The Will of Joseph Gorton

 

In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven amen, I Joseph Gorton make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament Amen.  I hereby appoint my brother Benjamin Gorton to be sole Executor and director of my affairs and to settle the same as soon after my decease as possible.  I hereby leave and bequest unto Sarah Ayton my dwelling house being situate no. 6 Harrington Street, North Hampstead Road, the lease of which was in the hands of Mr Chamberlain subject to the payment of a load had thereon and that my brother Benjamin shall as soon after my decease as possible withdraw the said lease from Mr Chamberlain and hand the same over into the hands of Miss Sarah Ayton without any expense whatsoever.  And further that all expenses attending the same as well as any other affairs shall be carried to account and settled out of my estate. Be this properly understood.  I also leave and bequeath unto Miss Sarah Ayton three silver table spoons, 3 silver desert spoons, 6 silver tea spoons, my portrait and mourning gold ring.  I also leave and bequeath unto Maria Ann Ayton my gold watch and gold chain and 2 gold keys.  I also leave and bequeath unto my brother Benhamin that portion and being the whole of my share of tools and stock in trade as purchased my us of our late father Mr John Gorton that is to say all working tools working materials presses, lathes, etc, etc.  Also I leave and bequeath unto Benjamin Gorton all stock in trade that may be finished at the time of my decease as well as all stock in workshops of raw or unmanufactured materials such as brass steel iron tools etc, etc.  The reason I have done so is because that he may undisturbed fulfil the … of our bond we made together for the maintainance of our mother for life as also a leasehold premium to our sister Elizabeth Gorton and also leave and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Gorton the sum of twenty pounds for her kind attentions during my illness etc etc.  I also leave and bequeath unto Mr Joseph Adams and his wife the sum of five pounds for their kind and general good attention.  I hereby leave and bequeath unto my son Joseph all furniture pictures and … instruments china … plate ornaments beds bedding, glass books wearing apparel etc etc.  Now if this can all be done and my just expenses and debts be paid and the collection of all outstanding debts made and there be a surplus in favour I leave and bequeath the said surplus to be divided between all my nephews and nieces share and share alike.  Made sealed and signed this eleventh day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty seven 1847.  Joseph (seal) Gorton Witnesses Sarah Ayton, Elizabeth Gorton, Ann Adams   In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, in the Goods of Joseph Gorton Deceased – Appeared Personally, Ann Adams wife of Joseph Adams of no 4 Cleveland Street Fitzroy Square in the County of Middlesex and made oath that she is one of the subscribed witnesses to the execution of the last Will and Testament of Joseph Gorton late of no 4 Cleveland Street Fitzroy Square in the parish of Saint Pancras in the County of Middlesex, musical smith deceased.  The said Will bearing date the eleventh day of september in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty seven and being now hereunto deceased and the … further made oath that on the said eleventh day of September the said Joseph Gorton having executed the said Will by signing his name at the foot of … thereof as the same now appears in the presence of the deponent and of Sarah Ayton and Elizabeth Gorton the other subscribed witnesses.  Thereto all of whom were present at the same time and that the deponent and the said Sarah Ayton and Elizabeth Gorton thereupon attested and subscribed the said Will as Witnesses to the one execution thereof in the presence of the said Joseph Gorton testator deceased – Ann Adams.  On Wednesday the 29th day of December 1847 the said Ann Adams wife of Joseph Adams was duly sworn to the … of … aforegoing affidavit before meat … … Wm G Clarkson Notiary Public.   Proved at London 6th January 1848 before the Worshipful Alfred Wabbilove Doctor of Laws and Surrogate on the oath of Benjamin Gorton the brother the sole executor to whom … was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.   National Archives (PROB 11/2067)   NOTES:  Joseph Gorton was born in 1804 in St Pancras and died in December 1847 in Peckham – he was a son of John Gorton and Mary Clements, who married in Lichfield Staffordshire.  A number of the Gortons who came to London were music smiths.