Will of James Cross

of Sheerness, Kent

I revoke annull and make void all former and other wills or testaments by me at any time heretofore made spoken or published
I name constitute and appoint my said wife Mary Cross sole and only Executrix of this my last will and testament

I give devise and bequeath all that my messuage and tenement and the Sheds Buildings Outhouses and Apartments Yard Gardens Backside and Appurtenances thereto belonging situate lying and being at or near a certain place called Spittle Hill in the parish of Strood in the said county of Kent commonly called or known by the name of the sign of the Coach and Horses or howsoever otherwise called and known now sometime past in the tenure possession or occupation of Peter More his assigns or under tenants and all my other real estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my said wife Mary Cross during the term of her natural life

and from and immediately after her decease give devise and bequeath all and singular the said messuage or tenement hereditaments and premises aforesaid with their appurtenances unto James Cross (son of my brother George Cross) and to his heirs forever

Also I give and bequeath to the said child James Cross the sum of fifty pounds of lawful money of England
Also I give and bequeath to Mary Cross and Martha Cross daughters of my said brother George Cross to each of them the sum of fifty pounds of lawful money of England
to be paid to them two months after the decease of my said wife Mary Cross provided they then are twenty one years of age but if not to be paid to each of them as they respectively become so old
but if one or two of them die before they are of age then his her or their legacy to become due to him her or them the survivors that he she or they may have the whole or equal parts of what would have been the others due for the benefit of him her or their heirs and assigns

Also I give and bequeath to Gregory Bentham and to Mary Bentham children of Gregory and Sarah Bentham of Sheerness aforesaid to each of them the sum of fifty pounds of the like lawful money to be paid to them within two months next after the decease of my said wife Mary Cross or so soon after the two months as they respectively be twenty one years old
but if either of them dies before they become of age the survivor to have the whole one hundred pounds and in case both these children die then the said two fifty pounds legacys to be paid at two months next after my said wifes decease to the other children of Gregory and Sarah Bentham aforesaid that are then alive or to their heirs and assigns

I also give and bequeath to Ann Sumpter daughter of Mr Thos. Sumpter of Sheerness aforesaid the sum of fifty pounds to be paid in two months next after my wife Mary Cross’s decease or so soon after that as she is twenty one years old, but if the said child Ann Sumpter does not live to receive the same then to go to her brother William Sumpter
and if he dies too young and without issue then the said fifty pounds to be paid to James Sumpter or his heirs after the decease of my wife
but this nor none of the before mentioned legacys are to be paid sooner than two months after the decease of my wife Mary Cross

Also I give and bequeath to John Greengrass of East Eastchurch in the island of Sheepy – house carpenter the sum five pounds
and to Elizabeth Hampton wife of Wm. Hampton of Chiswick in the county of Middlesex Waterman the like sum of five pounds
both these five pounds to be paid by my said Executrix within one month next after my decease

Also I give and bequeath all and every the rest and residue of my ready money, moneys out at interest on Government or other securities and the securitys for the same goods plate chattels right credits effects and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever that I shall be possessed of Interested and Intitled unto at the time of my decease unto my said wife Mary Cross her Executors Administrators and Assigns absolutely forever

In witness whereof I the said James Cross the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper set my hand and seal to each Sheet thereof the fourteenth day of March in the twenty seventh year of the reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty four.

James Cross Signed Sealed and Published and Declared by the said James Cross the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his sight and presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto
Danl Tassell - Amy Wallace - Saml Langley

This Will was proved at London the eleventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty four before the Right Honourable Sir George See Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Mary Cross widow the sole Executrix named in the said will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods chattels and credits of the deceased being first sworn by commission and to administer.

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