| Wills - John Stacy 1658 |
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John Stacy owned Mintmakers and Brickend in Hartley. When the land came into the family's hands is uncertain, but cannot be earlier than 1604. In this will he bequeaths them to his younger son Henry. Henry sold the Gravesend and Hartley lands to Lawrence Holker in 1668. What follows is a summary of the bequests. Will of John Stacy the elder of Hartley, gentleman "being at this present in reasonable good health of body and of sound and sufficiently disposing mind and memory (blessed be God), yet being sensible of my mortality, and my daily drawing towards the grave by reason of age, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament." Leaves soul to God, and body to be buried at the discretion of the executors. To wife - annuity of £40 issuing out of lands at Hartley, and dwelling house in Gravesend "wherein I lately dwelt". To be paid her by his son Henry in installments at the quarter days. But if she lay claim to half his lands during her widowhood, according to the custom of Kent, then gift is void. Household stuff that his wife brought to him on marriage, is left to her, remainder to be divided among his children equally. Wife to lose bequest if she conceal any goods not rightfully hers. To eldest son John Stacy - all his lands in Gravesend which he purchased off the Rt Hon James, Duke of Richmond. If wife claims land as dower then he to have £300 for his trouble. To youngest son Henry Stacy - "all my lands and tenements in Hartley", his dwelling house in Gravesend; one messuage called the "Flying Horse" and wharf belonging, in the occupation of Robert Cole; one other tenement called the "Faulkon" and the wharf; with all the cross ferry from Gravesend and Milton to Tilbury, which he purchased of John Ware; cherry garden and 5 acres of marshland in Swanscombe. Subject to annuity, which if his wife accepts, he also gives Henry £500 in consideration thereof. To daughter Winifred Elton - £300, but her husband to agree that he will return £200 if she dies without lawfully begotten issue. If he refuses, then her bequest is £100, plus £200 if she outlives her husband. To daughter Jane Stacy - messuage, malthouse and lands in Northfleet for life. Plus £100 and the inheritance of the Northfleet land, if she marry "with the approving and good liking of my overseers". If she die without issue then Northfleet land to go to Henry Stacy. To sister Dorothy Larking - annuity of £5, payable equally every quarter. To Richard and Abraham Davys, his wife's sons - £50 each when 22 provided they give his executors a discharge of the £100 each he paid them in accordance with the will of Mr Roulston, his wife's former husband. To poor of the parishes of Stansted, Ash, Gravesend and Hartley - 40s each to be disbursed by the ministers of the parishes as they think fit. To minister who preaches his funeral sermon - 20s. Sons John and Henry to be executors. "Loving friends" Mr Peckham of Ash and Mr Eves of Hartley to be his overseers and guardians of his son Henry while under age. To whom he gives 40s a piece to buy a ring in memory of him Dated 10.7.1658 Proved at London, 22 November 1658 by John Stacy one of the executors. |
