My Family Tree

WILL
George Chatfield of Tonbridge
This will (CKS: Drb/Pw 17; Drb/Pwr 18.586) was written by Nicholas Hooper,
curate of Shipbourne, who wrote a large number of wills between 1574 and 1618.
Although it is written in Nicholas Hooper's hand and the spelling is typical of him
("folowing", "bludshedding", "bee", etc.), it is not decorated as many of his wills are.
It was proved on 1st September 1596 before John Stockwood, vicar of Tonbridge
and John Grant, vicar of Leigh. The costs of probate, etc, are recorded on the back
of the will:
probate 3s 6d
engrossing 4d
registry 4d
off. 2d
other & wax 8d
commission 2s 6d
Total 16s 8d

Inventory non exhibit

George had three sons and two daughters living when he wrote his will, two of
whom, George and Martha, were under twenty-one. He also had a number of
grandchildren to whom he left twenty shillings each but he refers to them just as
his "children's children".

George - Elizabeth
will: 4 Jun 1596
bur: 6 Jun 1596

Children: John, Mavis - Robert Grayling, Thomas, George, Martha
Will of George Chatfield of Tonbridge written 4th June 1596
transcript from probate copy since original is damaged
1 In the name of god Amen.
2 The fourth day of June in the year of our lord
3 god one thousand, five hundred, four score
4 and sixteen and in the eighth and thirtieth
5 year of the reign of our sovereign lady
6 Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Queen of
7 England, France and Ireland, defender of the
8 faith. I, George Chatfield of Tonbridge
9 in the county of Kent, yeoman, being sick and
10 weak in body but yet of perfect mind and
11 remembrance, thanks therefore be given to
12 Almighty god, do ordain and make this my
13 present last will and testament in manner and
14 form following: that is to say,
First and
15 principally I give and bequeath my soul into
16 the hands of Almighty god, my maker, and
17 to Jesus Christ, his dear son, my alone
18 saviour and redeemer, by whose merit,
19 precious death and blood shedding I trust only
20 to be saved. And my body to the earth.
Item:
I
21 will that there shalbe bestowed at my burial, at
22 the discretion of mine executor hereafter
23 named, ten shillings among the poor of Tonbridge

*76 in the original the following item has been crossed out:
Item:
I give and bequeath to my eldest son John Chatfield the sum of five pounds lawful money to be paid within one whole year next after my decease".

24 Item:
I give and bequeath to Thomas Chatfield,
25 my second son, ten pounds of lawful money
26 to be paid within one whole year next after
27 my decease.
Item:
I give and bequeath to
28 George CHATFIELD, my youngest son, the sum of
29 twenty pounds lawful money to be paid to
30 him at his full age of one and twenty years.
31 Item:
I give and bequeath unto my daughter,
32 Mavis, wife of Robert Grayling, the sum of
33 ten pounds lawful money to be paid within
34 one whole year next after my decease.
Item:
I give
35 and bequeath to Martha CHATFIELD, my youngest
36 daughter, the sum of twenty pounds to be paid
37 to her at her full age of one and twenty years
38 or at the day of her marriage which shall first happen.
39 Item:
I will to every of my children's children
40 the sum of twenty shillings a piece to be paid to them
41 at the discretion of mine executor. The residue
42 of all my goods, cattells, leases, debts and chattels,
43 I wholly, fully and with good effect, intent
44 and purpose give and bequeath to Elizabeth,
45 my wellbeloved wife, whom I do ordain and
46 make my whole and sole executor of this my last
47 will to see the same proved, my debts and legacies
48 paid and my body honestly brought to the
49 earth. This is the last will of me the said
50 George Chatfield made and declared the day
51 and year first above written concerning the
52 disposition of a little messuage, barn, garden,
53 orchard and a parcel of land adjoining, by
54 estimation three acres whether more or less, to
55 be had together, situated, lying and being at ??
56 in Tonbridge aforesaid. All which messuage or
57 tenement and all other the premises with
58 all and singular th'appurtenances, I will and
59 bequeath to John CHATFIELD, my eldest son,
60 to him and to his heirs, the same with all and
61 singular th'appurtenances unto the said John,
62 my son, his heirs and assigns, for ever. In
63 witness whereof I, the said George Chatfield,
64 to this my present last will and testament have set
65 my hand and seal yeven the day and year first
66 above written in the presence of John Stockwood *77,
67 Thomas Chawne, John Gates *78, Nicholas Hooper,
68 writer hereof and others. sign. George Chatfield
*77 vicar of Tonbridge
*78 or was this John Grant, vicar of Leigh?