Named Wills
Transcribed by Rachel Kent
WILLIAM DOWDELL – a baker
Will dated 1708
He bequeathed to his daughter Elizabeth, wife of Ruben Kent, five pounds - three pounds of which the aforesaid Ruben Kent doth owed to him.
To Margaret and Elizabeth Kent, daughters of Ruben and Elizabeth he bequeathed ten shillings each.
JOHN BENFIELD, gentleman of Corfe Castle
Will dated 10 June 1757.
He gave to his son William the plot of meadow ground in the Middle Haves at the westermost End and the land of the same, bounded with the Glebe Land of CC parsonage, the land, late of William Okedon Esq., on the North and the land of Mr John Hurzeman on the West.
He gave the rest of his land, in the borough of Corfe, to his son Matthew with all the rents and profits of said lands, as long as he paid to his beloved wife Rebecca the annual sum of 8 pounds for the term of her natural life, to be paid in quarterly amounts on the four usual feast days of The Ammuriation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of St John the Baptist, St Michael the Archangel and the birth of our Lord Christ. If Matthew didn´t pay her, she had the right to enter the lands and take from the rents and profits.
Rebecca was to receive John’s bed bedstead and furniture in the South chamber of the house wherein he now lived, together with the 2 pair of sheets, 2 pewter dishes, 6 pewter plates, the best settle, 6 of his best chairs, one table board, one pot and one fire paw and tongs to be at her own disposal. She was also permitted to reside in the South Chamber for her natural life.
Matthew also received the house and ground being part of the Waste of Corfe Castle, lying on the east side of East St, opposite the house in which he now lived, for the remainder of the term of his years. His wife was permitted to enjoy the North end of the house and the pump.
William and his heirs received 40 pounds and all his wearing apparel of all sorts both linnen and woollen.
He gave to his daughter Elizabeth, wife of David Hibbs, all the lands within the parish of Church Knowle, as long as she paid to his daughter Mary, wife of George Osmond, the sum of 40 pounds within 12 months after his demise and thereafter a further payment of 20 pounds in 2 years time.
To his 5 grandchildren, Mary, wife of Edward Cutler, John Kent, William Kent, Hannah Kent and Elizabeth Kent, he bequeathed the sum of 40 pounds equally divided between them.
To his sons in law, John Kent, David Hibbs and George Osmond, he bequeathed them free of any debts they owed him when he died.
His son William was also cleared of having to pay back any money owed and Matthew was to receive the remainder of his estate.
Witnesses were Robert Dowdall Jnr, Robert Hann and Ann Hedover.
JOHN KENT, gentleman of Corfe Castle
Will written 1773
This is the last will and testament of me JOHN KENT of Corfe Castle in the Isle of Purbeck and County of Dorset Baker made and published the twenty first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy three as follows First I give unto Sarah my wife a Bond Debt of fifty pounds and Interest which her brother Robert Sandor (Sanders) owes me on his Bond and also the sum of twenty eight pounds and ten shillings in five shilling or crown pieces now in my dwelling house at Corfe Castle aforesaid and also the further sum of one hundred and forty one pounds and ten shillings in money and likewise such part of my best household goods and plate which I have bought since our marriage as she shall make remind of which cost twenty pounds or the sum of fifteen pounds in money at her election But all upon this condition that she my said wife do and shall deliver up and release or cause or procure to be delivered up and released to my executors hereinafter named Bond which I entered into previous to my marriage with her for the payment of the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds to her for her use by my executors or administrators in case she shall happen to survive me But in case my said wife shall boycott or refuse to deliver up and release or cause to be delivered up and released to my said executors the said Bond so by me given previous to our marriage Then it is my will I do hereby declare that the several legacies to her my said wife hereinbefore given shall on such neglect or refusal be revoked and that the same legacies and every of them shall devolve to my executors hereinafter named Also I give unto my said wife all the household goods and furniture which I had with her in marriage except a stand looking glass and I also give her the bed bedstead curtains and all other furniture thereto belonging and window curtains in the room where we usually slept and also a double chest of drawers and a dressing table and looking glass usually standing thereon and also all my china ware all absolutely and without any condition Also I give unto her my said wife one annuity or yearly sum of five pounds to be paid her by my executors by equal half yearly payments clear of any deduction whatsoever yearly and every year from the day of my death for and during so long time as she remains a widow in my name Also I give and bequeath unto my son William Kent my leasehold messuage or dwelling house in Corfe Castle aforesaid now in his possession with the garden and appurtenances thereto belonging for and during the remainder of my term Also I give unto my daughter Mary the wife of Edward Cutler one annuity or yearly sum of five pounds to be paid her by my executors by equal half yearly payments free of any deduction whatsoever yearly and every year from the day of my death for and during the term of her natural life Also I give my daughter Elizabeth the wife of Peter Pushman one annuity or yearly sum of five pounds to be paid her by my executors by equal half yearly payments free of any deduction whatsoever yearly and every year from the day of my death for and during the term of her natural life Also I give and bequeath all my household goods and furniture not hereinbefore given unto my sons John Kent and William Kent and my said daughters Mary the wife of Edward Cutler and Elizabeth the wife of Peter Pushman to be equally divided between them Also I do hereby will and direct that my residuary legatees and executors hereinafter named do and shall pay unto my daughter Hannah the wife of John Cockram the sum of four shillings weekly and every week out of the residue of my personal estate from the day of my death until the youngest of her two children shall attain the age of fourteen years and from and after that time the weekly sum of two shillings during her natural life for and toward her sole and separate use and maintenance apart from her said husband and not to be intermeddled with by him and do also apply the sum of twenty pounds other part of my residuary personal estate in equal proportions towards binding out the said two children of my said daughter Hannah apprenticed at their respective ages of fourteen years provided always and it is my will that if my said daughter Hannah shall at any time or times dwell and cohabit with her said husband that then during such time and times as she shall so dwell and cohabit with him the said weekly payment of four shillings or two shillings hereinbefore directed to be paid her shall cease and not be paid Also I do will and direct that my residuary legatees and executors shall in the same week after my decease pay unto my said wife Sarah and my said daughters Mary, Elizabeth and Hannah the sum of five pounds and other part of my residuary personal estate to buy them mourning Also I do hereby will and direct that my residual legatees and executors do and shall apply the sum of fifty pounds other part of my residuary personal estate in the purchasing and adding the ? of my grandson John Kent son of my said son John Kent in the room and place of my own in my leasehold tenement and lands at Church Knowle in the said Isle of Purbeck as soon after my decease as the same can conveniently be done for the benefit use and advantage of him my said grandson and all the rest and residue of my goods chattels and personal estates whatsoever subject to the payment and application aforesaid I give and bequeath unto my said sons John Kent and William Kent and do make and appoint them my said sons joint executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all prior wills by me made in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written John Kent Signed sealed and published for and as the last will and testament of the testator John Kent in the presence of us whose names are hereunder written Richard Geo. Tilliter.
A Codicil to be added to and taken for and as part and parcell of the within written last will and testament of me John Kent of Corfe Castle in the Isle of Purbeck in the County of Dorset Baker as follows that is to say First I give unto Sarah my wife in addition to what I have already given her by my said will within written the annuity or yearly sum of five pounds to be paid her by my executors and residuary legatees within named by equal half yearly payments clear of any deductions whatsoever from the day of my death for and during so long time as she shall remain a widow in my name Also I give unto her my said wife in addition to what I have already given her as aforesaid the use but not the disposing property of the bed bedstead curtains beding and all other furniture thereto belonging being in the bed chamber of my dwellinghouse in Corfe Castle aforesaid for and during so long time as she shall remain a widow in my name and from and after her death or intermarriage with another husband then I give the same bed bedstead curtains bedding and all other furniture thereto belonging unto my grandaughter Ann the daughter of Peter Pushman Also I give unto her my said wife in addition to what I have already given her as aforesaid all such coal and other fire fuel as I may leave at the time of my decease Also I give unto my daughter Hannah the wife of John Cockram in addition to what I have already given her by my said will one annuity or yearly sum of three pounds to be paid her by my said residuary legatees and executors by equal half yearly payments clear of any deductions whatsoever from the day of my death for and during the term of her natural life for and towards her sole and separate use and maintenance apart from her said husband and not to be intermeddled with by him provided always and it is my will that if my said daughter Hannah shall at any time or times dwell and cohabit with her said husband that then during that time and times as she shall so dwell and cohabit with him the said annuity or yearly sum of three pounds hereinbefore directed to be paid her shall cease and not be paid her Also I give unto John and Thomas the two children of my said daughter Hannah in addition to what I have already given them by my said will the sum of twenty pounds a piece to be paid them by my said residuary legatees and executors as they shall respectively attain their respective ages of twenty one years In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty John Kent Signed sealed published and declared by the above named John Kent as and for a codicil to be added to and be a part of his last will and testament in the presence of us whose names are hereunder written who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses the word five in the second line of the body of the above written codicil being somewhat obliterated Elizabeth Geo Tilliter.
This will was proved at London with a codicil the eighteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty
SAMUEL SEYMER, yeoman was buried in Corfe on 11 April 1797 aged 81 years.
Will dated 24th February 1797.
Sam bequeathed to Betty Pincer, the house at Ridge, near Wool, and 10 pounds in cash
To Hannah Brown of Boore (possibly Boar Mill, at the bottom of East Street in Corfe) – 10 pounds
To Joeliah Seymer, son of James – 10 pounds
To his grandson Samuel Seymour at Weston - all his household goods and chattels. Samuel was executor of his grandfather’s will.
SARAH KENT, widow of John Kent
Will dated March 1789
John Kent the elder and Luckford Hart executors of the last will and testament of Sarah Kent, widow of John Kent, promised to pay her debts and legacies and supply an inventory of goods that do not amount to six hundred pounds in value.
To Anne Manwell of Swanage, daughter of Jonathan Cole, cordwainer (Shoemaker) 10 pounds.
To Hannah Cockram daughter of my late husband, John Kent; 10 pounds, my oak oval table and corner cupboard in my little room, my large new trundle and tub containing about 4 pails and my Tunning dish, a half hogshead cask and beer horse it stands on and a large brass kettle.
To Thomas Cockram, her son, 20 pounds, the interest of which I give to his mother until he arrives at his full age of 21 years. Unto the said Thomas Cockram my silver half pint mug and a large silver tablespoon marked J K 1760.
To Fanny Chaffey widow of James Chaffey, 30 pounds, a pair of silver salts with the glasses, two silver tablespoons marked JS to SO 1740 and my silver Cacam mug, silver pepper box, six silver teaspoons, and best sugar tongs, my silver pint mug, my clock and case, the largest mahogany waiter and tea chest, mahogany bureau, my corner cupboard with two doors and all the china Delft ware and glasses therein being in the outer room, my large grape gold ring, the gold mourning ring I had for my late husband, a barrel called a Thendingale, my blue silk gown, my brown silk gown, my best chintz gown, pink silk petticoat, white quilted petticoat, 2 dozen best shifts and my best tablecloth, my swing looking glass and dressing table under my best large Bible and Common Prayer Book, 3 other books The Practice of Piety, The Whole Duty of Man and a manual, four of my best chairs, the bed in which I sleep with the bedstead and furniture thereto belonging and three pair of my best sheets.
To Ann Chinchen, widow of Swanage, 10 pounds and a silver tablespoon marked SO and a plain gold ring with the motto In Christ and Thee Joy Shall Be.
To Elizabeth Kent daughter of John Kent the Elder of Corfe Castle, 20 pounds, my lead coloured silk gown, one silver tablespoon marked JK, one plain gold ring, my mahogany two leaf dining table and the looking glass in the little room.
To John Kent, the younger, son of John Kent, 20 pounds, one silver tablespoon marked SO and a smaller without a mark and my silver ladle and the wainscot chest of drawers in my bedroom.
To Thomas Kent, son of John Kent, the elder, 20 pounds, one silver tablespoon marked JK 1735
To Sarah Kent, daughter of John Kent, the elder, 20 pounds, my mahagony double chest of drawers, a plain gold ring and a silver tablespoon marked EO
Also to Fanny Chaffey my large oval dining table in the outer room.
I also give my brass warming pan and copper frying pan unto the said Hannah Cockram and Thomas Cockram. I also give a cask called a Thirdingale unto said Hannah Cockram
I also give to Fanny Chaffey two pair best pillow ties and my long white curtains.
I also give unto Thomas Kent my silver tankard and to Fanny Chaffey my large copper saucepan and cover
I also give my mahogany pillar and claw table unto Mary the wife of John Kent the younger to be at her sole use and dispersal and not that of her husband.
I also give unto Hannah Cockram my second best cotton gown and two other cotton gowns
All the rest and residue to John Kent the elder.
MARGARET BENFIELD, spinster - daughter of William and Hannah Benfield.
Will dated 27 October 1800.
She asked Mrs Mary Dampier of Corfe and the Rev. John Dampier of the parish of Codford, St Peter, that they keep her money in trust and pay to her brother Joshua the sum of 2 shillings and sixpence each week til the money is no more. Should he die and there still be funds available, she directed that the same sum be given to Jonathan and John Shiers of the parish of Hinton Martel.
To Elizabeth Foot (nee Kent) she gave six of her best shifts, two best muslin handkerchiefs, a light printed and a dark purple printed gown, a white Marseilles petticoat, a blue quilted petticoat and two muslin aprons.
To William Kent, baker in Corfe, she gave 2 silver tablespoons, 7 silver teaspoons, a silver cream jug, silver pepper box and 6 gold rings.
To Hannah Hancock, widow and daughter of William Kent, she gave her best silk chest gown and a silver table spoon
To Mary Kent, sister of Hannah, she gave her best silk gown and a work muslin apron
To Sarah Kent, sister of Hannah and Mary, she gave her best purple printed gown and a work muslin apron.
To Margaret Stirmey, sister of John Shiers and to Sarah, daughter of John Shiers and to Jane and Elizabeth, daughters of Jonathan Shiers, she gave the remainder of her clothes
THOMAS KENT, yeoman of Corfe Castle
Will dated 1831. When Thomas died 27 May 1831, aged 56 years, - his will of 1831 from Blashenwell Farm, bequeathed 4000 pounds to his wife Mary.
On the sixteenth day Admon of the Goods, Chattels and credits of Thomas Kent, late of Blashenwell Farm within the parish of Corfe Castle in the Isle of Purbeck in the County of Dorset, Yeoman, deceased, was granted to Mary Kent, widow of the relict of the said deceased having been first sworn by commission to administer