Testament and last will of Edward Hodsdon of Sydenham (d. 19 July 1739)

Manuscript on 6 attached lvs. of vellum, approx. 86 x 80 (5x) and 56 x 80 cm, each leaf w. extensive calligraphic text within engraved borders (the first leaf incorporating at the top a portrait and the name of King George the Second, otherwise w. identical repeated borders), dated at the end "the twelfth day of January in the fourteenth year of our reign" (1740), and signed Verney Bridges in pen, each leaf with paper tax seals, held together with large attached wax seal in the original tin holder.

(Dust)soiled, folded and creased. Very impressive, large document. Edward Hodsdon of Sydenham declares this to be his last will and testament, in which he bequeaths to his cousin Thomas Hodsdon of Busbey, the "Right of patronage and free disposition of the Vicarage of the church of Plumsted (Plumstead) in the said County of Kent and of and to the Chapel of East Wickham in the said county to the same vicarage annexed with all and singular their rights, members and appartenants", as well as all his "tenements, hereditaments and promissed lying in the several Counties of kent and Surry (...)".