Imprimis I give and bequeath unto John Leeds my eldest son one bed bedstead and all thereto belonging in the chamber over the parlour wherein I now dwell being with red rug upon the bed blankets also belonging and striped curtains to the said bed two pairs of my best flaxen sheets and six napkins called milled napkins worked with blue, three chests one of them that he now makes use of and the other two joined chests standing in the maids chamber of my now dwelling house one coarse tablecloth and one fine table cloth to be delivered unto my said son John Leeds within one month next after my decease by my executor herein after named.
Item I give and devise unto the said John Leeds my son and his heirs forever all that messuage or tenement with their barns and buildings thereunto belonging garden orchard and close and three pieces or parcels of land to the same belonging with the appurtenances situate lying and being in Hawkhurst aforesaid containing by estimation eight acres whether of the same there be more or less adjoining to a stream called Riseden Stream in the occupation of Thomas Sands and me the said John Leeds the Elder or one of us our or one of our assigns and lately purchased by me of Charles Burk, Clerk.
Item I give and devise unto the said John Leeds my son and his heirs forever all that one messuage or two tenement barns and buildings thereunto belonging with the gardens and orchards one close and three pieces or parcels of land with the appurtanances to the same likewise belonging containing by estimation six acres whether of the same there be more or less situate lying and being in Sopers Lane in the parish of Hawkhurst aforesaid in the occupation of John Webb or his assigns and before in the occupation of Thomas Durrant and by now lately purchased of Jasper Crothall.
Item I give and devise unto the said John Leeds my son and his heirs forever all those two pieces or parcels of land lying and being in Benenden within the county of Kent containing by estimation eight acres whether of the same there be more or less with the appurtanances adjoining to a land commonly called Tom Wadd lane or by whatsoever other name called in the occupation of me the said John Leeds the Elder and lately purchased by me of Stephen Ginder Gent with other lands and tenements which I hereafter devise.
Item I give and devise unto my son William Leeds and his heirs forever all that one messuage or tenement one barn with other the buildings one close and one piece or parcels of land to the said messuage belonging to the same adjoining on that side of the street the said messuage is situate lying and being in Benenden aforesaid and containing by estimation four acres whether the same there be more or less and now in the occupation of Thomas Barrett and me the said John Leeds the Elder or one of us our or one of our assigns and lately purchased of the said Stephen Ginder by me the said John Leeds the Elder.
Item I give and devise unto the said William Leeds my son and his heirs forever all those several pieces or parcels of land called Cockinedge (or by whatsoever other name or names the same or any part thereof are or is called or known by) with their and every of their appurtanances lying and being in Benenden aforesaid containing by estimation two and twenty acres whether the same there be more or less and now in my occupation or my assigns and lately purchased by me of Stephen Springett.
Item All the rest and residue of all my goods chattels bonds bills mortgages and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever to be found within the kingdom of England and not herein before given and bequeathed my debts and funeral expenses being first paid and discharged I give and bequeath unto the said William Leeds my son whom I do hereby make and ordain sole executor of this my last will and testament revoking all former wills by me heretofor made
in witness thereof I the said John Leeds the Elder the testator have to every sheet here of being four in number set my
hand and to the last of these my hand and seal in the presence of those whose names are hereunto
written. John Leeds the Elder his mark
Witnessed: Richd Springett - Frances Noaks - Sam Durrant
Probate granted:29th April 1707
Return to Kent GenealogyWill of John Leeds