Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/529/224, will of John Rosewell, Gentleman of Saint Dunstan Stepney, Middlesex, dated 27 October 1712.
Last Will of John Rosewell
In the Name of God Amen I John Rosewell formerly of Port Royall in the Island of Jamaica but now of the parish of St Dustan’s Stepney in the County of Middlesex Gentn seriously considering the certainty of Death and the great uncertainty when I shall dye and now being of sound mind and memory praised be God for the same Doe make and declare this my last Will and Testament as followeth. Imprimis I resign my soul unto God the Creator of all things and my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken in hopes that by the only meritts and mediation of my Lord and Saviour it shall arise again unto Life everlasting. And as for my worldly Estate I give bequeath as followeth (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Judith Rosewell all and singular my money and Estate whatsoever now in the hands or power of any person or persons in the said Island of Jamaica or elsewhere and all my Goods Chattles and personal Estate whatsoever upon the Trusts herein after exprest (that is to say) That she my said Wife doe and shall pay unto my Nephew Thomas Harris the sum of fifty pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain within one year after my decease and doo and shall keep and maintain Ann Harris daughter of the said Thomas Harris until she shall attain the Age of Twenty years and after she shall have attained the Age of Twenty years my Will is that my said Wife shall pay unto the said Ann Harris the sum of fifty pounds without any Abatement for any kind of Thing whatsoever. And I doo Order that her Receipt shall be to my said Wife a sufficient discharge for the same. And also that my said Wife doo and shall pay unto John Jones Son of John Jones late of Mill street London deceased the sum of five pounds of like lawfull money within one year after my decease. Item I give unto my trusty and well beloved ffriend Richard Chitty of Staines in the County of Middlesex Gentn the sum of Ten pounds whom I appoint Trustee of this my Will and desire his aid and assistance in the dooing the same duty performed. Item I give and bequeath unto George Bennett of the Island of Jamaica One Shilling and also unto Sarah Bennett Wife of the said George Bennett One Shilling. And my Will is that whatsoever of my Estate my Wife shall dye possest of shall immediately after her decease goe and be divided equally between Sarah Bennett, Judith Bennett, Elizabeth Bennett and George Bennett; Children of the aforesaid George Bennett and Sarah his Wife and in case any of them shall happen to dye before my said Wife that then the share of the party so dying shall goe and be equally divided between the survivors of them. And in case my said Wife shall happen to dye before the said Ann Harris shall attain the Age of Twenty years that then my Will is that the said Ann Harris shall be first brought up and attain her said Age of Twenty years and be paid her said Legacy of fifty pounds before what my said Wife shall leave behind her shall be divided between the said Sarah Bennett, Judith Bennett, Elizabeth Bennett and George Bennett as aforesaid. And I doe hereby make ordain and constitute my said Wife Judith Rosewell to be full and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. And I doe hereby revoke and make void all other and former Wills by me formerly made and doe hereby declare and publish this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Testator John Roswell have to this my last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper to each of the said sheets set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of May and in the Eleventh year of the Reign of our Sovereing Lady Ann by the grace of God of Great Britain ffrance and Ireland Queen Defender of the ffaith Br. Anno Domini 1712.
The mark of John Rosewell.
Signed sealed published and Declared by the Testator John Rosewell for and as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our Names as Witnesses in the presence of the said Testator
Edward Lee
Thos. Sherwood
Henry Harrison