Sommerwill -a Devon Family: Will of Hugh

 

Will of Hugh Somerville 12th July 1816

Will of Hugh Somerville, Purser in the Royal Navy belonging to His Majesty’s Ship the Queen Charlotte, lying in harbour at Portsmouth.
Sole executrix: his daughter Elizabeth Somerville
Bequests: To his daughters Elizabeth, Dorothea and Diana: all his estate and "monies secured either in the Public Fund of the three per Cents Consols and five per Cents Navy or elsewhere" to be equally divided between them. If they are not able to divide the inheritance satisfactorily among themselves they should appoint two friends to assist "but I strongly recommend them to settle the same in an Affectionate way in preference to calling in" such assistance.

Addition made 20th August 1816 at sea

Wishes the expenses of his funeral to be met from his estate, for the funeral to be "both plain & quiet with every Aeconamy", and if circumstances permit to be "laid in the Vault at Alverstoke with my long beloved but departed wife". Mentions that his property "is but small". If any of the three daughters is married at the time of his death, the property (funds, furniture, plate, china, glass and paintings) is to be divided between the unmarried since the married will have a provider and protector. If all are married, the property is to be shared equally between them. If a married daughter dies leaving a child or children before the division of the property, the child or children shall receive the mother's share. Mentions houses and land and reiterates main provisions of the 12th July will.

Memorandums added 21st August 1816
Bequeathes:
To his eldest daughter Elizabeth: "Family Paintings & Pictures Family Bible History of New Testament & Books of Prayer together with the Piano Forte & what belongs thereto my Favourite Bedstead the Hangings & footstools with the little China Shell Ornaments"..."Coffee Pot Sugar Bason & Tongs belonging thereto Large waiter Snuffer Stand & Snuffers the large set and small sets of Plated Castors one Pr Plated Castors Dinner tranch Candlesticks Plated Vegetable Dishes & Silver Soup Ladel and one set of Plain Salt Spoons with one Bed Candlestick mark’d with Crest & Tea Can (?) and one pair of Butter Laddles [sic]"..." All Articles of Plate or Plates things not directed for my other Daughters I leave to Elizabeth together with the Table set of Knives & forks which I wish for General use while living together if Seperated for Elizabeth also the Gravy Spoons"
To his second daughter, Dorothea: Painted Ornaments of Glass Valued Worked Table Five Spoons and set of Work Tables ...together with ottomans & Firescreens... Tea Pot & small waiter Cream Jug one pair of Butter Ladles Snuffer Stand [—] and Plated Snuffers one pair of large Candlesticks a Pair of Plated Casters and a set of Engraved Salt Spoons & Plated Caddie & Spoon"
To his third daughter Diana: "The Desert Cut Glass and Bagatelle Table and Stand"..."the Apern Complete Blue & Silver Glass Sugar & Cream Basons with Sugar Tongs & Ladle Coffee Biggin Silver Butter & Cheese Knives & Marrow Spoon one large pair of Candlesticks & one Bed Ditto"
"Silver Table & Desert Spoons and Forks to be equally divided Tea Spoons not worth Dividing"
"To Elizabeth all other parts of my property "
"Any favourite article of their Dear & beloved Mother my beloved Girls I trust will liberally and affectionately divide without grudging or Confined Ideas - liberality and [—] I trust will ever exist between my beloved Daughters as I love them all alike I hope my present anxious State does not, will not, occasion any unequal distribution if it does I hope neither [——] to partiality it being a distribution from Consideration to the Unprotected & a General love for all Let love & affection reign the relief & hope of which will reconcile my Situation and make me ready to meet an Angel Mother which I hope thro’ the Patience & Mercy of the Almighty [—] of Even I may deserve before I am called hence it will greatly tend to happiness in every point So/To(?) [—] my beloved house (?) Amen - - Hu Somerville./."
"My Cloathes may be sent out of the way as early as possible & given at the discretion of Elizabeth with the A[—]ance of my Dora & Diana and divided between such as they see stand in need - My Fowling Piece fishing tackle &ca together with my Silver Moullted Small Sworn (?) to be given to Capt Fanney/Tanney(?) should he become the Husband my Dear Diana with any other Manly Article not Servicable or [—]ed by my other two Daughters [-] Hu: Somerwille./.
My Watch Chain & Seals I give my Daughter Elizabeth who I rely on to be kind & liberal as the Excuse to my other two beloved daughters[-] Hu: Somerwille./.
I further will and desire that in the event of my leaving more Furniture than may be necessary for the use of my Unmarried Daughters residence in such Case my eldest Daughter with the Consent of one of her Sisters may dispose of any[-] articles they may see proper and the Sum arising therefrom to be Shared agreeable to my foregoing Will and directions [-] Hu: Somerville./."

Proved at London with two Codicils 24th November 1817 before the Judge by the Oath of Elizabeth Somerville Sp’r the Dau’ & Extrix to whom adm’on was granted being first Sworn by Com’on duly to Adm’r -