John Pontifex

John Pontifex of West Wycombe

In the name of God amen, the xix day of February anno dom 1588 I John Pontifix of West Wycombe in the county of Bucks and diocese of Lincoln, being sick in body but, praise be to almighty God, of sound and perfect memory, do make and ordain this my present testament containing herein my last will, in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul to almighty God my maker and redeemer and my body to be buried in the churhyard of West Wycombe aforesaid when it shall please God to call me by his visitation. Secondly I give to the poor people of West Wycombe two bushels of wheat, to be made into bread & to be given amongst them. Item I give to my son Edward my brown cow with calf & ii ewes and ii lambs (if they do bring lambs otherwise not) & ii kegges, one quarter of wheat & one quarter of barley, my second best coat, one pair of sheets one platter and one pewter dish. Item I give to Marie Raveninge one ewe. Item I give to Elizabeth Sherwood one bushel of wheat & one bushel of malt. The residue of all my gods & chattels, both moveable and unmoveable, my debts paid, my legacies fulfilled & my funeral expenses discharged, I freely give and bequeath to Alice my wife and William my son whom I do make and ordain my full and whole executors of this my present testament & last will and they to see this my last will fulfilled in all things as they will answer before God the image of all truth, provided always that if my said wife Alice & my son William do not agree together to their contentment, that then my will is that mine overseers shall part my said goods both moveable & unmoveable & all my living that I hold by heir, equally between them, especially if my wife be willing thereunto. Also I desire my loving friends Thomas Ravening and George Pitman to be overseers of this my will & testament and I give to every of them five shillings of lawful money of England. These bearing witness being called and desired, William White clerk the writer hereof, Simon Dorvolde &. George Heilye with others the day & year above wrtten.

Probate 11 April 1589

Sons Edward, William

Wife Alice