Swanage Wills

- James, son of John Clarke deceased to administer goods

Witnesses: Edmund Cole, Mary Cole
James Clarke sworn 20 October 1742

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1742/57

Sworn before: Edmund Cooke, Clerk in presence of Thomas Fitzherbert 19 October 1742

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1742/58

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1744/58

- ‘sick in body’

- Henry (son): leasehold messuage which I now live with garden etc; one half part of household goods, stock, implements in trade etc

- Peter Camell, shopkeeper of Sandwich and Lewis Cole, surgeon, same: two messuages with garden etc in Sandwich in occupation of
  John Pelley and William Toms in trust – rents etc to be paid to Ann (dau) wife of George Cox; after her decease to Grace Cox (gdau)
  to hold for rest of term. If she dies to Henry (son).

- Half part of household goods, stock, implements in trade etc to be applied for personal maintenance and benefit of Ann Cox (dau)
  and her child Grace Cox (gdau) for their sole use

- Peter Camell, shopkeeper of Sandwich and Lewis Cole, surgeon: executors

Witnesses: John Cooth, Mary Cole, Ann Hayward
Sworn: 25 January 1744/45 to executors

- Jacob Hort (brother’s son): 1s and wearing apparel, ‘wooling and linen stokens’ and shoes within 12 months of decease

- Rachell (wife): dwelling house, garden, orchard and meade on the west side of orchard

- Rachell (wife): ‘the growne in Hearsen field and allot in Hearsen Meade and a pasture for a cow in Hearsen yards’

- Rachell (‘beloved wife’): rest and executrix

Witnesses: Daniel Masters, Daniel Masters the younger, Mary Masters
Proved: 5 March 1744 to Mary Andrews wife of Francis.

Notes: Rachael Hort, widow died before probate was granted having first appointed Mary her executrix

Francis Andrews, tailor of Sandwich, Daniel Masters, tailor of Sandwich, Francis and Mary his wife – Mary (to administer)
Made before: Thomas Fitzherbert, notary public

6 August 1745

DHC reference: Da/Dt/A/1745/25

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1742/58

19 October 1742

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/174749

DHC reference: Da/Dt/A/1747/34

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1748/51

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1750/47A

- Ann (wife): all

Witnesses: John Vallett, John Gover
Proved: 11 May 1750 to Ann Cross, widow sworn before John Pyke, Rector of Sandwich

Endorsed and postmarked from Plymouth, Devon posted to Mrs Anne Cross, Sandwich

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1750/47B

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1751/51

- Elizabeth (Betty) Meader, Ann Pushman, Martha Hibbs (daus): house and orchard equally divided rent for the term of lease

- Thomas Pushman’s three children: £5 12 months after decease

- ‘Eyas’ Hibbs’ three daus: £5 12 months after decease

- Ann Meader (gdau): £5 12 months after decease

- John Meader, Thomas Pushman, Elias Hibbs, William Candel (sons-in-law): 1s a piece

- Elizabeth (‘beloved wife’): rest and executrix
Signed: Peter Tidbruary (x)

Witnesses: William Melmer [Melmoth], Daniel Masters, Temprance Merwood (x)
Proved: 8 October 1751 to Elizabeth Tedbury, widow, sworn before John Pyke, Surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1752/19

- Anna Sanders (dau): brewing furnace, stone silt, my clock and jack

- Joseph Gover (brother): best suit of dark-grey cloths coat waistcoat and breeches

- Elizabeth Frampton (dau): large kettle pot now in her possession and my bankers at the sea side

- Mary Stevens (dau): rest and executrix

Witnesses: Lewis Cole, Jonathan Cole
Proved: 28 October 1752 to Mary Stevens, widow sworn before John Pyke, Rector of Sandwich

- Elizabeth Marsh of Sandwich, Cathrine Serrel of Portsea, Sarah Serrel of Corfe Castle, Martha Serrel of Sandwich
  (‘my 4 granddaughters’): all estates in Sandwich divided between them and as their father John Serrel stands indebted
  £40 ‘for keeping his childring’ I do give the £40 divided between them.

- Elizabeth Marsh (gdau): great ‘kittle’ [kettle]

- Cathrine Serrel (gdau): best black quilted petticoat and bed and its furniture which I do lie in

- Sarah and Martha Serrel (gdaus): rest of goods and executrixes

Witnesses: John Dolling, junior, John Frampston, Elizabeth Frampton
Will proved: 27 November 1755 to Martha Serrell [sic] (Sarah Serrell, the other executrix being deceased)

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1755/32

- Ruth relict of Thomas late of Sandwich to administer goods etc

Witnesses/sworn: John Pyke, Elizabeth Hayward 6 March 1755

DHC reference: Da/A/1757/9

- Peter Towgood, brother of Matthew Towgood to administer

Before Thomas Fitzherbert, Notary Public Peter Towgood
Sworn before Samuel Lambert Milbourne, Surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1756/38

- Elizabeth Banister bound to administer goods etc

30 July 1756 Witnesses: John Combes, clerk

- ‘perfect health’

- ‘Beloved wife’: £50 within six months of decease or to Joseph Thompson (my wife’s son) if deceased

- Wife: house at Hearson etc where she and I now live; and newly built house I built adjoining the house we live in, in occupation of
  Giles Harding, junior; silver tankard, gold chain, silver watch, all good rings, all her clothes, silk, woolling and linen, 6 silver spoons,
  all coals and wood in and out fit for burning and largest pewter dish, best bedstead etc that is in the inner or best chamber

- Abraham Hayward (cousin): bed in outer chamber etc

- Abraham Hayward (cousin): executor

- Wife and Abraham Hayward (cousin): silver spoons etc besides the above, to be divided between them and a silver dram dish to be parted equally

- Esther Hayward (‘beloved sister’): £15 within six months of decease

- Henry Vicory of Southavon, Studland: £3

- William Melmer son of John Melmer of Swanage (kinsman): £3

- Mary Melmer dau of John Melmer of Swanage: 20s

- Mary wife of Henry Vicory: 40s

- Abraham Hayward (cousin): wearing apparel and wooling and quar tools

- Wife and Abraham Hayward: rest of goods divided and all linen, pewter etc except a pair of tea tongs, pair of large silver buckles,
  warming pan ‘which I give particularly to my dear wife for her own sole use and benefit’

- Abraham: my house after my wife dies for the term of 10 years after her decease if he or his daughter Melmer Hayward shall live

- William Melmer (kinsman) son of John Melmer: gets above house after years run out but to John, his father if no issue

- William Melmer (or to his father John): house in possession of Robert Seymore

- William Melmer (or to his father John): tenement at Hearson in possession of John Cole and in the holding of Jonathan Cole

- William Melmer (as above): after decease of my wife – messuage at Hearson and lately rebuilt in occupation of Giles Harding, junior

- William Melmer (as above): house, Hearson now in holding of John Meader for some years to come and in occupation of Joseph King.

- All tenements to William (or to his father John)

- Wife: £100 within six months of decease and the marriage bond he gave her left in the hands of Thomas Eyres, grocer, Portsmouth

- Abraham Hayward (cousin): executor

- William Melmer (as above): to demand rents yearly

- Edward Dampier, Lewis Cockram, senior and John Melmer, senior, William Milner, Officer of the Customs at Swanage (all ‘good friends’):
  to oversee this will and 10s each for their trouble

- William Milner: 5s for making this will

Witnesses: John Cole, Jonathan Stevens, Giles Harden, Sarah Cole, Mary Brown
Proved: 19 January 1758 to Abraham Hayward

- Rachel Cooke widow of Leonard and admin. of his goods etc

Witnesses: Anne Hutchins, Ann Rose
Sworn: goods under £20 before John Hutchins, Rector of Wareham

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1758/33

- Jane Tarry relict and widow of Thomas Tarry a marine on board His Majesty’s ship Magnamine, to administer goods etc

Witnesses: Anne Hutchins, Ann Rose
Sworn: goods under £20 [before John Hutchins, Rector of Wareham – but not stated in document]

Administration: Thomas Wakely, blacksmith of Sandwich and Henry Conway, miller of Corfe Castle.
Thomas, father of Hester bound to administer goods etc 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1759/24

- Thomas son of Thomas Alford, the elder of Swanwich deceased, to administer goods etc.

11 August 1759
Witnesses: Anne Hutchins, William Filliter Thomas sworn before John Hutchins, Rector of Wareham

DHC reference: Da/Dt/A/1760/19

Transcribed by Kim Parker from microfilms at the Dorset History Centre

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1762/58

DHC reference: Ad/Dt /W/1763/40

- Mary (wife) of Lankton, Sandwich [Langton Matravers]: all and executrix

Witnesses: Thomas Lake[?], Jonathan Garton, Charles Graham, Joseph Beckett, Thomas Ford
Proved: 1 August 1763 to Mary (wife) before John Hutchins, Rector of Wareham Surrogate legally deputed

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1763/21

Witnesses: George White, Henry Sanders
Exhibited: 7 March 1763 Bond: John Kent, baker of Corfe Castle, Robert Sanders, blacksmith of Sandwich and
Thomas Huxford, cordwainer of Bere Regis.
Kent and Sanders, principal creditors (Kent owed £23; Sanders owed £17) to administer goods etc
7 March 1763

Witness/before: Thomas Fitzherbert

- ‘weak of body’

- ‘Two shillings each to six bearers to carry me to church at my decease and two shillings to two women to lay me out at my death’.

- Thomas (‘well beloved son’): best dark coloured blew [blue] coat together with my father’s best coat, my buckskin breeches and white fustian waistcoat

- Thomas (brother) and John Best of Sandwich (brother in law): remainder of wearing apparel to share between them

- Mary (‘well beloved wife’): silver watch and household furniture provided she continues a widow – after decease or marriage to share between brother
  Thomas, John Best and William Linnington ‘well beloved brother’)

- Mary (wife): my fee simple now dwelling house in Herston with garden, orchard etc called ‘late Jeremiah Brown’s Tenement’ with rest

- Samuel Burt, Writing Master, of Corfe Castle (‘my good friend’): trustee

Executrix: Mary (wife)

Witnesses: William Cull, James Collins, Honor Burt
Sworn: 21 September 1763 to Mary, widow and executrix before John Pyke, Rector of Sandwich

DHC reference: Ad/Dt//W/1765/60

- Johanna ('beloved wife') and her daughter Rose: all goods etc which were my wife's at the time of our marriage; with two houses now in the
  occupation of Richard Morris and Hester Phillips

- William Soper at Ulwell (brother): any moneys as may be due from him to me at the time of my decease

- Hannah Hixen [Hixon]: remainder of my household furniture

- Johanna (wife) and Hanna Hixon and her husband Thomas Hixon (son-in-law): all stock of hay, corn, all kinds of cattle and moneys due to me
  equally between them with all carriages and utensils for husbandry to be appraised and equally divided in 12 month after decease

- Johanna (wife) and Hanna Hixon and her husband Thomas Hixon (son-in-law): executor and executrixes Thomas give his mother in law the
  value of her third part following appraisement, he shall not be obliged to pay for the same until one year after

Witnesses: H Serrell, Sarah Bonfield
Will proved: 10 July 1765 to Thomas Hixon before John Cooth, Surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1767/24

Witnesses: H and Samuel Serrell
Exhibited before Reverend John Cooth, Clerk MA and Surrogate 7 February 1767

Administration: James Percy, timber merchant of Wimborne Minster, Thomas Lockyer, yeoman of Hampreston, John Doe bound.
James Percy to administer. 7 February 1767, before Thomas Fitzherbert, Notary Public. Sworn before John Cooth, Surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1769/59

- Mary (dau): a dwelling place in the houses[?] ‘not to be put out of it as long as she lives’

- John (son): boat and wearing clothes

- Ann (dau): chest of drawers

- Hester Pilips [Philips] (gdau): 10s every year as long as she keeps same name to be paid out of houses

- Children: rest equally divided

- Mary (dau): ‘The Old Rope to be sold and Mary to have the money

Witnesses: John Dolling, Margaret Serrell, Mary Smedmor [Smedmore] (x) [on reverse in pencil ‘when examined
in October 1961 this will found to lack half’]

John Burdam, fisherman of Sandwich, George Smith, shoemaker of Wareham and John Flook, labourer of Wareham bound 12 August 1769
John son of Thomas to administer will, before William and George Filliter Sworn before John Hutchins, Rector of Wareham and Surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1770/17

- Francis Warren ‘of Swanage but now of London, merchant’

- Eleanor (‘much loved’ wife, dau of Christopher and Ann Ashley of Mahone, Isle of Minorca): all, then after decease to Eleanor (dau)

- Eleanor (wife): pay yearly to Hannah Warren (mother) of Swanage: £42 12s, house orchard occupied by Hannah Warren to be sole
  property of Eleanor (wife)

- Eleanor (wife): executrix

Witnesses: Lewis Warren, George Warren
Commission: Eleanor wife of John Taylor and executrix of her late husband Francis Warren 3 November 1770.
Executed and proved by Eleanor Taylor on 10 November 1770 before John Hutchins, Surrogate

DHC reference: DA/A/1771/18

John Pushman, principal creditor and administrator

Witnesses: Jared Trew, Mary Tibury (x)
John Pushman sworn 8 April 1771 to administrator as Elizabeth Pushman, widow having renunciated, before John Pyke
Renunciation: Elizabeth Pushman, widow of George Pushman renunciates administration and John Pushman, principal
creditor appointed 8 April 1771, signed Elizabeth Pushman (x)

Witnesses: Jared Trew, William Curtis
Exhibited before Reverend John Pyke, Surrogate
 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1772/49  

- Elizabeth Benfield (dau): house that I live in

- James Benfield: lands at Churchbridge

- Mary Best: house where Peter Hancock now lives ‘for to live in’ and goods to furnish him – bed and things belonging 
  Square table, two chairs [for Mary Best?]

- James Benfield: ‘woolling’ apparel and rest of goods and chattels after decease of Elizabeth Benfield (dau) and Mary Best.

Superscript note in text: ‘I debar my daughter Elizabeth Benfield of all my goods and chattels’.
Samuel Burt, George Clarke Butler: overseers of will and one guinea each

Witnesses: William Rose, Joseph Ralles, Peter Hancock
Probate granted: to Samuel Burt 15 January 1772
Right reserved to make the like grant to George Clark Butler
Sworn before John Cooth, surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1775/27  

31 October 1775
Ann Bemister bound to administer goods etc

Witnesses: Morgan Jones, Christopher Rawlinson

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1776/42  

- Mary Cole of Sandwich, spinster and niece of Mr Camell: land and house where I dwell in Sandwich and right of the passage,
  privilege of the Brewhouse, and its utensils and likewise the garden adjoining.

- Mary Cole (as above): right in the Quarry where I now work and all my stone, utensils and tools etc of marbler trade and rest

Witnesses: Esther Damon, Mary Stevens, Thomas Bartlett
Proved: 10 August 1776 to Mary Cole

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1776/15

16 November 1776

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1777/56

- Judith (dau) wife of Thomas Frith: £5

- Mary (gdau and dau of Thomas and Judith Frith): £1 when 21 years old

- William and Ann (son and dau of William (son) and Martha Melmoth): £1 each when 21 years old

- William (son): 1s

- Mary (‘dearly beloved wife’): executrix and rest. Rest on her decease to John and Mary (son and dau) divided between them

Witnesses: John Chapman and S B Chapman

John Melmoth, marbler of Sandwich, Mary Melmoth, spinster and John Cole, stone merchant of same and James Browne, victualler
of Corfe Castle bound by sum of £200 8 December 1777.

John and Mary Melmoth to administer in presence of Thomas Bartlett 17 November 1777

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1778/55

- Rose Haysom otherwise Weeks (‘natural’ dau): all houses, goods and chattels etc, and executrix

Witnesses: Lewis and Ann Warren
Commission: 22 June 1778 Rose Haysom otherwise Weeks (natural dau), executrix, sworn 23 June 1778 before John Pyke

- ‘sick and weak in body’

- Mary (‘dearly beloved and only surviving daughter (who is now a minor)’: all monies, goods, chattels and effects

- My late father John Warren was legally possessed of a valuable stone quarry at Durlstone Bay, Sandwich which a quarter (testator’s) to
  go to Mary (dau) or she dies to his brothers then living

- John Warren (‘well beloved brother’), marbler of Sandwich and Lewis Warren (‘much esteemed friend and relation’) stone merchant: trustees
  and guardians of my daughter

Witnesses: Jeremiah Warren, Samuel Burt
Will proved: 28 November 1779 to Lewis Warren and John Warren

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1780/56

- ‘weak of body’

- Elizabeth Frampton dau of Peter Gover Frampton (son): freehold banker or wharf at Sandwich in occupation of John Melmoth,
  chest of drawers and a blue box

- Peter Gover Frampton (son): stock of wool in my dwelling house with press, combs and all other my tools and utensils used in the
  stocking trade only

- Isaac Frampton (son): £20

- Grandchildren: £5 each

- Elizabeth Frampton (gdau) and Ann Frampton (sister): executrixes and residue and remainder equally between them

- Nathan Chinchen, stone merchant of Sandwich and Samuel Burt, writing master of Corfe Castle: appointed trustees of
  Elizabeth Frampton (gdau) and see this will executed

Witnesses: Eli Purlet, Edward Smith, Peter Stevens
Proved 8 January 1780 by Ann Frampton (power being reserved to grant to Elizabeth Frampton) before John Pyke, surrogate

- Mary Warren (gdau): £100

- Elizabeth wife of William Cole (gdau): £50

- John Sanders (gson): silver watch and £50

- Ann Cole (dau): bed and bedstead in West Chamber in my dwelling house and a double chest of drawers in the same room,
  large pier glass and the oak table standing under the same and also 6 black’s ash chairs in the same room and one armed chair,
  one mahogany round table, 6 new silver tea spoons, silver cream cup and large silver spoon, my clock and case and half a dozen
  of best new case knives and forks and £150

- Henry Sanders (son): rest and executor

Witnesses: John Edmunds and George Filliter
Will proved: 12 January 1780 to Henry Sanders

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1780/12

James brother of John Warren to administer.
Before Thomas Fitzherbert, Registrar. James Warren sworn before George Marsh, Surrogate

- James, Samuel, John and Joseph Warren (sons): ‘Quare in Durdlestone Bay’ to share equally and wearing apparel

- Jane (dau) wife of Thomas Wakely: £10

- Martha Warren (dau): all household goods except after mentioned

- Grandchildren: a large silver spoon each

- James, Samuel, John and Joseph Warren (sons), Martha Warren and Jane Wakely (daus): all money/debts owed and goods at Quare
   to be equally divided between them

- John (son): my clock and executor

Witnesses: Henry Parlett, Lewis Warren
Will proved: 28 August 1780 to James Warren (son and administrator of the goods of John Warren his brother deceased the named executor)

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1780/11

Peter Rose, son of Benjamin Rose to administer.
In presence of Thomas Fitzherbert, Notary Public and Registrar. Peter Rose (x), sworn before George Bingham, Surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1780/55

- ‘in bodely Health’

- Sarah (‘beloved wife’): all money, land etc owing or belonging to me. After her decease, as follows:

  - Sarah Cole (dau): clock, best glass, my books with a pew in the church

  - Ann Cockram (dau): best bed and all belongings there unto

  - Hannah Best (dau-in-law): 1 guinea

  - Sarah Best (gdau): bed with green curtain and all belonging there unto

  - Richard Best (gson): 1s

  - Beatrix Brine (‘my trusty maid’): the bed and all to it ‘that she always lay on’

  - Martin Cole and Lewis Cockram (sons-in-law): rest and executors

Witnesses: John Harden, John Cole
Proved 4 December 1780 by Martin Cole and Lewis Cockram

Sworn before Reverend John Pyke Executors’ oath: Martin Cole, commander of His Majesty’s Sloop of War ‘the Woolf’,
and Lewis Cockram

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1781/50

- Joanna Serrell (dau): leasehold tenement and garden where I now live at Swanage for rest of term of years. Also household goods,
  furniture, stock of beer and other liquors, brewing utensils etc

- Executrix to pay Elizabeth (dau) wife of John Collins of Swanage, quarrier and Susannah Pond (dau) wife of Ely [Eli] Pond of Swanage,
  butcher: 30s per annum each from above property in quarterly payments

- Joanna Serrell (dau): executrix

Mark of 'Elizbeth Keates' (also referred to as Elizabeth Serrell)
Witnesses: William Curtis, Edward Alem [Allen?] (x)
Commission oath: 10 April 1781 to be made to Joanna Serrell, spinster of Sandwich and daughter of testatrix.
Proved by commission: executed 19 April 1781 before John Pyke, Clerk

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1781/51

- Mary (sister): all leasehold houses, moiety of houses with appurtenances in Sandwich and goods etc, and executrix

Witnesses: Thomas Bartlett, Mary Harden
Proved: 13 March 1781 to Mary Melmoth before Morgan Jones, curate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1783/31

Witness: George Filliter

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1783/23

Robert signs himself ‘Robert Seymour’.
Sworn same date before George Marsh, Surrogate

DHC reference: DA/5a/120/110

- Ann ('beloved wife'): all effects - 'the house and land of the house that John Simes lives in the house that Thomas Bradford and the
  plot of the house all situated in Herston feld [Field] the house that I live in at present with the ground and every thing there belonging
  with all my household goods, monies etc'. After decease or if she marries to be shared between my four children James, Samuel,
  John and Martha as tenants in common.

- Joseph Collins (brother): executor in trust to see debts are paid

- John (son): all working tools and wearing apparel except a blue coat for Samuel (son)

- James and Samuel (sons): 'if John Brine should outlive my wife the house that I now live in plot garden orchard and everything belonging
  to both share. 'I further desire that Thomas Bradford...should live in the house that he built on my land for the term of thirteen years for the
  yearly rent of one shilling per year'. After the term of years, he or his wife to pay thirty shillings a year.

Witnesses: Howard Collins, John Tombs, junior and Henry Warren

Inventory covers in remarkable detail (27 pages):

- Shop (haberdashery goods etc): £94 10s 5d

- Household goods and furniture: £61 17s 8½d

- Silver and gold: £24 17s 10d

- Wearing apparel: £27 4s 8d

- Moiety of house in Swanage in occupation of Timothy Chinchen, senior £35 0s 0d

- Debts due to deceased at the time of her death (full transcript of pages 25-27): £352 160 ¾d

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1785/49  

- ‘in health of body’

- Henry Burt (nephew): 1s

- Honour (‘dearly beloved wife’): house and lands etc and executrix, then on decease ‘well beloved’
  nephew Samuel Burt son of John Burt.

Witnesses: [Richerd - sic] Richard Corben, Jonathan Stevens, James Clarke Samuel Burt,
nephew and executor of Samuel Burt deceased to administer will etc
12 April 1785. Sworn 13 April 1785

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1785/50

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1786/58

- 'my Body to be interred in the same Grave by my first wife'

- Fergus Mackay (nephew): £5

- Cathrine [Catherine] Mackay (niece): £5

- Elizabeth ('present wife'): residue and remainder of estate, goods etc, and executrix

Witnesses: H Serrell, Henry Parlett
Will proved: 15 December 1786 by Elizabeth Morison, widow before Morgan Jones

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1787/42

- Sarah Smeadmore [Smedmore] (‘beloved’ dau) wife of Joseph: house and garden occupied by Henry Meader at Herston, and
  two-thirds of the house or houses inhabited by myself and Robert and Mary Stevens in Swanage, ‘in consideration of my aforesaid
  daughter has allowed me all fripperies in my long sickness and paid sundry bills’

- Martha Butler (gdau): all clothes, household furniture??

- Richard Best (son): remaining one-third of abovementioned house or houses

- Sarah Smeadmore (dau): executrix

Signed: Hannah Best (x)
Witnesses: Timothy Chinchen junior, William Curtis
Proved 17 February 1787 by Sarah Smeadmore (dau) before George R Hawker, Surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1788/20

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1788/12

- Mary Meader (dau): one 36s piece, one 18s piece (Portugal gold coins), 5 gold rings and £40

- Jeremiah (son): all household goods and furniture

- Jeremiah and Mary (son and dau): rest divided between them Mary (dau): executrix

Witnesses: Hester Cole, Ja[James] Brown Mary (dau) to administer will of John Meader, deceased.
11 October 1788. Probate: 15 October 1788

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1789/22

- George Clarke Butler, gentleman of Corfe Castle: all debt I owed to him, provide comfort etc for John Stoodley (son) in his apprenticeship.
  £10 to be paid by him to John (son) Mary Stoodley (dau): to benefit until marriage

- Edward and Mary (son and daughter): residue of goods to be divided between them George Clarke Butler (‘well beloved friend’): executor

Witnesses: John Cole, James Brown George Clarke Butler bound to administer will.
28 April 1789 Sworn 2 May 1789

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1793/17

Francis Warren the only son and next of kin of Elizabeth Warren, intestate to administer
Sworn same date, effects under £100, before John Yeatman, Clerk

- Children of Presilla: £300

- Martha Maria (dau): £350

- 'no other person is to have anything to do with this Will'

- James: Ye Silver Wafer

- Joseph: The Silver Cup & Waiter "derected" to Joseph Edmonds

- John: The Silver Casters

- Maria: Remainder

 
Nathan and James Chinchen, stone merchants of Swanage, swore the handwriting is of the deceased
[as it was written in the testator’s [shaky] hand and not witnessed] 21 November 1794

Commission oath: to Priscilla Edmonds, widow and Joseph Edmonds, son and joint executors

Executed 21 November 1794 before W Taylor, Clerk

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1794/24

Christopher son of Christopher to administer Before W H Monday
Sworn same date before J Atkinson effects sworn under £100

- Mary Pond (daughter), wife of John Pond, butcher of Swanage: £100 for her own, sole and separate use.
  In case of her death leaving no issue the said sum shall go to and be equally divided amongst all my
  children that shall be living at the time of her death.

- Ann Harden (daughter): £150.

- Richard Harden and Joseph Harden (sons): the houses they now live in with all and Singular the
  Appurtenances thereunto belonging.  And in Case of the death of either Richard or Joseph the widow of
  him so dying shall have hold and enjoy for and during the other brothers life. And in the case of the death
  of them so aforesaid the widow of him so dying or her child or children shall receive one full moiety or half
  part of all the 'Net profitts' arising from such Quarries so long as my Right Title and Interest shall continue therein.

  The South Quarry in Durlstone Bay and the quarry in Court Ground equally between them share and share alike.

  Neither of the Houses or Quarries above mentioned shall not be sold to distress each other.

- Samuel Harden (son): £50 In Trust to pay and apply the same. Also one full moiety or half part of all that
  Quarry called the Cinder.

- Joseph Moore Harden (grandson): Ten Pounds with lawful interest for the same to commence from the day of my
  death when he shall attain the age of Twenty One years.

- Samuel, Richard and Joseph Harden (sons):  All my wearing apparel 

- John Harden (son): Residue and Remainder

Witnesses: Robert Barnes, James Brown
Joint Executors: John Harden (son) and Mr John Dampier of Wareham (most beloved friend)
Proved: 20 August 1795

Commission oath: 20 August 1795 to be made to John Harden, son and one of the executors.
Executed 21 September 1795 goods sworn under £300

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1797/58

- Mary (wife): house where she now lives with house adjoining in occupation of Francis Andrews, and all household goods
  and furniture and her wearing apparel in her possession – the latter to pass to Susannah Hurlock on her decease
  (executor to make an inventory)

- Mary (wife): £4 a year in half year payments

- Susannah Hurlock: £50 after my wife’s decease

- Joseph Manwell (son-in-law): stone quarry, tools and my wearing apparel and £50 and £25 more after my wife’s decease

- Joshua Tubb (gson): £5

- Mary Melmoth (cousin): £7 10s

- Ann Burt (cousin): £7 10s

- Mary Manwell (gdau): bed I now lay with all belongings

- James-Flook Manwell (gson): silver watch

- Thomas Burt (gson): silver buckles, if he does not live then to William Burt (great gson)

- Joseph Manwell (son-in-law): all money due to me from George Bonfield and Samuel Marsh, and rest, and executor

Witnesses: George Manwell, Joseph Gover
Proved 11 March 1797 by Joseph Manwell, sworn effects under £600, before Ed. Binfield

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1797/19

Elizabeth wife of above bounden John Stockly, the daughter of Charles Pope Shank intestate to administer
Signed by all - note George Bonfield signs 'Benfield'
Witnesses Thomas Rawlins, Henry Gillingham