U2004 T1 — 10th Aug 1756 — Copy of the Will of Mr Charles Seager

Charles Seager of Borden – Gentleman

Names Catherine Vallance of Borden (widow) to receive yearly interest during her widowhood, but in case of her death or marrying again then I give the said sum of two hundred pounds unto Thomas Vallance her son, to be paid to him at his age of one and twenty years. Also I give unto my Godson John Aldesey and to Thomas Stanley of Borden aforesaid Victualler and Elizabeth his wife Five Guineas a piece for mourning

Sister – Mary Seager Sister – Susanna Matson

Mentions Messuages, Manor, land and Hereditaments – no mention of the High House

U2004 T1 — George the Third — 9th Nov 1777 — Sir William de Grey, Knight

Mentions Thomas Winchley (Winckley) Gentleman, ten messuages and Dovehouse, thirteen gardens, fourteen acres of land, seven acres of meadow and seven acres of pasture with the appurtenances in Borden and Minster in the Isle of Sheppey

Winckley

Mentions Thomas Francis Martin who is also present here in court – No mention of the High House

Indenture — 3rd November 1758 — 32nd year of George II

Mary Seager of Borden (Spinster and Sister) under the last will and testament of Charles Seager, late of Borden aforesaid Gentleman, deceased of the one part and John Richardson of the parish of Saint Bridget otherwise Saint Bzydes? London – Gentleman

2. Property Schedule (Page 2)

Messuage or tenement called by the name of Pigtail with the Barn Stables Outhouses Garden and three several pieces or parcels of land arable and pasture containing thirteen acres more or less to the same messuage or tenement belonging situate and being in the parish of Minster now in the tenure or occupation of Richard Hughes, John Hassell and John Frankwell and also all that messuage, tenement together with the Stables, Outhouses, Gateways, Buildings Yard Backside Garden or piece of ground and appurtenances thereto belonging —- blank —- and also all that other Messuage or tenement now or lately called or known by the name or sign of the Red Lyon together with the Stableyard Garden and Backside and appurtenances belonging —- blank —- assigns or under tenants which said last two mentioned —- Messuages or Tenements and premises are situate standing lying and being on the West side of the High Street of the town of Milton

And also all those several pieces or parcels of Fresh Marsh land and premises with the appurtenances containing by estimation sixteen acres situate lying in the parish of Burnarskin County of Kent in the tenure of Henry Niesle

And also all those several parts that is to say, two several third parts to be divided of and in all that the Manor of Borden all that capital Messuage or Manor House commonly called or known by the name of Borden Hall And of and in the Malthouse Barns Stables Dovehouses Outhouses gardens orchards yards backsides and all those several pieces or parcels of land

Arable meadow and pasture somewhere of now are heretofore have been called or known by the several names of Baldrid, Blundals, Upper H?nnings land, Lower Hennings land, Great Court field, Little Court field, Upper Newton Lyns, Lower Newton Lyns, North field, Borden field, Radhill field, the field adjoining to the Great Barn and called the Mead, the cherry orchard, Brunthy? Long land and Peckham Garden to the same Manor and capital, Messuages, Manor House belonging and enjoyed containing together one hundred and ninety acres and all those four several pieces or parcels of Woodland called Great Strood Wood, Little Strood Wood, Baldrid Wood and South Wood situate lying and being in Borden and were late in the occupation of the said Charles Seager and now of the said Mary Seager

And also of and in all those two Messuages or tenements with the Backsides Gardens and appurtenances to them belonging and also of and in all that the Rectory or Parsonage of Borden And of and in all and every the Messuages, Buildings, Barns, Stables, Yard Glebe lands tythes and portion of tythes to the Vicarage of the Church of Borden with the rights and appurtenances And also of all & every the Messuages lands tenements woods underwoods, meadows pastures feedings commons waste grounds Liberties Franchisees Courts Court Barons

Between the said Mary Seager of the first part John Richardson of the second part and Gibbon Hawker of Sittingbourne Gentleman of the third part. 13th July 1764

3. Will of Mary Seager (Page 3)

Mary Seager of Borden, Spinster to be decently buried in Linnen amongst my ancestors in the Parish Church of Borden Bequeath unto my Sister Susanna Matson wife of Mr Robert Matson the use of three dozen Damask napkins one dozen thereof markt M.S. one other dozen thereof markt E.S. and the remaining third dozen markt C.S. during her natural life and after her death then I give one of the said dozens of napkins to my kinswoman Elizabeth Hayman one other of the said dozens to my kinswoman Mary Hill and the remaining third dozen to my Godson Edward Wakely

I also give to the said Robert Matson and his said wife the lease of Borden Hall Farm and Parsonage granted to me by Joseph Musgrave Esq and also the use of all my plate and other Linnen except such plate as is markt with the initial letters of my late brother – Charles Seager

I give and bequeath the use thereof unto the said Elizabeth Hayman and after her death to her Daughter Mary Hayman

Also I give to my sister Matson all my wearing Apparel trusting that she will dispose of such part thereof as she in her discretion shall think fit to my kinswomen the said Elizabeth Hayman and Mary Hill

I also give to my kinswoman Mary Underwood of Yalding Widow — (blank) pounds (in probate) I also give to the said Elizabeth Hayman and Mary Hill one hundred pounds a piece, to Dr Thomas Craddock of Rochester, one hundred pounds, to his sister Mrs Frances Baker of Queenborough Widow ten pounds and to my trusty servant John Ely one hundred pounds and all my share of the corn in the barn or in or upon the land belonging to the farm I hold of the trustees of Borden Charity we being partners in such farm and also the furniture of and in my Dwelling house called Borden Hall and the chest of drawers in my own lodging room and four sheets two of better sheets and pillow coats suitable to the latter four

Kitchen table cloths two dozen of plain home made napkins and table cloths to …… (blank) them of the same sort and one dozen of pewter plates and dishes to them All of which said several legacies and goods my will is shall be paid and delivered to the …… (blank) (so in probate)

Several persons before named at or before the + of twelve months next after my decease

I also give to John Aldersey Clement Aldersey & Farnham Aldersey the children of Farnham Aldersey late of Milton deceased fifty pounds a piece to be paid at the time aforesaid And my will farther is that my Body may be wrapt and buried in Linnen and that the five pounds penalty for so doing may be paid immediately after my funeral Rites shall be performed —-

in crown pieces of silver which I have preserved for that purpose I also give the use and wearing of my three diamond rings to my sister Matson during her life and after her Death I give to my kinswomen Mary Underwood Elizabeth Hayman & Mary Hill each of the said rings

4. Will of Mary Seager (Page 4)

the said Mary Underwood to have her first choice and as to all the rest & residue of my personal estate —– I give & bequeath the use thereof to the said Robert Matson & his wife during their joint lifes & after their deaths then I give such residue of my personal estate unto the said Edward Wakely Appoint Thomas Craddock & Robert Matson executors of this my will

I first give & devise unto the said Doctor Thomas Craddock all those my several messuages lands Hereditaments and premises with their Appurtenances situate lying & being in the parish of Minster And also all those several messuages or tenements orchards gardens lands and premises with their appurtenances situate lying & being in Borden aforesaid near the Street there in the several occupations of Charles Hamilton John Masters and William Thomas all which said last mentioned premises in Borden aforesaid I lately purchased (with others/of the Heirs) of John Napleton deceased To hold the same unto the said Thomas Craddock his heirs & assigns To the use of the said Robert Matson & Susannah his wife during their natural lifes and the life of the survivor of them and from and after the death of the survivor of them then to the use of the said Edward Wakely during his natural life then to the use of the said Thomas Craddock & his heirs during the life of the said Edward Wakely

To permit the said Edward Wakely to receive the Rents and profits during his life and from and after the decease of the said Edward Wakely then to use of the heirs of the body of the said Edward Wakely then to the use of my kinswomen the said Elizabeth Hayman and Mary Hill then several & respective heirs for ever to hold as tenants in common and not as joint tenants

Also I give & devise unto the said Mary Underwood all those my several pieces or parcels of Marshland lying in Burmarsh in Romney Marsh & now in the occupation of Mr Henry Nicholls to hold and to the use of the said Mary Underwood for and during her natural life & after her decease to the use of her daughters the said Elizabeth Hayman Mary Hill and Susannah Underwood their several heirs for ever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants

Also I give & devise unto the said John Ely All that my messuage or Tenement Barn and several pieces of land thereto containing thirty seven acres situate lying & being at or near Hoar Street in Borden of what I lately purchased of the heirs of the said John Napleton

To hold the same unto & to the use of the said John Ely his heirs & assigns for ever

5. Codicil — 13 December 1768 (Page 5)

I also give & devise unto Jane Penkethman of Borden widow All that new erected messuage or tenement with the Appurtenances situate & being in Borden near the Street in her own occupation & adjoining to the premises in the occupation of the said Charles Hamilton a further part of what I lately purchased of the Heirs of the said John Napleton and to the use of the said Jane Penkethman her heirs

And as to all the rest and residues of my messuages lands and tenements in Sittingbourne Murston or elsewhere not before devised I give & Devise the same unto and to the use of my sister Susanna Matson her heirs for ever And lastly revoking all former wills by me made I do declare this to be my last will and testament

Thirteenth day of December one thousand seven hundred and sixty eight

Mary Seager

Witness

Jane Smith Wm Wise Gib Hawker

Whereas I have given several estates in my annexed will to my Brother Matson & his wife & others during their respective lives now my further will is that my said Brother Matson & his wife and others to whom I have given such estates shall from time to time during keep such estates in good and substantial repair whereas by my will before written & hereto annexed I have give unto my kinswoman Mary Underwood for her life my several pieces of marshland in Burmarsh in Romney Marsh in the occupation of Henry Nicholls with remainder to her daughters Elizabeth Hayman Mary Hill & Susannah Underwood after the death of Mary Underwood her said daughters Elizabeth Hayman Mary Hill as tenants in common and not as joint tenants

And the third part the same unto Dr Thomas Craddock & his heirs during the life of the said Susannah Underwood receive & take the rents and profits during her life

I give to Dr Craddock my silver penn and my ? and one of my large Bille as he shall like to have & my Book that he shall like to have and as many as he ? to have and as same a ring as and to have small diamond in it and a ring to M Baker the Dr Sister and on to her son and wat of my book that the Dr don like to have

I want have my man John Ely have sum of them I wat have ….. (blank)

John Ely have on of the large Bille and I give to my man John Ely my Deske and 6 Tee spoons and the tongs that ar mark with M.S. and the bed and that bellon to it – in your room wer he now lay in & 6 of my chaney cups and a set of tee cups and two of my best cows that I have

6. Final Codicil Notes (Page 6)

in my keepin at the time of my dathe and the Hors that he as to ride at the time of my dathe and I give to Mrs Pinkman all my morne that have at the time of my dathe and 3 pone and 2 sheats and 2 of pillow and a dozen of napkins and tabl cloths and dozen of towels and my Bible my Godson Edward Wakely but if hear so let him have it and my paper book that is mark M.S. on it and to Mrs Hawkins and her heirs some use of mone which hop my sister will let them have

MS Jan 5th 1768

And if I haven’t but the house in good repair that I give to my man John Ely 40’s for rapi

21 Aug 1770

John Page parish of Milton and John Aldersey of same Haymen sworn as holy evangelists with Mary Seager late of Borden Spinser.