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The Will of Elizabeth Vanderhoven
of St Luke, Chelsea, Widow, 1749

Introduction

Elizabeth Vanderhoven, a widow living in the parish of St Luke, Chelsea, made her will on 25 September 1749. It was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 3 August 1750 by her executor, Captain John Wells of Long Acre. Although she lived in Chelsea, she asked to be buried “in Wandsworth Burial Ground commonly called Mount Nod near the Grave of my late Friend M^rs Mary Grolleau”. It is a rare direct statement of why someone chose to be buried at Mount Nod.

It is a short, personal will, and it tells us something about her world:

— Judith Grolleau, “now living with me”, to whom Elizabeth owed £28 on a bond, and who received all her household goods, pictures, plate, rings, jewels, china, linen and clothes. The name Grolleau is French.
— Captain John Wells of Long Acre and his sister Charlot Wells. Charlot held £285 of Elizabeth’s money at interest, and received the residue of the estate.
— A brother, Mr Radford of Lambeth, left one shilling “if living”, so Elizabeth’s maiden name was probably Radford.
— A cousin, Mary, and her sons John and Samuel, left five guineas each.

The transcription keeps the original spelling and capitals. [Words like this?] are uncertain readings, and [words like this] are editorial notes. The headings are not part of the original.

Register copy of the will of Elizabeth Vanderhoven, 1749 — The will of Elizabeth Vanderhoven, register copy, Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Click to enlarge.

1. Preamble and burial at Mount Nod

[In the margin: Elizabeth Vanderhoven]

In the Name of God Amen. I Elizabeth Vanderhoven of the parish of S^t Luke Chelsea in the County of Middlesex Widow being of sound mind and understanding do make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following.

First I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God and my Body to the Earth to be decently buried in Wandsworth Burial Ground commonly called Mount Nod near the Grave of my late Friend M^rs Mary Grolleau.

And as to my Worldly Estate and Effects I hereby dispose thereof in the following manner.

2. Captain John Wells, executor

Imprimis I give and bequeath to Captain John Wells of Long Acre in the parish of Saint Martin in the Fields and County aforesaid the Sum of Ten Pounds also my Gold Watch and Silver Coffee [pott — added in the margin] provided he takes upon him the Execution of this my Will whom I hereby appoint sole Executor thereof.

3. Money at interest, and a debt to Judith Grolleau

And whereas I now have at Interest the Sum of [blank space filled with a line] Two hundred eighty five Pounds in the hands of M^rs Charlot Wells Sister of the said Captain John Wells

And whereas I now [owe — interlined] and am justly indebted unto M^rs Judith Grolleau now living with me the Sum of Twenty Eight Pounds and Interest on my Bond

Now my Will and direction is that my said Executor do pay and satisfie my said Bond and Interest out of the said two [‖ page break ‖] hundred eighty five Pounds as also all other my just Debts Funeral Expences and charges attending the Execution of this my Will.

4. Her brother, her cousin and cousin’s sons

Then I give and bequeath unto my Brother M^r [Pidgeon?] Radford of Lambeth if living One Shilling.

Item I give unto my Cousin Mary [Barjew?] ffive Guineas and also to each of her Sons John and Samuel ffive Guineas.

5. To Judith Grolleau: household goods and pictures

Item I give to my said Friend M^rs Judith Grolleau all my Household Goods and Pictures whatsoever also all my Plate Rings Jewells China Linnen and Wearing [apparel? — the register has only “Wearing”].

6. The residue to Charlot Wells

And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my Effects whatsoever and wheresoever that I shall die possessed of or entitled unto I give and bequeath the same to the said M^rs Charlot Wells Sister of my said Executor.

7. Revocation, signing and witnesses

And I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me made Ratifying Confirming and declaring this to be my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Day of Sep^t 25: 1749.

Eliz: Vanderhoven.

Signed Sealed published and declared this as my last Will and Testament in presence of Rebeccah George · Oakley Halford.

8. Probate, 3 August 1750

This Will was proved at London the third day of August in the year of Our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and fifty before the Worshipfull George Hay 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 John Wells the sole Executor named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first sworn duly to administer the same. Ex^d.

Transcription notes

1. Vanderhoven: the name is spelt Vanderhoven in the margin, the opening and the signature.

2. “Pidgeon”: the brother’s name reads “M^r Pidgeon”, followed at the start of the next line by “Radford of Lambeth”. This is probably a forename, Pidgeon Radford, but the clerk may have run two names together.

3. Cousin Mary: her surname is uncertain. It could be Barjew, Barrow or Barjow.

4. Coffee pot: the word “pott” is written in the margin, keyed by a caret to “Silver Coffee”.

5. Witnesses: read here as Rebeccah George and Oakley Halford.

6. The probate: it names George Hay, Doctor of Laws, surrogate for John Bettesworth, Master, Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

7. Catalogue entry: The National Archives, Will of Elizabeth Vanderhoven, Widow of Saint Luke Chelsea, Middlesex (PROB 11, reference to be added).

Transcribed by Philip Boys, with Claude, September 2026.