Will of John Morson

of Strood, Kent

Whereas my son or reputed son John Morson the younger of Strood aforesaid Grocer hath sustained considerable loss in the use and occupation of the estate called Sharpness Marshes or Sharpness Fleet wherein I have an interest and my son Thomas Morson has signified to me his wish not to participate or derive any interest in my estate and effects real or personal. Now therefore for these and other considerations, I do give devise and bequeath my estate and effects in manner and form following, that is to say,

I give and devise all my right and interest part or share of and in a certain creek or piece or parcel of marshland called or known by the name of Sharpness Marshes or Sharpness Fleet part of which is covered with water lying and being in the parishes of Upchurch and Halstow the Lower in the said County of Kent and the whole of which contains by estimation six hundred acres or thereabouts together with all my right and interest of in and to the fleets or separate fisheries thereunto belonging and all and every the rights privileges hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto in any wise appertaining or belonging and which said premises were formerly in the occupation of John Elphick and afterwards of Robert Willis the Elder, Thomas Benfield, Ann Alexander, the Widow Russell, the Widow Humphreys, Robert Willis the Younger, John Alexander, Robert Alexander, Richard Turner and John Cox unto my said son or reputed son John Morson the Younger.
To Hold all and every my part and share right and interest whatsoever of in and to the said Creek, Lands, Grounds, Waters, Fleets and Land covered with water and the rights privileges hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto in any wise appertaining or belonging unto the said John Morson the Younger his heirs and assigns absolutely and for ever.

ALSO I give and bequeath unto Frances Brown of Snodland in the County of Kent, Spinster the sum of fifty pounds sterling to be paid to her within one year next after my decease Upon Trust for and for the use and benefit of her illegitimate child William Brown who was born on or about the Eleventh day of June One Thousand Eight Hundred and Two and baptised in the Parish Church of Strood aforesaid on or about the Nineteenth day of September in the same year and to be by her the said Frances Brown paid and applied in for and towards the maintenance education and benefit of the said William Brown in such way and manner as she shall think fit and I do declare that the receipt of the said Frances Brown shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my executor hereafter named for the said legacy and that he my said executor shall not be bound to see to or be in any wise answerable or accountable for the application thereof.

ALSO I give and devise all that freehold messuage or tenement with the buildings hereditaments and appurtenances thereto belonging or therewith used situate lying and being in Strood aforesaid late in my own occupation but now in the occupation of Thomas White his assigns or undertenants and all my estate, right, interest and claim of in or to the same unto and equally between the said John Morson the Younger, my Daughter or reputed Daughter Mary the wife of John Irwin of ? Blockmaker, and my Son or reputed Son George Morson of Strood aforesaid Dredgerman To hold the same messuage or Tenement Buildings, Hereditaments and premises last mentioned and all my rights, claim and interest of in and to the same unto them the said John Morson the Younger, Mary Irwin and George Morson and their several and respective heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants.

ALSO I give and bequeath all and every the rest residue and remainder of my ready money and securities for money debts, goods, chattels, vessels and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind so ever (after payment thereout of my just debts, the aforesaid legacy, and my funeral and testamentary and other incident charges and expenses) unto and equally between the said John Morson the Younger, Mary Irwin and George Morson and their several and respective Executors, Administrators and assigns absolutely

and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said John Morson the Younger sole executor of this my will and do revoke and make void all former wills by me made.

In Witness whereof I the said John Morson the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written, sealed, published and declared.
JOHN MORSON
Signed by the said John Morson the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto:-
D B Lewis - Wm Boucher - Sarah Bond

The fifth day of December 1807 � John Morson the sole executor was duly sworn as usual and that all the goods chattels and credits of the deceased do not amount in value to the sum of One hundred pounds before me. Ja�s Jones � Surrogate

Testator died in July last

Proved the Fifth day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seven, before the Reverend James Jones � Clerk a Surrogate by the oath of John Morson the sole executor to whom administration was granted he having been first sworn duly to administer.

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