Chelsfield Wills - Part 1
Abstracts of will from Chelsfield proved in
the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Thomas Brooks
of Chelsfield dated 24 February 1848
Abstract of the will of Thomas Brooks of Riddenshaw
Chelsfield shepherd dated 24 February 1848.
I am seized in fee simple of one moiety or thereabouts of a
messuage known as Riddenshaw at Chelsfield with a large garden, outhouses
and appurtenances, which I have divided into two dwelling houses, in one
of which (the northernmost) I now reside and in the other (the
southernmost) George Dunmall and afterwards my son Stephen Allan Brooks
lately resided, but the same is now in my own occupation:
I intend to devise these two dwelling houses separately,
together with a portion of the garden as appertenant to each, and in order
to show which part of my garden I intend to belong to and go with each of
my dwelling houses respectively, I intend to leave my said garden divided
into two parts, and separated and distinguished by some fence, hedge or
other boundary.
Now therefore I give the house in which I dwell together with
the wood shed and the other small shed thereto adjoining and also the
garden belonging thereto to my wife Rebecca Brooks for life, and after her
death to my grandson and Godson Thomas Reeves of Chelsfield and his heirs
for ever.
As to the other house wherein my son Stephen Allan Brooks
lately dwelt together with the pig stye at the back thereof and also the
garden belonging thereto comprising so much of the said first mentioned
garden as is fenced off or intended to be fenced off from the said
woodshed to the path leading from the road to the pond, I give the same to
my wife Rebecca Brooks for life, and after her death to my son Stephen
Allan Brooks for life, and then to my grandson Thomas Brooks Emery and his
heirs for ever.
The pond in the garden belonging to the house in which I now
dwell shall be used in common by the owners for time being of both the
houses.
I leave my wearing apparel to be divided equally between my
son Stephen Allan Brooks and my grandson Thomas Reeves, to be divided by
my wife.
I leave all the furniture now in the house in which I dwell
to my wife for life and then to my grandson Thomas Reeves.
I leave my money in the Savings Bank and all the residue of
my personal estate to my wife for life and then divided equally between my
son Stephen Allan Brooks and my four daughters, Isabella the wife of
Thomas Linfield of Farnborough, Sophia the wife of John Miles of
Chelsfield, Rebecca the wife of James Reeves of Chelsfield and Celia the
wife of John Emery of Cray.
I appoint the said James Reeves to be the Guardian of my
grandson Thomas Reeves during his minority and the said John Emery to be
Guardian of my grandson Thomas Brooks Emery during his minority.
I appoint my son Stephen Allan Brooks and my son in law James
Reeves Executors.
Thomas Brooks: witnesses Joseph Leeman clerk to Mr. Hayward,
solicitor, Dartford: Wm. Waring, Woodlands, Chelsfield.
Proved at London 28 April 1854 by Stephen Allan Brooks the son and James
Reeves the Executors.
[PCC will ref. PROB11/2189].
Transcribed by Geoffrey
Copus