Denne Will 1785

Will of Mary Denne

of Chilham, Kent

Source: Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Vol. 101 folio 99
Transcribed by Brian Denn

In the name of God Amen I Mary Denne of Chilham in the County of Kent, Widow although labouring at present under some indispositions(?) of body yet being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding through the mercy of God do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First and principally I resign my soul with the utmost humility into the hands of Almighty God my Creator humbly hoping for a blessed immortality through the merits and mediation of my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ. And my body I desire may be decently buried in the Parish Church of Chilham aforesaid as near as conveniently may be to my late dear husband. And as for such worldly goods as I have in my power to dispose of I give and dispose of them as follows.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Denne my best bed and bedstead with blue damask hangings or furniture and also the window curtains and furniture of the chamber in which the said bed now is. I also give and bequeath unto my said daughter Mary Denne all my china of whatsoever sort it be.

All the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattels effects money plate linen and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or quality soever the same shall will and be at the time of my decease (after the deduction of my funeral expenses and other incident charges) I give and bequeath unto my three daughters Mary Denne aforesaid, Sarah the wife of Bennett Smith of the Island of Jamaica and Martha the wife of William Smith of Chilham aforesaid to be equally divided between them share and share alike (except my daughter Martha who having had a quantity of my linen I devise that may be deemed as part of her share of my said linen).

And I do hereby revoke all other wills by me formerly made and do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament. And I do nominate and appoint my three sons Thomas Denne William Denne and Edward Denne Joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament desiring them to fulfil the same with all convenient speed after my decease. In witness whereof I the said Mary Denne the Testatrix have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. Mary Denne. Signed sealed published and declared by the said Mary Denne the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Thomas Mantell, Edward Cozens.

The before registered will of Mary Denne deceased was proved the fourth day of June 1785 before the Reverend William Backhouse Doctor in Divinity Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Edward Denne the surviving Executor named in the said will he being first sworn duly to perform the same.

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Will of Mary Denne
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