Will of Edward Francis

of Hothfield, Kent

And Whereas Robert Wood of Ashford in the said County of Kent Grocer is and stands indebted to me in the Sum of Two hundred pounds upon an Assignment and Ratification of a Mortgage of a Messuage or Tenement with the Appurtenances thereto belonging situate lying and being in the Town of Ashford now or late in the tenure or Occupation of the said Robert Wood his Assigns or Undertenants for the Remainder of a certain Term of five hundred Years therein mentioned to be granted and created by one Indenture of Mortgage bearing date on or about the twenty ninth day of October which was in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty one made between the said Robert Wood and Mary his Wife of the one part and William Platt late of Pluckley in the said County Gentleman (since deceased) of the other part for Security of One hundred and twenty Pounds and Interest as therein is mentioned
which said Mortgage was afterward ratified and confirmed to the said William Platt by another Indenture bearing date on or about the Eighth day of March One thousand seven hundred and fifty four for Security of One hundred and fifty Pounds and Interest as therein is mentioned
and the same is now signed over to me, my Executors, Administrators and Assigns by Barbara Platt, Widow and Executrix of the said William Platt deceased by the Direction of the said Robert Wood And by him confirmed and ratified to me for the remainder of the said Term of five hundred Years for Security of the said two hundred Pounds and Interest
- by the said Indenture Tripartite bearing date on or about the fifth day of July which was in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Seventy made between the said Barbara Platt of the first part, the said Robert Woods of the second part and me the said Edward Francis of the third part

And Whereas William Cole of Mersham in the said County of Kent Grocer is and stands indebted to me in the Sum of One hundred Pounds upon an Assignment of a Mortgage of a Messuage or Tenement Barn Stable Garden Orchard and two Acres of Land thereto belonging with the Appurtenances together situate lying and being in Mersham aforesaid for the remainder of a certain Sum of five Hundred Years therein mentioned to be granted and created by one Indenture of Mortgage bearing date on or about the Twenty fourth day of January which was in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty nine and made between the said William Cole of the one part and Thomas Mount then of Mersham aforesaid Linnen Weaver of the other part for security of the said One hundred pounds and Interest as therein is mentioned
and which last mentioned Mortgage hath been by the said Thomas Mount by the Direction of the said William Cole assigned to me any Executors Administrators and Assigns for the Remainder of the said last mentioned Term of Five hundred years by one Indenture Tripartite bearing date on or about the second day of May one thousand seven hundred and Seventy and made between the said Thomas Mount then of Charing in the said County of the first part, the said William Cole of the second part, and me the said Edward Francis of the third part as by the said recited Indenture Relation being thereunto had may more fully appear

Now I do by this my Will give and Bequeath the Interest of the said hereinbefore mentioned Sum of two hundred pounds and one hundred pounds so secured as aforesaid unto my loving Wife Susan Francis for and during the term of her natural Life
and from and after her Decease I Give and bequeath the said principal Sum of Two hundred pounds due and owing from the said Robert Wood to and as aforesaid and every part thereof unto my Son James Francis to and for his own use and Benefit
And from and after the Decease of my said Wife Susan Francis I Give and bequeath the said Principal Sum of One Hundred Pounds so due and owing from the said William Cole to and as aforesaid unto my Son Edward Francis to and for his own use and Benefit

I give and bequeath to my said Wife Susan Francis one third part of all my pewter and Linnen (my wearing Apparel excepted) to and for her own use and Benefit Also I give and Bequeath to her my said Wife the use of the Furniture of My best Chamber for and during the Term of her natural Life and after her Decease I Give the Furniture of my best Chamber to my said Son Edward Francis

And to all the Rest residue and Remainder of my Goods Chattells Debts Ready Moneys and personal Estate of what nature or kind soever not hereinbefore given and bequeathed I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof, my just Debts, Funeral Expences, the Charges of proving this my Will and other incident Charges being first paid thereout unto my said Son Edward Francis to and for his own Use and Benefit

And I do hereby make and appoint my said Son Edward Francis Sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament
And Lastly I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me made and declare this to be my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I the said Edward Francis the Testator have hereunto set and put my Hand and Seal this seventh day of February in the fifteenth year of our Sovereign Lord George the third now King of Great Britain etc. And in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five
Edward Francis

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Edward Francis the Testator as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto in his presence and at his request subscribed our Names as Witnesses
Sam. Mann - Elizabeth Harris her Mark

The before Registered Will of Edward Francis deceased was proved the 22nd day of April 1775 before the Reverend Geo: Hearne, Clerk, Surrogate to the Worshipful Francis Simpson Doctor of Laws, Official General to the Revered the Archdeacon of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Edward Francis the Executor named in the said Will he being first Sworn well and truly to perform the same, etc.
Exd.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 29th April 2021

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