The Will of Jane Bowles of Blackheath, with codicil dated June 19, 1842; proved April 28, 1843

I Jane Bowles now of Blackheath in the county of Kent, widow, and formerly of Dulwich, Surrey

My body to be buried in the same grave in the Abbey Church at Bath as my late dear husband John Bowles in a private manner and appoint my brothers William Foskett and Henry Foskett Esq. and Samuel Pett Esq. Executors each to get 50 pounds

To each of the 4 nieces of my late husband children of his sister Mg. Eade that is to say Mrs Joseph Scales an widow Mrs Edward Vaux Mrs John Shaw and Mrs Ponsonby Shaw 1000 pounds 3% consolidated Bank annuities transferable immediately after my decease for their sole and separate use

To my sister Eliza Caroline Foskett the interest and dividends of the principle sum of 6000 pounds stock 3% (as above) during her life and after her decease the same to be divided as 1/6 part to my niece Mrs Samuel Lloyd one other 1/6 to my niece Mrs Jane Milfors Wayne, two of the children of my late dear sister Sister Sophia Milfors deceased one other 1/6 to my niece Charlotte Foskett and another 1/6 to my niece Anne Foskett the children of my brother William Foskett and one other 1/6 to my niece Jane Buchanan and the remaining 1/6 to my niece Mrs Emma Dornfors (?) the children of my brother Joseph Foskett (and if any shall die in her lifetime or in the lifetime of her sister the remainder to have equal shares and more detailed sharing of 3% stock to her brothers)

To my brother Joseph Foskett 50 pounds

To my brother William Foskett 100 pounds and to Mrs Charlotted Foskett his wife 100 pounds

I bequeath Dr Mount’s Bible which was presented to my husband by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge to my brother Henry

All the rest of my books and all my plate to my sister Eliza Caroline and brother Henry equally between them

To my sister Eliza Caroline my diamond ring and my mother’s picture and also my repeater watch and give all the rest of my trinkets and rings between my sister and my nieces

My globes to brother Henry Foskett

My alabaster ornaments to brother William Foskett

To each of my nephews and nieces (they are listed) 19 pounds to each

Bequests to her servants

To the Mrs Parish 19 guineas and to the Rev. S... Bowles Daubery (or Danbery) 19 guineas in consideration of the last duties he performed for my late dear husband if I shall not have given the same to him during my life to Miss Brand afterwards Mrs Poor and her brothers John Fitz and Samuel 10 pounds

To each of my godchildren Sarah Ann ....... Eliza Jane Bellamy and Mary Jane Foskett 5 guineas for a ring as a token of my remembrance

To Mrs Giffors 100 pounds and I release and forgive any debts that were due to my late husband

All the rest of my estate and effects to my brother Harry Foskett

Signed and sealed with my seal

Oct. 13, 1838

Jane Bowles

Witnessed; Cha. Druce Junr. Solr. Billiter Square London

 

This is a codicil to the Will of Jane Bowles whereas several of the legatees named in my Will have departed this life I now give the following legacies:

To my sister Eliza Caroline Foskett in addition to what was already bequeathed the sum of 100 pounds and my Chariot

To my friend Charles Druce Senior 19 pounds as a mark of my remembrance

To the Rev. B. Greenlaw 19 pounds

To Mrs Elizabeth Sterry 19 pounds

To my friend Mrs S Waymouth 10 pounds

To Sarah Sidner if in my service 19 pounds

Any presents made to my by any of my brothers sisters or nieces be returned

To my niece Mrs Emma Dornford ½ of such sum as may be due to me from her husband in addition to the benefits which my niece will be entitled under my Will

I appoint my sister Eliza Caroline Foskett to be Executrix

Dated June 29, 1842

Jane Bowles

Witnesses: Chas. Druce Junr Billiter Square  and George Croucher Gardener to Mrs Bowles

 

The 1851 Post office Directory of Kent has a Miss Foskett living at Dacre Park at Lee near Blackheath under the heading Gentry.  Lee is described as “much resorted to as a residence by merchants and other wealthy families”.

 

Appeared personally Charles Druce the younger of No. 10 Billiter Square in the City of London Solicitor and made oath that he was the confidential solicitor and is one of the subscribed witnesses to the last Will and Testament of Jane Bowles formerly of Dulwich, Surrey but late of Blackheath in Kent widow deceased the said Will being now hereunto annexed dated Oct. 13, 1838 with (a list of the additions and corrections on and in the margin of the Will) (confirms this to be the Will of Jane Bowles)

Chas. Druce Jr. on Apr. 26, 1843

 

Proved at London Apr. 28, 1843 by the oaths of William Foskett and Henry Foskett Esquires and Samuel Pett Esq. and Elizabeth Caroline Foskett, spinster