Will of Elizabeth Rolfe

of Dover, Kent

Item I give and bequeath to my Sister Knott twenty pounds a Year during her life the same to my Cozn Pilcher during her life
and I give to Mrs Goode formerly Hampton and Mrs Susan Penvold five pounds a year each during their lives
To the two Maids and Man that lives here at my decease I give five Guineas each
Item I give to my Niece and her Husband forty pounds a Year during their lives to Mary and Margaret Hodgman I give five Guineas each

Item I give and bequeath the Interest of four hundred pounds annually to Saint Maries Parish Dover and also the same Sum annually to that of Leatherhead Surry as long as they comply with the Conditions of the Note left for that purpose and no longer
Item I give fifty pounds to be distributed among the poor of Folkstone that do not receive constant Collection and twenty pounds to the poor of Hawkins Parish
to the Ministers of Saint Maries & that of Leatherhead Parish I give Gloves Scarfs Hatbands and Ring
twenty pound to Mrs Battely for Mourning and Ring and the same sum to Mr and Mrs Thomas Alkham for Rings & Mourning

As to my Real and Personal Estates under whatever Denomination soever as my Annuities in the Bank of England or of Moneys lent out to any person or persons or Money not gathered in or otherwise after my debts Legacies and Funeral Charges are paid I give and bequeath in the following manner that is to say
I give it to my Acquaintances Miss Mag'len Hoole & Mr Loftie, Surgeon Canterbury and Mr Richard Lott and Mr Andrews, Tanner both of Hythe nevertheless in Trust only for the uses and purposes herein after mentioned that is to say
the life Annuities and Church Donations that I have left as before mentioned I order to be paid out of the Interest of my Bank Annuities and the Remainder of the Interest of my Annuities together with the Rents arising from my Real Estates I order my Trustees to pay yearly to my Co[usi]n John Lott Son of Willm and Elizabeth Lott during his life and after his decease to his eldest son lawfully begotten till he is thirty years of Age and if he lives till that Age then the Trust shall become void and both the Principal and Interest shall be his only liable to the Payments of any Annuities that may not have fallen in and the Church Donations and he also continuing in the name of Eaton as must his Son and Son Sons for by no other name shall my fortune ever be holden by it being the Maiden name of my choice and most inestimable Friend and Cozen Dame Cath. Thompson who (next to Providence) bestowed it on me

in case my Cozn John Lott leaves no Son lawfully begotten that lives to the Age of thirty yet that Son if he should leave a Son lawfully begotten whatever Age his Father may die at then I leave it to that Son and his Son after under the same Limitations and Restrictions as above
if my Cousin John Lot leave no Issue I give the whole of both estate to one of the nearest of kindred my Cousin John Lot bearing Eaton Name

Item I give my three Trustees each a hundred pounds for the trouble I have allotted them in executing the Trust committed to their care
And I make constitute and appoint the above Mr Richard Lott and Mr Andrews Mr Willm Lott and his Son John Lott Executors of this my last Will and Testament revoking all other Wills

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this thirteenth day of February One thousand seven hundred And seventy seven Elizabeth Rolfe (LS)
Signed sealed Published and delivered by the above Testatrix Elizabeth Rolfe as and for her last Will and Testament who in the presence of the said Testatrix and of each other have hereunto put our names as Witnesses.
Thos Elve/—/ Edmund Marsh /—/ Francis Pound

Four Trustees a hundred pound each.

Dover May the 8th 1779.
I add this Codicil for fear I may neglect making another Will
Item I give and bequeath to Mr Jacob Kennett of Folkstone twenty pounds and to Mrs Susanna Penvold five a year for her life over and above what I have already left her and to the three servants that live here at my death I give five Guineas to each over and above what I have already given them
Item I give to my Brother Thomas Rolfe ten pound a year for his life and to my Brother Nichs Rolfe five shillings neither of them having Familys to provide for I have given it to Mr John Lott
Item I give and bequeath to Mr Searle Attorney and his Mrs Bown all my very valuable Articles I entrusted Docr John Wilkinson with soe his note of acknowledgment among my papers with a Note of hand likewise for One hundred pounds which he refused to pay because I would not allow and outset twenty pounds which he never lent me nor I never received any

if my Nephew Cousin John Lott leave no Male Heir then I give and bequeath to a Daughter of his my whole fortune provided she is well educated and marrys a Man of Sobriety honesty which constitutes a good Character tho’ with the Consent of her truest friends and he takes the name of Eaton for by no other name shall my fortune be holden by I say upon these Terms he shall enjoy it for his life only and then to his Son by the same Name
but if John Lott leave no Issue lawfully begotten then I give and bequeath my whole fortune to Mr Loftie’s son by the Name of Eaton

I give Eliz Moncote five Guineas
the above Codicil shall be as valid as my within written Will
I constitute and appoint and desire Mr Loftie (John Lotts Master) will act as one of the Trustees I have interlined it so in my Will tho’ hardly legible which makes me repeat it again.
Mr Robt Hunt shall live as long as he pleases in my House at the same rent he pays me
Elizabeth Rolfe /—/ Witness Susan Penvold.

June 1779.
I empower order and direct my Trustees to sell all my parts and Share of the undivided Estates between my Brothers and self and buy in any other Estate according as my Trustees together with Mr Lott and his Son shall see most agreeable and convenient and I order none to I say no one shall meddle or have the looking over of any Writings or Deeds Letters Cloths Linnen Woollen Household Goods Plate or any thing of any Sort but Mr and Mrs Lott but my Sister shall have half my Wearing Apparel
Witness my hand Eliz. Rolfe.

All my ordinary Cloaths of all Sorts I give to our two Maids besides what I have already given them
and I likewise give Will'm Hapwod that drives my Chaise both my Bay Mares
Elizabeth Rolfe over and above what I have alread~ given his

11th Novr 1779
Appeared Personally Thomas Elve of Dover in the County of Kent Ironmonger and Edward Marsh of the same place Carpenter and made Oath that they knew and were well acquainted with Elizabeth Rolfe late of Dover aforesaid Spinster deceased for several years before and to the time of her death and with her manner and Character of hand writing and subscription having several times seen her write and subscribe her name and having now with care and attention viewed and perused the paper writings hereto annexed purporting to be the last Will and Testament and four Codicils of the said deceased the said Will beginning thus “In the Name of God Amen I Elizabeth Rolfe being perfect both in mind and memory” ending thus “In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this thirteenth day of February One thousand seven hundred and seventy seven” and thus subscribed “Elizabeth Rolfe” and the first of the said Codicils written at the foot or bottom of the said Will containing the words following “four Trustees a hundred pound each” the second of the said Codicils beginning thus “Dover May the 8th 1779 I add this Codicil for fear I may neglect making another Will” ending thus “Mr Robert Hunt shall live as long as he pleases in my House at the same Rent he pays me” and thus subscribed “Elizabeth Rolfe” the third of the said Codicils beginning thus “June 1779 I impower order and direct my Trustees” ending thus “but my Sister shall have half my Wearing Apparel” and thus subscribed “Eliz. Rolfe” and the fourth of the said Codicils beginning thus “all my ordinary Cloaths of all Sorts” and ending thus “over and above what I have alread~ given his” they these Appearers make oath and say that they verily and in their Consciences believe the whole Series or Contents of the said four Codicils and also the Name “Alkham” interlined over the last line of the first side of the said Will and also the Words interlined between the and Testament of the said deceased and the Words interlined between the sixth and seventh lines of the second side of the said last Will and Testament of the said deceased and the Words interlined between the twenty seventh twenty eighth and twenty ninth lines of the said second side of the said Will in manner and form as now appears thereon to be all of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said Elizabeth Rolfe deceased Thos Elve /—/ Edward Marsh /—/
Same day the said Thomas Elve and Edward Marsh were duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit before me And. Coltee Ducarel Surrogate. Pt. Chas. Bishop Not. Pub./—

This Will was proved at London with four Codicils the twenty Second day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine before the Worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of Robert Andrews William Lott and John Lott the Surviving Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased having been first sworn duly to administer.

PROB 11/1063/115
[Note in Margin: “Will and four Codicils Regd in Novr last"]

Mrs Eliz Rolfe Gives to the Parish of Leatherhead in Surry the Interest of four hundred Pounds Annually In memory of Dame Catherine Thompson Daughter of Dame Eliz Eaton who also is Buried in this Church a Copy of this is to be Printed or Engraved on Marble a fixt in the face of the Church and as long as it is preserved renew’d and kept Legible together with the Stone that Covers her Grave so long shall the Parish be intitled to the above Donation and no longer to be distributed as follows by six of the Inhabitants that Pay most largely towards the Poore rate to Ten of the Poorest familys that receive not a Constant Collection of the Parish
Eliz Rolfe March 1779^8^ The above four hundred Pd is lodged in the Bank of England as the best security and my Heir is Answerable for it

Mrs Elizabeth Rolfe Gives to the Parish of St Maries Dover the Interest of four hundred Pounds Annually in Memory of Dame Catherine Thompson her late Worthy and most inestimable friend & kinswoman & Great Benefactor and a Coheiress of the late Sr Peter Eaton whose whole family are Intered in this Church the above Lady Excepted to be distributed by Six of the Inhabitants that Pay most largely towards the Poore rates to ten of the Poorest familys that receive not constant Collection of the Parish a Copy of this to be fixed up in the face of the Church as long as it is preserved renewed and kept Legible so long shall the Parish be intitled to the above Donation and no longer
Eliz Rolfe Dover Novbr 1778. The above sum is lodged in the Bank England as the best security and my Heir is Answerable for it

23 February 1780
Appeared Personally Thomas Elve of Dover in the County of Kent Carpenter and Ironmonger and Edward Marsh of Dover aforesaid Carpenter And made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with Elizabeth Rolfe late of Dover in the County of Kent Spinster deceased for many years before and to the time of her death and that by having several times seen her write and subscribe her name they know and are well Acquainted with her manner and Character of handwriting and subscription and having now with care and Attention Viewed and Perused the two Paper Writings hereunto Annexed Purporting to be and contain two Codicils to the last Will and Testament of the said deceased the first of the said Codicils beginning thus “Mrs Eliz. Rolfe Gives to the Parish of Leatherhead in Surry the Interest of four hundred Pounds Annually” ending thus “to Ten of the Poorest familys that receive not a constant Collection of the Parish” and thus subscribed “Eliz Rolfe,” and with an Addition thereto containing the words following “March 1779^8^ the above four hundred Pd is lodged in the Bank of England as the best security and my Heir is Answerable for it.”
The second of the said Codicils beginning thus “Mrs Elizabeth Rolfe Gives to the Parish of St Maries Dover the Interest of four hundred Pounds Annually” ending thus “a Copy of this to be fixed up in the face of the Church as long as it is preserved renewed and kept Legible so long shall the Parish be intitled to the above Donation and no longer” and thus subscribed Eliz Rolfe” and with an Addition thereto containing the words following “Dover Novbr 1778. The above sum is lodged in the Bank __ England as the best security and my Heir is answerable for it”
they and each of them for himself saith that he doth verily and in his Conscience believe the whole series and Contents of the said two Codicils and the subscription thereto to be of the Proper handwriting and subscription of the said Eliz Rolfe deceased
Thos Elve, Edward Marsh.
The same Day the said Thomas Elve and Edward Marsh were duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit before me John Lyon Commissioner.

These two Codicils were proved at London the seventeenth Day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of Robert Andrews William Lott and John Lott Eaton formerly John Lott the surviving Executors named in the Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased having been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer.

Notes:
Elizabeth Rolfe was baptised 27 May 1713, Hawkinge. She was the daughter of Mr William Rolph (bur. 30 Jul 1740, Hawkinge) and Katharine Hobday who married 20 December 1709, Denton near Dover.
Her brother Thomas was baptised 15 March 1719, Hawkinge and buried there 3 January 1795, Hawkinge. (See PCC will)
Her brother Nicholas who was baptised 11 July 1725, Hawkinge and buried there 1 February 1784. (See PCC will)
Her sister, Susanna, was 26 July 1723, Hawkinge. Susanna Roalf married Vincent Knott 28 February 1764, Canterbury.
Mrs Elizabeth Rolfe of Dover, Kent was buried 10 November 1779, St Mary and St Nicholas, Leatherhead, Surrey.
Dame Catherine Thompson of Woodford, Essex was buried 31 October 1765, Leatherhead. (See PCC Will PROB 11/ 915/356)
Elizabeth’s memorial reads:
“Here lies all that is mortal of Mrs. Elizabeth Rolfe, of Dover, in Kent, who departed this life the 26th of October, 1779, in the 67th year of her age. Interred by her own desire at the side of her beloved cousin, benefactress, and friend, Lady Catharine Thompson, with whom she buried all worldly happiness. This temporary separation (though borne with patience, fortitude and hope), no engagements, no pursuits, could render less bitter to the disconsolate Mrs. Rolfe, who from the hour she lost her other self, knew no pleasure but in the hopes she cherished, (on which point her eyes were ever fixed) of joining her friend in the region of unfading felicity. Bless’d with the power and will to succour the distressed, she exerted both, and in these exercises only found a ray of happiness. Let the ridiculers of female friendship read this honest inscription, which disdains to flatter Much might be said, – but can any encomium more exalt a character than the unadorned simple account of a Friendship so uncommon, of a Gratitude so extreme?”
pottoingaround
John Lott Eaton died 1807, unmarried and without issue. He left his estate to his cousin Elias Lott.

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