A West Mersea oyster dredger's will
William Haward described himself as an oyster dredger of West Mersea in a will signed on 10 May 1794. He was buried at the parish church on 30 May 1796, and the Prerogative Court of Canterbury granted probate on 17 June of that year. The will is preserved in the National Archives under PROB 11/1276/197.
Ruth and the three children
Haward left his wife Ruth £100, payable three months after his death. After settlement of his debts and costs, the remaining estate, including goods and any money due to him, was to be converted to cash and divided between their children William, Isaac and Hannah. The testament also provided for the inheritance of younger children if they died before reaching 21.
He appointed his sons William and Isaac as executors. Probate was granted on their oaths. The will identifies the household and the occupation, but it does not itemise a named oyster boat or specific laying belonging to William.
What the occupation tells us
Oyster dredgers worked the local creeks and beds using dredges hauled from boats; their catches entered a wider trade in oysters for sale or relaying. Another Haward record describes oysters being shipped from Mersea for relaying in Kent in 1769. The shared family name and trade are significant, but the surviving will alone does not establish that the man in the 1769 transaction was the same William who made the 1794 will.
Later Haward oyster working
The Haward family history follows later generations, while Mersea's oyster-working households places this probate record beside the earlier wills of other local dredgers and owners.
The probate record
William Haward's will, 1794 — National Archives PROB 11/1276/197.