The Will of Dan Gromebridge the Elder Gentleman of Tonbridge

date written: 20th September 1748

date proved: 25th September 1751

age of testator : almost 81 years

burial: in the churchyard of Tonbridge Church in the tomb he had made for his first wife 'long since deceased'

esteemed friend: Mrs Haldon

servant maids : Ellen Ongley and Sarah Everest

provision for his second wife and her children

This consists of two trusts:

a) Money is to be raised from an indenture the testator made together with James Walter and William Dan on 15th October 1741 which is to be entrusted to John Hollamby.

b) The sum of one hundred pounds to be paid over four years is also entrusted to John Hollamby.

The aim of the trusts is to provide funds for the 'Livelehood Support and Maintenance of my now wife Catherine and her children Catherine Mary and Thomas'.

Catherine the elder is also to receive household goods including a feather bed and pewter dishes.

provision for his grandsons

The testator has two grandsons, John Gromebridge and Dan Gromebridge, the sons of his daughter-in-law Margaret (deceased) one of the daughters of Sir George Rivers. The money that was due to her from her father's estate was received by the testator, being the executor named in Margaret's will, in trust for his grandsons. With this money, on 28th October 1743, Dan Gromebridge the elder bought an annuity in the South Sea Joint Stock. John Gromebridge received his share when he was twenty-one and the annuity is to pass to his brother Dan. A further sum of money is to be given to John Gromebridge while real estate has already been settled on him by his grandfather in the past.

The testator owns a share in the 'Undertaking of the Navigation of the River Medway' and this is to pass to his grandsons on his decease.

executor: the testator's grandson Dan Gromebridge to whom he leaves 'all my ready money Bonds Bills Plate Rings Linnen Woollen Beds Bedding pewter Brass Ironware and all other my Goods implements of household stuff …' and this ' towards the payment of my debts legacies funeral expenses proving of this Will other incident charges'.