Will of Nicholas Ellis of Hartley (6 March 1615)

>Kent Archives DRb/PW23

Dated 6 March 1614/5

He bequeaths soul to Almighty God and Jesus his redeemer. To be buried in Hartley Churchyard.

To Katharine his wife he leaves his house and land in Hartley during her life and then half to his daughter Anne and half to his son Nicholas (with reversion to Anne.

To Anne, his daughter: £5 on her marriage; to William, his son: £5 to be paid on his 30th birthday; to Nicholas, his son: £60 to be paid on his 30th birthday - if Katharine dies or remarries, then money to be paid by William Kipps and Richard Kettlewell.

To Richard Kittlewell: 20s

To Katharine his wife: all other goods.

Katharine appointed sole executrix. William Kipps and Richard Kittlewell to be overseers (to be paid 5s each for their pains).

Will of Katherine Ellis of Hartley (21 February 1627)

In the name of God, Amen. The 21st day of February in the year of our Lord God, 1626. I Katherine Ellis, widow of the parish of Hartlie in the county of Kent, sick in body but of whole and perfect remembrance, thanks be given to Almighty God, do make my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, my maker and redeemer, and my body to be buried within the churchyard of Hartlie aforesaid.

Item: I give unto Thomas Master, my son, and until his children, £5 to be paid unto him within one half year after my decease.

Item: I give unto Dorothy Willard, wife of David Willard, my daughter and to her children, £5 to be paid unto her within one half year after my death, she paying herself the debt that Nicholas Ellis owed him out of the said £5.

Item: I give unto Mary Lechford the wife of Robert Lechford, my daughter, a piece or parcel of land and lying in the parish of Hartlee, called by the name of Upper Crofte, during her natural life, and after her decease unto John Lechforde, son of the said Mary Lechforde, unto him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give unto Katherine Lechford, my daughter’s daughter, one cow bullock after my decease.

Item: I give and bequeath to Thomas Tayler and Robert Lechford my sons in law, all my moveable goods unbequeathed, to be equally divided between. They paying my legacies, debts and legacies, whom I make my executors of this my last will and testament. And I ordain and make to be my overseers of this my last will: Nicholas Middleton of the parish of Longfield , and for his pains to see it orderly performed, I give him one shilling of lawful money to be paid unto him within one month after my decease.

In witness whereof, I the said Katherine Ellisse unto this my last will and testament, and put my hand and seal in presence of these men following: Robert Boucher (S), Nicholas Midleton the younger (X).

Katherine Elles (X)

Proved 22 February 1632 (1633)