The Will of Catherine Stephens Sharpe, Widow (Dated 1824 & 1842)
All Names are in bold or large script for ease of reference.
In the Grace of God Amen I Catherine Stephens Sharpe widow do make this my last Will and Testament first I commend my Soul to God my maker hoping through the merits and intercession of my Redeemer Jesus Christ he will graciously receive and pardon its imperfections and also pardon and receive the Soul of my dear lamented Husband my interment I leave to the discretion of my dear friend Elizabeth Sebbon with whom I reside further it is my will and intention that my said dear friend Elizabeth Sebbon of Sebbon Buildings St Mary Islington do accept as a token of my love and esteem for her All my household furniture linen china glass wine belonging to me which have been brought either from my late residence in West Smithfield or from my Cottage at Highbury and this I hope she will consent to do as an assurance that as far as my means go my affection for her [...?...] Signed by me this thirteenth day of July eighteen hundred and twenty four - Catherine Stephens Sharpe [signed]- Witness Mary Ann Selle. [signed]
Appeard Personally Richard Lambert Jones of Highbury East Islington in the County of Middlesex Esquire and made oath that he knew and was well aquainted with Catherine Stephens Sharpe late of Sebbons Buildings in the Parish of St Mary Islington in the County aforesaid Widow deceased and with her manner and character of handwriting and subscription having frequently seen her write and write and subscribe her name and this deponant having now carefully viewed and perused the paper writing hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the last Will & Testament of the said deceased occuring thus "By the Grace of God Amen I Catherine Stephens Sharpe" ending thus "this thirteenth day of July eighteen hundred and twenty four" and thus subscribed "Catherine Stephens Sharpe" further made oath that he verify and in his conscience believes the whole body series and contents of the said Will beginning and ending as aforesaid together with the subscription or names "Catherine Stephens Sharpe" thereto set and subscribed and the word "Witness" at foot thereof to be of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said Catherine Stephens Sharpe Widow deceased - Richard L Jones [signed] On the 18th day of June 1842 the said Richard Lambert Jones Esquire was duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit Before me John Danbury Sur. [signed] In the presence of J Henry Pitcher Not. Pub. [signed]
On the 22nd June 1842 Admon (with the will annexed) of the Goods Chattels and Credits of Catherine Stephens Sharpe late of Sebbons Buildings in the Parish of Saint Mary Islington in the County of Middlesex Widow deceased was granted to Frederic Sambalino Esquire the natural and lawful brother and only next of Kin of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer. No Executor or Residuary Legatee.
Catherine Stephens Sharpe was the wife of the late William Troutbeck Sharpe. Catherine's close friend Elizabeth Sebbon died around 1851 and in her will of that same year she left £5,000 to "Frederick Sambalino of Florence". In Catherine's will he is shown as her brother, we have to assume that Sambalino was Catherine's maiden name and was most likely a native of Italy.