George Will 1729

Will of William George

of Canterbury, Kent


Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury TNA Ref.: PROB 11/631/394
Submitted by Shelagh Mason
In the Name of God Amen
I William George of the City of Canterbury Gent [Gentleman] being unsound in body but of good and perfect mind memory and understanding doe make my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say)
First and principally I commend my Soule into the Hands of Almighty God my Heavenly Father nott doubting butt to receive forgiveness of all my sinnes through the meritorious death and passion of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ and my body I committ to the Earth to be decently interred in the Church Yard of the Parish Church of All Saints in or as neare the Grave of my late father * [John] as may conveniently be
And as touching and concerning that temporall Estate to which God hath given and afforded unto me in this world I give bequeath devise and dispose of the same as followeth (that is to say)

I give and bequeath unto John Toker sonn of Richard Toker of Barton Farme in or neare the said City of Canterbury the sume of Tenn pounds of lawfull money of Great Brittaine to be paid to him by my Executrix within six months next after my death

Item I give and bequeath unto Mr. Thomas Couchman of the Lady Woottons Palace the like sume of Tenn pounds of lawfull money of Great Brittaine to be paid to him by my Executrix in the manner following (that is to say) the Sume of Two shillings weekly and every weeke untill the said sume of Tenn pounds shall be fully paid the first payment to begin and be made the weeke next following my death and to continue weekly untill the said Sume of Tenn pounds shall be fully paid and satisfyed
But if the said Thomas Couchman shall dye before the said Sume of Tenn pounds shall be paid as aforesaid Then I give such part of the said Sume of Tenn pounds as shall be soe unpaid att the time of the death of the said Thomas Couchman unto my said Executrix

Item I give to the poore of the said Parish of All Saints in the said City of Canterbury the sume of Five pounds to be distributed amongst (them) within one month after my death att the direction of my said Executrix with the advice of the Minister and Churchwardens of the said Parish

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Sister Jane Hussey** and to her Heires Executors Administrators and Assignes for ever All and every my Messuages lands and Tenements whatsoever and wheresoever both Fee simple or a leasehold or heresoever otherwise holden To hold the same unto my said Sister Jane Hussey and to her heires Executors Administrators and Assignes for ever

Item I give and bequeath unto my said Sister Jane Hussey All the rest and residue of my goods debts Effects and personell Estate whatsoever And doe make and appoint the said Jane Hussey Sole Executrix of this my Will

In Witness whereof I the said William George have to this my last Will and Testament sett my hand and seale the Twenty Seaventh day of December Anno Dini One Thousand Seaven Hundred and twenty seaven and in the first yeare of the reigne of King George the second over Great Brittaine etc.
Wm. George

Signed Sealed delivered published and declared by the said William George the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who att his request and in his presence have Subscribed our names as Witnesses
Wm. Horris Richd. Lane Step. Tucker

Probatum fuit: 22nd August 1729 to Jane Underdowne alias Hussey, now wife of Vincent Underdowne.

Notes:
William George was the son of John and Jane George of Faversham and Canterbury.
John George, Ba., 28, Farrier of Canterbury married Jane Preston, Widow of Preston-next-Faversham on 11th September 1674 at St. Mary of Charity, Faversham. [This gives John George a date of birth circa 1646 – but none is found. The closest is 3 May 1651 in Faversham, s. of Thomas and Elizabeth....]

Their children (all christened at All Saints, Canterbury):
12 Oct 1675 John; 13 Nov 1677 William; 15 Apr 1679 Edward; 6 Apr 1688 Jane.
** Sister Jane Hussey (nee George), mentioned in the Will, married James Hussey at St. Catherine, Preston-next-Faversham, on 5th February 1718.
Vincent Underdown, ba of Dover & Jane Hussey, widow of All Saints, Canterbury married 2 Jan 1728 at Christ Church Cathedral by licence

William George died and was buried on 23rd May 1729 at All Saints, Canterbury, aged 49 years. He appears to have not married, nor fathered any children.
* Father John George was buried at All Saints, Canterbury on 9th September 1689;
Mother Jane George, Widow, was buried at St. Mary of Charity, Faversham on 13th November 1721.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 12th January 2020. All rights waived for personal use – BUT please quote source and reference.


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Will of William George
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