Margaret Gromebridge Widow Tonbridge Kent

catalogue reference: PROB 11/66/256

date 3rd June 1734

In the name of God amen.

The third day of June in the seventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King George the second over Great Britain and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred thirty and four I Margaret Gromebridge of Tonbridge in the County of Kent widow being at this present sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory praised be God Do make and declare this my Testament and Last Will that is to say ffirst and principally I do will my Soul to God that gave it hoping for Salvation only through the merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer and my Body to the Earth to be decently buryed at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named

Whereas there is now due to me the sum of one thousand and ffive hundred pounds of Lawful money of Great Britain for principal and Interest for my ffortune as one of the Daughters of Sir George Rivers and for the Securiting payment thereof divers other messuages Lands Tenements and Heridiments of the estate of the said Sir George Rivers situate lying in the County of Kent or elsewhere stand charged.

Now I do will give bequeath devise as well all the said sum of one thousand and ffive hundred pounds both principal and Interest and all arrears and arriving interest due and to be due as also such real Estate to me belonging ready moneys debts credits and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto the Reverend Mr William Davis and Mr Dan Gromebridge my ffather in Law and to the survivor of them and to the Executors or Administrators of such survivor together with all the securityes thereunto belonging in trust and to be applied and disposed of to and for the uses intents and purposes herein after mentioned that is to say ffirst I do order that my just debts and ffuneral expenses be first paid with all other jurident charges in proving this my will out of my said moneys by them the said William Davis and Dan Gromebridge and the survivor of them and the executors and administrators of such survivors and that then they the said William Davis and Dan Gromebridge and the survivor (etc. )out of my said moneys and personal Estate if the same shall be sufficient when received do not only pay the following legacys that is to say To my Dear and well beloved Daughter Ffrances Gromebridge the sum of ffive hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain at her age of one and twenty years To my dear and well beloved son John Gromebridge the like sum of five hundred pounds of like lawful money at his age of one and twenty years and also my Dear and well beloved son Dan Gromebridge the like sum of five hundred pounds of like lawful money at his age of one and twenty years But also all and every such other sum or sums of money as shall and may be by them the said William Davis and Dan Gromebridge or the survivor (etc) taken and received out of my Estate real or personal to and amongst my said three children Frances John and Dan Gromebridge in equal proportions to be paid at their respective age or ages of one and twenty years then I will the said Legacy or portion or her or him do dying shall anew belong and be paid to the survivor of them shall not be chargeable for any more money than they shall actually receive and that they shall be Indemnified from all costs and trouble in and about the said trusts and the suits to be commenced for the recovery of the said money due from the estate of Sir George Rivers my father which I desire my Trustees and their Executors or administrators or the survivors of them or the Executors (etc) to call in within six months after my decease and I do hereby order direct and appoint that the said trustees and Executors or the survivor of them (etc) do and shall from time to time apply the Interest of the said moneys for and towards the maintenance and Virtuous Education and bringing up of my said three children Ffrances John and Dan Gromebridge and in the case all the children shall dye under age and without issue that then I give and bequeath all the before mentioned sums unto my four sisters equally to be divided them share and share alike Item I give to Mr William Davis five guineas to buy him a ring Item I make and ordain the said Reverend William Davis and the said Dan Gromebridge my ffather in Law Executors of this my will in trust only and for the Intents and Purposes in this my Will contained desiring my said Executors may be handsomely paid In Witness whereof (revoking all former wills ) I the said Margaret Gromebridge have to this my Testament and Will set my hand and seal the day year above written.

Margaret Gromebridge signed sealed published and declared by the said Margaret Gromebridge to be her Testament and last Will in the presence of us who in her presence did set our hands.

Elizabeth Gilbart the mark of Ann Barnaby William Larkin

Proved in London for Canterbury Court 23 October 1734