John Meade of Swaffham Prior, Cams. 1504
In the name of God amen, the xiiith day of October in the year of our lord 1504 I John Meade of Swaffham Prior, being in good & whole mind, make my testament in this wise. I bequeath my soul to God almighty, to our lady virgin and all the saints in heaven, my body to be buried in the churchyard of Saint Cyriac in the town aforesaid. Also I bequeath to the high altar for tithes forgotten vi s viii d. Also I bequeath to buy withal wax for the sepulchre light xx s. Also I bequeath a broad pan to the church aforesaid for to melt wax in for the sepulchre light the price of v s. Also I bequeath to the said church an antiphonary the price of ten marks. Also I bequeath for a Psalter book vi s viii d. Also I bequeath to a priest's service to sing in the church of Saint Cyriac aforesaid for the weal of my soul and my friends' souls viii marks. Also I bequeath to the steeple of the said church xl s. Also I bequeath to each of the parsonages of Saint Cyriac and Saint Mary xii d. Also I bequeath to St Mary's church vi s iii d. Also I bequeath to Clemens my wife my house that I dwell in with all the household thereto belonging to her use and assignation. Also I will my wife have xx combs of wheat, xxx combs rye & x bushels barley. Also I will my wife have a mare with a colt and ii kine. Also I will my wife have xii acres of land sometime Steven Ball's to keep with my obit for term of her life and after her decease I will that the next of our heirs have the said land to the use aforesaid. Also I will that my wife have my copy land xl s under the price that any man will give for it if she will buy the said land, or else if John Meade my brother will buy the said land I will that he have it xx s under the price if my wife will not buy it, and if none of them buy it I will it be sold to some other person to the paying of my debts and performing of my will. Also I will that my wife's daughter Alice have an acre of land above the vale and a wood land lying between the mill way and the wood way to her and to her heirs after the decase of her mother. Also I will that John Gilbert my wife's son have vi s & viii d. Also I will that William Meade have a comb barley. Also I will John Gilbert my godson have a comb barley. Also to John Meade the younger a comb barley. Also I will that any godchildren that I have have iii d. The residue of all my other goods unbequeathed moveable and unmoveable I bequeath and assign to the performing of my will and paying of my debts by my executors whom I ordain and make Clemens my wife and John Meade my brother wherefore I bequeath to him for his labours xx d that they order and dispose for the health of my soul and for the souls of my friends so it shall be seem to him best to please almighty God and to profit of my soul so they will answer before God. Also I will that Richard Water of Roache be hereof witness Richard Water and William Water the son of the said Richard and others the day and year above said.
Robert Mede of Arrington, Cambridgeshire, 1507
Wife: Alice, daughter of Isabel; Children: William, Elizabeth
Sister: Agnes Spring; Parents: Robert Mede & Marjorie
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Jn the name of god amen J Robert Mede of Arryngton in the dioc~ of Ely beyng hole in mynde and of goode remembrance the xviii=th= day of Aprill Jn the yere of our lord god m=t=cccccvii make my testament and last will in this man~. ffirst J bequeth my soule to god almighty to our lady seynt Mary and to all the seynts in heven And my body to be buried in the churche there bifore our lady. Jt~ J geve to the highe aulter for my tithes forgoten oon combe malte and two busshelys whete. Jt~ to the Belfrige v quarts malte. Jt~ to maynteyne the highte upon the Roodelofte oon quart malte. Jt~ J geve to a cote of damaske to be bought for thymage of our lorde in the armes of our lady there vi s viii d. Jt~ J geve a lamer pole and a stremer clothe w=t= an ymage of seynt George theruppon vi s viii d. Jt~ J geve to the rep~acion of the Stonecrosse upon Arryngton [unclear] oon come malte. Jt~ to the high wey in Arryngton xl d. Jt~ to the rep~acion of Coolyndge lane xl d. Jt~ to the rep~acion of Cappie lane oon come malte. Jt~ to Johane Semer my goddaughter oon busshell whete and oon busshell malte. Jt~ to the church of Wendy oon q~rt malte. Jt~ to the church of Crandeme oon come malte. Jt~ to the church of Wympole oon come malt. Jt~ J will that Alice my wife have my ten~te in Wendy w=t= all thapp~ten~nce during hir life and aft~ hir decesse the said ten~te w=t= thapp~ten~nce to remayn after the orden~nce of deeds Jndentid therof made as in the said deed more playnely apperith. Jt~ if Agnes Spryng my sister decesse or myn heir come to laufull age then J will my ten~t in Crawdeme callid Wards w=t= thapp~ten~nce remayn to my said wife duryng the nonage of myn heirs and then my said heirs to have the said ten~te w=t= thapp~ten~nce. And if my saide heirs decesse or they come to laufull age then J will the saide ten~t w=t= thapp~ten~nce remayn to my said wif hir heirs and assignez for ev~more. Jt~ J will that Alice my wif have my ten~t in Arryngton callid Levotts duryng the nonage of myn heirs William and Elizabeth and if my said heirs decesse or they come to laufull age than J will the saide ten~t remayn to my said wif duryng hir life and after hir decesse the said ten~t to be sold and the money therof comyng to be wared upon the moost nedefull things in the church of Arryngton foresaid for the wele of my soule and the soules of my parents Robert and Margorie. Jt~ J will that my said wif have my ten~te in Arryngton in the which Isabell my moder in lawe dwellith aft~ the decesse of the seid Isabell w=t= myn house callid Semars during the nonage of my seid heirs beryng all charge therto longyng after the will of my fader Robert Mede thelder. Jt~ J geve to Elizabeth my daughter xx=ti= weder shepe xx=ti= ewes and xx=ti= lames a blake cowed fetherbede w=t= a mattris and half a garnysshe of pewter vessell. The residue of my goodes not bequethed J put into the disposicion of Alice my said wif the which seid Alice and Thomas Bendish gentilman J make myn executours that they may pay my detts and fulfill this my p~sent will and dispose of my goodes as they thinke best to please god. Jt~ J make ffrannceys Hasyldene esquyer sup~viso=r= of this p~sent will to see all things prinpleat according to the said will. Thies wittnes John Nores vicar ther John Whight yoman and John Grene w=t= other.
John Meade of Swaffham Prior, 1507
In dei noie amen, the vi day of February the year of our lord god m ccccc vii I John Meade dwelling in the parish of Saint Cyriac in Swaffham Prior in the diocese of Ely, of whole mind and perfect membrance, make my testament in this manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul to God almighty and to our lady saint Mary and to all the saints in heaven, my body to be buried in the churchyard of Saint Cyriac aforesaid. Item I give and bequeath to the high altar of Saint Cyriac for my tithes forgotten and not paid vi s viii d. Item I bequeath to William my son x bullocks great and small. Item I bequeath to Richard my son x bullocks great and small. Item I give and bequeath to John my son the residue of all my bullocks. Item I give to William my son x ewes and vi hogs. Item to Richard my son x ewes and vi hogs. Item I give to John my son x ewes and vi hogs. Item I will that my household be divided between my children. Item I give to William my son my best mare. Item I give to Richard my son another mare et the best. Item I give to John my son another mare. Item I give the other of my mare to the sepulchre light. Item I bequeath to John my son xx combs of wheat and xx combs of malt. Item I give to John my son all my (?). Item I bequeath to each of my friends at the time of my departing a comb of malt. Item I give x marks in money to buy one suit of black worsted to the church of Saint Cyriac. Item I give to William Dullynghy one quarter of barley. Item to Henry Dullynghy's wife I give a comb of malt. Item I give to John Dullinghy iii combs of malt. Item I give to Thomas Dullinghy one quarter of malt. Item I bequeath to each of my godchildren and to each of my wife's godchildren a bushel of barley. Item I bequeath to F John Mayflaye x d to sing a trental for me and my wife. Item I will that F John Mayflaye sing for me and my wife half a year and to have for his labour iiii marks. Item I give to William my son my house with the appurtenances that I dwell in and to pay to my son John v marks of money. Item I giv to Richard my son my place called grewys with the appurtenances and pay my son John v marks in money, and if it fortune William my son to decease without issue of his body then I will that it remain to Richard my son and if it fortune Richard my son to decease without issue then I will that both their places with the appurtenances remain to John my son and his heirs, and if it fortune John my son to decease without issue before his ii brethren then I will that his bequests and legacies remain to William and Richard, and if it fortune that all iii decease then I will that the ii places be sold by William Rowe my executor and dispose to the use of the church of Sant Cyriac in reparation of (?) and other things, and if the said the said William Rowe decease before my iii sons then I will the churchwarden then being of Saint Cyriac have power to sell my said places with the appurtenances after the death of all my sons to the use of the church as is aforesaid. The residue of my goods not bequeathed I will be eqully divided among my iii sons and if they all decease then I will that the aforesaid residue be disposed of by William Rowe to the use of the aforesaid church as is aforesaid of that ii tenements with the appurtenances. Item I give to William Rowe for his labour x s whom I make my executor with William my eldest son witness, with William Fayrhare and Doctor John Mayflaye with others.
John Mede of Whaddon, 1520
In the name of God amen, the viiith day of December in the year of our lord God m ccccc xx I John Mede of Whaddon in the diocese of Ely whole of mind and of good memory make my testament and last will on this manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul to almighty God, to our lady Saint Mary and to all the holy company of heaven and my body to be buried in the church of Whaddon. Item I bequeath to the church of Whaddon for my burial xx d. Item to the light anter a quarter of malt to be paid at the feast of Saint Michael the archangel next ensuing. Item to the bells a comb of malt. Item to the tapers. Item I bequeath to Richard my son my dwelling place with the land that doth belong to it and the x acres of land that were sometime Robert Smythe's. Item to John my son a place the which is called Wodds with appurtenances to have and to hold to him and to his heirs forever. Item to William my son xx quarters of malt. Item to Thomas my son xx quarters of malt. And the said malt to be paid within vii yearsafter my decease. Item to Anne my daughter iiii quarters of barley. Item I will that Margaret my wife have half my house and land for term of her life with Richard my son, and if that Margaret my wife do marry she to have out of my house and land xiii s iiii d yearly during her life. And if Richard my son depart without issue of his body lawfully begotten, then my said house and lands to remain to John my son and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, and if the said John depart without issue of his body lawfully begotten then I will that the said house and land shall remain to William my son and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, and if the said William depart without issue of his body lawfully begotten then I will that Thomas my son shll have the said house and land to him and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever. Item I bequeath to Walter son to Annes my daughter one quarter of barley. Item I bequeath to Margaret Broke ii quarters of barley. Item I bequeath to the church of Whadon a cow to keep my obit yearly. The residue of all my goods above not bequeathed I give and bequeath to the said Margaret my wife and Richard my son for to order at their own pleasure, the which Margaret and Richard I make my executors and William Grant supervisor of this my present testament and last will, these being witnesses Thomas Knowlys curate of Whaddon, William Grant, William Adam, John Medow and William Grene with others the day and year above written.
Elizabeth Mede of Comberton, 1524
In the name of God, Amen, ii nd day of July in the year of our lord God m cccc xx iiii I Elizabeth Mede of Comberton of whole mind and good remembrance make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul into the hand of almighty God and to the lady Saint Mary and to all the holy company of heaven, and my body to be buried in the churchyard of our lady of Comberton aforesaid. Item I bequeath to the same church vi s & viii d. Item I bequeath to the church of Arrington vi s & viii d. Item I bequeath to the Abbey of Bustemede vi s & viii d. Item I bequeath to Annes Barne a pair of beads of gilt with my silver (?) hanging on the bead. Item I bequeath to Johane Chapman a corset of red, a pair of sheets and iii s iiii d in money to be delivered to her at the time of her marriage, and if she die before she be married that then I will the said legacies to return to the children of William and Julian, equally to be divided between them. Item I bequeath to Margaret Barne xx d. Im I bequeath to Elizabeth Chavey xx d to be delivered at the time of her marriage, and if she die before then to remain to the children as is aforesaid. Item I bequeath to Richard and Annes Barne ii kine the which I will shall remain in the custody of William Barne or his assigns till such time as the said William or his assigns may with the (???) of the said ii kine provide to have my honest obit at the (??) in the year and they the said ii kine to remain to the said Richard and Annes. Item I bequeath to Robert Mede my son all the debt that is owing to me except vi s & viii d that John Saunder oweth to me the which I will that William Barne shall have. The residue of all my goods not bequeathed I give them to the children of William Barne the which William I ordain and make to be my executor. Witnesses of this testament John Barne, Richard Torrenford, John Roger and William Cornell with others.
William Mede of Swaffham Prior, 1530
In the name of God Amen, the xx day of April in the year of our lord god m ccccc xxx I William Mede of Swaffham Prior in the diocese of Ely being of good remembrance but sick in body make and ordain this my last will in manner and form following. First I meekly commend my soul to my lord God and my body to be buried in the churchyard of Saint Cyriac by my friends. Also I bequeath to the high altar in the church of Saint Cyriac in recompensation of my tithes and oblations negligently tithed or too little offered iii s iiiid. Also I bequeath to Clement my wife the house that I dwell in with the appurtenances and copy hold with the appurtenances next unto it upon the south side for the term of her life and after her decease I will that Nicholas my son shall have the aforesaid house and copy with the appurtenances, and if it please almighty God that the aforesaid Nicholas departeth this present life ere he have any heirs of his body lawfully begotten then I will that the aforesaid house and copy with the appurtences to be ordered as it appeareth in my father's will. Also I bequeath to the said Nicholas my son v marks of money to be paid unto him at lawful age, and if my wife marry I will that John Gilbert my father in law shall have the said child and his part. The residue of my goods movable and immovable I give and bequeath to my wife whom I make my executrix and I will she pay my debts and do for my soul and my good friends' souls in good deeds of charity as she shall think best. Also I will that she do yearly for me and my friends in the church of Saint Cyriac a dirge and a mass during her life. And I make supervisor of this my last will John Gilbert aforesaid. And I will my wife recompense his pains as it shall please her. These witness Master Dale vicar of Saint Cyriac, Richard Kent and John Dullinghy.
John Meade of Whaddon, husbandman, 1563
In dei noie Amen, I John Meade of Whaddon in the county of Cambridge, husbandman, make this my last will & testament in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul to almighty God my creator and redeemer & my body to be buried in my parish church of Whaddon. Item I give to William & Thomas Meade my sons to either of them x £ in money & two bullocks & a house to either of them. Item I give to my children's children vi £ among them. Item I give to my wife as much money & goods as she brought with her when I was married to her. Item I make John Meade my son my sole executor of this my last will & testament. These being witnesses John Gain, William Adam, Thomas Barnes, John Meade and others more.
Richard Meade of Swaffham Prior 1567
In the name of God Amen the xxvi of March in the year of our lord God 1567 I Richard Meade of Swaffham Prior in the diocese of Ely, whole of mind and good of remembrance thanks be to almighty God, make this my testament and last will in manner and form hereafter following. First I bequeath my soul into the hand of almighty God my saviour and redeemer and my body to be buried in the churchyard of Saint Cyriac in Swaffham Prior aforesaid. Item I give & bequeath to the same church iii s iiii d towards the reparation. Item I give and bequeath to Joane my daughter one house with the appurtenances set, lying and being in Swaffham aforesaid and xx acres and a half & a strip of land thereto belonging called Grins and her mother to have it for her lifetime paying the lord's rent and other (?) out thereof and keeping it in good reparation. Item I give and bequeath to Alice my daughter the house that I dwell in with the appurtenances and a copy that holdeth of the college of Ely with iii acres and a half & a strip of lnd pertaining thereto and my said wife to have the houses and land during her life keeping them sufficiently repaired. Item I will that all my goods both moveable and unmovable be divided into three parts and so equally and indifferently parted between my wife and my two daughters each of them one part whereof my wife to have the first choice & Joane the second and Alice the third. All the residue of my goods not bequeathed I give and bequeath to Agnes my wife whom I make my executrix to the true and just performance of this my last will and testament. These witness John James the writer hereof and William Lynwood.
Grace Meade of Orwell, Cams, 1585
In the name of God Amen, the iiii th day of July 1585 I Grace Meade of Orwell in the county of Cambridge and diocese of Ely, widow, being sick of body but whole and perfect of mind & memory, thanked by God almighty, do make, ordain and constitute this my present testament concerning herein my last will in manner and form following, that is to say first I bequeath my soul to almighty God my maker & redeemer & my body to be buried in the churchyard of Orwell aforesaid. Item I give and bequeath to Nicholas Meade my son one couple of steers of three years old, one yearling herforth (Hereford?), three ewe sheep, one acre of red wheat in Cooks piece in Wetland, one pair of flaxen sheets, one latten candlestick to be paid to him at the age of xxiii years, & three pewter dishes. Item I give and bequeath to Mary my daughter my two kine, one herkforthe of three years old, my one ewe sheep, one featherbed, one bolster, one coverlet, one blanket of the best (unclear) one pair of flaxen sheets whereof one sheet with wrout seems, my press, my best hutch, my brass pot, one brass pan or twelve shillings on money, two pewter platters, my best latten candlestick, one acre of purkye (?) wheat & my best acre of peas. Item I give to Johane Rowning my daughter one half acre of red wheat beyond Sweat Acre Way, ten shillings in money, my best gown, two ewe sheep. Item I give to Thomas Meade my son one half acre & half rood of red wheat beyond Sweat Acre Way, one half acre of wetland at broad grass ford, one acre of peas, a pair of flaxen sheets whereof one sheet that was his father's, to be paid to him at the age of xxiii years. Item I give and bequeath to my said sons Thomas & Nicholas & my said daughter Mary all my crop of barley, equally to be divided between them. Item I will that if it happen any of my said children Thomas, Nicholas or Mary to depart this present world before they accomplish or come to their said ages of xxiii years, that then I will that his part or her part so deceasing to remain to the others of them surviving And I order & make my brother William Kettle my sole executor of this my present will. These being witnesses Thomas Holder, John Kettle & Robert Adam the younger.
Thomas Meade of Orwell, 1585
In the name of God amen, the iiiith day of April 1585 I Thomas Meade of Orwell in the county of Cambridge & diocese of Ely, husbandman, being sick in body hole & perfect in mind & memory thanks be to almighty God, do make, ordain & constitute this my present testament concerning herein my last will in manner & form following, that is to say, first I bequeath my soul to almighty God my maker & redeemer & my body to be buried in the churchyard of aforesaid. Item I give & bequeath to the poor inhabitants of Orwell aforesaid xii s, the one half to be distributed unto them in the day of my burial & the rest at midsummer next. Item I give to any one of my godchildren vi s to be paid unto them immediately after my said burial. Item I give & bequeath to Ales Reste my daughter in law three pairs of sheets whereof one sheet of flaxen with a black seam that was her father's, & xxiii s iii d in money. Item I give to the said Ales Reste one quarter of barley, one combe thereof to be paid unto her at All Saints Day next &the other the day twelvemonth next after, three pewter dishes, an old mattress, a bolster & a coverlet or iii s iiii d in money, a kettle or iii s iiii d in money & the said money to be paid her at Sturbridge fair next. Item I give & bequeath to Nicholas Meade my son vi £ xiii s iiii d in money to be paid unto him at the age of xviii years, two steers of three years old or else xlvi s viii d in money & six ewe sheep to be paid at the said age of xviii years. Item I give & bequeath to Mary Meade my daughter four pounds in money, four quarters of barley, one cow price xxxiii s iiii d, four ewe sheep, a mattress & a coverlet or else xiii s iiii d in money, one bolster price v s, two pillows with bearers to them of flaxen, five pairs of sheets whereof one pair of flaxen, one towel of flaxen, one flaxen tablecloth, one brass pot price vi s viii d, two kettles priceviii s, three pewter platters, three pewter dishes, two pewter salts, two latten candlesticks, one pewter candlestick to be paid unto her at the age of xxiii years. Item I give & bequeath to Grace my wife three acres of wheat whereof one acre & half a rood of red wheat beyond Sweat Acre Way, one half acre of purky wheat in Cokes piece in Wetland, one acre of red wheat in the said piece, another half acre of purky in Coke piece at Broadgrass ford next the balk, and one half acre of wetland in Cokes piece at Broadgrass ford aforesaid, and of my crop of barley and peas she to take an acre the first choice and Thomas my son another until they have divided the same, saving the Tommtry lands sown with wheat, barley or peas which I give wholly to Thomas my son. Item I give to my said wife and Thomas my son one yoke of oxen. Item I give to my wife my biggest yoke of steers upon condition that she shall let Thomas my son to have them until All Saints next to furnish his draft for the tillage of his ground, two kine f the youngest sort, two herforthes (Herefords?) one two years old & another three years old, x sheep, iiii pairs of sheets of flaxen, the bedstead in the little parlour, one featherbed, one bolster, the best coverlet, one blanket of the best, my press, the best hutch & best coffer, one brass pot next the best, one brass pan or xii s in money, three of the best pewter platters, three of the best pewter dishes, two latten andlesticks one of the best. Item I give & bequeath to Joan Rowning my daughter one quarter of barley & one bushel of malt whereof one combe of the said barley & the bushel of malt to be paid unto her immediately after my burial & the other combe of barley at All Saints day next. Item I will that my said wife shall have my little parlour with free egress & regress to the same & also shall have yearly one load of hay price v s, forty of the marsh close & also four acres of Billatt land neither of the best nor of the worst to be tilled for her at the charge of Thomas my son during the time she keeps herself sole and unmarried, provided always that my said son shall have all the hard straw yearly for to ward his pains to hatch his house. The residue of all my goods moveable & unmoveable unbequeathed my debts paid and these my legacies in this my will contained I wholly give to Thomas my son whom I make & constitute my sole executor of this my present testament & last will. These being witnesses Thomas Holder, Niholas Butler alias Jogenson, William Kyttell, Robert Adam & Thomas Rowning.
William Mead of Pampisford, Cams. 1603, proved 1607
In the name of God, Amen, in the year of our lord God 1603 and in year of the reign of our sovereign lord King James of England, France and Ireland the first and of Scotland the thirty vi, I William Mead of Pamisford in the county of Cambridge, labourer, sick of body but of good and perfect remembrance, do make, constitute and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I commit my soul into the hands of almighty God and my body to be buried where it shall please God to call me to his mercy. Item I give unto my son William Mead my eldest son xii d for his legacy. Item I give unto George Mead my son xii d. Item I give to Agnes (-) my daughter xii d. Item I give unto Katherine Mead my daughter xii d. The rest of my goods unbequeathed and not given I give unto Margaret Lokes my betrothed wife whom I make the whole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said William Mead have unto this my last will and testament set my hand in the presence of John ratham and John Watson. The mark of William Mead testator.
William Meade of Comberton, 1609, January the xxiii
In the name of God amen, I William Meade of Comberton being sick of body and whole in mind do make my last will & testament. First I give my soul to almighty God and my body to burial in the churchyard in Comberton or else where it shall please my executors. Item I give unto Mary my daughter one combe of barley. Item I give and bequeath unto my wife & my son Thomas & my son William all my goods to be parted equally betwixt them three. Item one (?) of red wheat next to the cistern which is to be parted between (?) and my son Thomas. Item iii quarters of wheat already threshed to be parted in like sort. Item one load of barley to be parted. Item the black oats to be parted. This William Meade's mark. I do make my wife & my son Thomas and my son my executors of this my last will and testament.
Thomas Meade of Orwell, 1634
Memorandum that (?) day last past Anno Domino 1634 Thomas Meade of Orwell in the county of Cambridge, husbandman, being sick in body but of perfect remembrance, being desirous to set his estate in order did dispose of his estate in manner & form following viz it was paid to Edward Meade his eldest son 1 s. Item to his children twelve pence apiece. Item to Simon (?) two children two shillings apiece. The rest of his goods he willed should be equally divided amongst his three children Sara, William and Jane. And he made his daughter Sara executrix of his will. In the presence of Robert Adams and Robert Holder who (?) and will testify the same.
Fuller Meade of Milton, 1678
In the name of God amen, the twelfth day of January in the year of our lord one thousand six hundred seventy eight, I Fuller Meade of Milton in the county of Cambridge, gent, make this my last will. First I commit my soul into the hand of almighty God my creator & redeemer & my body to the earth. Item I give & bequeath unto Isabel my loving wife & to her heirs forever all my houses, lands, tenements & hereditaments whatsoever with their appurtanences in Cloggeshall & Witham in the county of Essex or elsewhere in the said county of Essex. Item I give & bequeath unto my said loving wife after my debts & funeral charges paid all my personal estate, and I do nominate & appoint my said loving wife to be sole executrix of this my will. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand & seal the day & year above said.
Signed & sealed by the said Fuller Meade & by him also published to be his last will & testament in the presence of we whose names are under written, we also subscribing our names as witnesses thereof in his presence.
Richard Mead of Chesterton 1700. Inventory
An inventory of all the goods and chattels of Richard Mead late of Chesterton, Gent, deceased, taken and appraised this eleventh day of June Anno Domino 1700 by us whose names are underwritten as follows:
£ s d
Imprimus his purse & apparel 3 10
Item wearing linen, shirtsleeves, neck-cloths etc. 15
Item nine pairs of sheets, eight pillow-bears,
six board cloths, ten towels & a chest they lie
in, and a dozen coarse napkins 3 7 6
Item six pewter plates & a chamber pot & a
close stool & case 5
Item a fire shovel, tongs, & a pair of andirons 3
Item two tables, two armed chairs, two stools,
a couch & five cushions, and a little chest of
drawers 1 10
Item a silver hilted rapier, a brass hanger,
three belts, a silver hilted cane and a fowling
piece 2 5
Item two featherbeds, four old blankets, two
rugs, curtains & valance, two bolsters & two
pillows 6
Item the hangings of the room, window curtains
& rods 1
Item fourteen pictures and a cooking glass 16
Item a parcel of foreign coins, one little gold one,
about fifty silver ones & a copper medallion, a pair
of silver buckles, three pairs of buttons, two small
rings & a silver seal 4
Item four silver spoons, a torleise (?) & shell knives
& forks 1 5
Item a clock, weights and case 1
Item a parcel of books 2
Item debts due to the deceased 15 6
Item old lumber and things forgot 3 4
Item a lease from the Dean and Chapter of Ely 200
Sum total 243 3 4
This inventory was assigned the day and year above written to the sum of two hundred forty three pounds, three shillings and four pence by us,
George Taylor
The mark of Nicholas Weston