Bridger, John: s. Henry, of Ashhurst, Sussex, gent. Magdalen Hall, matric. 15 July, 1640, aged 18; student of the Inner Temple 1646, brother of Richard 1638. See Foster's Inns of Court Reg.
In the name of God Amen January the Five and twentieth In the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred ninety and six And in the eight year of the raigne of King William the third by the grace of God over England &c I John Bridger of Westerham in the County of Kent gent being of perfect memory praised be God and not knowing how soon it may please him to take me out of this transitory world Doe make and ordain this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other Wills whatsoever Imprimis I bequeath my Soul into gracious protection of Allmighty God hopeing through the meritts of Jesus Christ to be made an Inheritor of the Kingdome of Heaven And for the worldly goods he hath blessed me withall I dispose of them as followeth First I give to the poor people of the parish of Westerham Forty shilling to be paid them within two moneths after my Decease according to the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named Item I give to each of Daughters Ann Haward and Mary Ellison the sume of Two Hundred pounds as an addition to what is already settled upon them for their Portions and Maintenance this money to be paid them within three moneths after my money is received from Mr Sherman Item I give to my loveing Wife one Annuity or Rent charge upon my Lands in Westerham of Thirty pounds by the year to be paid her every halfe year Fifteen pounds And for not payment thereof to Enter upon detaine and keep or dispose of to her use the aforesaid Lands untill she shall be satisfyed her said Annuity without any charges or deductions whatsoever either in Taxes or Aums or what else shall be Imposed upon the said Lands either by Act of Parliament or other waies in lieu of paid of her Joynture by me sold Item I give to my grand Daughter Isabella Ellison my silver server after my Wife’s Death if she be then liveing Item I give to each of Daughters Silver Porringer & Silver Spoon Item I give my silver Tankard to my son Richard which was in part left him by his Godmother Item I give to my son Richard Bridger and his heires for ever All my Messuages Lands and Buildings Woods and Underwoods and all other my Lands and Tenements Rents and Services not formerly setled or disposed of as well in Sussex as those in Kent Alwaies provided he pay such Debts as I am engaged with him for which are due to my Brother Henrys Children to my Sister Lee to John Steere and the Executrix of Henry Taptfield with the Interest of them And if my son Richard refuse or neglect the payment of these or any of these debts My Will and meaning is my Neise her heires and Assignes shall enjoy all those Messuages Lands Tenements Woods and Underwoods to Mortgage Lease or Dispose of as the said Debts may be Discharged and afterwards the Remainder to come to my said son and his heires Provided alsoe that my Wifes Annuity be not lessened in part or the whole Item I make ordain and appoint my loveing Wife Mary my sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament thereby enableing her the better to pay my Debt and Legacies herein given and the remainder of personall Estate to be Disposed at her discretion Item will that my Wife shall have the use of the house and other Buildings three moneths after my Decease In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the Day and year above written John Bridger sealed and published in the presence of Charity Lee Will: Hoskins Charles Hoskins./
[proved 7 July 1704 by Mary Bridger, relict and executrix]
