Last Will and Testament of John Brookes of Croydon (National Archives reference: PROB 11/1846/231)

Summary

The will of John Brookes of Croydon was made on 10 March 1834 and proved on 4 May 1835. The executor was his son-in-law James Cox. According to the probate register copy, John left:

• £250 to Catherine Sarah [something] Dale of Croydon.
• Everything else to whoever his daughter Mary said it should go to, or if she made no such decision then to Mary herself, including:
  • His freehold property in Croydon
  • His share of freehold and leasehold property in Southwark

Below is my transcription of the probate register copy of the will. Bold and italic formatting reflect the different writing styles used in the document, and I have added paragraph breaks to make it easier to read.

Transcription

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Brookes formerly of Black’s Field in the Borough of Southwark and now of Croydon in the County of Surrey Gentleman.

I give to Catherine Sarah [something] Dale of Croydon aforesaid Spinster the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds to be paid to her within three months after my decease free from Legacy Duty.

I devise and bequeath my freehold Estate at Croydon and my share and interest in an Estate part freehold and part leasehold in the parish of St John Southwark and also all my monies money in the public funds debts goods chattels and effects and All Other my real and personal Estate whatsoever subject to the payment of my debts and funeral and testamentary expenses and the legacy hereinbefore given to such person or persons for such Estate or Estates and in such manner as my daughter and only child Mary the wife of James Cox Esquire shall at any time or times notwithstanding any Coverture by any deed or deeds or by her will direct appoint give or bequeath the same.

And in default of or subject to any such direction appointment gift or bequest to the use of her my said daughter Mary Cox her heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the quality of the said real and personal Estates respectively.

And I appoint the said James Cox Executor of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. Jno Brookes [seal] — Signed Sealed published and declared by the testator John Brookes as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof Patrick Drummond Croydon — Geo Richards — Tho Twigg } Clerks to Messrs Drummond Croydon

Proved at London 4th May 1835 before the Worshipful Jesse Addams Doctor of Laws & Surrogate by the Oath of James Cox the sole exor to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.