The Will of John Webb, Chairmaker of Dorney, Buckinghamshire, 1702 - 1794

John Webb of Dorney, father of Henry Webb and grandfather of Martha Webb of Hammersmith (about whose Windsor chair making business an account may be found here in the second half of Robert Parrott's article at pp. 127 to 138) died in 1794.  

A full transcription of his will has never been published before.

In the Name of God Amen I John Webb of the parish of Dorney in the county of Bucks Chairmaker do make this my Will as follows ffirst I order all my debts which I shall owe my ffuneral and Testamentary Expenses to be paid out of my Personal Estate only I appoint my grandson Jeremiah Dell my Executor I devise my Messuage with the appurtenances in or near Lake End in the said county of Bucks now in the occupation of John Dell to his wife Sarah Dell my daughter her Heirs and Assigns for ever and I devise all the two Messuages or Tenements adjoining together with the Buildings thereunto belonging now in the occupation of the said Jeremiah Dell and William Green situate at Dorney aforesaid and the close of Meadow Land adjoining now in my own possession unto the said Jeremiah Dell his Heirs and Assigns forever I give to my Granddaughter Martha Webb the daughter of my late son Henry twenty pounds I devise All the Residue of my Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Real Estate whatsoever whether ffreehold or Copyhold to the said Jeremiah Dell and my friend Richard Sedding of Dorney aforesaid yeomen their Heirs and Assigns upon Trust to sell the Same by Public Auction as soon as conveniently may be and the clear Money arising from the sale after paying the Charges thereof I direct shall be divided and paid as follows namely one fourth part thereof to my daughter Ann Chitty one other fourth part to my daughter Elizabeth Windsor one other fourth part to the children of my late son Thomas Webb deceased and one other fourth part to the children of my late daughter Rebecca Grantham deceased and I declare that the purchasers of my said Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Real Estate or any part thereof shall not be obliged to see to the application of the purchase money or be answerable for the same or the Proapplication thereof or any part thereof but shall be at all times fully indemnified by the Receipt alone of my said Trustees or the survivor of them I give to my said grandson Jeremiah Dell twenty pounds and all my working tools belonging to the Chairmaking Business for the trouble which he may have as my Executor I give to my sister Elizabeth Buckland twenty pounds and I gave all the Residue of my Goods Chattels Leases Stocks Effects and Personal Estate whatsoever to the said Jeremiah Dell and Richard Sedding their Executors Administrators or Assigns in Trust to divide the same equally as follows namely one fifth part thereof to the said Sarah Dell one other fifth part to the said Ann Chitty one other fifth part to the said Elizabeth Windsor one other fifth part to the children of my late Son Thomas Webb and one other fifth part to the children of my said late daughter Rebecca Grantham and I declare that if one or other children of the said Sarah Dell Ann Chitty or Elizabeth Windsor shall die before me or before they have received their respective parts of my said Real and Personal Estates and the produce thereof respectively as aforesaid having Kin then I give the part of them or other of them so dying as aforesaid or such part thereof as shall not have been received unto his her or their Kin shall respectively by equal proportions as and when such Kin shall respectively attain their several ages of twenty one years and to be managed in the meantime for their advantage in such manner as my said Trustees shall think most beneficial and the which or any part thereof or the interest or dividends thereof to be by them from time to time applied for the benefit of such Kin respectively either by the apprenticing them or otherwise promoting their welfare as my said Trustees shall see occasion during their respective Minorities and if such Kin any or either of them shall die under the age of twenty one years the share of such of them so dying shall go to his her or their surviving Brothers and Sisters respectively or in default of such to his or her or their next of Kin And I declare that as my daughter Elizabeth Windsor is at this time labouring under a great Imbecility of Mind her legacies and the provisions which I have hereby made for her shall in case of her continuing to be in her present weak state be paid to her Sons in Trust to apply the same for her maintenance support or benefit in such manner as they shall think most beneficial during her life and after her decease I give the same in equal  proportions unto such of the children of my said daughter Elizabeth as shall be living at her decease and if but one of them shall be living then to such only child and I declare that my said Trustees shall not be answerable for more money than they shall actually receive nor the One for the other of them nor for the Acts Deeds or Management of the other of them nor for any involuntary loss and that they may deduct their Charges out of the Trust Estate aforesaid and I do hereby revoke all former Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made and do declare this to be my last in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three

John Webb 

Signed Sealed published and declared by the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our Hands as Witnesses

Jos. Pain Grocer at Windsor 

Stepn. Round Attorney at law 

Thomas Gleeds Clerk to Mr Round 

I Give my ffriend Richard Sedding before named in this my will ffive Guineas for his trouble as my Trustee dated the day and year last above written 

John Webb 

Witnesses Jos. Pain Stephn. Round Thomas Gleeds 

This Will  was proved at London with a codicil the twenty seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety four before the worship for William Battin Doctor of Law Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Jeremiah Dell the grandson and sole executor named in this will of the deceased to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer.

Transcribed from John Webb’s will in the National Archives reference PROB-11-1246-72

© Julian Parker 2020 

The Will of Henry Webb Windsor chair maker of the hamlet of Hammersmith 1731 - 1793

Henry Webb of Hammersmith (about whose Windsor chair making business an account may be found here in the second half of Robert Parrott's article at pp. 127 to 138) died in 1793.  

A full transcription of his will has never been published before. Throughout the will, where an abbrevation appears, it has been transcribed in full in square brackets. Thus 'Exors' appears as '[Executors]' and so on. The testator, his lawyer and lawyer's clerk were not great fans of punctuation. Sorry again.

In the name of God Amen I Henry Webb of the hamlet of Hammersmith in the parish of ffulham in the county of Middlesex Windsor Chair Maker being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding for which I thank God and desirious of avoiding all Differences and Disputes among my Kinsmen after my decease concerning my Estate and Effects Do make my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) ffirst I commit my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator in full hope of a joyfull Resurrection to eternal Life through the merits of my Redeemer and my Body I commit to the Earth to be buried in a Decent manner at the Discretion of my Executors hereinafter appointed and as to all my Estate and Effects both real and personal wherewith it has pleased Almighty God to bless me and which I now am or shall be seized and possessed of or entitled  at the time of my Decease I give devise and dispose thereof in manner following (that is to say) I Give and Devise and my Eldest son John Webb his heirs and assigns for ever all that my piece or parcel of ffreehold Land or and with the [Appurtenances] which I purchased of William ffaulkener Esquire situate in Hammersmith aforesaid adjoining to the Hampshire Hog Alehouse now in the possession of Allen Newman Gardiner Also I do hereby Give and Devise unto my said Son John Webb his Heirs and Assigns for ever all that my Copyhold Messuage or Tenement situate in Hammersmith aforesaid wherein I now live and reside and carry on my Trade and Business with all and every the Erections Buildings Workshops Timber Yard and all other Yards Gardens and [Appurtenances] whatsoever thereunto belonging as the same now are in my hands and Possession except the Chamber wherein my Daughter Martha Webb usually sleeps and the Bed Bedding and all the ffurniture and Goods therein which I do hereby Give to my said Daughter and also reserve the said Chamber to and for the use and accommodation of my said Daughter with ffull liberty at all times of going and returning to and from and using the same in a ffamily way as she has always done for and during such time as she shall think fit or desire to retain and keep the said Room without paying any Rent or making any satisfaction or Compensation whatever to her said Brother for the same Also I do hereby Give and Devise unto my son Henry Webb his Heirs and Assigns for ever all those my two Copyhold Tenements with their [Appurtenances] situate and being in ffrog Lane in Hammersmith aforesaid and which are known or Distinguished by the Numbers 1&2 and now are in the several Tenures or Occupations of James Adams Basket Maker and Edward Phelps Gardener together with the large Shed erected behind the same and adjoining thereto and which is now used as a Store House with the Ground leading from the Corner of the said Storehouse to the Corner Part of James Adams Yard Also I do hereby Give and Devise unto my said Daughter Martha Webb her Heirs and Assigns for ever all that my other Copyhold Messuage or Tenement situate in ffrog Lane aforesaid known or distinguished by No. 3 and now in the Tenure or Occupation of Mr Lyonsworth with the Yard Garden and all other [Appurtenances] thereto belonging all which said Copyhold Messuages or Tenements and Premises hereinbefore Devised unto and for the use and benefit of my said three Kinsmen and their respective Heirs and Assigns in manner aforesaid are held of the Lord of the Manor of ffulham and have been duly surrendered by me to the use of my last Will and Testament Also I do hereby Give and Bequeath unto my said Daughter Martha Webb six hundred Pounds part of my Capital Stock now standing in the Transfer Books in my name in the new ffour per Cent Bank Annuities to and for her own sole and separate use and benefit and that the same or any part thereof shall not be subject to or liable to the Debts Controll or Engagements of any Husband my said Daughter shall happen to marry But that her Receipt above notwithstanding such Coverture shall be sufficient Discharge for the same also I Give and Bequeath unto my said Son John Webb one hundred Pounds other part of my Stock in the same ffund for his own use and benefit Also I Give and Bequeath unto my said Son Henry Webb two hundred and ffifty Pounds other part of my said Stock in the same ffund for his own use and benefit Also I Give and Bequeath and to the Churchwarden and overseers of the Poor of the Hamlet of Hammersmith aforesaid and their successor Churchwarden and overseers of the Poor for the time being ffifty Pounds Residue of the said Stock in the same ffund in Trust to receive and take the Dividends thereof from time to time as the same shall become due and payable and lay out the same in Bread to be free distributed unto and amongst such poor persons of the said Hamlet as they shall think most worthy of free Relief and at such times and in such manner as they shall in their discretion think proper Also I Give and Bequeath all my Household Goods and Furniture Books Plate China Household Linnen Clocks Watches Utensils and all other my Chattels and Effects whatsoever which now are all shall be in or about my said Dwelling House at Hammersmith aforesaid at the time of my Decease save and except my Wearing Apparel unto my said Sons John and Henry Webb and my said Daughter Martha Webb in and buy equal parts or shares and in order to prevent Disputes or Differences among my Children said to render such disposition as equal as possible It is my Will and I do hereby Direct that all the Household ffurniture Plates China Linnen Goods Chattels and Effects hereinbefore given to my said three Children shall in due time after my Decease be valued and appraised by some Broker or Auctioneer chosen by them or come by and on the behlaf of each of them and shall be divided into three lots parts or shares as near in value as possible and that one of such third parts or shares shall be Allotted and Delivered to and for the use and benefit of the said John Webb my Older Son another third part or share to and for the use and benefit of the said Henry Webb my Younger Son and the other third part or share to and for the use and benefit of my said Daughter Martha Webb and if such parts or shares shall not be perfectly agreeable to my said Children then I direct that lots shall be drawn by them for their respective parts or shares and that the same shall be conclusive. Also I do hereby Give and Bequeath all my Wearing Apparel whatsoever to my said two Sons John and Henry Webb to be Divided between them in such manner as shall be most agreeable to them also I do hereby Give and Bequeath to my said two Sons John and Henry Webb all my Stock in Trade consisting of Chairs Timber Wood Utensils Implements and other things and Materials in the way of my Trade or Business which I shall be possessed of at the time of my Decease equally between them share and share alike and in order to prevent any Dispute or Difference between them and to render such Disposition as equal as Possible it is my Will and I do hereby Direct that all such Stock in Trade Chairs Timber Wood Utensils Implements and other things and Materials as aforesaid shall in due and Convenient time after my Decease be valued and appraised by one or two Indifferent Persons Conversant in the said Business and shall be Divided into two lots or shares as near in value as can be ascertained and that one of such lots or shares shall be Allotted and Delivered to and for the use and benefit of the said John Webb and the other lot or shares shall be Allotted and Delivered to and for the use and benefit of the said Henry Webb and in Case such allotment or share shall not be perfectly agreeable to my said Sons then I direct that lots shall be drawn by them for their respective part or share which shall be Conclusive and I do recommend to my said Sons to be kind and affectionate to their Sister and to give her such Assistance as they conveniently can and live in love and friendship and behave with a proper Regard and Respect to each other also I do hereby Give and Bequeath to Mr James Lasbrey and Mr Nathan Smith of Hammersmith aforesaid the Sum of ten Pounds each for their Trouble as my Executors in and about the Execution of this my Will and subject to and after payment of all my Just Debts or ffuneral and Testamentary Charges and Expenses and of the said Pecuniary Legacies and also subject to the several specific Bequests hereinbefore contained I do hereby Give and Bequeath all my other Monies and Securities for Money and all the Rest and Residue of my Stock or Annuities in the Public ffunds and also all Debts and Sums of Money which shall be due and owing to me in Trade or Business at the time of my Deceased and all other my Personal Estate and Effects of what nature or kind soever which I shall then be possessed of or intitled onto and which shall be belonging to or owing to me in any Right Ways or Means whatsoever unto my said two Sons John and Henry Webb and my said Daughter Martha Webb in and by equal parts or shares or proportions for their respective use and benefit and I do also Will and Direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said Executors respectively and their respective Executors and [Administrators] from time to time in the first Place to receive and to take or Deduct out of the said Monies and Estate to their own respective use and uses all such Costs Charges Damages and Expenses whatsoever as they or either of them shall pay expend all be put unto or sustain in or about the Execution Performance Proof or Defence of this my Will or any deduction [?] Matter or thing Relating thereto and to retain from time to time reasonable sums of Money for their Incidental Expenses and ffurther that neither of my said Executors shall be answerable or accountable for any more than they shall actually receive and that neither of them shall be answerable or accountable for the Acts Deeds Receipts or Payments of the other of them but each of them with and for his own Acts Deeds Receipts or Payments only and Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint the said James Lasbrey and the said Nathan Smith Executors of this my will and hereby revoking all and every other Will or Wills by me at any time heretofore made do declare this alone to be and contain my last Will and Testament in Witness Whereof I the testator Henry Webb have to this my said last Will and Testament contained in the four sheets of paper to the first second and third sheets wrote my name into this ffourth and last sheet set my hand and seal this ffifth Day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three

Henry Webb 

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Testator Henry Webb as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have at his request and in his presence and that of each other subscribed our names as as Witnesses thereto 

Robert Taylor

Joseph Cromwell

Greg Geering 

Hammersmith 

Whereas I have by my last Will and Testament bearing Date the ffifth Day of May instant Given and Bequeathed unto my two Sons John and Henry Webb all my Stock in Trade to be equally Divided between them in a manner therein particularly mentioned now I do hereby subject the same and every part thereof with the payment of the Sum of ffifty Pounds to my Daughter Martha Webb and Direct the same to be paid by my said two Sons out of the Produce thereof as soon as conveniently maybe after my Decease Also I Give and Bequeath to my Niece Mary Carter the sum of £20 to be paid to her within 12 months next after my Decease and it is my Desire and I do hereby Declare that this paper writing shall be taken as a codicil to my said Will be added thereto and to confirm my said Will in all other respects Witness my hand and seal this twenty eighth Day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three

Henry Webb 

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Henry Webb as a Codicil to his said Will in the presence of us 

James Self 

Greg Geering 

This Will was proved at London with a Codicil the 5th of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three before the worshipful Maurice Swabey Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of James Lansbrey and Nathan Smith the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased was granted having been first sworn duly to Administer.

Transcribed from the original in the National Archives Reference PROB-11-1234-3.

© Julian Parker 2020