Will of William Strudwick Surgeon of Richmond
In the name of God Amen I William Strudwick of Richmond in the County of Surrey Surgeon being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding do make publish and declare my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say
FIRST I order and direct that all my just debts that I shall owe at the time of my decease funeral charges and the charges of proving this my will may be fully paid and satisfied
Also I give and devise unto my friends Samuel Ward of Richmond aforesaid Grocer Edward Collins of Richmond aforesaid Brewer and Saint Allium of the same place Glazier all that my copyhold or customary messuage or tenement with the yard outbuildings and premises with the appurtenances in which I now dwell situate lying and being in George street in Richmond aforesaid and also all that my copyhold messuage and tenement wiith the yard garden outbuildings and premises weith the appurtenances as the same as now are or late were in the occupation of Mrs Curtis and also all that my copyhold messuage or tenement with the yard garden outbuildings and premises with the appurtenances as the same and now in the occupation of Mr Douglas? Mathews also all that piece or parcel of garden ground with the hedges ditches flowers and enclosures thereof and all the trees shrubs flowers and stock therein and all other the premises with the appurtenances as thus standing now in my own occupation and also all those my two copyhold coachhouses and premises with the appurtenances thereunto belonging as the same are held in the occupatiion of Joe Gardiner all which said several messuages and tenements gardens and coachhouses and premises and situate lying and being in Richmond aforesaid and holden of the manor of Richmond and also all and every other my copyhold or customary messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever situate lying and being in and holden of the manor of Richmond aforesaid and which I have lately surrendered to the use of this my will generally and also all and every my freehold messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever situated lying and being in Richmond aforesaid or elsewhere in the Kingdom of Great Britain with their and every of their appurtenances to hold the said several copyhold and freehold messuages or tenements woods garden ground coach houses land hereditaments and all and singular other the premises as with their and every of their appurtenances thereunto respectively belonging unto them the said Samuel Ward Edward Collins and Saint Allium their heirs and assigned for and during the natural life of my dear wife Judith Strudwick ( without impeachment of or for any manner of waste) Upon such trusts nevertheless and to and for such uses and intents and purposes as are herein after mentioned
exposed or declared of and concerning the same that is to say upon trust for them my said trustees and the survivors or survivor of them and the heirs or assigned of such surivor in the first place to devise and let all and every the said copyhold and freehold messuages lands and hereditaments or any part or parts thereof respectively at any time or times thereafter at their wills and pleasures by any deed or bonds leases or demises to be by them signed sealed and delivered in the presence of two or more credible witnesses ( a copy license for that purpose being first had and obtained from the Lady of the Manor of Richmond aforesaid as to the copyhold parts thereof) to any person or persons whatsoever for any term or number years not exceeding twentyone years or to any tenant at will without lease by parole agreement so as apon any such lease or agreement there be reserved and made payable during the contimuation thereof respectively the best and most improved yearly rent or rents that can be rreasonably had or gotten for the same without taking any sum of money or any other thing or things whatsoever by way of sum or for gift for or in respect of such lease or leases and will apon trust for them my said trustees and the survivors or survivor of them and the heirs and assigned of such survivor by and out of the rents issues and profits of all and singular the said copyhold and freehold messuages lands and hereditaments whatsoever before devised to them to pay and satisfy unto my said dear wife Judith Strudwick or her assigned for and during the term of her natural life one annuity or yearly sum of eighty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain clear of all charges whatsoever on the four most usual feasts or days of payment in every year (that is the feast days of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary the nativity of the Saint John the Baptist Saint Michael the Archangel and the Birth of our lord Jesus Christ by even and equal portions the first payment thereof to begin and be made on such of the said feast days as shall next happen after my decease
and I do hereby charge and make chargeable and subject all and every the said copyhold and freehold messuages lands and hereditaments and every part thereof so devised by me to my said trustees to the payment of the said annuity to my said wife Judith Strudwicke in manner aforesaid accordingly
and I do hereby declare order and direct that when and as often as the said anuity or yearly sum of eighty pounds or any quarterly payment thereof shall be behind and unpaid in part or in whole by the space of fourteen days next over or after any or either of the said feasts or days whereon the same ought to be paid as aforesaid then and as often as it shall happen it shall and may be lawfull to and for my said wife Judith Strudwicke enter into and apon all and every the said copyhold and freehold messuages lands hereditaments and all and singular other the premises herein before by me given and devised to my said trustees or any of them or any part or parts thereof to enter and distrain for the said annuity or yearly sum and all arrears thwereof and the distress and distresses then and there made to take lead carry away and impound and impound to detain and keep until the said annuity or yearly sum and all arrears thereof and all cost charges and expenses relating to or attending the making or taking such distress or distresses shall be lawfully paid and satisfied and in default thereof in one time after such distress or distresses shall be so made or taken to appraise and sell or dispose of the said distress or distresses or otherwise to demand therein according to law in like manner as in distresses taken for rent or by lease or by common demise, to the intent that my said wife judith Strudwicke so acting may be fully paid and satisfied such and so much of the said annuity or yearly sum as shall be so distrained for and all arrears thereof and all costs charges and expenses relating to or attending the recovery thereof
and I do hereby further declare order and direct that if the said annuity or yearly sum of eighty pounds or any part thereof shall be behind or unpaid by the space of twenty eight days next over or after any of the said feasts or days wherein the same ought to be paid as aforesaid then and as often as the case shall so happen it shall and may be lawfull to and for my said wife Judith Strudwicke (although no legal or formal demand shall have been made thereof )into and apon the said copyhold and freehold messuages lands hereditaments and all and singular there the premises or any of them or any part or parts thereof to enter and receive and take the rents issues profits thereof to and for her own use and benefit until the thereby or therewith or otherwise my said wife Judith Strudwicke shall be fully paid and satisfied her said annuity or yearly sum hereby intended for her and arrears thereof at the time of such entry and which shall afterwards accrue and become due during her being in possession and all costs charges damages and expenses which shall be put unto or in any ways sustain by reasion of the nonpayment thereof and that such possession when taken shall be without impeachment of waste and apon further trust for them my said trustees and the survivors or survivor of them and the heirs and assigned of such survivors during the life of my said wife to pay the resideue and remainder of the rents issues and profits of the same premises yearly and every year as the same shall be received after payment of the said annuty of eighty pounds and deducting all reasonable charges and expenses attending the collecting or receiving of such rebts and reparations of the said premises unto my only son William Strudwicke and his assignes to and for his own use and benefit
And immediately from and after the decease of my said wife Judith Strudwicke then I give and devise all and every the said copyhold and freehold estates unto the said Samuel Ward Edward Collins and Saint Allium their heirs and assignes to and for the uses intents and purposes and under and subject to the trusts conditions limitations and appointments herein after mentioned(that is to say)
as the use and behoof of my said only son William Strudwicke and his assigned for and during the term of his natural life without impeachment of waste
and from and after the determinationof that estate then to the use and behoof of the said Samuel Ward Edward Collins and Saint Allium and their heirs for and during the natural life of the said William Strudwicke on trust to preserve the contingent uses and estates hereinafter limited from being defeated and destroyed but nevertheless to permit and suffer the said William Strudwicke to receive the rents Issues and profits of the said copyhold and freehold premises during the term of his natural life
And from and after the decease of the said William Strudwicke then to the use of the first son of the body of the said William Strudwicke lawfully to be begotten and to the heirs male of the body of such first son lawfully issuing and in default of such issue to the use and behoof of the second third fourth fifth and all and every of the son and sons of my said son William Strudwicke lawfully to be begotten the elder of such son and sons and the heirs Males of his body lawfully to be always preferred and take before the younger of such son and sons ans the heirs males of his body lawfully issuing and for default of such issues male then to the use and behoof of all and every the daughter and daughters of the body of my said son William Strudwicke lawfully to be begotten and the heirs of the bodies of such daughter and daughters lawfully issuing to take as tenants in common and not as joint tenants
and for default of such issue of my said son William Strudwicke then I give and devise the said copyhold and freehold estates to the said Samuel Ward, Edward Collins and Saint Allium the heirs and assigned upon this trust and confidence nevertheless the they my said trustees and their heirs do and shall permit and suffer my brother Thomas Strudwicke to receive and take the rents issues and profits of the said copyhold anf freehold premises to his own use for and during the term of his natural life
and from and after the decease of my said Brother Thomas Strudwicke then upon further trust and confidence nevertheless that they my said trustees and their heirs do and shall permit and suffer my sister Mary the wife of John Standing to receive and take the rents issues of the said copyhold and freehold premises to her own use for and during the term of her natural life
and immediately from and after the decease of my said Sister Mary Standing then I give and devise the said freehold and copyhold estates and every part thereof unto my Neice Mary Standing Daughter of the said John and Mary Standing and to the heirs and assigned forever
Also I give and bequeath unto my said wife Judith Strudwicke all and every the goods furniture and effects whatsoever which shall be situated standing and being in the use of the rooms or chambes of my dwelling house at Richmond aforesaid that is to say the rooms called the Yellow room the Red room and the Dining room at the time of my decease and also my household linnen whatsoever China both useful and ornamental silver teaspoons silver table spoons and a silver waiter to hold to her my said wife Judith Strudwicke to and for her own free use and disposal
Also I give and bequeath a piece of painting framed being the representation of a bather unto the said Samuel ward for his own use
Also I give and bequeath unto my said brother Thomas Strudwicke the sum of ten pounds for mourning
Also I give unto the said John Standing and to my sister Mary his wife the sum of ten pounds unto each of them for mourning
Also I give to my said neice Mary Standing the sum of five pounds
Also I give unto Mr Joseph Shephard the sum of five pounds
Also I give unto my servant Jones the sum of five pounds in case he shall be living with me at the time of my decease
Also I give unto Mr Edmund James of Kingston upon Thames the sum of five pounds
Also I give unto Mrs Ward wife of the said Samuel Ward the sum of one guinea for a ring
Also I give unto Mr Strudwicke of Croyden in Surrey Draper the sum of one guinea for a ring
Also I give unto the said Samuel Ward Edward Collins and Sint Allium the sum of twenty pounds unto each of them as a small acknowledgement for the trouble they may have in the execution of the trusts of this my will
And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattells stock in trade plate ready money books debts securities for money goodwill of my house shop and premises and all other my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wherever and of what nature or kind soever that I shall be possessed of (after payment of my debts legacies and funeral expenses and the fine fees and other charges which will become due or may attend the admission of my said trustees to the copyhold premises herein before given and devised to them and subject thereto) I give and bequreath the same and every part thereof unto them my said trustees Samuel Ward Edward Collins and Saint Allium and the survivors or survivor of them and the executors and administrators of such survivor upon trust to sell and dispose of the same (not already bequeathed) with all convenient speed and so soon after my decease as may be for the most money and best price that can be had and gotten for the same and on receipt of the monies arising by such sale( after deducting of all incident charges attending the same) to divide the same and every part thereof into two amounts or equal half parts and then upon trust to pay and apply one amount or equal half part of the monies unto my said son william Strudwicke his executors or administrators to and for his or their own sole use or uses and upon further trust for them my said trustees and the survivors or survivor of them and the executors or administrators of each survivor to put and place out the remaining money or equal half part of the monies arising from the sale as aforesaid in the public funds or any good investment or other securities as they my said trustees shall think proper and to pay and apply the interest dividends and proceeds arising therein from time to time as the same shall be received unto my said wife Judith Strudwicke and her assigned for and during the term of her natural life for and towards her further support and maintenance
And from and immediately after the decease of my said wife Judith Strudwicke then upon trust to pay and apply transfer and effectively make over the said funds or securities and the principle sum thereby returned unto my said son William Strudwicke to and for his own use and benefit
but if he shall be then dead leaving issue of his body lawfully begotten then I hereby order and direct my said trustees to divide and pay the said principle sum so in the funds or in other securities unto and amongst all and every the child or children of my said son William Strudwicke which shall be living at the decease of my said wife share and share alike in case they shall have attained their respective ages of one and twenty years but if he she or they shall be then under that age then upon trust to contimue the same out at interest until he she or they shall respectively attain the said age or ages of twenty one years and to pay the interest dividends or proceeds thereof in the mean time to and for his her or their respectivre use or uses and advancement in the world and as they shall respectively attain that age then apon trust to pay transfer or effectively nmake over his her or their respective parts or shares of the said principal sum so given to them to and for their own seperate use or uses
But in case my said son William Srtrudwicke shall be dead at such the decease of my said wife Judith Strudwicke leaving no lawfull issue of his body then I do hereby order and direct the said trustees and the survivors or survivor of them and the executors and administrators of such survivor to divide and pay transfer or effctively makeover the said principal summ so in funds or in other securities unto my said brother Thomas Strudwicke my said sister Mary Standing and my said Neice Mary Standing or such of them as still be then living equally amongst them share and share alike to and for their own sole and seperate use and uses
And I do hereby declare that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said trustees and the survivor or survivors of them and the heirs executors or administratorss of such survivor always in the first place by and out of my said real and personal estate or the proceeds thereof to reimburse him and themselves respectively all such debts costs charges and expenses as they or either of them shall or may sustain expend or \be puit unto in the execution of this my will or the trusts hereby in them reposed and that each of them shall not be answerable or accountable for the deeds receipts defaults or disbursements of the other of them but rather for his own only or for any loss that may happen to my said estates unless wilfully occasioned
And I do hereby make nominmate constitute and appoint the said Samuel Ward Edward Collins and Saint Allium joint executors of this my will
And lastly I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made and declare this only to be my last will and testament in witness hereof I the said William strudwicke the testator have to this my last will and testament contained on five sheets of paper to the four first sheets thereof set my hand and to the fifth and last sheet my hand and seal this twenty sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven Wm. Strudwicke WS
signed sealed published and declared by the said William Strudicke the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses here unto John Mell Edward Bain Samuel Chambers
THIS WILL was proved at London on the thirty first day of May in the year of our Lord 1777 before the worshipful William Wynne Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the right worshipful George May Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper of commissary of the prerogatory court of canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Samuel Ward Edward Collins and Saint Allium the executors named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the deceased they having been first duly sworn to administer.