Chelsfield Wills - Part 1
Abstracts of will from Chelsfield proved in
the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
James Harris
of Chelsfield dated 1 April 1835
Abstract of the will of James Harris of Goddington in
Chelsfield Esquire dated 1 April 1835.
All debts etc. to be paid out of my personal estate.
I devise all real estate whatsoever and all my household
goods and personal estate to my dear wife Mary upon trust to retain to her
own use the rents etc. for her lifetime.
From her death, I bequeath all my estate to all and every my
children who shall be living at the time of my death and their respective
heirs for ever as tenants in common, equally.
If my wife shall not be desirous of carrying on my farming
business, the live and dead farming stock and implements of husbandry
which shall be in and upon the Goddington estate which I now farm and
cultivate for my own use shall be converted into money by her and the
produce thereof invested in the Government stocks or funds in her name,
and she is to enjoy the dividends for life. At her death, the principal is
to be divided equally among my four children in the same way as the rest
of my personal Estate.
I appoint my wife as Executrix.
Witnesses, Hannah Cackett, servant to Mr Harris: Richard
Hatfield, Dartford.
Codicil dated 20 August 1835.
Whereas my daughter Maria Harris now Maria Cole has since the
date of my will married against my wishes - now I hereby revoke the
bequest in favour of all my children, it being my intention that Maria
shall not take any part of my said real and personal estate, and so I give
the whole of it equally to my 3 sons James Aynscomb Harris, John Harris
and George St. Pierre Harris, subject to my wife's life interest.
Witnesses James Fuller Madox, Charlotte Arcularius, Richard
Hatfield, Orpington.
Proved 23 August 1838 by Mary Harris widow the
relict. [PCC will PROB11/1899]
Transcribed by Geoffrey
Copus