Russell 1719 Will

Will of Joseph Russell

of Wittersham, Kent

Source: Consistory Court of Canterbury PRC32/Vo59/Fo342, 1719
Transcribed by Mike Cozens

In the name of God Amen. The thirteenth day of December in the year of our Lord 1717 - I Joseph Russell of Wittersham in the Isle of Oxney and County of Kent Yeoman being very sick and weak in body but perfect in mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore Calling into mind the mortality of my Body and knowing it is appointed for all men sure to dye do make and ordain this my last will and testament, That is to say principally and first of all I give and Recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and for my Body I recommend unto the earth to be buried in a Christian like and devout manner at the direction of my Executrix, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such Wordly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in my Life. I give Devise and dispose of the Same in the following manner and form

Imprimis I give and bequeath to my three Grandchildren Son & Daughters of my Son Tho. Russell qn? (he died in 1714) the Sume of ffifty pounds of good and lawfull (money - omitted) of England to be paid to them by my Executrix hereafter named or her Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns in manner and form following.
Item I give and bequest to Joseph Russel Son of Thomas Russell Twenty pounds to be paid to him at the age of one and twenty years or day of Marriage which shall first happen
and to Hannah & Mary the two Daughters of my Son Thos. Russell fifteen pounds apiece at their Day of Marriage or Age of 21 years which first happen.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Elyot wife of Tho's Elyot (married 1710 Rye) the like lawfull money of England to be paid to her out of my Estate by my Executrix at two Equal parts and payments, that is to Say Five and Twenty pounds at one year after my Decease and Five and Twenty pounds the other part at the end of two years after my Decease.

Item the rest of my personal Estate and Goods whatsoever I devise give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Russell my loving Wife and the children of her body that I have by her and I do also devise give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Elizabeth Russell the Benefit and profits of my Real Estate and Lands during her widowhood and after her Decease in Case She dye a Widdow or likewise at the Time of her marriage unto my Children of her Body and to their heirs forever to each an Equal Share and part and it is my mind and Will that one of them Shall posses and hold the Same and pay his kindrede? in money their parts Share and Share alike as the Lands Shall be valued by Competent Judges in that case and of this my last will and Testament I make ordain nominate and appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth Russell my full whole and Sole Executrix upon Condition She Shall pay all my lawfull Debts Legacies funeral Expenses with the probate of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke and make void all former Wills and Bequests by me made and Declared in Witness Whereof I Joseph Russell the Testator have hereunto Set my hand and seal the day and year first above written. Joseph Russell Signed Sealed and published and declared to be the Last Will and Testament of Joseph Russel the Testator in the presence of us
John Kite William, Pearison, Henry Borwick?

Probate April 1719 by Elizabeth Russell Executrix

Notes
1 Joseph Russell jun Son of Joseph & Ann Russell Chr. 1662
2 Joseph Jun had Thomas by his first wife Margaret? Elizabeth by his second/third wife Elizabeth Brignall and the remaining children after the will was written by his fourth wife Elizabeth ? up to 1717 - Peasemarsh records large gap Wittersham records complete but family appeared to live between the parishes.

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Will of Joseph Russell
Created by Maureen Rawson