Will of Robert Gates

of Orpington, Kent

I nominate and appoint my Sons Robert Gates and William Gates and my Son in law John Baker Hardstone of St Mary Cray Kent Wheelwright Executors of this my Will

In the first place I direct that all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences be paid and satisfied as soon as can be after my decease
And I give to my wife Mary Gates the use and benefit of my household goods furniture & effects in and about my dwelling house at Orpington aforesaid for her life
and after her decease they are to form part of my residuary Estate hereinafter disposed of

And I give and bequeath the sum of Five Hundred Pounds Three pounds per Cent Consolidated Bank Annuities unto my said Executors upon trust to pay the dividends and income thereof unto my said wife Mary Gates for her life for her sole and independent use
and after the decease of my said wife to pay and transfer the said sum of Five Hundred Pounds Three pounds per Cent Bank Annuities into the name of my daughter Caroline Hardstone the wife of the said John Baker Hardstone for her sole and independent use absolutely

And I give all the real Estate and also all the rest and residue of my personal estate unto and to the use of my said Executors Robert Gates and William Gates and John Baker Hardstone Upon Trust to permit and suffer my said wife Mary Gates to receive and take the rents Issues income and profits thereof for and during her life keeping the said freehold or real Estate in repair by and with the rents and profits and income thereof

and after her decease I give and devise my four Freehold messuages or tenements situate and being on the East side of Orpington Street together with gardens outbuildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto and to the use of my said Son Robert Gates to hold to him his heirs and assigns which said four messuages are now in the occupation of Samuel Glassup Jesse Bellchambers Mrs Townsend and Charles Smallwood

and I give and devise unto my said Son William Gates my two freehold houses situate and being on the West side of Orpington Street aforesaid together with gardens outbuildings and appurtenances to hold to him his heirs and assigns in one of which last mentioned two messuages I now reside and the other is in the occupation of George Harman

and also to answer and pay the following Legacies
Five Pounds to Ann Bean the daughter of my said wife
Also Five pounds to Charlotte Duke of St Mary Cray another daughter of my said wife
Also Five pounds to Harriet Bean wife of Thomas Bean of Orpington aforesaid Carpenter
Such last mentioned legacies of Five Pounds to be paid within three months after my decease and free from Legacy duty

And subject as aforesaid I give and bequeath all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate and Effects unto and equally between and amongst my said three children Robert Gates William Gates and Caroline Hardstone their executors administrators and assigns

In witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament written on one sheet of Paper set my hand the Fourth day of February One thousand eight hundred and fifty five Robert Gates
(Attestation Clause)
Jas Fuller Madox Solr Foots Cray Kent _ John Bond Plumber Orpington Kent

Proved at London 2 March 1855

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