GORHAM, John (Grimwade p.526)

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Samuel Keys of Shoreditch in 1735, James Williams (Grimwade p.705, 771) in 1745, Joseph Turner of Hayes, Middx in 1747, William Shrubshall in 1752 and William London (Grimwade p.585) in 1754 all signed to be his apprentices.
William London, because of Gorham’s death on 21st April 1761, applied to the Court of Aldermen on 2nd June 1761 for freedom by redemption in the Goldsmiths Company, being 6 months short of completing his full 7 years term. This was granted even though London would not have completed 7 years until 6th November. David Hennell I (Grimwade p.543, 753) testified as to London’s service.
The Will of John Gorham, goldsmith late of St Vedast parish, Foster Lane, was proved for probate on 23rd April 1761 (National Archives reference PROB 11/864/399).

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Will of John Gorham

I John Gorham of the parish of St. Vedast Foster Lane Citizen and Goldsmith of London….. I give and bequeath to my brother Walter Gorham of the parish of St. Neots in the county of Huntingdon the sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money. I likewise give to my said brother Walter Gorham all my Freehold and Leasehold Estates wheresoever lying or being during his natural life and after his decease I then give all my said Freehold and Leasehold Estates wheresoever lying or being to my niece Elizabeth Gorham now Elizabeth Wolff Daughter of my brother Walter Gorham and to the heirs born of her body for her own use and benefit not to be subject to the control or payment of any debts for her husband in any manner or …. whatsoever but for her own proper use and disposal.

And I will that if my said niece Elizabeth Wolff shall die without issue male or female and have no child that then all my said Freehold and Leasehold Estates shall devolve and go to my nephew Walter Gorham the son of my brother Walter Gorham.
And my will is that it shall not be in the power of my brother Walter Gorham or my niece Elizabeth Wolff neither of them to sell mortgage or any ways encumber any part or parcel of my said Freehold or Leasehold Estates but that the same be free from all manner of charge or encumbrance from one to the other.

I give to my sister Elizabeth Gorham now living with me the sum of one thousand pounds now lying in East India Bonds to be in the care and trust of my brother Walter Gorham and my friend Mr Thomas Burgoyne of Duke Street Grosvenor Square in the parish of St. George Hanover Square in the County of Middlesex School Master the interest of the said one thousand pounds to be paid by them to my said sister Elizabeth Gorham halfyearly as it becomes due during her natural life and after the death of my said sister Elizabeth Gorham then my will is that the said sum of one thousand pounds shall devolve and go to my brother Walter Gorham during his natural life and at his death then I will that the said thousand pounds go to my neice Elizabeth Wolff and her heirs born of her body but for her own use and sole benefit children and that her husband shall have nothing to do with the said thousand pounds nor shall the same be any ways subject to his debts on any amount or by any means whatsoever.

And I will that if my said niece Elizabeth Wolff shall die and have no child that then the said thousand pounds shall go to my nephew Walter Gorham son of my brother Walter Gorham and his heirs. I likewise give to my said sister Elizabeth Gorham the further sum of forty pounds for furniture or furniture out of my house to that value if she chose it.
I likewise give to my niece Elizabeth Wolff the ...the sum of five hundred pounds to her and her heirs but if she die without issue then I will that the said five hundred pounds shall go to my brother Walter Gorham her father but if he be dead then I will that the said five hundred pounds go to my nephew Walter Gorham son of my brother Walter Gorham.
I give to Mr George Wolff the husband of my niece Elizabeth Wolff my best diamond ring.
I give to my nephew Walter Gorham the son of my brother Walter Gorham the sum of three hundred pounds in money.
I likewise give to my brother Walter Gorham my grandfathers picture set in gold frame and gold ???? and after his decease my will is that the said picture of my grandfather be given to my niece Elizabeth Wolff daughter of my brother Walter Gorham.
I give to my niece Elizabeth Gorham daughter of my brother Walter Gorham the sum of one hundred pounds.
I give to Mrs Agnes Carruthers now or late living with Mrs Monroe? of Sandy in the county of Bedford the sum of two hundred pounds.
I give to my friend Mr Thomas Burgoyne of Duke Street in the parish of St. George Hanover Square the sum of fifty pounds in money.
I give to Mr John Burgoyne son of the said Mr Thomas Burgoyne the sum of forty pounds in money.
I give to Mrs Ann Burgoyne wife of the said Thomas Burgoyne ten pounds for a ring.
I give to my apprentice William London all my working tools and ten pounds in money. I likewise give to my servant maid who shall live with me at my decease ten pounds. And after all my lawful debts funeral expenses and royaltys are paid then I give all the rest residue and remainder of my money jewels plate goods and chattels less debts and demands of what nature or kind soever they be to my niece Elizabeth Wolff for her own use and sole benefit and not subject to the control or debts of her husband in any case whatsoever but to be at her own disposal. And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my brother Walter Gorham and my friend Mr Thomas Burgoyne of Duke Street Grosvenor Square above named joint executors of this my last will hereby revoking dismantelling and making void all other wills by me at any time heretofore made. I declare this to be my last will and testament, etc…….


Witnesses — David Hennell, Thomas Jennings, Richard Binley

Will dated 28th February 1761

Will proved 23rd April 1761