The Document Chest
The Will of Joseph Chapman
The 1843 Will of Joseph Chapman, Gentleman of Reckleford
Nothing is known of Joseph Chapman other than the 1841 census listed him living on his own as a 70-year-old (bearing in mind the rounding of ages of adults to five years) in Reckleford. He was listed as of independent means and was not born in Somerset. His likely place of birth, judging by the location of his family recorded in his will, was Gravesend, Kent.
The Poll Books of 1832 and 1834 record that Joseph lived in Reckleford and was eligible to vote since he owned freehold houses in South Street.
He wrote his will in January 1843, shortly before he died.
------------------------------
This is
the last Will
and Testament
of me Joseph
Chapman of
Yeovil in the
County of
Somerset
Gentleman I give
and bequeath
unto my nephew
Josiah Chapman
the sum of fifty
pounds unto my
niece Selina
Rigget the sum
of fifty pounds
unto my niece
Mary Chapman of
Gravesend the
like sum of
fifty pounds
unto my niece
Elizabeth
Chapman of
Gravesend the
like sum of
fifty pounds and
unto my nephew
John Chapman
also of
Gravesend my
lever watch And
the residue of
my Property
whatsoever and
wheresoever
which I have in
any way power to
dispose of by
will after the
payment of my
just debts and
the above named
legacies and
also my funeral
and testamentary
expences I give
and bequeath
freely and
absolutely unto
my said nephew
John Chapman of
Gravesend in the
County of Kent
And I hereby
nominate
constitute and
appoint my said
nephew John
Chapman sole
Executor of this
my will In
witness whereof
I have hereunto
set my hand this
twenty first day
of January in
the year of our
Lord 1843
Joseph Chapman
Signed by the
above named
testator as and
for his last
will and
testament in the
presence of us
who in his
presence and in
the presence of
each other have
subscribed our
names as
witnesses
Witness our
hands - John
Wright William
King
Proved
at London 27th
March 1843
before the
worshipful
Frederick Thomas
Pratt Doctor of
Laws and
Surrogate by the
oath of John
Chapman the
nephew the sole
Executor to whom
Administration
was granted
having been
first sworn duly
to administer
Transcribed by Bob Osborn
