The Will of Christopher Chambers
Proved
1787, Swaffham Prior
CCE
VC 45:36, Copied from Microfilm in CCRO
CCE
VC 45:37, Could not find on microfilm at CCRO (indexing error?)
CCE
VAC 3:59, Not been microfilmed, need to contact CCRO
In
the name of God Amen I Christopher Chambers of the hamlett of West Reach in the
township of Swaffham Prior in the county of Cambridge yeoman being of sound mind
memory and understanding praised be God for the same do make and publish and
declare this my lasy will and testament in manner and form following (that is to
say) First I give and devise all and singular my messuages lands tenements and
hereditaments whatsoever situate standing lying and being in the bounds of Reach
and Swaffham Prior aforesaid with their and every of their appurtonances unto my
loving wife Sarah Chambers for and during the term of her natural life and from
and immediately after her decease I give and devise the same as followeth (that
is to say) First I give and devise all that my three roods (more or less) of
freehold Linch Ground lying and being in the bounds of Swaffham Prior aforesaid
unto my son Christopher Chambers and to his heirs and assigns for ever Also I
give and devise all those my three dolvers of freehold Fenn Ground together with
the Sedge Fenn part or parts lying and being in the bounds of Swaffham Prior
aforesaid unto my daughter Sarah Chambers and to her heirs and assigns forever
Also I give and devise all that my freehold messuages or tenements together with
the barns stables outhouses orchards yards and appurtenances thereunto belonging
situate and being in West Reach aforesaid unto my three daughters (that is to
say) Elizabeth Chambers Mary Chambers and Ann Chambers and o their several and
respective heirs to be equally divided between them share and share alike but if
it shall happen that any or either of my said three daughters (that is to say)
Elizabeth Mary or Ann Chambers shall die without leaving lawfull issue alive
before the said estate is divided as aforesaid then I do give order and direct
the part or share parts or shares of her or them so dying to belong to or be the
property of the longer livers or longer live of them Lastly all the rest residue
and remainder of my goods and chattels personal estates and credits whatsoever
(after the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses out of the said
personal estates) I give and bequeath the same unto my said loving wife Sarah
Chambers to be at her disposal and do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my
said wife Sarah Chambers sole executrix of this my last will and testament In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty thrid day of
February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five The
mark of C C Christopher Chambers signed sealed published and declared by the
testator Christopher Chambers for and as his last will and testament in the
presence of us who as witness thereof have subscribed our names at the request
and int he presence of the said testator and of each other Matthew Boors Matthew
Boors the younger Stephen Gardiner the younger
Proved
10th March 1787
Letters
of admon of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the deceased with
his will annexed were granted to Joseph Butcher a principal creditor of the said
deceased (Sarah Chambers the sole executrix herein named dying without proving
the same) the said Joseph Butcher being first sworn in due form of law and
before the Revd. John Shepard Surrogate.