The following Will has been contributed by Helen Phillips.  Please contact her if you have any comments or questions concerning the Will and/or the family of Russell of Egerton.

Source:  Canterbury Cathedral Archives, Canterbury, Kent, England, Canterbury Cathedral Archives, Consistory Court of Canterbury, Registered Wills, PRC32/65/488, 26 October 1771. [Also available via U.S.A., Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, USA, microfilms #0188884-0188885, vol. 65, fol. 488].

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I, JOHN RUSSELL, of Egerton, in the county of Kent, yeoman, being indisposed in body but of sound mind and memory and understanding (praised be God for the same) do make, publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say),

First, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping through the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer to obtain full pardon and remission of all my sins and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named And as to this worldly estate it has pleased God to bless me with I dispose thereof as follows

Imprimis, I give and bequeath unto my Housekeeper ELIZABETH SMITH all the furniture in my best chamber (that is) that is the chamber over the milkhouse containing one feather bed with hangings, one quilt, blankets, bolster and pillows, one chest of drawers, and all that is in them, one dressing glass and box 6 chairs, one table, one little trunk, three pair of sheets, one box iron with the heaters thereunto belonging.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my son JOHN RUSSELL of the parish of Lenham, in the county aforesaid, husbandman, the sum of twenty pounds of lawful money of the Great Britain to be paid him by my Executrix [sic, should be Executor] twelve months after my death.

Item, I give and devise unto my son JAMES RUSSELL of Charing, in the said county, all that my messuage or tenement with the shop, edifices and buildings, yards, garden and backside thereunto belonging, situate lying and being in Egerton, aforesaid, and late in the several tenures or occupations of George Austin and Matthew Cornes To hold the same unto my said son JAMES RUSSELL, his heirs and assigns forever.

Also I give and bequeath unto my said son JAMES RUSSELL all the rest residue and remainder of all and singular my goods chattels, cattle, household stuff, husbandry tackle, and all other my goods, chattels and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever not hereinbefore given.

Likewise it is my will and desire that my said son JAMES RUSSELL shall pay or cause to be paid all my debts and funeral expences And I nominate constitute and appoint my said son JAMES RUSSELL sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament.

And lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this to be my only last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I the said JOHN RUSSELL the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth [6th] day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five [1765].

John Russell

Signed sealed published and declared by
the said JOHN RUSSELL as and for his last
Will and Testament in the presence of us who have
hereunto in his presence subscribed our names as
witnesses.

Pell Willson
Stepn Usmar

The before registered will of John Russell deceased was proved the twenty-sixth [26th] day of October 1771 before the Reverend John Tucker, Clerk, Surrogate to the Worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel, Doctor of Laws, Commissary General of the City and Diocese of Canterbury, lawfully constituted by the oath of JAMES RUSSELL the sole executor named in the said Will he being first sworn well and truly to perform the same.

^Notes:  John Russell died 24th October and was buried in Egerton 26th October 1771 ; his wife Sarah was buried there 16th February 1756. No tombstone found that is readable, but it is possible they are buried in the same plot as John's parents.