Will of William Newnham

of Gillingham, Kent

First I revoke and make void all former Wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made spoken or published
And I do hereby make constitute and appoint my dear Wife Elizabeth Newnham and my two Sons Henry Newnham and Richard Newnham Executors of this my last Will and Testament and Trustees for the purposes hereinafter mentioned
And I will and direct that all my Just Debts Funeral Expences and other incident things shall be first paid and satisfied
Also I give and bequeath to each of the said Elizabeth Newnham and my two Sons Henry Newnham and Richard Newnham the Sum of one Guinea apiece for their trouble in and about the Execution of this my Will

I also give unto my Son Richard Newnham all and every my Tools and utensils in my Trade and Business of a House Carpenter
And also the Yard and Workshop situate behind the House I now occupy called The Green Dragon so long as he shall think fit To hold the same and occupy it himself and no longer
And from and immediately after his decease or quitting the same I do direct the said Elizabeth Newnham and my two Sons Henry Newnham and Richard Newnham their Executors and Administrators to Let the same be placed as the Right Members and Appurtenances belonging to the House called The Green Dragon of which I now occupy

I also give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Newnham for and during her natural Life the possession of my now dwelling House which I now Hold upon Lease called The Green Dragon with all and every of my Household Goods, Plate, China, Linen and Implements of Household of every kind and quality for her own Use and the Benefit and Maintenances of my three Children Sally Newnham, Fanny Newnham and Bestsy Newnham the same being subject to the Payment of Five pounds and Five shillings per Year to John Baldwin and ____ his Wife as an Interest upon a Bond for their Lives

Also I give devise and bequeath all ad every my other Messuages and Tenements with the Lands and Appurtenances in the Parish of Gillingham in the County aforesaid which I now hold on Lease or Leases And also all the rest and residue of my ready Monies and Securities for Money, Debts, Stock in Trade and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or quality soever unto the said Elizabeth Newnham, Henry Newnham and Richard Newnham their Executors or Admors. Upon trust
that they the said Elizabeth Newnham, Henry Newnham and Richard Newnham their Executors and Administrators shall and do with all convenient speed after my decease sell and dispose of all my Stock in Trade & Personal Estate that shall then remain for the best price and prices that can or may be gotten for the same and also call receive and get into their hands all such Debts and Sums of Money which shall or may be due or owing unto me on Securities or otherwise at the time of my decease

And upon this further Trust and Confidence that they my said Trustees and Executors Elizabeth Newnham, Henry Newnham and Richard Newnham their Executors and Administrators shall and do pay out of all the Monies that shall arise by and from my Personal Estate and by and from the Rents of my Leasehold Estate which shall be made thereof the Sum of Five pounds unto my Son Henry Newnham within three Years after my decease
And the Sum of Five pounds per Year Annually unto my Son William Newnham for and during his Life

Provided my Leasehold Estate should be in the Hands and Custody of my Trustees and Executors their Executors or Administrators and the Sum of Ten Pounds Per Year Annually unto my Son Richard Newnham for and during his Life
Provided my Leasehold Estate should be in the Hands and Custody of my Trustees and Executors their Executors or Admors. which said two last Legacies shall not be paid or take place nor recommence till three Years after my decease when the first Years Payment shall be made and so continue Yearly and very Year following

And the Overplus Money that remains on the Ballance Yearly and every Year arising from my said Leasehold and Personal Estate I give and bequeath the same to my six Children Sally Newnham, Fanny Newnham, Betsy Newnham, Joseph Newnham, Benjamin Newnham and Robert Newnham share and share alike
but in Case of the death of my Son Richard Newnham Then I give and bequeath the said Yearly Sum of Ten Pounds to and amongst the Children or Child of his Body lawfully to be begotten to be continue Annually as in the Life time of my said Son Richard Newnham

And from and immediately after the decease of my said Wife Elizabeth Newnham Then I give all and every the Rents of the said House called The Green Dragon with al and every my Household Goods, Plate, China, Linen and Implements of Household of every kind and quality left by my said Wife unto and amongst my said six Children aforesaid Sally, Fanny, Betsy, Joseph, Benjamin and Robert Newnham share and share alike
Nevertheless the same being subject to the Payment of Five pounds and Five shillings per Year to John Baldwin and his Wife as an Interest upon a Bond for their Lives

And after the decease of my said Wife Elizabeth Newnham it is my Will and desire and I do direct my said Executors and Trustees their Executors and Adm'ors to place my Son Richard Newnham in the house called the Green Dragon and pay such Rent as they my Executors and Trustees shall think fit and reasonable

In Witness whereof I the said William Newnham have to this my last Will and Testament set my Hand and Seal the twenty fourth day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety
Wm. Newnham

Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Newnham to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of Us who have hereunto subscribed and put Our Names as Witnesses in his presence
Matthew Wolfinton - The mark of William Harrison - Jno Sommerton

This Will was proved at London this nineteenth day of July in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety before the Worshipful Thomas Bever, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight, also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of Elizabeth Newnham Widow the Relict of the deceased Henry Newnham and Richard Newnham the Sons of the deceased Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer. Exd.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 29th January 2021

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