George Hamp (1754-1827)

From Historical Hastings


Born in London, George Hamp was reported by Brett to be a notorious body snatcher[1]. Irrespective whether that is correct or not, it is certain that Hamp during his careers as the Sexton of St. Pancras in Middlesex and an undertaker acquired substantial means. He would appear to have either retired to Hastings, or maintained a holiday home on High Wickham were he died in 1827, his will bequeathing 7, 8, 9 & 10 Kings Place, St. Pancras and a house at High Wickham among other property to his wife and children (although one son appears to have been estranged)[2] Hamp was buried at All Saints Church on the 6th of October 1827[3]



Children


Children of: George Hamp and Sarah Jane Doody (1759-1827)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Elizabeth Hamp (1788-1855)

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Henry Robinson Hamp (1799-1846)

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Arthur Robert Hamp (1800-1853)

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Louisa Agness Hamp (1804-)

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Transcript of Last Will & Testament

This is the last Will and Testament of me, George Hamp, late Sexton of the parish of Saint Pancras, Middlesex, now residing at Hastings in the County of Sussex as follows: "Whereas I did purchase of Mr. Humphrey Wickham a piece of Freehold Land on Ground called "Minniss Rock" situate and being on the East Cliffe in the Parish of All Saints in the Borough of Hastings aforesaid whereon I have caused to be erected two houses or tenements. Now I so hereby give and devise the same together with the Gardens Grounds and all Appurtenances thereto belonging unto said to the use of my beloved wife Sarah Hamp, her heirs and assigns for ever. Also I give and bequeath to my said dear Wife all that freehold house and Tenement /No 6/ and also the house or tenement adjoining the same /No. 7/ build by me situate and being on Ives Terrace near the Old Church Saint Pancras for and during the term of her natural life.

After her decease I give and bequeath the same two tenements and every part thereof unto my Son Arthur Robert Hamp his Executors, Administrators and Assigns.

Also I give and bequeath to my said Wife all that Leasehold House and Premises situate and being on Church Hill, Saint Pancras /No 5/ for and during her natural life and from and immediately after her death I give and bequeath the same to my Daughter Elizabeth Gunning her Executors, Administrators and Assigns for her own use and benefit independent of Covenant. Also I give and Bequeath to my said Wife all that leasehold house /No. 6/ and the Stable or Shed with the appurtances belonging to the same situate on Church Hill aforesaid for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I bequeath the same unto my said Son Arthur Robert Hamp, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns.

Also I give and bequeath to my said Wife the leasehold Cottage and Garden Ground with the Appurtanances belonging to the same situate and being in the East Wall and adjoining the last mentioned Stable for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath the same unto my said Son Arthur Robert Hamp, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns.

Also I give and bequeath to my said Wife All those five Leasehold Houses or Tenements situate and being in Kings Place, Saint Pancras aforesaid (Numbered 7. 8. 9. 10. and 11) for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I dispose of the same in the manner following; That is to say the House or Tenement No. 8 I give and bequeath to my said son Arthur Robert Hamp, his Executors Administrator and Assigns; the two adjoining Houses or Tenements I give and bequeath to my Daughter Louisa Agness Howden (Wife of Mr. Reginald Howden) for her own absolute use and benefit independent of Covenant the two other houses or tenements being No. 7 and 11 I give and bequeath to my Daughter the aforesaid Mrs. Gunning for her own absolute use and benefit independent of Covenant as aforesaid And it is my wish and desire that the whole of the ground rents chargeable upon the said five last mentioned houses after the decease of my said Wife may be defrayed by my said Son Arthur and Mrs. Howden only.

Also I give and bequeath to my said Wife all that leasehold house and premises built by me and situate at the Corner of Smith Street and Travers Street, S(illegible text) Town (wherein I now carry on the business of an undertaker for and during her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath the same to my said Son Arthur Robert Hamp his Executors Administrators and Assigns. I also give and bequeath to my said Wife the whole of my stock in trade. I give to my son Henry Robinson Hamp the sum of one shilling[4] only in consequence of his undutiful conduct towards me. Lastly I give and bequeath to my said Wife all the rest reside and remainder of my Estate and Efforts whatsoever and whereever not otherwise disposed of for her own absolute use and benefit. And I nominate constitute and appoint my said Wife Sarah Hamp sole Executrix of this Will and Testament revoking all wills by me heretofore made. In Witness thereof I have set my hand to the first and second sheets thereof and to this third and last sheet my hand and seal this sixth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and twenty four.

References & Notes

  1. Brett Manuscript Histories Vol. 3 Chap. 40
  2. England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858 PROB 11: Will Registers 1826-1828 Piece 1732: Hober, Quire Numbers 601-650 (1827) Ancestry
  3. All Saints Burials
  4. An explanation of old currency and coinage may be found at the following website Pre-decimal currency, accessdate: 16 June 2022