Will of Henry Stroud

of Milton next Gravesend, Kent

First I direct that the house known by the name of the Star Hotel and Tavern shall be sold and that all my debts shall be paid with testamentary and funeral expences as soon as may be after my decease

And the residue of the money to be placed in the Bank of England the interest of the said money for the absolute use of my dear wife Mary Elizabeth Stroud for the term of her life if she shall so long remain my widow and unmarried
and after the decease of my said Wife or marriage which shall first happen Then I give, devise and bequeath the said residue to
my four children Mary Ann Stroud, Elias Stroud, Thomas Stroud and Sarah Elizabeth Stroud to be equally divided between and amongst them, to share and share alike

Also I give, devise and bequeath all and every other my freehold estates whatsoever situate with their Appurtenances unto and to my said Wife for the term of her life so long as she shall remain my widow and unmarried And after the decease of my said Wife of Marriage which may first happen, then I give, devise and bequeath the same estates and every part thereof unto my four said Children

Also my other Personal Estates of moneys, securities for money, debts due and owing or becoming payable to me on any account I give and bequeath to my said Wife
Also I give devise and bequeath power to my said Wife to take what household furniture, plate, linen, china, books and effects she likes from the Star Hotel and Tavern, and the residue to be sold and the money placed with the other in the Bank of England for the term of her life if she shall so long remain my Widow and unmarried

And after the decease of my said Wife or marriage which shall first happen then I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said four children to be equally divided between and amongst them, to share and share alike

And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Jonathan Hills the Elder, Baker and Jonathan West, Master of the Honourable East India Company Sloop the Diligence Executors and my said Wife Mary Elizabeth Stroud Executrix to this my last Will and Testament
hereby revoking and making void all former other Will and Wills at any time or times heretofore made and I do hereby declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I the said Henry Stroud the testator have to this my last Will and Testament Set my hand and seal this fifth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Henry Stroud

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Henry Stroud 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 hereto
William Heron Rogers, Surgeon &c. Gravesend - R. Tudman, Milton next Gravesend - George Potter, Milton next Gravesend

Proved at London the 12th June 1834 before The Worshipful William Calverly Curteis, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of Jonathan Hills, Jonathan West and Mary Elizabeth Stroud, Widow the Relict the Executors to whom adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first sworn duly to administer

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 23rd August 2021

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