William Hatch. Baker. Will proved 1814.
Says he is ill but of sound and disposing mind.
To each of his twelve children who reach the age of 21 £150 in capital or joint stock in the Navy he has in the books of the Bank of England.
After his debts, funeral and probate expenses paid, all other of his bills, bonds, annuities, stock in trade, household goods, furniture, chattels and personal estate to dear wife Sarah as long as she stays unmarried. If she marries it is to be equally divided between any living children he has at the time of her marriage.
His wife, brother James and brother in law Richard Maby the executors.
Witnessed by John Allnutt and James Suthery.
Note:
It was later alleged that William had been a failed highwayman!
William was not being mean spirited in leaving Sarah goods only while she remained unmarried. Under the law if she married everything she owned became her new husbands and could not be inherited by her children unless her husband gave her special permission to leave a will of her own or gave items to her children of his own free will. William was ensuring his and Sarah's children would get final use of his property and not some other man.
Sarah took over the bakery business. In her time it was on the West side of the High Street (which was probably the same premises her husband had, though people did move premises so it is not absolutely certain).
William and Sarah's son William has his own biographical post on the blog here
Transcribed and summarised by me Charlotte Day from a PCC will at the National Archives Kew.
Other wills can be found on the menu under Will Transcriptions. See the Person Index for all mentions of any individual on this blog. You will find more on Sarah and William Junior for instance by looking there. Over 2,300 people are mentioned as of December 2021.
©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to reuse my summary if you credit this blog.
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