Will of Rebecca BROWNING (-1740)
National Archives File Reference PROB 11/704/433
In the name of God Amen. I Rebecca BROWNING of the parish of St Andrew Holborn in the County of Middlesex Widow and Relict of Samuel BROWNING late of Lincolns Inn in the said County Esquire and one of the Master of the High Court of Chancery decease being in good body and soul and sound mind memory and understanding, do therefore make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following,
Whereas my late honoured father Mr John HINDE by his last Will and Testament in writing bearing date on or about the 20th day of April 1694 after several legacies thereby given, did give and bequeath one third part of the rest and residue of his personal estate to his Nephews Robert HINDE and Richard HINDE their Executors Administrators and assigns upon trust to permit and suffer me from time to time during my life to receive and take the interest thereof to and for my own use and benefit. And from and after my decease In trust to pay and dispose of the same third part and of all the interest and proceed there forth arising by and out of the same third part unto and amongst all and every my children then born or to be born (other than and except such of them as should for the time being be my heir at law) at such times and in such parts and proportions as my I should from time to time by any writing under my hand direct or appoint.
Now having an equal love and affection for all my Children but considering that some of them are already and others of them are likely to be otherwise better provided for than the rest of them I do in pursuance of the said power to me given, give and bequeath and do hereby direct and appoint the said third part of my said fathers personal estate to and among all my children other than and except my eldest son John at such times and in such parts and proportions as are herein after mentioned that is to say
To my daughter Mary DICKENSON one hundred pounds.
To my son Samuel BROWNING three hundred pounds.
To my son Hinde BROWNING one hundred pounds.
To my daughter
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Rebecca BUCKNALL two hundred pounds.
To my son Joseph BROWNING one hundred and fifty pounds
To my son James BROWNING one hundred and fifty pounds
To my daughter Sophia SKINNER one hundred pounds
And all the rest and residue of the said Third part I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth BROWNING.
And as to my own personal estate I give and dispose of the same as followeth. I give my leasehold lands at Kempton in the County of Bedford to my eldest son John BROWNING (to whom the lands in that County of which I am seized in fee simple will descend as my heir at law if he be living at the time of my decease) and to his executors and administrations during the residue of the term therein. Also I give to my said son John or such other person as shall be my heir at law the picture of my said son John it being my intention that the said picture should be preferred as an heirloom with the other family pictures I give to my sister Mrs Mary HELDER twenty pounds. And to Mrs HOPKINS of Enfield Middlesex ten pounds for mourning. I give to my said daughters Rebecca BUCKNALL and Elizabeth BROWNING and Sophia SKINNER the sum of ninety pounds to be equally divided between them in lieu and satisfaction of any claim they may have by my late husbands Will to my old gold snuff box diamond earrings and dressing plate that I have disposed of being the full value thereof.
Also I give my largest diamond ring to my said daughter Rebecca BUCKNALL.
And I give my gold watch chain and seal and my least diamond ring and buckle and the furniture in the dining room and kitchen in the house where I now lodge. And also in my bed chamber there and all my household linen wearing linen and clothes and my wrought bed at my Sister HELDER’s to my said daughter Elizabeth BROWNING.
And the rest of my furniture I give to my sons Samuel, Hinde, Joseph and James BROWNING and daughter Sophia SKINNER equally to be divided between and having formerly given to my sons William and Joseph and daughters Rebecca and Sophia part of my plate I give all the rest of my plate to my sons Samuel, Hinde, Joseph and James BROWNING and daughter Sophia SKINNER equally to be divided between.
And all the rest and residue of my personal estate after the payment of my debts and expenses of my funeral and the several legacies and bequests herein given I give to my executor herein after named upon trust either to pay the whole or any part thereof to my said son Samuel BROWNING or else to put and place out at interest upon Government or other good securities as he shall think fit and to pay the interest and proceeds thereof to my said son for his life giving my executor a discretionary power to act therein as he shall think to be most for my son Samuel’s benefit and advantage. And after the death of my son Samuel I give the said residue of my personal estate or so much thereof as shall not be paid to my said son Samuel as aforesaid to the Executors or Administrators of my said son Samuel BROWNING.
And I do hereby constitute and appoint my said son John BROWNING sole executor of this my Will. And do hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any time before made. And I do declare this to be my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of April in the year of Our Lord 1740. R BROWNING. Signed sealed published and declared by the said Rebecca BROWNING the testatrix as and for
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Her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names in the presence of the said Testatrix after the same had been distinctly read over to her Bev FILMER Chris HARGREAVE.
This was proved at London before the Worshipful Robert CHAPMAN Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissionary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted in the 9th day of September in the year of Our Lord 1740 by the oath of John BROWNING Esquire the Son of the deceased and sole executor named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased being first sworn duly to Administer.
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