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Chelsfield Wills - Part 1  Abstracts of will from Chelsfield proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
James Style of Chelsfield dated 10 August 1710

Abstract of the will of James Style of Chelsfield gentleman dated 10 August 1710.
   To be buried at the discretion of my Executors.
   I leave £3 to the poor of Chelsfield, to be distributed within a fortnight of my death by the assistance of the Churchwardens there.
   To George Mace my servant £3, and to every other servant that shall be living with me at the time of my death I leave 20s.
   To Anne Heath, lately my servant, £3. To my loving sister Mrs. Hannah Cony £10 for mourning.
   I leave to my kinsman William Soane and his assigns during his lifetime an annuity or yearly rent of 50s. to be paid out of my messuage farm and lands now in the occupation of Thomas Know in Chelsfield, payable quarterly.
   I appoint my good friends and neighbours Mr. John Petty and Mr. William Cox of Lullingstone as my Executors and in case the said William shall happen to die before my son John Style shall attain 21 years, then I appoint William’s son Mr. John Cox in the room of his father, jointly with Mr. John Petty during my son’s minority.
   I desire my Executors to sell off my stock and let my farms and to that end I appoint the said John Petty and William Cox to be Guardians to my son John and to take care of his estate during his minority. But I desire my said sister Mrs. Hannah Conly if she please to take upon her the education of my said son and I do desire his said Guardians to pay and allow for his Education what my said sister shall allow in reason.
   My Executors shall employ all the moneys that shall be made of my goods and stock towards the payment of my debts and legacies and for the better and more speedy paying of them I give to my Executors:
   All those two messuages or tenements in Sevenoaks Town which I purchased of Charles Haddon Gentleman, upon Trust to sell them and to employ the proceeds towards payment of my debts, legacies and funeral charges.
   I also desire my Executors to employ all the rents and profits of my farms, lands and real estate (after my son’s education is paid for) first towards my debts and legacies etc., and then they are to render an account of the rents and profits of my son’s estate received by them, crediting their charges and expenses for their pains, when he attain 21 years, and then to pay him what shall be due to him. I leave John Petty and William Cox £10 each, and I desire William Brome Esq. to be Overseer, and I also leave him £10.
   If my son John should die under 21 and without lawful heirs of his body, then in that case –
   I give to my kinsman Thomas Burton and his heirs for ever all my messuage, farm and lands called Hall Farm which I purchased of Captain William Somers.
   I give to my kinsman John Burton and his heirs for ever my messuage, farm and lands in the occupation of my kinsman James Burton and also all that my messuage, farm and lands in the occupation of Thomas Know.
   I also give to my said kinsman James Burton and his heirs for ever my messuage, farm and lands called Lylles and also my Manor called Goddington and the Manor House, farm lands and quit rents, royalties and appurtenances thereto belonging, and also all other my messuages lands and tenements whatsoever in Chelsfield, Orpington and Lullingstone, upon condition that he and his heirs pay to my kinsman and Godson William Ebbutt £150, and to Anne Ewers, Dorothy Ebbutt and Elizabeth Ebbutt, the sisters of the said William Ebbutt, £10 each within 3 months of the death of my son John dying as aforesaid;
   And also on condition that he pay to the said William Soane if living after the death of my son as aforesaid an annuity of £10 for life.
   If any moneys remain in the hands of my Executors at the time of my son’s death as aforesaid, then after the payment of any debts and expenses it is to be paid to my said kinsmen Thomas, James and John Burton equally.
   James Style Witnesses William Hodsoll, John X Heath senior, George Heath, Anne Heath.
Proved 20 October 1710 by John Petty with power reserved to William Cox.      [PCC will PROB 11/517 ]

Transcribed by Geoffrey Copus 

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