Will of Samuel and Anne Thompson

Profile manager: Katrina Lawson [send private message]

Transcript of the joint Will and three Codicils made by Samuel Thompson (abt.1741-1794) and his wife Anne. Found in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, Registers 1793-1795.

• Will dated 14 April 1785
• First Codicil dated 20 June 1788
• Second Codicil dated 27 Jun 1792
• Third Codicil, signed only by Samuel, dated 8 April 1794

Quire No 287, register page 56

In the Name of God Amen
We Samuel Thompson of this Island of St. Croix planter and Anne Thompson wife to the said Samuel being of sound and disposing mind and memory but well knowing the uncertainty of life and all [—] events do make this our last will and testament hereby revoking all other will or wills heretofore made by us. Imprimis we order and appoint our bodies to be committed to the dust from whence they came in a decent becoming manner without much Financial Expense and whatever attends the same to be immediately paid by our executors hereinafter named. I Samuel Thompson do leave and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Anne Thompson the Sum of three thousand pieces of eight current money of this island to be paid her yearly and every year during her natural life and as a security for the same do hereby bind and fix this payment thereof to be made out of Betty Hopes Estate. Said Annuity to commence from the day of my decease and to be paid [lined out] in full consideration for our Marriage contract entered into in Saint Eustatius the twenty sixth day of November and the tenth day of December one thousand seven hundred and seventy four said contract being confirmed by His Royal Majesty of Denmark the seventh of November 1783 three and for all claims and pretensions whatsoever she might or could have to my Estate or Fortune I also leave to my said wife my dwelling house and offices in the Town of Christianstadt No. 2 in Hill Street together with all the Household Furniture therein necessary to take from Bettys Hope to compleat the House in Town together with all my Table and Bed Linen of every kind to be at her own use and disposal for ever further I allow my said wife the liberty of living at Bettys Hope Estate and enjoying the use of my dwelling house and offices together with the use of my furniture after

[reverse of register p. 56]
(after supplying her House in Town with what part she thinks fit) Cows Sheep Hogs and small Stuff both there and at Bodkins half plantation adjoining to Mount Stewart also Rum and Sugar for House consumption corn vegetables and provisions for her Negroes hereinafter named in the same free and uninterrupted manner as was during my life further the use of my China Pot, Chaise and single horse chaise together with a pair of the best horses I may die possessed of all these privileges she is to enjoy during her widowhood or Residence in this country but if she ever marries again then every thing herein mentioned for her Ease and convenience at Bettys Hope is to cease (excepting the Annuity and furniture draw from the Estate) and she must quit the Estate immediately and retire to her house in Christianstad or wherever she pleases and for her greater comfort I leave her during her natural life the use of all my silver plate according to Inventory which must be taken after my death together with the following Negroes and Slaves which she brought be in Marriage and if she always remains a widow but not otherwise to be at her full and free disposal forever as she pleases viz Simmond a Mulatto woman with her five children named Julianne, Pierre, Anna Rosa, John Philip and Christina. Katy a Mulatto woman and her son Leander. Catherine a Mulatto Woman with her three children named Lewey [Louis], Little Etienne, and Jan Vieve. Betty Freeman a Negro woman, Sukey Ditto. Etienne a Negro Man Cook with all the future issue of their bodies together with the use of the following property belonging to Bettys Hope Estate and under Mortgage during her life and in longer viz Nanny a Mulatto woman Sally a Negro woman and Simon a waiting boy. It is to be observed that so long as my wife lives upon Bettys Hope Estate she is to find the Manager and see an Overseer in Provisions in the same [—] they have been used to during my life without making any change thereof I own my just debts every where to be paid as soon as possible likewise those due to me to be collected in by my Executrix and Executors hereinafter names as my dearly beloved Mother Elinor Thompson into[?] claims and [patensious?] against her late Uncle Robert Stewart's Estate in lieu thereof I consent that she shall have two hundred pounds Sterling per Annum paid her yearly and every year during her natural life I leave and bequeath to my worthy and esteemed friend Edward Colliornsen[?] Esquire our present upper Judge and Dealing Master one thousand

[Register p. 57]
Rix Dollars Danish Currency to be paid him in three years after my death I leave and bequeath to John Campbell now breeding up to the Sea Service under Captain Klein Five hundred pounds Sterling to be paid him when he attains the age of twenty five years being only 17 at present and in case of my death before that time arriving the yearly interest to be allowed for his maintenance and support. I leave and bequeath to the Danish Church of this Island fifty pieces of eight and the same to the Presbyterian Church to be paid immediately. I leave to my Brother Robert Stewart Thompson my Gold watch, Gold Snuff Box, Gold Buttons, Gold Stock [buckle?] and Gold headed cane together with my best Sword and a case of pistols. Having only one Son and three daughters and that Son being unfortunately deprived the use of his speech through causes unknown to any of us. I leave my Fortune among these in the following [und—] to my Son [—] Thomas Thompson I leave and bequeath Bettys Hope Estate with all my Slaves except those allotted for his Mother and n— what conditions to keep herein already specified Stock Buildings utensils and Improvements of every kind also the one half plantation I purchased at Lawrence Bodkins vendue so joining to Mount Stewart and the one half of the Store and yard in Frederickstaedt in partnership with the Heirs of Mr. Stewart together with the shares I own in ships and all the Debts due to me subject however to the Debts I owe and to his Mothers Annuity also the Fortunes to be paid his Sisters as follows hereafter I also leave and bequeath to my said Son the lands in Ireland in the Neighborhood of Portgloroine and Maghralioghal in the County of Antrim which my Father Thomas Thompson purchased from Kennedy Stafford and Matthew Sewell and known by the name of Mount Stafford and Ballyh—vin which said lands my said Father settled upon myself and my [Ip—e] for over after his decease the Settlement or Tithe held whereof is recorded in the proper courts in Dublin and the original Deposited in the hands of my brother in Law John Cromie all the aforesaid property both in Saint Croix and Ireland I hereby leave and bequeath to my son Thomas Thompson and the issue of his body lawfully begotten for over under reservations hereinafter but out of which I hereby subject the whole and bind it as a sufficient Security for the payment of my Daughters Fortunes as follows To my Daugher Anne Thompson I leave and bequeath the Sum of Forty Thousand Rix Dollars Danish Currency or Fifty thousand pieces of eight this money to be paid her in Copenhagen in Five years after her Marriage to

[Reverse of Register p 57]
to pay Eight thousand Rix Dollars or Ten thousand pieces of eight per annum without interest until the whole is paid I leave and bequeath the like Sum and on the same conditions to my daughter ^Elsa Thomson I leave and bequeath the like sum and on the same conditions to my daughter^ Mary Thompson but it is upon this express condition that any of my daughters shall inherit the aforesaid portion. That they do obtain their Mother's consent given under her hand for their Marriage or if she should be dead then the consent of my Executors in Ireland if they marry there or if they or any of then marry in the West Indies in such case the consent of the Majority of my Executors residing there must be had and obtained otherwise any one or the which of them so offending shall only be paid one half of the aforesaid portions in [—] as already prescribed for the full payment it is to be understood that if any of them marry in the West Indies their Fortune is to be paid them in Saint Croix in cash or good Bills [-st] During my Daughters Minority they shall be maintained and educated out of my General Estate to the liking of my Executrix and Executors and should they or any of them at the age of twenty six years be single or unmarried then I order the whole or such of them as may as happen to be paid the yearly Interest of their inherited Fortunes at Five P Centum Pr. Ann for their maintenance with Interest they are to receive without accounting for it to any one not over their own Guardians and it is my desire that after attaining to the above mentioned age they shall have the power of leaving by will to their Brother or Sisters as they think proper the full Sums allotted for them and [p—able] in like [—] and manner from the day of their death as it would have been in case of their own agreeable marriage Considering my Sons melancholy situation and the uncertainty of his ever attaining the use of his speech and verbal faculties going only Five years old I hereby will and appoint that my Executrix and Executors shall allow him a proper maintenance and education and when he attains to the age of sixteen years they shall decide whether he can be capable of inheriting his Fortune or not so as to become a useful Member of Society and of being entrusted with the payment of his Mothers Annuity and Sisters portions. If the Majority of them think he may be capable Which God of his infinite mercy grant then I order all the foregoing part of this will relating to him to stand good and be in full force and all his property to be given over to him at the age of twenty five years but if they think he will not be capable and that there is no prospect of his growing up to fulfill my wishes In

[Register page 58]
In that case after the age of sixteen I order and appoint him to be paid an annuity of six hundred and fifty pounds Sterling during life and to be put under the charge of such people as will take proper care of him and to prevent all impositions from clandestine marriage or marriages it is my express will and desire that if my son ever marries under the age of twenty five years without the consent and approbation of his mother if alive and the majority of my executors it shall be looked upon as Fraudulent and an advantage taken over his weakness and that no portion or share whatsoever from my Estate shall arise to the wife or Issue of said marriage or should he after the age of twenty five years be kept out of his inheritance from the opinion my executrix and executors may entertain of his inability to conduct it and then marry in such case I utterly forbid as before mentioned any inheritance or portion whatsoever to the wife or issue of said marriage. If it unhappily so happens that my Son is not to inherit from me then I will and appoint that the whole of my Fortune or the yearly [Ke—e] thereof excepting the Annuity and [Se—cies] both in St. Croix and in Ireland if clear of debt to be divided amongst my three daughters or such of them as may be living share and share alike provided they marry with consent as aforesaid but if not then they are to have their twenty thousand Rix dollars each paid them and no more and the Residue of my Fortune must go among my dutiful and deserving children. I hereby leave it in the power and at the discretion of my Executrix and Executors to sell the whole of my property or any part thereof they may think fit for the benefit of my children and it is my will that if any of my children should die before their Mother that she may not inherit from them but be contented with the annuity and privileges already settled upon her and that my Son in case he recovers and is approved of by my Executrix and Executors as aforesaid shall be the sole Heir to such of his Sisters as may die unmarried or without a will at the age of twenty six years In case of all my children dying during their Minority then I leave the Estates in Ireland before mentioned to my Brother Robert Stewart Thompson and the Heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever and in failure of him or them to my Sisters or their Issue share and share alike forever to say the Issue of such as may be dead to draw their Mothers portion as if alive and as issue and in the aforesaid case respecting my Estates and property of every kind in the West Indies should my dearly beloved wife survive all our children without their leaving Issue lawfully begotten and their marriages

[Reverse of Register page 58]
Marriages approved of as in the foregoing part of this will then it is my desire that she and her Issue by Monsieur Poyon D'Lance shall enjoy the one half Issues and profits of said Estates and property when clear of debt for ever and the other half to be divided amongst my Sisters or their Issue lawfully begotten for ever and for the true and faithful performance and execution of this my last will and testament agreeable to the intent and meaning thereof I appoint my dearly beloved wife Ann Thompson my Executrix as long as she remains a widow and no longer. My Father Thomas Thompson and my Brother in Law John Cromie, living in Ireland, My Brother Robert Stewart Thompson, Edward Colbiorsen[?] William Newton, Samuel Newton, and John Gordon all of this Island and Nicholas Richards of St. Kitts to be my Executors dealing Masters Guardians and Administrators of my children and all my Effects who of themselves and without an intervention of the dealing court are to have the sole care and direction of my Estates and other property and and it is my Will that my Executors who reside in Ireland shall have the entire charge and direction of my property in that Country in like manner those who live in St. Croix the charge and direction of what I have there and Mr. Richards the same for what appertains to and in St. Kitts and in case of the death of any of these that their Executors shall succeed in the direction of my affairs only that they shall furnish accounts to each other of my affairs when required further if any of my Executors should at any time wish to resign that he or they may do it without the least (—) difficulty and be only accountable for what property came under his or their own charge so that the general tie of one for all and all for one is hereby made void and every one is only to answer for what has past through his own hands or he has transacted himself [NB: Anne's will follows] I Anne Thompson do hereby in the fullest and strongest manner acknowledge my consent and approbation of every disposition herein made by my husband Samuel Thompson and confirm the same in all respects owning myself to be perfectly content and satisfied with the inheritance my husband has provided for myself and disposed of our Fortune as he Annuity and privileges he has left me considerably exceeds what was mentioned in our Marriage contract of the twenty sixth of November and tenth of December One thousand seven hundred and seventy four and I hereby [-chide] myself every Right to our Fortune or Inheritance from my children that he has not by there presents intithed unto except Fifty pieces of eight which I leave and bequeath

[Register page 59]
bequeath to the Danish Church of this Island and the same to the Presbyterian Church to be pain immediately and as by virtue of a Settlement made with Monsieur Poyen Bellisle of Guadeloupe as Uncle and Guardian to my Children by my former marriage with Monsieur Poyen de Lance being date the twenty second day of November one thousand seven hundred and seventy six and is upon record in this Island whereby my Husband Samuel Thompson is acquitted from any claim or demand from them whatsoever either present or to come and as I am satisfied in my own mind that those children by my former Marriage will be well provided for in life and have no further Legacies or Bequeathments to make I hereby make over will and appoint every property that I in the world at present or hereafter may own to my Husband Samuel Thompson to hold and enjoy the same during his life and afterwards to go among the Children of our present Marriage as he has allotted it and in case of my dying before my said Husband least he should be brought with any loss or inconvenience from a division, dealing or settlement with our children I will and appoint that during his life or his remaining unmarried he shall keep possession of our whole property without being brought to any account for it by the dealing court or our children only allowing them such a maintenance as he pleases but if he marries again then a division or Settlement of the one half of his Fortune in St. Croix is to be made with them share and share alike provided our Son recovers his speech and mental Faculties and our daughter or daughters Marry to their Fathers liking if not then I leave it in my husbands power to divide it as he pleases among the most deserving and at his Death then is every thing to be disposed of shared and divided among our children at such time and in such portions as he has herein clearly expressed himself and agreeable to this our joint will and for the time and faithful performance and execution of this my last will and testament agreeable to the intent and moving[?] thereof I appoint my beloved husband Samuel Thompson my sole and only Executor reposing special confidence in him and that he will take the case of the Education and welfare of our children in witness whereof We Samuel Thompson and Anne Thompson have hereunto affixed our hands and Seals in St. Croix this 14th day of April 1785 [fr-e] have already obtained a Facultas Testandi from the King which is hereunto annexed together with the Kings Confirmation of our Marriage Contract herein mentioned. S.T. (ss) A.T (ss)

[Reverse of Register p. 59]
Signed Sealed published acknowledged and declared by the Testator Samuel Thompson and Anne Thompson wife of the said Samuel the Testatrix to be their last joint will and Testament in the presence of us and who at their request have subscribed our Names as witnesses thereto Fra. Claxton — Jas. Todd

We Samuel and Anne Thompson think it fit and necessary to make this codicil to our subjoined will as Anne Thompson is now far advanced in her pregnancy and we hope it will please God to send us another child safe into the world which child be it Boy or Girl we own and provide for exactly in the same manner as has been allotted for our daughters Ann Elinor and Mary Thompson. It is our will and desire that every thing heretofore mentioned concerning our poor unfortunate son Thomas Thompson should stand good and if he is to continue without the use of his speech and mental Faculties and this child soon expected proves a Boy we will and appoint that he shall succeed and inherit exactly in the same manner and way as has been laid out for our son Thomas Thompson setting aside the equality of portion with his Sisters which in such case must drop we hereby confirm every thing that is contained in our subjoined will and have ady[?] further to observe that as it has pleased God to prosper and increase our circumstances if our Executors find it convenient to pay out any or all of our daughters Fortunes sooner than has been stipulated for them that they shall do it as our wish is to give them the earliest enjoyment of their Fortune that is possible and in addition to the Executors already appointed in our will we hereby nominate and appoint John Heyliger Bart, Son of Charles Pym Bart now residing at St. Johns Estate and our Brother John Kinnier Thompson at present in Copenhagen but likely to come and settle in St. Croix with every power and authority given to the other Executors in witness whereof we have hereunto affixed our hands and Seals in St. Croix this twentieth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight — Sam Thompson (ss) — Anne Thompson (ss) — copy — signed sealed published acknowledged and declared by the Testator Samuel Thompson and Ann Thompson wife of the said Samuel the Testatrix to be their joint codicil to the subjoined will and Testament in the presence of us who at their request have subscribed our hands as

[Register page 60]

as witnesses thereto — Alex.r Cooper — Hugh Morris — Jno. Cooper

We Samuel Thompson and Anne Thompson think it necessary to make this second codicil to our annexed will hereby confirming every thing that has been heretofore appointed by us only with the following alterations which we think fit and to [--] to make Imprimis as it has pleased God to bless our endeavours so that we do not owe any considerable debt we order after it is paid and deducting the annuity to Anne Thompson the Testatrix and the sum appointed for the maintenance of our unfortunate son together with the legacies left by us that the Nett yearly [-even-d] of our Estate and Fortune both in St Croix and in Ireland the latter after the death of our father Thomas Thompson should be equally divided yearly and every year between our four daughters Anne Elinor Mary and Louisa Thompson and if the portion so coming(?) unto each or all or any of their accounts and thus accumulate until the time of their marriage when it must be paid them together with their yearly Income agreeable to the clause and restitution in our will if any of our daughters should marry without such consent as is therein expressed then we only allot the one half of the yearly interest as above recited to be paid them instead of the whole which they as a dutiful child or children would by these presents be intitled [sic] to the other half we order to go equally dividing our good and deserving children we hereby revoke the Executors John Heyliger Burt and John Kinnear Thompson appointed in our first codicil and in their stead in[---]ate and appoint John Rugger James Steven Ferrall and James Rodgers all of this Island our Executors with every power and authority given to the other Executors in witness whereof we have hereunto affixed our hands and seals in St Croix this 27th day of June 1792 (copy) Sam Thompson (ss) – Anne Thompson (ss) – Signed sealed published acknowledged and declared by the Testato Samuel Thompson and Anne Thompson wife of the said Samuel the Testators to be their joint second codicil to the subjoined will and testament in the presence of us who at their request have subscribed our names as witness thereto

[Reverse of Register page 60]

I Samuel Thompson of Saint James's Street Esquire do make this codicil to my last Will I hereby direct and appoint the care and education of my daughters during their respective minorities to my Sister Eleanor Thompson as my wife is not likely to continue in this country and I give to my said Sister for her past attention to them and for the care of them in future an annuity or Sum of Two hundred and fifty pounds per annum to be paid to her by half yearly payments during her natural life the first half yearly payment thereof to commence from the day of my death in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of April one thousand seven hundred and ninety four – Sam. Thompson (ss) – Signed sealed published and declared by the said Samuel Thompson ans and for a Codicil to 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 set our names as witnesses – Thomas Meade – S Harman – Wm. Walker

Appeared Personally Thomas Meade of Portman Street Portman Square in the county of Middlesex Esquire and Samuel Thompson formerly of Belfast in the County of Antrim in the Kingdom of Ireland but at present residing in Bridges Street in the County of Middlesex and severally under oath that they knew and were intimately acquainted with Samuel Thompson late of the Island of St. Croix in the West Indies but in Saint James's Street in the parish of Saint James Westminster in the county of Middlesex Esquire deceased who died on the ninth day of this instant Month of April and the deponent Thomas Meade for himself further made oath that on Tuesday the eighth day of this instant Month being at [--] in the city of London he received a message that he the said deceased wished to see hi immediately at his lodgings in Saint James's Street aforesaid that this deponent waited upon the said said [sic] deceased a little after seven oclock the same evening where he met Dr. Turton and Mr. Atkinson the said deceased's physician and apothecary who both acquainted this deponent that the said deceased was very ill and could not possibly live long and that if he had any thing to settle the sooner it was done the better as he was then perfectly in his senses that this deponent shortly after such his conversation with the

[Register page 61]
The said Dr. Turton and Mr. Atkinson was introduced into the said deceaseds bed chamber who was then in bed but who expressed much satisfaction at seeing this deponent that after sitting and conversing with the said deceased some time this deponent asked him if he had settled all his affairs to his satisfaction to which he replied no for he had some alterations to make and something lay weary upon his mind that this deponent then expounded he should unburthen his mind to his family and not defer till tomorrow what could be done then to which the said deceased avowed he wished to rest when he thought he might be more composed that this deponent then retired from the said deceaseds bed chamber but was soon called back and the said deceased on this deponents entering the room desired his paper case being the place he used to keep his papers of Moment and cou[--] in to be brought to him which b[--] he requested this deponent would open it and look for a copy of his will saying he had left the original at St Croix where it then remained that thereupon this deponent opened the said case and with the assistance of his fellow deponent the said Samuel Thompson looked over the papers contained in the said case and this deponent took thereout a paper writing having an indorsement thereon of the following [--] a copy of Sam. and Anne Thompsons will that on reading the said indorsement the said deceased replied that was it and he then desired this deponent would read it over and tell him what he thought of it that this deponent in compliance with such his request immediately opened the said paper writing and found the same to contain a copy of the joint will of the said deceased and Anne Thompson his wife with two codicils thereto the said will and two codicils being now [--]to annexed the said will bearing date on the fourteenth day of April 1785 and the first of the said two codicils bearing date on the twentieth day of June 1788 and the second of the said two codicils bearing date on the twenty seventh day of June 1792 this this [sic] deponent being apprehensive the said deceased was in a very precarious state of health only cursorily read over the said will and one of the said two codicils and then asked the said deceased what alterations he wished to make thereon and if he would have any body sent for to make them that pen t–k and paper were then brought by directions of the said deceased and this deponent finding he wished to make an alteration in his will recommended that an attorney should be sent for which was accordingly done that in the mean time the said deceased declared to this deponent that

[Reverse of Register page 61]
That understanding his wife the said Anne Thompson intended to return to St. Croix he wished to appoint his the said deceased Sister resident in England Guardian to his children who were in England for their Education and for her to have the sole direction of their Education that this deponent wrote down the substance of the said deceaseds intention and on Mr Harman the attorney who had been sent for coming this deponent gave him the said instructions and the third codicil to the said will and two codicils were hereunto also amended and barring(?) date on the said eighth day of this instant Month was immediately prepared therefrom and executed by the said deceased in the presence of this deponent the said Mr. Harmen and of William Walker the subscribing witnesses thereto that the said deceased after he had so as aforesaid executed the said codicil expressed himself under much obligation to this deponent and that he had taken a great load off his mind that the said deceased did not then appear sensible of his approaching dissolution which took place as this deponent was afterwards informed at about six oclock the following morning and the deponent Samuel Thompson for himself further made oath that he was present when the said amended copy of the said joint will and two codicils of the said deceased and of the said Anne Thompson his wife were so as aforesaid found in [--] name(?) deposed to by his said fellow deponent and that after the finding thereof this deponent retired out of the said deceaseds [sic] bed chamber and both these deponents further made oath that they also knew and were well acquainted with the said deceased [--] and character of handwriting and of writing and subscribing his name having often seen the said deceased write and also write and subscribe his name and having now with care and attention viewed and perused the said annexed copy of the said will and codicils bearing date as aforesaid and the following interh[--]tious therein to wit the words "a case of pistols" interlined between the fourth and fifth lines of the third side of the said will also the words "in the county of Antrim in Ireland" between the eighteenth and nineteenth lines of the said side also the words "majority of" interlined between the second and third lines of the fourth side of the said will also the word "each" interlined between the sixth and seventh lines of the said side also the words "if clear of debt" interlined between the tenth and eleventh lines of the fifth side of the said will also the word "marriages" interlined between the thirty third and thirty fourth lines of the said side also the words "and her Issue by Monsiour Poyen de Lance" interlined between the said thirty fourth and the thirty

[Register page 62]
Thirty fifth lines of the said side also the words "of said Estate and property when clear of debt" written over an obliteration between the said lines also the words "for ever" written over an obliteration in the next succeeding line also the words "and in case of the state of them that their executors shall stand in the [-]ection of my affairs" interlined between the twelfth and thirteenth lines of the sixth side of the said will and also having the words "Sam'l Thompson and Anne Thompsong" interlined between the twenty fifth and twenty sixth lines of the last side of the said will and having the letters "S.T. A.T." set and subscribed to the end of the said will they these deponents d[--]enly and in their conciou[-] believe the said recited interlineations in the said will and the initial letters thereto and the whole body series and contents thereof to have been wholly written by the said Samuel Thompson deceased. Lastly the said Thomas Meade for himself saith that the said will and codicils to the best of his knowledge an belief are [--] in every respect in the same plight and condition as when he so as aforesaid found opened and read the same the deponent having at such time observed sundry obliterations and interlineations therein – Thomas Meade – Sam'l. Thompson – The day aforesaid the said Thomas Meade and Samuel Thompson were duly sworn to the truth of the within written affidavit before me S. P. Parson Senr. Pres. Rath Gesthing Not. Publ.

This will with three codicils was proved at London the twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety four before the worshipful Thomas Champion Crespiguy Doctor of Law Surrogate of the Right Honorable Sir William Wynne Knight, also Doctor of Law Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of Anne Thompson widow the Relict of the deceased and [--] of the Executors named in the said will during her widowhood and John Cromie, Esquire and other of the Executors named in the said will to whom administration was granted to wit to the said Ann Thompson limited to all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased except those in Ireland and in the Island of St Christophers and to the said John Cromie Limited to all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased except those in the Islands of St Croix and St Christophers aforesaid and also limited until the original

[Reverse of Register page 62]
Original will and two first codicils or a more authentick [sic] copy thereof shall be brought into and left in the Registry of this court but in further or otherwise they having been first sworn duly to administer power reserved of granting a probate of the said will and three codicils duly limited to Thomas Thompson the father of the said deceased Robert Stewart Thompson the Brother of the said deceased Edward Colbiornsen William Newton Samuel Newton John Gordon and Nicholas Richards the other Executors named in the said will and to John Rigger James Steven Fourall and James Rodgers the Executors named in the second codicil when they or either of them shall apply for the same. See Limited probate entered at length.

In the left margin of register page 62 is written (in a different hand) the following:
This Will with three Codicils was Proved at London the 24 Day of November 1796 before the worshipful John Fashoy Doctor of Law and surrogate by the oath of Robert Stewart Thompson the Brother of the dec'd and one of the Exers named in the said Will, to whom Admon was granted. Limited to all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased except those in Ireland and in the Island of Saint Christophers and als Limited until the original Will and two first Codicils or a more authentic Copy thereof shall be brought into and left in the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, but in further or otherwise, he, having been first sworn duly to Adm'r Power reserved of granting a Probate of the said Will and three Codicils duly Limited to Thomas Thompson the Father of the said dec'ed, Edwin Colbiornson, William Newton, John Gordon, and Nicholas Richards the other [-]owing Exer's named in the said Will and to John Rugger, John Theron Forrall and James Rodgers the Exer's named in the second Codicil, when they or either of them shall apply for the same.
See Limited Probate ent.'d at length.

Sources

• "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858". The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 1246. Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
  Ancestry Record 5111 #447323 (subscription required, accessed 17 June 2022). Will of Samuel Thompson Esq., granted probate on 23 May 1794. Died Abt 1794.