The Will of William Leeds
 

This is the last will and testament of me William Leeds of the town of Lydd in the county of Kent Graizier. I devise my freehold messuage or tenement and heriditaments situate in Lydd aforesaid in the occupation of myself and my illegitimate son Richard George otherwise Leeds unto and to the use of the said Richard George otherwise Leeds in fee simple he paying in exoneration of my personal estate the principle sum owing upon mortgage of the said messuage or tenement and heriditaments and all arrears of interest (if any) due thereon I bequeath all my household furniture goods chattels and other effects (wool and Hay excepted) in and about the said messuage or tenement and heriditaments to my said son Richard George otherwise Leeds absolutely  bequeath all other my personal estate unto my friends James Rolfe of Lydd aforesaid Graizier and James Jackson of Lydd aforesaid Farmer and Graizier upon trust at their discretion to sell convert collect and get in the same and to receive and stand possessed of the monies to arise therefrom upon trust thereout in the first place to pay and satisfy my funeral  and testamentary expences and debts(other than the principle sum and interest due on mortgage of the said messuage or tenement and heriditaments devised to my said son Richard George otherwise Leeds) and the expences incident to the execution of the trusts following (that is to say) as to one equal sixth part of the said residue of the said monies (the whole into six equal parts to be divided) upon trust for my illegitimate son James George otherwise Leeds absolutely and as to one other sixth part of the same residue of the same monies  upon trust for my illegitimate son William George otherwise Leeds absolutely and as to one sixth part of the same residue of the same monies upon trust for my illegitimate daughter Sarah George otherwise Leeds absolutely and as to one other sixth part of the same residue of the same monies upon trust for my illegitimate daughter Ann George otherwise Leeds absolutely and as to one other sixth part of the same residue of the same monies upon trust for my said son Richard George otherwise Leeds absolutely and as to the one other (being the remaining) sixth part of the same residue of the same monies upon trust for my illegitimate daughter Elizabeth George otherwise Leeds absolutely I empower the trustees or trustee for the time being of my will to give receipts for all monies and effects to be paid or delivered to them or him by virtue of my will and declare that such receipts shall exonerate the persons taking the same from all liability to see to the application of the monies or effects thereon mentioned I declare  that if the trustees or trustee or any person to be appointed under this clause shall die or be unwilling or incompetent to execute the trusts of my will it shall be lawful for the competent trustees or trustee for the time being if any whether retiring from the office of trustee or not or if none of the executors or administrators of the last surviving trustee to  substitute by any writing under their or his hands or hand any fit person or persons in whom alone or as the case may be jointly with the surviving or continuing trustees of trustee my trust estate shall be vested  and I declare that the previous clauses so far as they concern the trustees hereinbefore named shall extend and be applied to the trustees and trustee for the time being of my will I exempt every trustee of my will from liability  for losses accruing without his own wilful default and authorize him to retain and allow his co trustees all expences incident to the trusteeship I appoint the said James Rolfe and James Jackson to be executors of my will Lastly I revoke all other wills in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five- William Leeds –Signed by the said testator in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Benjamin Jell, plumber etc Lydd.     Jos. Harper Accountant New Romney     Proved 28th May 1856 – executors as above applying for probate.   PRC 32/72/234