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Will of Nathaniel Smith,
of Dover, Kent, Gentleman, 1761

The following Will has been transcribed and contributed by the kind courtesy of Ros Dunning.
The National Archives; Kew, England; Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers; Class: PCC Prob 11/869.

In the Name of God Amen I Nathaniel Smith of the Town and Port of Dover in the County of Kent Gentleman being of Sound and Perfect Mind and Memory (Praised be God) but considering the Uncertainty of this Mortal life Do therefore make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say)

First I commend my Soul to Almighty God begging fforgiveness of my Sins and hoping to obtain Everlasting life through the only Merits and Mediation of our blessed saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ and my Body I commit to the Earth to be Decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executor hereinafter named

And as to such Worldly Estate as it hath Pleased Almighty God to bless me with I Do Give and Dispose thereof as followeth Vizt

First I Do Give and bequeath unto my Neice Lucy Matson Widow One Annuity or Yearly Sum of Thirty Pounds clear of all Taxes and Deductions whatsoever to be paid Quarterly by my Executor hereinafter named During the Term of her Natural life if she shall so long Continue a Widow and unmarried But if She Shall Marry again Then my Mind and Will is Imediately after her Marrying again the said Annuity Shall cease and be no longer Paid

Also I Give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Veel Daughter of my said Neice Lucy Matson the Sum of ffour hundred pounds to be Paid to her by my said Executor at her Age of one and Twenty Years or Day of Marriage which Shall first happen Provided She Marry with the Consent of her Mother and my said Executor But if She Shall Marry without their Consent or the Consent of such of them as Shall happen to be then living then my Mind and Will is that She Shall not be Intitled to the said Legacy

Also I Give and Devise unto my Nephew Dr Henry Davis his Heirs and Assigns for ever All my Messuages Lands Tenements and Heredit[amen]ts whatsoever and wheresoever

Also all the Rest residue and remainder of my Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever I Do Give unto my Nephew the said Dr Henry Davis his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns

And hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made I Do Publish and Declare this and none other to be my last Will and Testament And thereof I do Constitute and Appoint my said Nephew Dr Henry Davis full and Sole Executor

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the fifth Day of April in the Twenty Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the ffaith And in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and ffifty ffour

Nathanl Smith

(Attestation Clause)

John Clemment _ Thos Kile _ Alexr Wellard

Proved at London 30 September 1761