William Atte Mede of Great Ilford, Essex, 1482
Husbandman, unknown relationship
Daughter: Margery, granddaughter: Agnes
Jn the name of God Amen the xii=th= day of the moneth of January in the yere of oure lord god [1482] J Willia at Mede of the hamelet of muche Ilford in the p~ish of Bokying in the dioc~ of London husbandman in good mynde beyng J make and ordeyn this my p~sent testamet & my last wil in y=s= man~ as folw=t=. ffirst J gif and bequethe my sowle to Almygti god my savyo=r= and to oure lad seynt Mary and to all the seynts of heven and my bodi to be buried in the chirche of Seynt Margaret in the myddel Alei be fore the fonte. Also J bequethe to the werkis of the said chirche vi s viii d. Also J beq=e=the to the high allt=r= for tithes forgotyn & for offeryngs beyng behinde ther xii d. Also bequethe to the Equintal lyght ther iiii d. Also I bequethe to Seynt Mary lyght ther iiii d. Also to the makyng of the Belfre xii d. Jtem I bequeth to Seynt Xp~fer lyght ther iii d. Item to Seynt George lyght ii d. Jtem to the lygt of Seynt Mychell vii d. Jtem to the lygt of Seynt Margery ther iii d. Also J bequethe to Seynt Antony light vii d. Jt~ to the light of the blyssed virgyn Mary in the chapell of Seynt Thomas marter at Ilford aforsaid viii d. Also J bequethe and gif to Agnes the daugt~ of Margery my daugt~ a brasen pott conteyning iii galons. Also J gif and bequeth to the said Agnes iii plators iii [silver deleted] dishes of [pelbe] & iii candelstikys of [laten]. Also J gif and bequeth to the said Margery my daugt~ my t~ent w=t= the p~tenine edifices & lying fast be the west side in Jlford aforsaid and after my decesse duryng her naturall lif. And after the decesse of the said Margery J will that the said t~ent w=t= the p~tenine to remayne to Agnes the daught~ of her and to the heyres of hir body lawfully begoten. Also my wil is that the said Margery have & enioye a quart of a yard of lande namyd Wittermanys after my decesse duryng the terme of hir lif and after her decesse J will that the said yard of lande remayn to the said Agnes & to the heyres of hir bodi lawfully begoten. Also y will & ordeyn the sayd Margery & John Fyshe to be myn executo=r=s. And J will y=t= the said John Fishe have vi sh viii d for his labo=r=. And my detts paid and my wil fulfilled J wil that the residue of my goods remayne to the said Margery. In vetnesse wheroff to this wrytyng I have set my seale. Dat at Ilford aforesaid the day and yere above wreten.
William Mede of Berden, abt 1470 - 1502
Mother: Jane
Brothers: John, Richard
Wife: Margaret Wright
William Mede his brother's son
William Wright his wife's son
Jn dei noie Amen, J William Mede of Berden in the dioc~ of London the xx=ti=iiii day of July in the yer of our lorde M=t= V=c= & ii hole of mynde & in gode memory orden & do make my testament & laste will in this man~ & forme that folowth. ffirst J bequeth my sowle to my lorde god my maker to ou=r= lady saynt Marie & to all the holy company of hevyn my body to be buryed in the churchyarde of Saynt Nicholas in Berden aforsaide. After my body buryed J gyve & bequeth to the high Auter of the same church for my tithes forgotyn & unpaide xx d & viii bz barly. Also J gyve & bequeth to the beyng of a chalys to the same church vi s iiii d. Also Y gyve & bequeth to An honest preste beyng of good name to pray for my sowle my ffathers soul & my frends sowlys in the church of Berden the space of haf a yer lx s. Also J gyve & bequeth to the child that my wif goyth w=t=all if god fortune it may leve xx=ti= quarters whete & to be in my wyfs hands tyll the same childe com to xx=ti= yer of age & if the same childe dye er it come to xx=ti= yer as god forbede that then J will the same xx=ti= q~ters whete to Margaret my wif & to her assignes. Also Y will to the church of Berden a fermable cowe to kype my obet for me & my frends ons a yer in the same church forev~. J will to Willia Mede my brothers sone a bulloke of a yer age. Also Y will to Willia Wright my wifs sone a bulloke of a yere age. And if the same Willia dye J will the same bulloke remayne to my wifs childern. Also Y will aft~ my decese all my lands & tenements in Mauden to Jane Mede my mother t~me of her lyve & aft~ her decese J will all the saide lands & tenements to Margaret my wif t~me of her lif & aft~ decese of the same Margaret J will all the said lands & ten~ts to the childe that my wif goith w=t= & the heirs of that body laufully begoten & if the same childe dye w=t=oute heirs of the body lawfully begotyn J will all the saide lands & ten~ts remayn to John Mede my brother and his heirs of his body laufully begoten & for the fawte of heirs of his body lawfully begotyn Y will all the said lands and ten~ts remayne to Richard Mede my brother & to his heirs of his body lawfully begoten for ev~ & if thei all decese w=t=oute heirs of ther bodyes lawfully begoten J will all the forsaid lands & ten~ts be solde by myn exec~ or ther executo=r=s & the mony therof to be disposid to the most plesur of god for the helth of my sowle & all my frynds sowlys. Also Y will to Willia Alyn my syrvant iii bz barly. The residew of all my goods not yet bequethed J gyve them & bequethen to Margaret my wif whome Y orden & make myn executo=r=s Marget my wif Jane Mede my mother & John Mede my brode thei to bryng my body to yerth p~ve my testmet pay my detts & fulfill my laste will & dafor my sowle & my frynds soulys as thei had beying in [unclear]. Herof beyng witnes Roberd Shertyn vicar of Berden Harry Waryn John Mede of Ugley and other that this is my testamet & laste will it may be fulfillid and trewly p~formyd.
Thomas Mede of Clavering, Essex
Born about 1440-1450, died in Clavering, Essex, 1504
Will proved in Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Sons: Robert, Thomas, Richard, John
Jn the name of god amen The iiii=th= day of May in the yere of owr lorde god X V C and iiii J Thomas Mede of Clavering in the Dioc of London being hole of mynde and in good and p~fet memory thanked be almyghty Jhv made, ordenid and disposid his present testament conteynyng his last will in the maner and forme ensuing that ys to witt ffirst and princypally he bequethid and recomendid his sowle to almygthy god his maker and savyour to his glorius mother owr Lady Seynt Mary the Virgin and to all the holy company of hevin and his body to be buried in the parish church of Claveryng aforesaid. And he bequeth to the hye Aultar of the same church for his tithis and offerings forgoten or negligently witholden in discharging of his sowle iii s iiii d. Jtem he bequethid to the reparacion of the same church a good fermabull cow. Jtm he bequethid a nother cowe to the fundyng of a lyght before owr Lady in the new Tabernacule jn the body of the same church. Jtm he bequethid to the reparacion of the foresaid parish church of Clavering x li to be disposid by the oversyght of his executours and overseer to be paid by the hondis of his executours vi li xii s iii d and v marke the residue to be lesond o a dett which Robert fiche Brother owgth him. Jtm he bequethid a nother cow to goo in like wise to the sustentacion of a light before the Jmage of Seint Blase within the said church. Jtm he bequethid to the reparacion of the parish church of Arkesen vi s viii d. Jtm he bequeathed in like wise to the parish church of Langley vi s viii d. Jtm he bequethid to a prest of good and honest conversacion to sing him dymy serme by a hole yere yn the parish church of Clavering aforesaid for his sowle and all cristen sowlis vi li. Jtm he bequethid to his sonne Robert Meed v mark in money wherof he willed that he shall receyve xlvi s viii d of Gefferey Cheshm which he owed him. Jtm he bequethid to Thomas Mede his godsonne of the foresaid Robert a cow a ewe and a lambe. Jtm he bequethid to William Chessy a ewe and a lambe. Jtem he bequethid to his servant Alice Totynh~m xx s. Jtm he bequethid to his servant Will Cole a bushell whete and a bushel of barley. Jtm he bequethid to his sonne Richard vi milch bests vi hors a cart and a plow with apparell therto belonging. Jtm he bequethid to Thomas his sonne vi other milch bests vi hors a cart and a plowgh with all the apparell to them to be deliverd when his lease and terme of yeres be exspired of the Lordship of Clavering. And yf hit happon any of his said sonne Richard and Thomas before his saide lease be exspired to discease he would that then the parte of him so decessing shall remayne to the other of them overlivyng. Jtm he bequethid to Johanne his wife vi horse of the best and a cart withall that belongith therto and x milch bests of the best. The residue of all his goodis, detts and cattals corne and vestilments what so ever they be after his detts paide his ffunerall done and this present testament fulfilled he gave and bequethid to Johanne his wife to dispose part theref for his sowle and all cristen sowlis and all the remnent at her pleasur to the comfort of hir and of hir childern and of this testament numenpatyve he made and ordenid the foresaid Johanne his wife his executrice William Mede his brother and John Cokesweth his executours. And he bequethid to ether of them for ther labors and bisines therin to be hadde x s. Also he made and ordenid Robert ffiztwilliam Gentilman of the foresaid testament numenpatyve supervisor and he to have for his labor and bisines x s. Thes being witnes Master Richard Heheby vicary of the parish church of Clavering aforesaide, Thomas Lerkin, Thomas Waren, John Drew, Edward Armbold and William Palmer with other penin the day and yere above specified.
Thys ys the last wyll of Thomas Mede made the iiii=th= day of May in the yer of owr lorde god a thowsand v c and iiii of all his londis and tenements both fre and copy which he or eny other person or persons to his use hath or have within the p~ish of Clavering and Domnow in y=e= counte of Essex. ffirst he will that his croft of iii acres callid Stokking Croft and a pece of lond cont on acr and a [unclear] liing in Stutfeld by rebers medow shall goo to the fundyng of his Obet to be holden and kepte yerly for evermor in the parish church of Clavering aforesaid. Jtm he will that Johanne his wife shalhave all his londis and medow called Dawberrys and all his londis and T~ents called Jardays also his medow callid virlys medow now occupied by Thomas Northath and also his t~ent called Darmeres to holde to ther sonne John for terme of hir lif and after hir decece he will that all the same londys and tenements to hir assigned shall holy remayn to Richard his sonne to holde to him and to his eyris in fee simple forever. Jtm he will that the same Richard his sonne shalhave when he commith to his lawfull age all his londis callid Lorkins, Wesowoden, Virleis, Greatmead ende pais Pightell and Marse in Reyland to hold to him and his eyris in fee simple for ever. Jtm he will that Thomas his sonne shalhave when he comith to his lawfull age his londis called Sunners perkins Harberd Slolyes picre, Webbis Biner and Maryfond holden by copy of John Barly to holde to him and to his eyres in fee simple for ever and yf it happon eny of the saide Richard or Thomas to decease befor he atteyne unto his lawfull age he will that then all the londis & tenements to him so during befor assigned shal remayne unto the other of them overlivyng. And yf hit happen both the said Ric~ and Thomas befor that ether of them com to his lawfull age to decece as god defend he will that then all the londis and t~ents to them before assigned shalbe solde by his executours undernamed and the money commyng of such sale to dispose for his sowle his frendis sowlis and all in goode works and dedis and dedis of cherite as seme to them best to please god and to p~fit his sowle. Jtm he will that Margaret Bartram shalhave his t~ent in Dunmow wherein she now dwellyth for terme of hir life and after hir deceace he will that the said t~ent with thappurtenance shall remayne to the foresaid Robert his sonne and to his eyris in fee simple for evermor. And of this his present testament and last will he mak and ordene the foresaid Johanne his wife his executrice and executours of the same he made and ordeyn his brother William Mede and John Cokyswith and he bequethid to eyther of them for his labor and bysines herin to be hade x s. Also he make and orden Robert ffytzwilliam gentilman of this present testament and last will supervisor.
Joan Mead of Walden, 1531
Unknown relationship, widow of John Mede of Walden
Sons: John Booyton, Thomas & William Mede
Jn dei noie Amen the fyrst day of Jny the of yere of o=r= lord 1531 J Johanne Mede off Walden in the county off Essex wydowe make & ordeyne thys my p~sent testament and last wyll in man~ & fforme folowyng. ffyrst J bequeth my sowle to almyghty god my [unclear] & redemer to o=r= blessyd lady seynt Mari the virgyn & all the holy company off heven and my body to be buryed in the p~ishe churche off Walden byfore the jmage off o=r= savyor Jesu criste godds sonne and in the myddyll aley off the same church. Jtm J bequeth to the body off Walden p~ish to tythys [and] offerings forgotten xii d. Jtm J wyll thatt my executors shall dispose att the day off my funerall my [unclear] day & my monyth day vi li xii s & iiii d in almes deede & charitable amonge the poore people therunto resortying. Jtm J gyve & bequethe to John Boyton my son vi sylv~ spoonez & a sylver salte. Jtm J gyve & bequeth to Thomas my son vi silv~ spoonez and a [syafure]. Jtm J gyve & bequeth to Wyllyam my son vi silv~ spoonez and my peece off silv~. Jtm J gyve & bequeth to Thomas my sonne my lesse off t~me off yeres off my croft callyd Hoggescrofte holden for terme off yeres off my lord abbott off Walden. Jtm J give wyll that Aya ffrancyn my kynswoman have y=e= dwellying in my t~ent callyd Hoggestone vi yeres aft~ my deeth & aft~ that J wyll that Thomas my son have the residue off the t~me of lesse off the sayd crofte. Jtm J wyll to John Thomas & Wyllyam my sonnes be my executors off thys my p~sent testament & last wyll. Wyttnesses Thomas Byrd, Wyllm Gamage.
Richard Mede of Manuden, 1535
In Dei nomine amen, the vi th day of October Anno Domino 1535 I Richard Mede of Manuden of whole mind make my testament. First I bequeath my soul unto almighty God. Item to the altar vi s. viii d. Item I give to a priest to sing for my soul in the church of Manuden iii £ vi s. viii d. Item I give to Abbess Holwell xl s. Item I bequeath x quarters barley to be divided amongst my III brothers and II sisters part & part like. The residue of all my goods I will to be devised for me & to my debts by Robert Brett whom I make my executor. These being witnesses Richard Dawson curate, John Parish & John Prayn (?) & others. Item I will that the said legacies be paid by Robert Brett with the money remaining of the sale of X acres land lying in (unclear) which I have sold to the said Robert Brett.
Unmarried, no children
John Meade of Farnham, will made 1544 proved 1545
Uncertain relationship
Wife: Elizabeth
Children: John, Thomas, Ann, Joan, Elizabeth, Margaret
Jn the name of gode Amen. The xiiii daye of Marche y=e yere of oure lorde god m ccccc & xliiii Also y=e= xxxvi yere of the Reyne of ouer most victorius and hathalicall prince henri viii bi the grace of god kinge of iglande france france & ireland defensor of the faythe and imediatlye under god suppreme hed of y=e= chirche of igland and ireland J Jhon Meade of farnham & of y=e= dioc~ of london beynge of good & parfite rememorance laude and prayce be to god ordinithe & makethe this my moste leafull will & tes~ment Jn forme and maner here folowing. ffirste J bequethe my sowle to all mighte god and all the blisid co~panye of heaven and my bodye to be burid in the chirche yarde of farnham afore sayde. Jtem J bequethe to the hye autor of farham for [michigio] of tithes iiii d. Allso I will y=t= Elesibethe my wife have my coppye landes howse and tenementes to the terme of her naturaule lyfe and after her desese then J will that the sayde coppye & lande beynge & lyinge in the parrishe of farnham afore sayde to Jhon Meade my eldiste sonne & to the yeres of his bodye leyfullye begotten and if it please god or it fortune y=e= sayde Jhon my sonne to dye w=t=oute yeeres of his bodye lefullye begotten Than J will & bequethe the the foresayde coppye landes & tenement to Thomas my sonne & his yeres of his bodye lefully begotten And iff my sayde sonnes w=t=out yeres of ther bodyes leaufully begotten Then J will the sayd coppye & landes to An my daughter and to the yeres of her bodye lefully begotten and Jf she dye w=t=out yeres of her bodye lefully begotten then J will the sayde coppye & landes to Jhone my daughter & to her yeres ofer bodye lefullye begotten. Jf she fortune to dye w=t=out leafull yeres of J will y=t= Elesibethe my dughter shall have the sayde coppye and landes to her & to the yeres of her bodye lefullye begotten & if she desese w=t=out leafull yeares then J will and bequethe the sayd coppy & landes to Market my daughter and the yeres of her body lefully begotten and if all my children afore sayde disese withe out yeres of ther bodyes leyfully begotten then J will & give the sayd coppye landes to the nexte of my blode & he or she whether it shall be to praye for my sowle and all christen sowles & so to inioye the sayde coppye & landes to ther yeres of ther bodyes lefullye begotten & in parformance of this mi last will & testament J the foresayde Jhon Meade hafe delyverid a sorander of y=e= sayde copye and landes into y=e= hause Iorge Birlynge coppye howlder & Jhon Wodde tenante of y=e= sayde lordshipe in the p~cence of Thomas Hosker priste and curat of the parrishe of farham William Pepper corne and other. Item I will give to Elesabithe my wife all my corne cattell howsowld stufe and all other movables & she to se my bodye onestely beried & my ninthe day onestly kepte & paye all my detes and resayne all my detes belonging to me. Also she to paye to everye chylde Jhon my eldist sonne excepted vi s & viii d at y=e= daye of ther marige. Also J order & make Elezabethe my wife sole exequitrix of this my laste will & testement & George Birllinge my naybur super visor to ayde & counsell her her & she to se him onestly contentid & payd for his paynes. And thus J the sayd Jhon dothe finise and end this my most leafull laste will & testement y=e= yere & adate it supr=a= these beynge witnes Thomas Hosker prist Jhon Wodde William Pepercorn withe other. Amen.