This is the last Will and Testament of me John Bates ffarmer of the Parish of Penshurst in the County of Kent made the eighth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven I give and bequeath to my Eldest son James Bates if alive at the time of my decease the sum of One Shilling and to my dearly beloved wife Martha Bates I give and bequeath the interest or profits of half my property during the minority of my Grandson John ffairhall Bates and my Granddaughter Jane Elizabeth Bates that is if I die before they the said John ffairhall Bates & Jane Elizabeth Bates attain the age of Twenty one years and the interest or profits other of my property I give and bequeath to my son William Nimrod Bates during the minority of my Grandson and Granddaughter as aforesaid but should the said John ffairhall Bates & Jane Elizabeth Bates my Grandchildren have arrived at the age of Twenty one Years at the time of my decease and should my wife Martha Bates survive that period then my will is that my said Wife receive twenty six pounds per Annum out of the property or the profits during her life and after her decease my Will is that my son William Nimrod Bates or his heirs have a moiety or half of the property and the other half to go to my Grandchildren John ffairhall Bates & Jane Elizabeth Bates or their heirs to be divided in equal shares between them but should either of my aforesaid Grandchildren die without issue or heirs before the decease of my said Wife then my will is that his or her share as it may be go to the other of them or to the said John ffairhall Bates or Jane Elizabeth Bates as it may be or if they should both die before they have attained the age of twenty one years or before my Wife Martha Bates they not having any heirs Then my Will is that the Whole of the Property go to my son William Nimrod Bates & his heirs after the decease of my Wife Martha Bates further I appoint my Brother Isaac Bates sole Executor of this my Will and Trustee of my Estate as long as a Trustee shall be needful and my Will is that he as Executor or Trustee or such Person or Persons as he may appoint be allowed all reasonable expences for their services in filling the Office of Executor or Trustee and as a token that this is in very deed my last Will and Testament I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven John Bates

William Taylor
John Shorter

Proved 9 June 1837
PCC
Prob11/1879