Chelsfield Wills - Part 1
Abstracts of will from Chelsfield proved in
the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Thomas Brooks
of Chelsfield dated 4 March 1812
Abstract of the will of Thomas Brooks of Chelsfield farmer
dated 4 March 1812.
My body is to be buried with as little expense as decency
will permit at the discretion of my Executors.
I leave all my real and personal estate to my friends Richard
Gravett the younger of Chislehurst butcher and John Gregory Harris of
Farningham farmer and their heirs IN TRUST to call in all debts etc. and
to invest the proceeds in Government securities. The interest thereof and
that on stock etc. which I already hold, together with the rents and
profits of my house and garden near the White Hart Public House,
Chelsfield, is to be paid to my dear wife Ann Brooks for life. She is also
to have the use of the house I now occupy and all household, farming and
husbandry goods together with so much of the ready money in the house as
my Trustees may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying on the business
for her own use and benefit for her lifetime.
After my wife's death, my Trustees are to appoint two
disenterested and competent judges to value my said house and garden near
the White Hart and at their valuation to offer the same to my son Thomas
Brooks. If he does not wish to purchase the premises they are to be
offered in turn to my other sons James, John, William, Robert and Edward
Brooks. If all, any or either of my said sons should purchase the said
premises my Trustees will forthwith make and convey to such son or sons as
good and absolute an estate of inheritance in fee simple in possession as
I myself now have, on payment of the consideration money.
If none of my sons wishes to purchase the premises then
the Trustees are to sell them for the best ready money price that can be
had.
The household goods etc. and money already in the Funds shall
be converted into ready money, all proceeds to be added to the money
arising from the sale of my real estate. The proceeds are to be divided
into 10 equal parts between my sons and daughters Thomas, Ann, James,
John, William, Robert, Isabella, Edward and Grace, the remaining tenth
part to be divided equally between Richard Brooks, Percival Hackett and
John Hackett, the children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth. The issue of
any of my children dying before he or she shall become entitled to his or
her share shall take the parent's share by an equal distribution as they
attain 21 or marry with my Trustees' consent.
My Trustees are to be my Executors and shall reimburse
themselves for their expenses.
Witnesses John Fuller, Mary Fuller, Wm. Hy. Colyer.
24 April 1820 - the contents of the will ratified and
confirmed - witnesses, Sarah Fuller, Mary Fuller, Wm. H. T. Colyer.
Proved 10 November 1821 by the Executors named. [PCC
will PROB11/1649]
Transcribed by Geoffrey
Copus