The Will of John Gromebridge Gentleman of Maidstone

PROB 11/879/382
date: 18th February 1760
date of codicil : 27th July 1760
date of proving: 17th September 1762
wife :Mary Gromebridge sole executrix
sister : Frances Gromebridge
niece: Margaret Blundell
legacies to Jonas Lulham, Mary Hollingsworth, Thomas Landon
property : Manor of Haisden, East Haisden Tonbridge
witnesses : Steer, John Harrison Wm Burgess all of Tonbridge
witnesses to codicil : Elizabeth Steer of Tonbridge John Honey of Maidstone William Burgess of Tonbridge

Introduction
I John Gromebridge of Maidstone in the County of Kent Gentleman being in perfect health and of sound mind memory and understanding but considering in the uncertainty of this Life do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following

The testator leaves to his sister Frances 'formerly the wife of James Blundell' for her natural life an annuity of ten pounds a year to be paid from his 'messuage or tenement farm and land at Haisden in the parish of Tonbridge in the said county of Kent now in the tenure or occuption of Charles Hartrup or his undertenants'. This annuity is to be paid in 'two equal half yearly payments', one on the feast of Saint Michael the archangel and the other on the feast of 'The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary'. After the decease of Frances his sister, the annuity is to go on the same terms to his niece Margaret Blundell. Margaret is also to receive 'the sum of two hundred pounds within twelve months of my decease'.

Jonas Lulham butcher of Maidstone is to have his debts cancelled while Mary Hollingsworth the daughter of John Hollingsworth of Maidstone is to be paid 'the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid her within twelve months after my decease'. Another sum of one hundred pounds is to go to Thomas Landon of Tonbridge also twelve months after the decease of the testator. His servant Mary S…… is to be paid twenty pounds in a year from the testator's decease if she is living with him at that time.

Concerning his wife Mary he writes 'And I also give and devise unto my loving wife Mary all my Manor of Haisden otherewise East Haisden in Tonbridge and Leigh next Tonbridge in the said county of Kent and all other my messuages or tenements lands and herediments whatsoever whether in possession revertion remained or Expectancy with their and every of their appurtenances to have and to hold the said houses messuages or tenement lands herediments and premises with their appurtenances unto my said wife Mary Gromebridge her heirs and assigns forever charged and chargeable with the payment of the several legacies hereinbefore by me disposed of '. He also bequeaths to his wife Mary 'all my goods chattels and personal estate of what Nature or Kind soever'.

codicil
This concerns the purchase from Richard Tilby of Maidstone of 'a messuage with the garden backside outbuildings herediments and appurtenances situate in the town of Maidstone aforesaid and now in my own occupation Now I do hereby give and devise all the said messuage and tenement with the garden backside and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto my loving wife Mary Gromebridge her heirs and assigns forever'.