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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
In the Name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost Amen.
I James McKain purser of the Royal Navy of her Britannic Majesty and late Storekeeper of her Majesty's Royal Dock Yard of Woolwich and now residing in Bordeaux in the Kingdom of France, being sound in mind though weak in body and mindful of my mortality do this 23rd day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:-
That is to say firstly I do give, will and bequeath unto my 3 beloved daughters Kate Dobbin McKain, Harriet Johanna McKain and Anne Elizabeth McKain the following sums of one thousand one hundred and fifty pounds sterling arising from an assurance in the Society of Equitable assurances on lives and survivorships of which society I do come a Member, as does testify the policy of Assurance number four thousand six hundred and twenty six and dated the eleventh day of March in the year 1830 and also the sum of one thousand and forty pounds sterling now in the hands of my agents Messrs. Stilwell & Sons of London in the three per cents reduced the aforesaid sums making in all £2,190 sterling which I wish and desire to be divided between my aforesaid three daughters in equal portions of £730 sterling. Furthermore it is my desire that in consideration of my giving up all my aforesaid property to my aforesaid three daughters, they shall always show to their brothers all and every fraternal kindness and do in all as becomes good sisters. I further desire that the interest that may arise annually from my aforesaid property should benefit equally all my dear children not yet come of age and as long as they may be minors and I desire my said daughters take observation of this wish. Furthermore should the one or any of my aforesaid daughters marry before the youngest of my beloved children may have attained his or her majority, I desire then that my aforesaid beloved daughters should only receive two thirds of their said portions as marriage settlements at their marriage and the last third only when their youngest brother or sister shall attain his or her majority and further should one or all of my beloved daughters die unmarried or if married should she or they die without issue, the aforesaid portions of my aforesaid one or all of my daughters I desire shall be divided equally between each of my beloved children both male and female.
Secondly ...to all my dear children the residue of my property in the hands of my aforesaid agents Messrs. Stilwell & Sons and all that for their immediate use and benefit.
Thirdly ...for the benefit and use of all my beloved children his brothers and sisters minors unto my eldest son James Dobbin McKain his executors, administrators or assigns all and every ??? furniture and whatsoever which shall be in my dwellinghouse at the time of my decease/death except what I may dispose of differently in this my last will and testament. I do further desire that my aforesaid son afford lodging for my sons William Fergus, John Honeywood, Archibald Elgin, George James and Frederick until such time as they may choose not to profit by such and so long as they may not have attained their majority and I do desire that they may ???? to themselves as soon as they have in their power to do so. I do further desire that my aforesaid eldest son James Dobbin shall afford lodging for my aforesaid three daughters when ever they may be in need of such and that he may always be their first protector.
Fourthly ...unto my aforesaid beloved daughter Kate Dobbin McKain her dear Mother's tortoise shell card case, tortoise shell needle box, gold watch & chain and one of her wedding rings and furthermore my own miniature portrait.
Fifthly ...unto my aforesaid son William Fergus McKain a glass box mounted in gold and one of his dear Mother's seals, the value of the said box is £10.
Sixthly ...unto my dear aforesaid son John Honeywood McKain my two gold shirt buttons, his dear mother's penknife and my father's seal.
Seventhly ...unto my aforesaid dear daughter Harriet Johanna McKain the diamond ring I wore when young and that I gave to her dear Mother and further I do give her her dear Mother's gold ?? box and silver thimble.
Eighthly ...unto my beloved son Archibald Elgin McKain a gold brooch representing a rose in coral with a gold ??? and my own penknife.
Ninethly ...unto my dear son George James McKain my snuff box, 3 gold coins that belonged to his dear Mother and given her by her father and further I do give him 2 silver buckles worn by my dear father.
Tenthly ...unto my dear son Frederick McKain the gold locket containing his dear Mother's hair and that I always wear and furthermore a small box containing card markers all in Mother of Pearl.
Eleventhly ...unto my aforesaid beloved daughter Anne Elizabeth McKain her dear Mother's coral necklace and bracelet, 2 gold bracelets and a pair of topaz earrings, brooch and cross.
Twelfthly ...I do wish that the Executor of this my last will and testament should only deliver up the above my gifts to my dear children when they may attain their 15th year.
Thirteenthly ...unto my beloved son aforesaid James Dobbin McKain my dear Mother's gold wedding ring and also the other gold wedding ring of his own beloved mother.
Fourteenthly ...I do desire and wish that all my beloved children should always live, until called from this world by their creator, in union and fraternal affection.
Fifteenthly ...I do name my aforesaid eldest son James Dobbin McKain sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament and I do also name my said eldest son James Dobbin guardian of his brothers and sisters minors and do hereby revoke all or other wills heretofore made. In witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament set and subscribed my hand and seal the day and year above written. J.McKain signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator James McKain for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses hereto:-
Proved at London 23rd June 1845 before the Judge by the oath of James Dobbin McKain the son the sole executor to whom Administration was granted having been first sworn by commission duly to administer.
Source:- Public Record Office Ref. Prob 11/2020
