Transcript of the Will of Susannah Balchen, Widow, 1722

 In the Name of God Amen

I Susannah Balchen of the Parish of St. Mary Whitechappel London, Widow, being of perfect mind and memory and calling unto mind and only considering the uncertainty of humane life make this my last Will and Testament.  ffirst and principally, I commit my Soul into the hands of my blessed Maker trusting in his mercies and in the merits of my dear Redeemer for the Remission of all my Sins.  My body I comit to the Earth to be decently but privately buryed at the discretion of my Executors.  As to my Temporal Estate, I bequeath and dispose of it in the following manner.  Imprimus, To my Son Richard (having already had his fortune) I bequeath the Sume of ten pounds.  Item, I bequeath unto his three Daughters, viz.,Susannah, Elizabeth and Mary Balchen the Sume of ten pounds to each of them and likewise to his Son William Balchen I bequeath the Sume of twenty Pounds, the residue and remainder of my Estate, Lands, Tenements, hereditaments with my Goods, Chattels, Plate, Bonds, Arrears of rent withall other properties of what kind soever to me appertaining.  I give and bequeath to my two Sons John and Henry to be between them equally divided whom I constitute and appoint the joynt Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly revoake, disallow and disa…. All former bequests, Wills and Legacies by me heretofor in any wise left or made, declaring, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this tenth day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and twenty two.  Susan^h Balchen   Signed, sealed,  published and declared by the within named Testatrix Susannah Balchen to ne her last Will and Testament in Presence of us who Subscribe d our names in Presence of the said Testatrix.  John Clare, Judith Clare, John ffinch.

This Will was Proved at London before the Worshipfull Stephen Cottrell, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth, Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted.  By the Oath of Henry Balchen, one of the Executors named in the said Will To whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the deceased, He being first Sworn well and faithfully to administer the Power reserved of making the like grant to John Balchen the other Executor named in the Said Will when he shall apply for the same.

                                                                                                                       Ex’d                     

[On the twenty eighth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and thirty eight.]