Sladden Will 1765

Will of James Sladden

of Canterbury, Kent

Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury PROB 11/908/198
Submitted by Neil Sladden

In the Name of God Amen I James Sladden of the Parish of Holy Cross Westgate without the Walls of the City of Canterbury in the County of Kent Gentleman being in good Health and of sound and perfect Mind Memory and Understanding do make this my last Will in manner following
First I surrender my Soul into the Hands of God and my Body to the Earth to be decently buried in the Church Yard of St. Mary Le Bo(w) in the County of Middlesex in the Grave where my late Wife was buried in a good Elm Coffin covered with the best black Cloth my Coffin to be made very thick with the best brass Nails the best Crape Shroud Sheet and other inside Furniture that my Corps(e) be carried from the place where I dye in a Hearse drawn by four Horses attended by one Mourning Coach and four Horses and to have a Stone at the Head and one at the Feet of my Grave with proper Inscriptions thereon
I desire that my Funeral Expences may not exceed forty pounds * but my Will is in case I dye in the County of Kent that my Body be buried at Lyminge in Kent

Also I give and bequeath unto Susanna Sladden and Sarah Brown wife of Thomas Brown Daughters of my Brother Henry Sladden the Sum of Sixty pounds apiece to be paid them within twelve Months after my decease
Also I give unto the said Susanna Sladden all the Furniture of my Room

All the rest residue and remainder of my Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever I give and bequeath unto my said Brother Henry Sladden
And I make him my said Brother Henry Sladden sole Executor of this my Will

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this twenty sixth day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty four
James Sladden

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said James Sladden to be his Last Will and Testament un the Presence of us who at his Request and in his Presence have subscribed our Names as Witnesses
Geo : Plomer - Sarah Plomer

This Will was proved at London the second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred sixty five before the Worshipful Thomas Bever Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipful George Hay also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Henry Sladden the Brother of the deceased and sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer. Exd.

Notes:
* £40 in 1764 was the equivalent of £7,350 in 2019. [Bank of England Inflation Calculator.]
James Sladden was buried at SS Mary & Ethelburga, Lyminge on 26th April 1765. He was listed as being “of Canterbury” in the parish register.

Transcribed by Mrs. Shelagh Mason, 23rd May 2020

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Will of James Sladden
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