Crowhurst - Hartley-Kent: Covering Hartley, Longfield & District

In the name of God, Amen.  I John Crowhurst of Longfeild in the county of Kent, yeoman, being in health of body and of sound mind and memory and understanding, praise and thanks be given unto Almighty God for the same, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say):

First and most principally I do with all humility resign up my poor and immortal soul into the hands of Almighty God, my creator and redeemer, trusting in and through the meritorious death and passion of my dear saviour Jesus Christ to have and receive full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and transgressions, and to inherit eternal life in the Kingdom of God.  And my body to decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named.  And as for such worldly goods and estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow [?] withall, I give and dispose the same as followeth.

First I give, devise and bequeath unto my eldest son John Crowhurst of Stratford in the county of Essex, baker.  All that my messuage or tenement, lands, hereditaments and premises with their and every of their appurtenances, situate, lying and being in the said parish of Longfield or elsewhere in the said county.  And also all other my messuages, lands and tenements whatsoever and wheresoever with their and every of their appurtenances.  To have and to hold unto my said son John Crowhurst and his heirs, upon condition nonetheless that he the said John Crowhurst my son shall and do well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto my son Thomas Crowhurst the sum of £40 of lawful money within 1 year next after my decease, and £10 of like lawful money within one year after my decease unto my son William Crowhurst.  And moreover it is my will and meaning, and I do hereby direct and appoint that in case my said son John Cowhurst do neglect or refuse to pay unto my said son Thomas Crowhurst the said sum of £40 as abovesaid.  That then my said son Thomas Crowhurst shall enter in to all and singular my messuage, lands and tenements, devised as aforesaid, and receive the rents and profits of the same unto the said sum of £40 shall be well and truly paid unto my said son Thomas Crowhurst.  And further it is my will and meaning and I do hereby also direct and appoint that in case my said son John Crowhurst shall neglect or refuse to pay the said sum of £10 within 1 year after my decease as aforesaid, unto my said son William Crowhurst.  That then my said son William Crowhurst shall have, hold and enjoy all and singular my messuage, lands and premises, devised as aforesaid, after the said £40 paid to my said son Thomas Crowhurst, until the said sum of £10 shall be well and truly paid unto my said son William Crowhurst.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Alchin, the sum of £25 of lawful money of Great Britain [……..] by my executor hereinafter named at his ages of 21 years if he shall so long live.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Crowhurst, 1 silver cup that was given to me by my brother, to be delivered to him by my executor hereinafter named, at his age of 17 years.  

Item: I give and bequeath unto my said son William Crowhurst, two pairs of good sheets to be delivered to him by my executor hereinafter named, within 1 month next after my decease.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Crowhurst the sum of £30 of like lawful [sic] within 1 year next after my decease by my executor hereinafter named.  

Item: I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Margaret Crowhurst, daughter of Thomas Crowhurst the sum of £5 of like lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto him [sic] within 1 year after my decease by my executor hereinafter named.

Item: All the rest, residue and remainder of my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever, I give and bequeath unto my son Edward Crowhurst, he paying all and every my just debts, legacies, funeral charges and expenses, and I do hereby ordain, constitute and appoint my said son Edward Crowhurst sole executor of this my last will and testament by me made.  And ordain this only to be my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I the said John Crowhurst have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of January in the 10th year of the reign of our sovereign lord George by the grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith etc, and in the year of the Lord 1723.

(S) John Crowhurst.  Witnesses (S) Henry Wood, (S) Richard Elwood jun, (S) Charles Elwood.

Proved at Rochester 18 December 1724.