George Will 1705/6

Will of Richard George

of Smarden, Kent

Source: Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Canterbury Cathedral Archives PRC 17/80/275b
Submitted by Shelagh Mason

The fifth day of March in the Fourth year of our Soveraign Lady Anne by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith Anno Dini 1705.
I Richard George of the Parish of Smarden in the County of Kent Husbandman, being weak in Body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, thanks be therefore to Almighty God, do make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and form Following; Vizt.
First and principally I commend my Soule into the Hands of Almighty God hoping through the Merits, Death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ, to have free pardon and forgiveness of all my Sins; And my Body I desire to comitt to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors herefter named
As for the Disposition of such Temporal Goods as it hathe pleased God to bestow upon me, I give and dispose thereof in manner following

Item I give unto my Son Thomas George my best suit of wearing apparrell for all parts of his Body
Item I give unto my Son Thomas the Remainder of my Lease of the Farm where I now live att Michaelmas next
Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Edward George all the rest of my wearing apparrell
Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson John George two shillings

All the rest of my Goods and Chattells whatsoevr I desire should be equally devided between my four Children vizt. Richard George Edward George Thomas George and Elizabeth the wife of Nicholas Rich att Michaellmas next, after my Wife shall have her Thirds taken out

Item I give and bequeath more unto my Son Thomas George all the Wood that is growing except the Wood about the great Shierway Feild [Shireway Field] and the wood between the Dry Feild and the poor Feild, and the Wood about the Barn Feild.
Item I give and bequeath more unto my Son Thomas George the Benefitt for affollow [fallow?] of the Sweet Feild
Item I give and bequeath more unto my Son Thomas George two pounds and Ten shillings and wheat straw, to make Good the repairs of the said premisses

Item after my Debts and Funerall Charges shall be paid and Discharged I do hereby make void all Wills by me heretofore made, and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I the said Richard George have hereunto set my Hand and Seale the Day and Year first above written
Richard George his mark

Signed, Sealed and Declared to be my last Will and Testament in the prsence [presence] of whom I desire to be Witness hereunto;
William Cook; Will: Poane; John Dawson.

Probatum fuit: Decimo tertio die March [13th day of March] 1705/06.

Notes:
Richard George, Householder, was buried at St. Michael the Archangel, Smarden on 9th March 1705/6.
Richard George appears to have married during the Commonwealth, to an Elizabeth (unknown). Only 3 of their children have been found, all christened at Smarden:
28-Jun 1662 William; 15-Aug 1664 Richard; 04-Mar 1666 Elizabeth. Sons Edward and Thomas are not found (assumed born in Commonwealth).

Daughter Elizabeth George of Smarden was married on 26th December 1686 at SS Peter & Paul, Headcorn to Nicholas Rich of Tenterden.
Son William George of Smarden married Elizabeth Waterman on 15th January 1691 at St. Margaret, Bethersden. A son William as christened there on 4th October 1691.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 13th March 2020. All rights waived for personal use – BUT please quote source and reference.

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Will of Richard George
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