In the Name of God Amen
I William Cooke of Chatham in the County of Kent Barber and Peruke maker being of sound and disposing memory and understanding do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following
In the first place I commend my Soul to Almighty God the Creator thereof in and through the Merits and Intercession of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently Interred at the discretion of my Executrix hereinafter named

And as touching my Worldly Estate I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Mary Cooke during her Widowhood
but in case she marries again (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Cooke the Sum of one hundred and fifty pounds of lawfull Money of Great Britain to be paid in six Calendar Months next after Wife Mary Cooke Marriage if she be then living
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Susanna Cooke the Sum of one hundred and fifty pounds of like lawfull Money to be paid within six Kalendar Months after my Wife Mary Cooke Marriage if she be then living

But in case my loving Wife Mary Cooke continues a Widow
Item I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Mary Cooke all my Ready Money Securities for Money Debts Credits Rings plate Linnen Woollen Beds Bedding Household Goods Chattels and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever which I shall die possessed of Interested in or intituled [entitled] unto my own just Debts Funeral Expences and Charges being thereout first paid and satisfied I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Mary Cooke her Executors Administrators and Assigns for ever

and of this my last Will and Testament I nominate and appoint my said Wife Mary Cooke Sole Executrix hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and I publish and declare this to be and contain as and for my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof to this my last Will (I) set my hand and Seal this eighth day of July in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty two
Willm. Cooke

Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Cooke as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of
Edward Burch John Scott

This Will was proved at London the eighth day of January in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three before the Worshipfull Andrew Coltee Ducarell Doctor of Laws Surrogate to the Right Honourable Sir George Lee Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Mary Cooke Widow the Relict of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattells and Credits of the said deceased being first Sworn duly to administer.

Notes:
William Cooke was buried at St Mary, Chatham 13 Dec 1752.
PCC will of Mary Cook, widow of Chatham dated 1767, probate 6 May 1771. She was buried 26 Apr 1771 at St. Mary, Chatham.
A William Cooke married a Mary Clarke 3 Nov 1720 at St. Mary, Chatham.
Another William Cooke married Mary Eves 2 Feb 1729 at St. Mary, Chatham.
I can find no children of a William and Mary Cooke in the vicinity, 1720-1750.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 20th December 2019. All rights waived for personal use – BUT please quote source and reference.


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Will of William Cooke
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