Penury
Solomon Penury of Ash (1747)
Reference: CKS DRa/PW11
Born 1671, his tomb grave is in Ash Churchyard (source: Find a Grave).
In the name of God, Amen. I, Solomon Penury of the parish of Ash, being in health of body, but not knowing how some sickness or death may happen, do think it fit to declare this my last will and testament.
First, I give my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it, hoping to find acceptance and forgiveness of my sins at the general resurrection of the just in the presence of my saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.
Item: I give to my daughter Mary Cox the sum of 20 shillings of good and lawful money of Great Britain to be paid by my executors.
Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Penury the sum of £250 of good and lawful money of Great Britain, and also one featherbed and bolster, blankets, a quilt, curtains, a bedstead commonly called the Red Bed and 2 pairs of flaxen sheets & a silver cup marked “SPE”.
Item: I give to my brother John Penury my best suit of wearing apparel if he shall live to enjoy the same.
Item: I give to the poorest people in the parish of Ash the sum of 20 shillings to be paid by my executor within 3 months after my deceased. I likewise give to the poorest people in the parish of Longfield the sum of 20 shillings to be paid within 3 months after my decease.
Lastly I give and bequeath unto my son Solomon Penury whom I make my full and whole executor, all the rest of my goods and chattels that I shall be possessed of, with my house and land and all that I enjoy whatsoever. Witness my had and seal this 6th day of April in the year of our Lord 1733. (S) Solomon Penury. Witnesses: (S) Nathaniel Stiddolph, (S) Thomas Stiddolph
Proved at Rochester 20 November 1747
Elizabeth Penury of Eynsford, spinster (1785)
Reference: TNA PROB11
She was the unmarried daughter of Solomon Penury whose will is above. At some point she and her sister Mary Cox inherited the family estate, which included Middletons Farm at Longfield, from their brother Solomon (d Ryarsh 1767). Solomon doesn’t appear to have left a will, he had 3 children but all had been buried at Ryarsh by 1772, presumably the point at which Mary and Elizabeth inherited.
She asks to be buried in Ash next to her father’s grave. To poor of Ash, 40 shillings.
To cousin John Coyer son of Charles and Mary of Eynsford, £400 when he is 21. In the meantime the interest on the money to pay for his maintenance and education.
To Elizabeth Salre [?] of Farningham, widow, 2 shillings a week for life, to be paid her on Saturdays.
To Mary wife of John Owlrington [?] of Farningham, £10
To Richard Sharse of Farningham, £10 to be divided between his children.
To sister Mary Cox, £100 in South Sea stock. To Joseph Cox of Farningham, £100 in South Sea stock. She also gives to Charles Colyer, Henry Cox and Elizabeth Cox of Farningham, £100 in South Sea stock.
“I give, devise and bequeath unto the said Joseph Cox and Mary Cox, all my part, share and interest of, in and to all and every my messuages, or tenements, lands, hereditaments and premises, situate, lying and being in in the several parishes of Ash, Fawham, Kingsdown, Longfield, Trottiscliffe and Meopham in the said county of Kent, which I hold as tenant in common with my said sister Mary Cox. And all other my real estate. To hold the same unto the said Joseph Cox and Mary Cox, their heirs and assigns forever as tenants in common and not joint tenants, charged and chargeable nonetheless with the payment of my debts and legacies hereinbefore my me given and bequeathed.”
Her wearing apparel to be divided among sister Mary and Elizabeth Sharse and Dorothy Sharse. Remainder of personal estate to be shared by sister Mary Cox and Joseph Cox and Henry Cox, whom she appoints as executors.
The will has additional bequests in 4 codicils.
Dated 19 November 1779
Proved at London 24 May 1775