A farmer with land in both parishes
Thomas Harvey of East Mersea signed his will on 31 December 1812. It records leasehold farms and land in East and West Mersea and was proved in London on 24 December 1813. The surviving document describes a substantial farming operation, not simply a house and a few fields.
Keeping the farms running
Harvey's trustees were to continue managing the farms during the lifetime of his wife Mary, providing for her and their children Charles, Samuel and Hannah. The estate included farm leases, growing and harvested crops, stock, household property and implements of husbandry. The instructions indicate that the value of the estate depended on continuity of the business as well as ownership of its assets.
Charles and Samuel's opportunity to succeed
After Mary's death, the trustees were to have the farms, crops and stock valued. Charles and Samuel then had six months in which to take them over at the valuation. If they declined, the trustees were instructed to sell and distribute the proceeds. This was a planned succession mechanism, not evidence that the sons ultimately exercised the option.
Legacies and earlier advances
The will identifies the living children Edward, John, Charles, Samuel, Lydia Page, Sarah King and Hannah, plus four children of the deceased daughter Mary Bullock. It records earlier financial advances: £450 to Edward, £200 to Lydia, £250 to Mary, £100 to Sarah and £500 to John (including a £250 bond debt). Those sums mattered when specifying the later inheritance.
Mary and four sons were named as executors. The probate record shows administration granted to Mary, Edward, John and Charles, with power reserved to Samuel. Samuel was named as an executor but did not participate in the initial grant of probate.
Read the original probate transcription
Thomas Harvey's will, 1812 — National Archives PROB 11/1550/417.