Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills & Administrations
Mansfield, volume 10 (Family History Library film #0156239)
Will written in 1816, probated in 1821
[punctuation and emphasis added]
I John Bonnycastle Professor of Mathematics in the Royal Military Academy Woolwich being at present in good health and of a sound mind make this my last will & testament bearing date August 17 1816 in which I bequeath to my wife Bridget Bonnycastle all the effects goods and property of every kind that I now and at any future time may possess to have & hold after discharging my just debts during the term of her natural life and after her demise I order and direct that the same shall be divided equally share and share alike among my four children Richard Henry Bonnycastle Captain in the Corps of Royal Engineers, Humphrey Bonnycastle, Charles Bonnycastle & Charlotte Gritten wife of Henry Gritten Lieut in the Corps of Royal Marines directing that at the same time that if either one or more of these my children should die before the division above mentioned shall take place that his their or her share shall in that case be divided equally among the survivors. I likewise appoint Francis Baily Esqr of Verulam Buildings Grays Inn and John Knowles Esquire of the Navy Office Somerset House in conjunction with my wife Bridget Bonnycastle executors of this my will earnestly requesting them to assist her with their council and advice to the utmost of their power
J Bonnycastle
Woolwich Common August 17th 1816
[affidavit swearing as to the will being in John Bonnycastle's handwriting]
3 September 1821
Appeared personally Rowland Hunter of Saint Pauls Church Yard London Bookseller and John Miles of West End Hampstead in the county of Middlesex Gentleman and being sworn on the holy Evangelists to depose the truth made oath that they knew and were well acquainted with John Bonnycastle late of Woolwich in the County of Kent Professor of Mathmatics in the Royal Military Academy deceased for sometime before and to the time of his death also with his manner and character of handwriting and subscription having frequently seen him write and write and subscribe his name and having now carefully viewed and perused the paper writing hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last Will and Testament of the said Deceased beginning thus “Mr Bonnycastles will I John Bonnycastle professor of mathmatics in the Royal Military Academy Woolwich” and end thus “earnestly requesting them to assist her with their council and advice to the utmost of their power” and thus subscribed “J Bonnycastle” with this addition “Woolwich Common August 17th 1816 that these appearers severally say they do verily and in their consciences believe the whole body series and contents of the said will beginning ending and subscribed as aforesaid and also the subscription thereto to be all of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said deceased. Rowland Hunter and John Miles Same day the said RowlandHunter and John Miles were duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me Jon Addams Surr Presb Nathl Robarts Not Pub
Proved at London 27 September 1821 before the worshipful Charles Coote Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oaths of Francis Baily & John Knowles Esquire two of the executors to whom administration was granted having first sworn duly to administer power reserved to Bridget Bonnycastle widow the Relict the other Executor.