Will of Mary Lake

of Bapchild, Kent

I give and bequeath unto the four daughters of my late husband John Lake the Silver Tea Pot and Stand, Sugar Basin and Tings, the Milk Jug, Salver, the four Sauce Ladles, the six Table spoons one of which is broken, the twelve Dessert Spoons, the six Tea Spoons and the Gravy Spoon which did belong to my late husband
And in case there should be any difficulty, dispute or question as to the division thereof among such four daughters, I direct my Executors to make such division thereof as they shall think equitable and just

Whereas under the Will of my late husband deceased a certain Farm and lands called Rydes situate in the Isle of Sheppy were given to me for life and after my death the same were given and devised to trustees in the said Will named Upon trust to sell the same and stand possessed of the monies there arising Upon trust to pay the same to such one or more of the children and issue of my said late husband in such shares and proportions manner and form as I should in my Will give and bequeath the same
Now therefore in pursuance of the said power and of all other powers and authorities vested in or enabling me I do hereby give and bequeath the monies to arise by sale of the said estate to and among such of the children of my said late husband and in such proportions manner and form as is hereinafter expressed, that is to say

I give and bequeath one hundred pounds part of the monies to arise by the said sale to each of Elizabeth Lake and Ann Lake the two daughters of my late husband’s eldest son William Lake Esquire in order that they may purchase something therewith in remembrance of me I do not give them a greater share of the said sale monies by reason that they will be so much better off than the other Granddaughters of my said late husband

And I give and bequeath one third part of the residue of the monies to arise by the said sale to such of the female children of my late husband’s daughter Frances the Wife of Walter Prentice as shall live to attain the age of twenty one years in equal shares if more than one and I empower the trustees or trustee for the time being of my said late husband’s Will to apply all or so much of the annual proceeds of the said third part to which each Female child of the said Frances Prentice shall be entitled in expectancy or otherwise under this my Will for or towards her maintenance and education during her minority as they or he shall think fit
notwithstanding her parents or parents may be living and of ability to maintain her and so much of the said annual proceeds as may remain unapplied for that purpose shall be laid out and accumulated for the benefit of the person or persons who will become entitled to the Capital of the share from which such accumulations shall arise Nevertheless I empower the said trustees or trustee for the time being to apply all or any part of the accumulations in any previous year or years of the share of any such child in increase of her maintenance and education in any succeeding year or years

And I give and bequeath one other third part thereof to all and every the female children of my said late husband’s daughter Mercy the Wife of Robert Lake who shall attain the age of twenty one years in equal shares if more than one with such direction as to maintenance and accumulation for the benefit of the female children of the said Mercy Lake as is hereinafter contained concerning the one third part given to the children of the said Frances Prentice

And I bequeath the remaining third part of the residue of the monies produced by the said sale upon trust for all and every the female children of my late husband’s daughter Harriet the Wife of Thomas Denne who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years in equal shares if more than one with such direction as to maintenance and accumulation for the benefit of the female children of the said Harriet Denne as is hereinafter contained concerning the one third part given to the children of the said Frances Prentice

And in case any or either of the said Frances Prentice, Mercy Lake and Harriet Denne shall have no female child or children who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years Then I give and bequeath the one third part or share given to the class of female children which shall so fail to and equally between such of the Female children of the other daughters or daughter of my said late husband who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years, such children taking per stirpes and not per capita

And I declare that the reason why I have not given any part of the aforesaid property to my late husband’s daughter Sarah Lake is that she has requested me not to do so

And as to the Residue of my one Property of whatever description it may be I give and bequeath the entirety thereof to my sister Martha for her life and after her death I give and bequeath the same to the five children of my deceased sister Sarah Marden equally to be divided between them

And I beg every Member of my late husband’s family to accept the assurance of my affectionate regard and I trust they will excuse the expression of a hope that the most cordial good understanding and union may exist among them knowing that such was my late husband’s earnest desire

And I nominate and appoint my late husband’s son James Lake Esquire and his cousin Charles Lake of Rodmersham in the County of Kent Gentleman Executors of this my Will and hereby revoking all other Wills by me at any time made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I the said Mary Lake the testatrix have to the foot or end of this my last Will and testament contained in this and the preceding sheets of paper set my hand this thirtieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six
Mary Lake

Signed and declared by the above named Mary Lake the testatrix as and for her last Will and testament in the presence of us (both being present at the same time) who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto
Henry Snowden, Surgeon, Linsted - Charles Blick, Clerk St Johns College Cambridge

Proved at London 10th July 1851 before the Worshipful Frederic Thomas Pratt, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oaths of James Lake Esquire and Charles Lake Esquire the Executors to whom Admon. was granted having been first Sworn duly to Administer.
Exd.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 20th October 2020

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