In the Name of God Amen I David Harridge of Rochford in the County of Essex Gentleman being of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding (praised be God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say First I give grant and devise unto my beloved Wife Ann Harridge for the term of her natural Life One annuity in clear yearly Rent Charge of Sixty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be yearly issuing out of my Manor Farm and Estate at Little Stambridge in the said County hereinafter mentioned and devised To have hold ?perceive? and yearly to receive and take the said annuity or Yearly Rent Charge of Sixty Pounds to her my said Wife and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural Life to be paid to her by even and equal half yearly payments free and clear of and from all Taxes Charges and Deductions whatsoever Parliamentary or Parochial the first payment of which Annuity shall begin and be made to my said Wife or her Assigns at the the End of Six Calendar Months next after my Decease And subject to or charged or chargeable with the said Annuity or yearly Rent Charge of Sixty Pounds so given to my said Wife for and during the term of her natural Life as aforesaid I do hereby give and devise unto my Son David Young Harridge All that the Manor or Lordship or ?reputed? Manor or Lordship of Little Stambridge Hall with all the Courts Rights Royalties Profits Commodities and Appurtenances thereto belonging And also all that Freehold Mansion or Manor House called Little Stambridge Hall together with all and singular the several Closes Pieces or Parcels of Arable Meadow Pasture Woods and Woodlands to the said Mansion or Manor house belonging or appertaining situate lying and being in Little Stambridge and Rochford aforesaid and also in Great Stambridge in the said County of Essex or in some other Parish or Parishes thereto next or near adjoining now in the occupation of my said Son David Young Harridge to hold to him my said Son David Young Harridge and his Assigns for and during the term of his natural Life he or they during all that time keeping and maintaining the said premises in good and ?tenantable? Repair and not commiting Waste And from and immediately after the decease of my said Son David Young Harridge I give and devise all and every my said Estate and premises with their and every of their appurtenances (subject to such annuity as aforesaid and charged and chargeable as hereafter mentioned) unto my Grandson David Harridge the Eldest Son of my said Son David Young Harridge his Heirs and assigns for ever And my Will is that when and so soon as my said Grandson David Harridge the Son of my said Son David Young Harridge shall be seized or possessed of the said Estate and premises so devised as aforesaid the sum of five hundred pounds shall then be paid by him to his Sister Sarah Ann Harridge if she shall then be twenty one years of age And if under that Age then upon her attaining her said age of twenty one years And I do hereby expressly charge the said Estate and Premises with the payment thereof accordingly
Next I give and devise unto my respected Friend William Cockerton of Sutton in the said County Gentleman and my Nephew David Harridge of Leigh in the said County Merchant all that my undivided third Part or Share of in and to all that the Sea Ground Oyster Fisheries or Shores commonly called or known by the Name or Names of Milton otherwise Middleton Hall and Prittlewell Priory Shores or Sea Grounds the whole containing by Estimation Eight hundred acres of Land covered with Water or thereabouts situate at or near South End in the said County of Essex with all and singular the Rights Hereditaments and appurtenances thereto belonging or appertaining to hold the same and every part thereof unto the said William Cockerton and my said Nephew David Harridge their Heirs and assigns to the use of them their Heirs and Assigns upon the several Trusts Intents and purposes hereafter expressed and declared of and concerning the same that is to say Upon Trust that they my said Trustees or the Survivor of them or the Heirs of such Survivor do and shall permit and suffer my said Son David Young Harridge and my Son in Law Edmund Taylor to carry on and manage the said third part or Share of and in the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries (subject to and charged and chargeable as hereafter mentioned) to and for their mutual benefit and advantage until my Grandsons Edward Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge (who are Twins) Sons of my said Son David Young Harridge shall attain their ages of twenty one years and when and so soon as my said Grandsons the said Edward Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge shall attain their Ages of Twenty one years Then Upon Trust that they my said Trustees or the Survivor of them and the Heirs of such survivor do and shall convey and assure One undivided Moiety or half part of and in the aforesaid undivided third part or Share of the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries unto and to the use of my said Grandson the said Edward Young Harridge and his Heirs at his age of Twenty one years And Upon Trust that they my said Trustees or the Survivor of them and the Heirs of such Survivor do and shall convey and assure the other undivided Moiety or half part of and in the aforesaid undivided third part or share of the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries unto and to the use of my said Grandson the said Thomas Herbert Harridge and his Heirs at his age of twenty one years provided always and my Mind and Will is that if my said Grandsons Edward Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge or either of them shall happen to marry and shall afterwards die under age having a lawful Child or Children Then and in that case my said Trustees or the Survivor of them and the Heirs of such Survivor shall stand and be seized of the said several Moieties or half parts of and in the said third part of the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries In trust for all and every such Child or Children respectively and their respective Heirs in equal Shares and proportions as Tenants in Common and not as joint Tenants provided also that in case either of my said Grandsons Edward Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge shall die under the age of Twenty one years without leaving lawful Issue then In Trust that my said Trustees or the Survivor of them or the Heirs of such Survivor do and shall convey and assure the Entirety of the Third part of the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries unto and to the use of the Survivor of them my said two Grandsons Edward Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge and his Heirs at his age of Twenty one years provided also that in case my said Grandsons Edward Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge shall both die under the age of Twenty one years without leaving lawful Issue as aforesaid Then In Trust that my said Trustees or the Survivor of them or the Heirs of such Survivor do and shall convey and assure the said Third Part of the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries unto and to the use of all and every other the younger Children of my said Son David Young Harridge lawfully begotten equally as well Sons as Daughters share and share alike as Tenants in Common and not as joint Tenants and to their respective Heirs But if any or either of such Younger Children shall die under age and without lawful Issue I give and devise the share or shares of him her or them so dying equally in like manner to and amongst the Survivors or Survivor of them and his her or their Heirs
Also I give and bequeath unto my said Son David Young Harridge and my said Son in Law Edmund Taylor All my Share and Interest which I shall be entitled to at the time of my decease of and in the Stock of Oysters And the free but not the disposing Property therein of all the Craft Vessels and Effects employed or concerned in the Copartnership or Trade or Business of upon and belonging to the said Oyster Shores or Fisheries until my said Grandsons Edward Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge shall attain their ages of twenty one years And my Mind and Will is that an Estimation or Valuation shall be held made and taken of my Part or Share of and in the Stock of Oysters which shall be in or upon the said Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries at the time of my decease and that the same shall be made of equal value by my said Son David Young Harridge and my said Son in Law Edmund Taylor at the time my said Grandsons Edwad Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge shall attain their said ages of twenty one years and put into possession of the same at which time I give and bequeath the whole of such Stock of Oysters together with the Crafts Vessels and Effects employed or concerned in the said Copartnership Trade or Business unto my said Grandsons Edward Young Harridge and Thomas Herbert Harridge to and for their own use and disposal Subject nevertheless to and charged and chargeable And I do hereby expressly charge the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries with the payment of One annuity or yearly Rent or Sum of Twenty pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain which I do hereby give grant and devise unto my Sister Elizabeth Vesey the Wife of William Vesey of Thorp in the said County of Essex and her Assigns for and during the Term of her natural Life to be issuing and payable out of the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries and to be paid and payable by half yearly payments the first payment whereof to begin and be made at the End and Expiration of Six Calendar Months next after my Decease and to be paid free and clear of and from all manner of Taxes charges and Impositions whatsoever to be taxed charged <???> or imposed upon the said Annuity Or upon the said Elizabeth Vesey in respect thereof by Authority of Parliament or otherwise howsoever And from and immediately after the decease of my said Sister Elizabeth Vesey I do hereby also charge the said Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries with the payment of one other Annuity Yearly Rent or Sum of Ten Pounds of like lawful Money which I do hereby give grant and devise unto Sarah Vesey Spinster the daughter of my said Sister Elizabeth Vesey and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural Life to be paid half yearly and the first Payment thereof to begin and be made at the End and Expiration of Six Calendar Months next after the decease of my said Sister and to be paid free and clear as aforesaid
Whereas Mr John Deeley of Battles Bridge in the County of Essex Miller stands indebted to me with other Sums in the Sum of two thousand and four hundred pounds secured upon Mortgage of his Estate and premises there Now I do hereby give and bequeath the said Sum of Two thousand and four hundred pounds unto the said William Cockerton and my said Nephew David Harridge my Trustees and Executors hereinafter named or the Survivor of them to hold to them or the Survivor of them his Executors Administrators and Assigns upon this special Trust and Confidence nevertheless that is to say that they my said Trustees or the Survivor of them or the Executors or Administrators of such Survivor do and shall receive the Interest thereof from time to time as the same shall become payable and pay the same unto my said Daughter Elizabeth Sarah Taylor the wife of the said Edmund Taylor or her assigns for and during the Term of her natural Life And from and immediately after her Decease Then In Trust to pay assign transfer and convey the said Sum of two thousand four hundred pounds with the Interest thereof equally unto and amongst all the Children of my said Daughter which shall be living at the time of her decease when and as they shall severally and respectively attain their several and respective Ages of twenty one years And in Case any or either of them shall happen to die before having attained twenty one years of age without leaving Issue of his or her body lawfully begotten Then In trust to pay assign transfer and convey the said Sum of Two thousand four hundred pounds and the Interest thereof or such part thereof as shall remain unapplied towards their Maintenance and Education unto such of the Children of my said Daughter as shall live to attain his her or their respective Age or Ages of twenty one years share and share alike if more than one But in Case any or either of the said Children which my said Daughter shall have shall happen to die under Age leaving Issue of his her or their Body or Bodies lawfully begotten then In Trust to pay assign transfer and convey the Part or Share of such deceased Child or Children unto such of his her or their Issue share and share alike if more than one when and as they shall severally and respectively attain their several and respective Ages of twenty one Years and to pay and apply the Interest thereof in the mean time for and towards their respective Maintenance and Education But in case all and every the Children of my said Daughter shall happen to die under age and without leaving Issue of his her or their Body or Bodies lawfully begotten Then In Trust to pay assign transfer and convey One Moiety or half part of the said Sum of Two thousand four hundred pounds and the Interest and produce thereof or such part thereof as shall remain unapplied as aforesaid unto my said Son David Young Harridge his Executors Administrators and Assigns And In Trust to pay assign transfer and convey the other Moiety or half part of the said Sum of Two thousand four hundred pounds and the Interest and produce thereof or such part thereof as shall remain unapplied as aforesaid unto my Son in Law the said Edmund Taylor his Executors Administrators and Assigns the same to be an Interest vested in them respectively immediately after my Decease And I do hereby empower and direct my said Trustees to pay assign transfer and convey the same accordingly And I do hereby authorize and empower my said Trustees from time to time as often as they shall think proper to alter and change the Security on which the said Sum of Two thousand four hundred pounds now is or shall be placed out And from time to time as often as they shall think fit again to place out the same upon Government or such other good and sufficient Security or Securities as they shall in their discretion think proper But nevertheless it is my desire and I do hereby express my mind and Will to be that the said Sum of Two thousand four hundred pounds so due and owing from the said John Deeley to me as aforesaid shall remain and be upon such and the same Security as the same now stands for the space of seven years next after my decease Provided the said John Deeley shall so long live and continue to carry on the Business of a Miller in which he is now engaged and provided the Interest Money which shall accrue thereon be paid in the opinion of my Executors at reasonable and proper times when and as often as the same shall become due And I do hereby declare my Mind and Will to be that my Executors hereinafter named shall not be answerable or accountable for any Loss or Losses that shall or may happen for or by reason of such Sum so remaining Upon such Security as aforesaid (if any should occur) or for any matter relating thereto And I do hereby also authorize and empower my said Trustees to apply the respective Part or Share of either of the Children which my said Daughter shall have or the respective part of any or either of their lawful Issue (in case any or either of them die under age leaving Issue as aforesaid) of and in the said Sum of Two thousand four hundred pounds for putting any or either of the said Children which my said Daughter shall have his her or their lawful Issue out to Business or any suitable Employment or for setting him her or them up in Business or advancing him or them respectively in any Employ or otherwise for his her or their respective Advancement in the world by marrying or otherwise any thing in this my Will contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding Also I direct the Sum of Four hundred and fifty pounds to be paid to my said Wife pursuant to Articles of Agreement made and executed previous to our Marriage at the time and in manner therein mentioned
Whereas I sometime since advanced and lent Charles Baynes Son of Mr Edward Baynes late of Rochford aforesaid Shopkeeper the Sum of Three hundred pounds for and towards his better Advancement in the world and which I did at the request of my said Wife and without taking any Satisfactory Security for the same Now I do hereby give and bequeath unto my said Wife the said debt or Sum of Three hundred pounds together with all Interest that shall or may be due thereon at the time of my decease not doubting but that the said Charles Baynes will at the request of my said Wife honorably pay the said Debt or Sum so due and owing from him as aforesaid
Next I give and bequeath unto my said Wife All the Household Goods Furniture Plate Silver and China and all other the Goods Chattels and Effects belonging to me which shall be in the Dwelling house wherein I now reside in Rochford aforesaid the same to be for her own absolute use and benefit
Next I give and bequeath unto such of the Sons of my late Nephew John Harridge as shall be living at the time of my decease the Sum of Fifty pounds apiece
Next I give and bequeath unto my Friend the said William Cockerton and unto my said Nephew David Harridge my Executors hereafter named the Sum of Fifty pounds a piece for the trouble thay may have in the Execution of this my ill if they will take upon themselves the Execution thereof but not otherwise
And as to All the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Monies Securities for Money and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever chargeable with the payment of my just Debts and Legacies funeral Expenses the Probate of this my Will and other incident Charges and Expenses and subject thereto I give and bequeath the same and every Part thereof unto my said Son David Young Harridge and my said Son in Law Edmund Taylor And my Will is that my said Trustees and Executors do and shall reimburse themselves out of the Monies which shall come to their Hands All such Costs Charges and Expenses as they or either of them shall sustain or be put into in the Execution of this my Will and in defence of the Trusts hereby in them reposed And it is my Will and Meaning that my said Trustees or either of them shall not be liable to answer and make good any loss or losses that shall or may happen to the aforesaid Sum of Two thousand four hundred pounds Trust Money or any part thereof or the present or any future Security upon which the same may be placed out or in transacting any Money Affairs or in any wise relating or containing the Execution of the Trusts mentioned in this my Will unless the same shall appear to happen by or through their or either of their wilful neglect or Default Nor shall either of them my said Trustees be answerable or accountable for the acts Deeds Receipts <???> or Disbursements of the other of them but each of them shall be answerable only for his own separate Acts Deeds Receipts and Disbursements And I hereby make nominate constitute and appoint my said Friend William Cockerton and my said Nephew David Harridge Executors of this my Will And hereby revoking and making void all former and other will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made do make and publish this to be my last In Witness whereof I the said David Harridge the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained in Eight Sheets of paper to each Sheet thereof set my Hand and Seal this twenty second Day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and six – David Harridge – Signed sealed published and declared by the said David Harridge the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto - Frans. Turner - Ja: Vanderzee - Thos: Dowse
I David Harridge of Rochester in the County of Essex Gentleman have made and duly executed my last Will and Testament in Writing bearing Date on or about the twenty second Day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and six And thereby among other things have given granted and devised unto my Sister Elizabeth Vesey the Wife of William Vesey then of Thorpe in the said County of Essex and her Assigns for and during the Term of her natural Life One annuity Yearly Rent or Sum of Twenty Pounds to be issuing out of the Sea Grounds Oyster Shores and Fisheries by my said Will given and bequeathed to my Son David Young Harridge and Son in Law Edmund Taylor or otherwise as in my said Will mentioned to be paid and payable by half yearly payments as therein mentioned and the first payment to begin and be made at the End and Expiration of Six Calendar Months next after my Decease Now I do hereby declare my Mind and Will to be that the said Annuity of twenty pounds to my said Sister Elizabeth Vesey shall not be paid or payable to her during her Coverture or during the Life of the said William Vesey but that the same shall be paid to he only in the Event of her surviving her said present Husband and that the first payment thereof shall be made at the End of Six Calendar Months next after the Decease of the said William Vesey And I do ordain and declare this present Writing to be a Codicil to my said Will to be annexed thereto and taken as part thereof and do confirm my said Will in every particular thereof that is not hereby altered or revoked In Witness whereof I have to this my Codicil set my Hand and Seal this first Day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seven – David Harridge – Signed sealed delivered and published by the said David Harridge as and for a Codicil to be annexed to his last Will and Testament and to be taken as part thereof in the presence of – Thos Dowse – John Bright – Thos Marsh
This Will was proved at London with a Codicil the thirtieth Day of September in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seven before the worshipful Charles Coote Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Honorable Sir William <???> Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of William Cockerton and David Harridge the Nephew of the deceased the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased they having been first sworn duly to administer.
Marginal Note: On the 21st June 1842 Admon of the Goods Chattels and Credits of David Harridge Late of Rochford in the County of Essex Gentleman Deceased left unadminstered by William Cockerton and David Harridge the Nephew the Executors named in the said deceased’s Will (both since deceased) was granted to Thomas Frederick Maples of Frederick Place Old Jewry in the City of London Gentleman as a person for that purpose named by and on the part and behalf of Abraham Lyon Moses of Aldgate in the said City of London Shopseller Abraham Lever of the same place Shopseller and Brownies Lazarus of Colchester in the County of Essex Clothier Limited as far only as concerns all the Rights Title and Interest of him the said deceased in and to a certain Croft or Piece of Arable Land and Barn with the appurtenances situate in Leigh in the County of Essex and the remainder now to come and unexpired of a certain Lease of 1000 years therein granted and assigned to the said deceased by a Certain Indenture bearing date the 17th August 1773 and all benefit and Advantage to be had received and taken therefrom but no further or otherwise or in any other manner whatsoever having been first sworn duly to Administer. The said David Harridge the Nephew ?required? the said William Cockerton and died Intestate.