Imprimis I give and bequeath unto
my brother William Denne all and every my lands tenements and hereditaments wheresoever situate
lying or being and to his heirs and assigns for ever.
I give and bequeath to my sister Elizabeth Wraith
the sum of fifteen pounds a year to be paid her quarterly for and during the term of her natural life and
also the use and occupation of her dwelling house so long as she shall live.
I give and bequeath unto
my two sisters Elizabeth Wraith aforesaid and Susannah Denne and my two nieces Elizabeth the wife
of John Woolton and Beatrix the wife of George Meers all my plate and linen to be divided equally
between them.
I give and bequeath unto my said sister Susannah Denne my best bed and furniture
thereof.
I give and bequeath unto my said two nieces Elizabeth the wife of John Woolton and Beatrix
the wife of George Meers the sum of five hundred pounds each and to their several executors
administrators and assigns.
I give and bequeath unto my said sister Susannah Denne the sum of five
hundred pounds to be put to interest for her use and benefit during the term of her natural life. And if
my said sister shall happen to die without lawful issue then my will is that the said five hundred pounds
principal money shall be divided equally between such of my aforesaid two nieces and sister which
shall survive her my said sister Susannah Denne.
I give and bequeath unto my nephews John Wraith,
Thomas Wraith, Thompson Wraith and William Wraith and to my niece Elizabeth the wife of John
Berry the sum of one hundred pounds each and to their several executors administrators and assigns.
I give and bequeath unto my niece Sarah the wife of Nicholas Carter the sum four hundred pounds and
to her executors administrators and assigns.
I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth the wife of Edward Fox
and to Elizabeth her daughter the sum of twenty pounds each and to their several executors
administrators and assigns.
I give and bequeath unto Thomas Wanstall and John Wanstall sons of my
niece Mary Wanstall deceased and to the survivor of them the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid
them when they shall attain the age of twenty one years.
I hereby charge all my lands with an annual rent charge of 84 pounds to be paid to the churchwardens of Chilham on the thirtieth day of November yearly by my heirs for ever which shall be distributed by the said churchwardens at two equal portions on the first day of January and the fifth day of April in every year to the most ? poor of the said parish to be nominated by the advice of the vicar of the church for the time being.
All the rest and residue of
my goods chattels and other my moveable effects and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever I
give and bequeath unto my said brother William Denne whom I nominate constitute and appoint sole
Executor of this my last Will and Testament requiring him to pay all my just debts as soon as
conveniently may be and the legacies before mentioned and the time not before limited half at the end
of twelve months and the remaining half at the end of twenty months next after my decease. And lastly
I do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal the fifth day of July in the year of our Lord 1774. John Denne. Signed sealed published
and declared by the said John Denne the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence
of us.
Thomas Mantell, Simon Ruck, Edward Cozens.
The before registered will of John Denne deceased was proved the eighth day of September 1774 before the Reverend John Tucker(?), Clerk Surrogate of the Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor of Laws Vicar General to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of William Denne the sole Executor named in the said will he being first sworn duly to perform the same.
Return to Kent GenealogyWill of John Denne