HAWKINS Wills in England
So far, this page only has wills as typed and offered by Leslie Hill, who attaches this notice:
N.B. - Compiled by J.A.C. Richardson Dec 1990 from U.K. P.R.O. for research on Hawkins family on behalf of L.B. Hill. For the most part they are transcripts of what was on the film, but here and there, the legal rigmarole has been condensed and an abstract made of the nitty gritty of the will. When brackets () have been used, then that is an exact copy of the will. When square brackets [ ] are used, that is an abbreviation of the actual text.
More submissions of material for this site are welcome! Credits and any links desired will of course be given. Email email me.
Will of JOHN HAWKINS, Sr, of Bristol
PROB/11/403 1691 HAWKINS, Senior, Brewer of Bristol, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate Folio 38
JOHIS HAWKINS Senior IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Hawkins the Elder of the City of Brifstol Brewer being somewhat indisposed as to my health but prayfed by God of sound minde and dispofsing memory Doe therfore and for preventing all difference that might of ift about the Division of my Efstate make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and forme following That is to say my ffirst of all I comend my Spiritt into the hands of my Creator Almighty God afsuredly hopeing to obtaine pardon of all my Sinnes and life Everslafting through the ... meritts of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer and my body I comitt to the Earth to bee decently interred in the Parish
Church of Temple within the sayd Citty as neare as conveniently may bee to the corpes of my late deceased wife and the manner and management of my ffunerall I leave to my Executor herin after named Only I desire that .... Chetwind if living at the time of my death may pertain my ffuneral Service And for soe doing I give him ffourty shillings And that on the day of my ffuneral Three pounds in bread bee difstributed amongft pooore people. And my will is that my brother-in-law Mr Mathew Rogers and my good friends Mr John Cooke Mr Johi Smit Mr Ralph Grant Mr William Bufh and Mr Robert Lyppiatt if then living may for by my Corps as Bearers or holders upp of the (?) Scarfe And I give to each of them a Ring of Twenty Shillings Vallue to bee worne in my remembrance And as to the residue of that Worldly estate which it hath pleafed God to Blefs mee with all and which I shall att my Death I dispose thereof as followeth to witt Imprimis I give unto my eldest son John Hawkins his heirs and assigns forever my messuage and tenement situate in, Temple Streete in the sayd City of Bristol late inthe holding of William Attwood Tobacconist and with the appurtenances and allso all things and goods therin [in exchange therefore son John was to pay a yearly rent to his father's sister Margery Horsington Widowe for her natural life. It tobe paid in
four instalments on Christmas Day, Michaelmas Day, the Feast of John the Baptist and at the Annunciation She to have power to seize if regular payments were not made to her.] I Give to my seyd sonne John Hawkins and to his Executors heirs and assigns my Messuage and Tenement with the appurtenances situate being in Temple Streete aforeseyd which I hold by Grant from the pre...... belonging to the Company of Weavers and now or late in the occupation of William Palmer and others my Under Tenants all my decent estate ...... Item I give to my sonne Walter Hawkins all my goods and household stuffe in my late dwelling house And I hereby rattifye and confirme the
sale I made unto him of the Caske and other Implements of Brewery when I gave over my Trade unto him amounting to Seaventy poundes and upwards and I dothe hereby Order my Executor if my sayd sonne Walter shall require it to Res.... his Right and Interest of in and to me I give and bequeath to my sayd sonne Walter Hawkins and his wife [Ten pounds to buy them rings] Item I give to my Grandsonne John Hawkins sonne of the sayd Walter Hawkins my greate Silver Tankard and my plaine Silver Spoones And I give to his son Walter my other Grandsonne my Cr.... Silver Tankard And my Will and that the sayd plate shall be delivered to my sayd sonne Walter for their
use and that a receipt therefore from my sayd Sonne shall bee good Discharge to my Executor Item I give to my sone Francis Hawkins and to his Executors Annuitants and Assignes my late built mefsuage or Tenement with the appurtenances situatte on Temple Backs being Temple Churchland late in the holding of my sonne-in-law George Tyte and now the Widdowe Daniel and all my Terme and Interest and likewise all goods and ffurniture therin but my Will and meaning is that my sayd sonne Francis shall within the space of Twelve months next after my decease pay unto my daughter Frances Brent Widow the sum of ffifty poundes oof lawfull money of England which if hee shall
refuse to doe Then I give the seyd messuage or Tenemnet with the appurtenances and all my Terme or Interest therin to my seyd daughter Frances Brent Item I give to my seyd sonne Francis Hawkins and his wife Tenn poundes to buy them mourning apparell Allsoe I doe releafe him my sayd sonne Francis of the debt he oweth mee Uppon Bond Item I give to my daughter Mary Tyte my late new built Messuage or Tenemnet with appurtenances situate and being in Temple Street aforeseyd being hofspitall Lands formerly in the Tenure of Martha (?) ffreticott Widowe and now in the holding of Timothy Wichart my undertenant And all my Estate terme and Interest therein with
the Goods and furnishings ... belonging But my will and meaning is and I doe hereby give unto my sonne Humfrey Hawkins for and during much of my terme and Interest as hee shall live The Shoppe of and belonging to the seyd Messuage or Tenement during the whole time of St Paul's ffaire yearly and for as many days in the seyd ffaire as my nowe Tenant Mr Gray holds and enjoys the same and together with all the libertyes and priviledges enjoyed by the seyd Mr Gray But my will and further is and I doe hereby order and appoint my sayd Daughter Mary Tyte and my sayd sonne Humfrey Hawkins to pay unto my seyd Daughter Brent the somme of Twenty and five poundes of
lawful money of England apeece within the sppace of Twelve months next after my decease which if They or either of them shall refuse to doe Then I give Unto my sayd daughter Brent That parte of the sayd Messuage and Tenement soe given unto him or her which shall refuse to make such payment (whilst Humfrey had the use of the shop he was to pay 20 shillings a year to his sister Mary Tyte and her husband George Tyte. Testator gave 10 to Mary and her husband for mourning) I give to my Grand daughter Mary Tyte the Curtains Wollens bedding sheets and other things properly belonging to my Chamber except my Scriptoir and the sideboard to the usually putt
in the same which sideboard and all things in the sayd scriptoir together with the same ... I give to my sayd sonne John Hawkins Item I give to my Grand Daughter Amy Tyte my small silver mugg or Cupp that my sister ..... gave mee And I give to my Grand Sonne John Tyte my Silver Porringer which goods and plate shall be delivered to their father George Tyte for their use and his Receipt therefore shall be a good Discharge to my Executor Item i give to my sayd Daughter Brent five poundes to buy mourning I give to my sayd sonne Humfrey Hawkins my Plane Silver Th...... and my fower Appofstle Spoones Allsoe I give unto him the sum of five poundes and to my sonne Thomas Hawkins and his wife Ten poundes to buy them mourning [his own mourning rings were to be distributed as follows, one to John Hawkins, 1 to Walter Hawkins, 1 to Francis Hawkins, 1 to Thomas Hawkins and the last one to Humfrey Hawkins. Rings of twenty shillings value were to be provided for each daughter-in-law and for his sister-in-law Mrs Foster ..... residue of moveable goods to goto eldest son John Hawkins]
In witness whereof I have to this my last will and Testament
*[ N.B.]
I give to my sayd severall sonnes and daughters and their respective partners nowe in the pofsefsion of my sonne Walter Item I give to my sister the summe of fourty shillings as a small Token of my Love to her and Igive to Sarah (?) JONDS my daughter Tytes maid servant fourty shillings if she be dwelling there att the time of my deceafe Item all the reft and residue of my moneys plate Debts Chattels and Efstate whatsoever and wherever not hereby by me particularly given away all my Just Debts Legacyes and ffunerall expenses being firft payed and satisfyd and discharged I wholly give and bequeath unto my sayd Eldest sonne John Hawkins whom I doe hereby make and constitute sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament Item Whereas upon the marryage of my sayd sonne John I settled soe much of my then dwelling house and Brewhoufe in Temple Street afoursayd as was my Inheritance late of Mr George (?G)ibbs deceased which are adjacent to and afoursayd and inter ...impted with my sayd Then dwelling house and Brewhoufe and therefore very convenient to bee enjoyned together Now that the same may not be severed I give and bequeath to my sayd Sonne John Hawkins his Executors and Administrators and Allfo all and singular the houfeing and things in or neere Temple Streete aforesayd which I held by Grant from the sayd Mr Gibbs and all my estate Terms and Interest therein And I will and defire him my sayd sonne (if he cannpofsibly) either to buy the Reversion and Inheritance thereof or to enlarge the Terme and Interest therein And that soe may not be plaied on by the heire of the sayd Mr Gibbs in point of price I enjoyn all my other children that not one of them prefume to tamper with such heire for any Estate or Interest in this laft mentioned premifses or to inter meddle the .... about to my sayd sonne Johns prejudice Laftly I doe hereby revoke all other and former wills by mee att any time made and doe declare this my Last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament contained in this Six Sheets of paper sett my Seale and to each sheete thereof subfcribed my name this Nine and Twentyeth day of July in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand Six Hundred and Ninety John Hawkins Then signed sealed and publifhed and delivered in the presence of
Ric hd: Yeamans Giles Andrews Thomas Williams Rich'd Higgins
Probate, London 18 August 1691 to John Hawkins son and Executor.
*[N.B. - There has been an omission of text when the actual will was copied into the Court Register.
The Public Record Office supply film of the Register containing Court copies of wills. To see an actual will is virtually impossible].
Will of FRANCIS HAWKINS of Bristol
PROB/11/409 1692 HAWKINS, Francis Merchant of Bristol 1692 folio 87 Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate May 1692
IN THE NAME OF GOD I ffrancis Hawkins of the City of Bristol Merchant being at present sick and weak in body but praised be God of sound and perfect mind and memory and considering with my self the certainty of death do therefore make this my Last Will and
Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) ffirst and Chief of all I Comend my Spirit into the hands of Almighty God my Creator afsuredly hoping to obtaine pardon and remission of all my Sinns in and through the alone meritts and mediation of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer And my body I comitt to the Earth to be decently interred in the Parish Church of Temple as neare as Conveniently may be to the graves of my late deceased ffather and Mother there And I give to the Minister for preaching my ffunerall sermon One Guinea and summe of forty shillings to be laid out in bread and distributed on the day of my ffunerall to and amongst the poor of the said parish And as for that Worldly Estate which God Almighty in his infinite mercy hath afforded me in this life I dispose thereof as followeth (vizt) Imprimis I give and bequeath to my loving wife Katherine Hawkins the mefsuage or tenement wherein I now
dwell situate on Temple Back and being Temple Church land to hold to her and her Executors heires and Assigns for and during all the term and interest whiich shall be come therein at the time of my decease but my Will and meaning is that Considering the great Charges I have been at and expended in repairing and recidfying the same that my said wife shall pay and satisfy unto my Sister Frances Brent widdowe the summe of ffifty poundes of lawful money of England being a legacy left by my late deceased father John Hawkins to my said Sister in and by his Last Will and Testament and by such will charged on and payable out of the said house Item I give to my said wife all and singular pewter brasse bedding linnen woolen and all other household goods whatsoever plate and rings only except such as shall be remaining in my said house at the time of my decease [also leaves to wife his messuage or tenement in Redcliffe Street] within the said City of Bristol being Dean and Chapter land and now in the holding and occupation of Ffrancis Cadawallader Sopemaker together with all such services and buildings [etc to his wife and her representatives subject to 20/- per annum for rent of the land and 5 poundes per annum to Christian Jones in accordance with the will of his late Mother-in-law Mrs Dennis Pitts deceased. His wife to have his grey mare with saddle and other furnishings, his silver pendulum watch and the sum of 4 poundes owed on bond by Mr Henry Grey - she to decide whether any part of that sum should be remitted] I give and devise and bequeath unto my eldest sonne ffrancis Hawkins and the heirs of his body lawfully to be begotten all and singular my messuages tenements lands and premises situate lying and being in Bedminster in the County of Somerset but my will and meaning is that my Executors shall out of my sonne ffrancis his share of my Personal Estate pay to the Churchwarden of the parish of Redcliffe the summe of Thirty pounds charged on the said tenements and lands by my said mother-in-law Mrs Dennis Pitts in and by her said will and for defaults of such ifsue I give and devise and bequeath the said tenements and
lands unto my Son John Hawkins and the heirs of his body lawfully to be begotten and for defaulte of such ifsue I give and devise the same unto my brother Mr Walter Hawkins and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever subject nevertheless to the payment of the summe of Thirty pounds to my wife if she shall then be living Item I [to son Francis silver tobacco box, to wife and children all plate and rings except gold signet ring which was to go to the Testator's brother-in-law Phillip Pitts. His wife to have the use of all the plate until the children were 21 whereupon it was to be divided equally between the three of them. If, however, his wife was to remarry the plate was to become the property of his two sons straightaway. He confirmed gifts made to his wife of gold and jewellry before and since their marriage. To his brothers Thomas Hawkins and Humphrey Hawkins to his sister Brent and to his sister Mary Tyte he left one guinea each to buy rings. Left to Mr Henry Grey his new suit of black cloths and silk stockings and two best Beaver hatts - if he willing to accept them - all other such items to be disposed of by his wife].
I give to my brother Sir John Hawkins my case of pistolls and to my said brother Walter Hawkins my Scimetor and belt with the silver buckles and to my brother-in-law Mr George Tyte my Indian punch bowl and my two large new paper books for the keeping of Merchants
Accounts [leaves everthing else including residue of money, wares, goods, merchandise, shipping, chattels, books and other Personal Estate to his brothers John and Walter Hawkins and brother-in-law George Tyte who were to be his Executors. Ninety pounds to be set aside for his children that representing the one eighth part of the value of the ship John and Francis left to them by their late grandmother Mrs Dennis Pitts. When all debts and legacies paid the Executors to divide all that remained of his personal Estate equally between his wife and two children investing the children's shares in Merchandizing or interest as they considered best. His wife to be allowed 12 pounds per annum per child for their maintenance and education. If one child died before reaching 21 his share was to pass to the other son. Should both sons die underage their shares devolved on their mother but she give 50 pounds to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the parish of Temple to be invested and the interest thereon used to provide bread for the poor on the 4th January for ever. A guinea to each Executor to buy him a ring and they to deduct all expenses incurred by their task] and request them that if they hear
of the arrival of the said ship John and ffrancis at Virginia in which said ship and the Cargo I am concerned four eights befides a private adventure that they will for the benefit of my said wife and children cause 500 poundes to be insured on the return of the said ship to the port of Bristol and if God Almighty shall by his providence send the said safe I doe hereby request my said brother-in-law George Tyte to give his attendance and use his diligence in the said ships' discharge [then revoke all former wills, published and declared this to be his last will and testament on 5 sheets of paper dating it 24th November 1691
Witnessed by Edward Bough Theodor Dennis
Richard Higgins Joh Weaver
Probate London 14 May 1692 to John and Walter Hawkins who attended in person. George Tyte did not make the journey but had affirmed his intention to faithfully perform his task.]
Will of BUCKLER HAWKINS of Bristol
PROB/11/835 Prerogative Court of Canterbury Will of Hawkins, Buckler of Bristol 1758 Jan folio 13
This is the Last Will and Testament of me Buckler Hawkins of the City of Bristol Brewer whereof I appoint Mr Joseph
Little Tobacconist and Mr James Smith Hosier both of the said City Executors In Trust and Guardians of the person
and Estate of my Daughter Mary Hawkins untill my said Daughter shall attain her age of Twenty One Years (debts to
be paid all residue both real and personal to the Trustees Joseph Little and James Smith or the survivor of them or the
heirs Executors or Administrators of such survivor) .... as they shall think proper in the maintenance and education
of my said Daughter untill she attain her age of Twenty One Years or is married first happening and then trust to grant
and convey my said Trust Estate and the whole profits and proceeds ..... to my said Daughter
(if Mary should die young everything to go to the testator's nephew John Hawkins son of his brother John Hawkins.
If young John should die then to his brother Matthew, another of the testator's nephews.)
Will dated 26th March 1754 - one of the witnesses was Charles Hawkins
Probate 9th January 1758 to Joseph Little and James Smith
Will of JAMES HAWKINS of Kent
PROB/11/923 1766 HAWKINS, James of Kent Novr 413 - Prerogative Court of Canterbury Will
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I James Hawkins of East Malling in the County of Kent Gent., being of Sound and Disposing Mind and Memory (praised be God) do make and ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament in Writing in manner following (that is to say) after all the just Debts of every kind which I shall .... at my decease legacies and ffuneral Expenses and Satisfyed and paid I give and devise all this my Mefsuage and Tenement with the Barn Stable Yard Garden and one piece or parcel of Land containing by Estimation two acres and half or more or lefs with the appurtenances Situate lying and being at or near a certain place called Milhale in the parish of Aylesford in the said County and now or late in the several termes or Occupations of Daniel Ward and Widow Hodges and Thomas Crouch some or one of them their sons or out of their undertenants or afsiigns and also all that peice or parcel of Woodland with the appurtenances containing in the whole by Estimation twenty six acres more or less lying and being in the parish of East Malling aforesaid and now in my own Occupation and also that Mefsuage and Tenement with the Stables Backside Garden and appurtenances situate lying and being in West Street in the Town of Maidstone in this said County and commonly called or known by the Name or Sign of the Anchor and Hope and now or late in the tenure or Occupation of Richard Hubbard and also all that Mefsuage commonly called or known by the Name or Sign of the Sun situate and being in the Middle Row in the High Street in Maidstone aforesaid commonly called or known with the Shop Hereditaments and premifses thereto belonging with the appurtenances and now or late in the tenure or occupation of Mefsieurs May and Brenchley their undertenants or Afsigns and also all that Mefsuage or Tenement and premifses with the appurtenances in West Street in
Maidstone aforesaid commonly called or known by the Name or Sign of the Three Compafses and now or late in the tenure and occupation of the said Mefsieurs May and Brenchley their undertenants and also all that Mefsuage or Tenement now in two Dwellings with the Garden and appurtenances in East Lane in Maidstone aforersaid and now or late in the several tenures or occupations of Thomas Pollard and the Widow Cooke unto Philip Hosner [or perhaps Honour] son of John Hosner of Milhale aforesaid and to the heirs of his body lawfully ifsuing and for want or in default of such heirs of him the said Philip I give and devise the said several Mefsuages or Tenements Lands hereditaments and premises with the appurtenances unto my own right heirs for ever I give and Bequeath unto my ffriend Daniel Ward of Milhale aforesaid Gentleman ten pounds to be paid him within three months next after my decease and after all the just debts of every kind which I shall owe at my decease my ffuneral expenses and the aforesaid Legacy are Satisfyd and paid I give and bequeath all and singular the Rest and Residue of my ready money Securities for Money plate linnen Goods Chattels alsorts and personal Estate
of what Nature or kindsoever or wheresoever it shall be which I shall be pofsefsed of interested in or entitled unto at the time of my decease unto him the said Philip Hosner and it is my Mind and Will and I hereby order and direct that my personal Estate shall be in the first place applied to satisy and discharge all and Singular my debts ffuneral Expenses and the aforesaid Legacy and if my said personal Estate shall be insufficient for that purpose and will not extend to satisfy and discharge the same Then and in such Case only notwithstanding the several devisors aforesaid I give and devise unto my said friend Daniel Ward all and Singular the said Mefsuages and
Tenements lands hereditaments and premifses with the appurtenances To hold the same to him the said Daniel Ward his heiirs and afsigns for ever In trust neverthelefs That the said Daniel Ward and his heirs shall and do so soon as conveniently may be after my decease absolutely sell and dispose of or mortgage for any Term or Terms of years not exceeding one thousand years in the whole all or so much and such part of the said Mefsuages or Tenements Lands hereditaments and premifses so devised to him as aforesaid as shall be necefsary for the purposes hereafter mentioned (that is to say) To satisfy and discharge out of the Money arising by such sale or Mortgage the Residue and Remainder of my said Debts Legacies and ffuneral Expenses which my personal Estate will not extend to pay as aforesaid And it is my Will and desire and I hereby order and direct That the aforesaid premifses in Maidstone and at Milhale shall be first sold and disposed of or Mortgaged for the purposes aforesaid and if the said Daniel Ward shall raise the said Money by way of Mortgage only of all or any part or parts of the said premiifses Then I herevy declare that it is my Mind and Will that the said premises devised for that purpose or such part or parts thereof which shall be comprized in such Mortgage or Mortgages from and after the End or other sooner determination of the respective Term or Terms of years for which they shall be respectively Mortgaged by the said Daniel Ward or his heirs as aforesaid shall be and remain to and for the several uses and Estates herein before by me first limitted noated and appointed concerning the same and that such part or partes of the said premiifses of which no such disposition by Sale or Mmortgage shall be made by the sid Daniel Ward or his heirs shall be and remain to and for the several uses and Estates herein before by me first limitted noated
and appointed respectively concerning the same notwithstanding the said devise to the said Daniel Ward as aforesaid as if the same had not been made to him and I hereby devise ratify and confirm the same accordingly Also it is my Will that the said Daniel Ward and his heirs shall and may have and retain and keep out of the said Mortgage or purchase money all such reasonable Costs Charges and Expenses as he or They shall be put unto for or by Reason of the sforesaid Trust I constitute and appoint him the said Daniel Ward to be the sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament and hereby revoking all former Wills by me made I declare this only to be and contain my Last Will and Testament In Witnefs whereof I have to this my Last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper subscribed my Hand to the first sheet and subscribed my Hand and affixed my Seal to this second and last sheet this seventh day of August one thousand seven hundred and sixty six Jas Hawkins
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator James Hawkins as and for his Last Will and Testament In presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in presence of each other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses
Edw'd Fowle, Rich'd Gammon, Tho: Willard
This will was proved at London the twenty seventh Day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and sixty six before the Worshipful James Marriott Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipful George Hay Doctor of Laws Master Keeper and Commifsary ot the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Daniel Ward the sole executor named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased having been first sworn to duly administer. Ex'd.
Will of JOHN HAWKINS of Bristol
PROB/11/1216 1792 HAWKINS, John of Bristol Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate 154
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Hawkins of the City of Bristol Woolen Draper do make this my Last Will and Testament I desire to be buried in a private and decent manner in Temple Church Bristol at the discretion of my exectruix after named I desire all my just debts ffuneral Expences and the charges of proving this my Will shall in the first place be paid and satisfied Item I ratify and confirm all and every Settlement and Settlements and Articles made on or subsequent to my marriage with my present wife Elizabeth and do hereby declare that the produce and ffortunes made and provided therein and thereby for my said wife or children is not by me intended to be hereby altered in any respect the same being to take place in the manner therein provided But all my own Estate right and Interest limited or reserved me in or Under such Settlements or articles which I have power to dispose of and also my mefsuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments whatsoever and all my personal Estate and Effects whatsoever In.... to dispose of by this my Will In the first place I give and devise and bequeath unto my good friends Jeremy Baker of Redlands in the Parish of Westbury upon Trim in the County of Gloucester Esq., William Fry the younger Distiller and William East Druggist both of the said City of Bristol and to the Survivors and Survivor of them the sum of Two thousand pounds of lawful money upon trust in them and the Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators to put and place for the same at Interest upon such Securities and in such manner as they and the Survivors and Survivor of them shall judge safe and Expedient and from time to time to pay and apply the Interest and Increase therefrom arising for the Maintenance and Education of my two daughters Elizabeth and Amy Carew at present my only children and such other child and
children as I shall or may happen to have and leave at my death until such several children shall respectively arrive unto the age of twenty and one years or be respectively married with the consent of my wife Elizabeth if living and in case of the death of one or more of such my children before such age or marriage with such consent or in case only or either of them shall marry without such consent and happen to dye before attaining the full age of twenty and one years then in trust as to the part or share or portions thereof of such child or children dying or marrying without such consent for the Survivors and Survivor of such children or child when they shall respectively attain unto such age of twenty and one years or marry with such consent and in case they shall all dye before such age or marriage aforesaid then In trust for my said wife Elizabeth her Executors and Administrators and my Will is that the said Two thousand pounds shall be raised and paid out of my Personal Estate and Effects if suffcient if not the deficiency out of my Real Estate and that my said wife shall have the care and management of my children and shall be paid by my Trustees the Increase and Interest respectively of my childrens' ffortune to be by her applyed for the purpose of their respective Maintenance and Education as long as she shall properly lay out and expend the same and her management shall not be disapproved of by my said Trustees and my said Will and desire is that when and as soon as any or either of my children shall respectively attain the age of twenty and one years or be married with the consent of my said wife (etc etc) that such child shall be paid her or his share [etc etc when all the children had received their shares of the 2,000 pounds his widow was to receive the income from the lands tenements etc held by his Trustees for the term of her natural life. He emphasised that the 2,000 pounds set aside for his children was in addition to Marriage and other settlements already entered into. Trustees to each be responsible for any error made by himself but not for the acts of the others. His wife Elizabeth to receive the residue of his Personal Estate and effects. She made his sole executrix. He revoked all former wills].
IN WITNESS whereof I the said John Hawkins have to this my Last Will and Testament contained in this and two preceding pages have subscribed my name and to this last page have subscribed my name and set my seal this tenth day of June One Thousand seven hundred and eighty JOHN HAWKINS.
Signed sealed and published and declared ........
Witnesses Fran' Ward attorney William Garnsey, John Williams
Proved London 9th March 1792 Probate to Elizabeth Hawkins widow sole executrix
Will of MARY HAWKINS of Bristol
PROB/11/1249 September 459 of 1794 The Will of Mary Hawkins widow of Bristol dated 25 July 1793 to which she made her mark witnessed by George Smith and Joseph Safford
Probate London 5 August 1794 by the oaths of William Williams and Arthur Sandall the two executors named.
To my son William Hawkins twenty pounds [she mentions a bond dated 24 June 1783 by which her said son became indebted to his mother's late brother Mr Peter (?) Gallant in sum of one hundred pounds at 3% Interest and which became her property on death of her brother. She now releases him therefrom] To my daughter Sarah Whitford twenty pounds [5 pounds each to her executors Mr William Williams of the Bristol Customs and Mr Arthur Sandall peruke maker. 115 pounds in trust to the said executors to be invested and the proceeds to go to her grandchildren - to the eldest daughter of her son William Hawkins 10 pounds plus interest and similar to each of William's other four children. Similar bequests to the two children of her son John Hawkins. To William son of her daughter Mary Shears
and likewise to each of Mary's other two children, similarly to each of the offspring of her daughter Sarah Whitford. 10 pounds to be set aside for educating her granddaughter Elizabeth Hawkins. The residue of her estate to be divided into three equal parts; one part for her son John Hawkins and his heirs, one part to her executors to pay her daughter Mary Shears and her heirs, the remaining third to be invested by her executors and the interest paid to her daughter Sarah Whitford for her own use and benefit. After Sarah's death her children to benefit from the interest.]
N.B. - All wills on this page were compiled by J.A.C. Richardson Dec 1990 from U.K. P.R.O. for research on Hawkins family on behalf of L.B. Hill. For the most part they are transcripts of what was on the film, but here and there, the legal rigmarole has been condensed and an abstract made of the nitty gritty of the will. When brackets () have been used, then that is an exact copy of the will. When square brackets [] are used, that is an abbreviation of the actual text.