Will of James Neame, Gentleman, Of Birchington, Kent
(Abridged)
PROB 11/1984
PCC Vol. 12 Quire 551-600
Proved 18 Aug 1843
This is the last Will and Testament of me James Neame of the Parish of Birchington in the Isle of Thanet in the County of Kent, Gentleman.
"First I give and devise that all my messuages or tenement farm and lands called the Hundred with the buildings and appurtenances belonging thereto situate in the parishes of [Acol] and Minster or in one of them or in some adjoining parish in the said Isle of Thanet and County of Kent and now in the tenure or occupation of my son Francis Jenkin Neame … also all that my messuages or tenements aforesaid when I purchased them from Mr William Tomlin … occupation of George Collard … unto my sons John Neame and Edward Neame" subject to the following that from time to time the rents and profits be paid to Francis Jenkin Neame. If Francis Jenkin Neame shall become insolvent then the income from these lands shall pass directly into the hands of his wife for the benefit of her and her children. This income is not to be liable for any of the debts incurred by Francis Jenkin Neame. No benefits to pass to his wife if she should remarry after his death.
Land occupied by George Collard to be sold after the death of Francis Jenkin Neame and the funds to be invested to provide an income for his wife and children. Benefits of Francis Jenkin Neame to pass to his wife after his death, until land is sold.
Money from the sale of land is to be placed in trust for the children of Francis Jenkin Neame to be paid to them after his once they turn twenty one or before then to go towards their education or advancement. If no children survive to twenty one the trust monies to be divided among the surviving children of James Neame or their children.
I give and devise All that my messuage and Tenement farm and lands situate at or near Richborough in the said County of Kent which were devised to me by the Will of Mary Fox deceased and are now in the occupation of my son Edward Neame … Unto and for the use of my son John Neame … Then to the use of the several children now living of my said son John Neame by his present wife that is to say John Neame, Emma Neame, Percy Neame and of all and every other child or children of him by said son John Neame."
Any unmarried daughters to have "the use and occupation of my present Dwelling House in Birchington … and of the garden and piece of pasture land adjoining thereto. And also the use and enjoyment of such household furniture, plate, linen, china and implements of household as they or she shall desire to retain with the privilege of foddering a cow in the farmyard"
Elizabeth [Quinn] to retain occupation of tenement and garden so long as she continues to pay the rent of £6 per annum and pasture land for £2 per annum.
Seedmill and store house on leased land to go to son Edward. Dwelling house, garden and pasture occupied by Elizabeth [Quinn] to go to Edward, and after his death to his Widow so long as she remains unmarried. After her decease to be divided amongst their children as tenants in common.
All remaining furniture, plate, linen and household implements to be divided among surviving unmarried daughters.
Two thousand four hundred pounds to be invested to provide an income for "my daughter Elizabeth Hankin and her children."
The sum of six thousand pounds stock and the sum of three thousand five hundred pounds lent on mortgage to the said George Wood to be invested to provide an income for "Mary the wife of Michael Pett Maria and Charlotte during their respective natural lives for their own respective absolute use and benefit." Michael Pett to have no claim on the share of his wife Maria. No future husband of unmarried daughters to have any claim on their share. The share of any daughters to die unmarried is to pass equally to the survivors.
Son-in-law John Hankin is forgiven all debts other than those recorded in the Book of Account
£300 stock to be invested for the benefit of a distant female relative living in London
Each surviving daughter to receive £100. Elizabeth and Mary to receive theirs in instalments
Fifty pounds to each of the children of Francis Jenkin Neame at age 21.
Three shillings per week per child to Widow Darby for the schooling of certain poor children until the age of twelve
Money to be set aside to buy bread and coal for the "poor men and women" of the parish
Residue of monetary and personal estate and chattels to be put into trust for the benefit of daughter Elizabeth Hankin and her children.
Debts of son-in-law Michael Pett unto a sum of £150 to be taken from the one-seventh share of his wife Mary. £50 to go to Mary for her sole and personal use.
And I give and bequeath four other seventh parts or shares unto and equally amongst my children John, Edward, Maria and Charlotte. The remaining seventh share to be held in trust for Francis Jenkin Neame who is to be paid an income from the share
John Neame to pay from his share the £325 owed to his father. Edward Neame from his share to pay £300 as equivalent to farm implements are stock given to him
"And as to the sum of two thousand four hundred pounds stock And the one seventh part or share hereinbefore bequeathed to them my said Executors of and in residue of my personal estate (Subject nevertheless to the payment thereof such sum as in my Book of Account shall be stated to be due from the said John Hankin to me)" to be put into trust to provide an income for Elizabeth Hankin and her children. Money to be paid to the children once they reach 21 or to contribute to their education "or advancement in the world". John Hankin to have no control over this income.
All debts of sons and sons-in-law to be paid out of their respective shares.
I appoint my said sons John Neame and Edward Neame Executors of this my Will
James Neame
signed and sealed by the said James Neame the Testator and by him published and declared as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and being all present together at the same time in his presence and in the presence of each other hereunto subscribe our names as Witnesses
William May Wm. Brooke
This is a Codicil (dated 10th September 1841)
Bequest of £50 to each of the children of Francis Jenkin Neame revoked
Bequest to Widow Darby for the education of poor children reduced from three shillings to three pence, three shillings being a clerical error
This is a further Codicil (dated 11th December 1841)
Children of Francis Jenkin Neame to each receive a bequest of £50 at the age of 24 and not 21 as previously directed
If Francis Jenkin Neame marries a second time none of the benefits due to his present wife and children will be available to any second wife or children from a second marriage.
This is the third Codicil (dated 26th January 1842)
John Neame and Edward Neame each to receive £50 as recompense for any trouble they may go to as executors of their father's will
This is the fourth Codicil (date 15th March 1841)
Richborough farm land occupied by Edward and bequeathed to John to instead go to Edward for a term of 21 years, providing he maintains buildings and pays rent. After 21 years land is to revert to John.
Dwelling house and lands occupied by Elizabeth [Quinn} to go to Edward.
This is the fifth Codicil (dated 6th Feb 1843)
Money owed by Francis Jenkin Neame to be repaid upto £360. Debts over this amount to be forgiven.
Maria and Charlotte each bequeathed £500 of three pounds ten shillings bank stock
Signed and sealed by the said James Neame the Testator and by him published and declared as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other hereunto subscribe our names as Witnesses
William May Wm Brooke
On the 11th day of August 1843 the said William Brooke was duly sworn to the truth thereof before me
Edward Player Commissioner
Proved at London with five Codicils the 18th August 1843 before the judge by the oaths of John Neame and Edward Neame the sons the Executors to whom Admon was granted been first sworn by [ -o--on] only to administer
