1600-1650

Agnes Meade of Berden, 1601

In the name of God Amen, the thirtieth day of March in the three and fortieth year of the reign of our sovereign lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England, France & Ireland queen, defender of the faith, I Agnes Meade of Berden in the county of Essex, widow, being of good and whole mind & perfect memory, thanks be to almighty God, do make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following, that is to say. First I will & bequeath my soul into the hands of God the father & of his son Jesus Christ my saviour & redeemer, and of the holy ghost my comforter assuredly expecting for the divine kingdom bought and purchased for me by the only bloodshedding of Jesus Christ, & my body to be buried according to the discretion of my executors. Concerning the disposition of all my goods moveable and immoveable, chattels real and personal, I give & bequeath them as hereafter follows. First I give and bequeath to Richard my son all that my lease & term of years which I have of & in the manor of Berden Hall ll the land, tenements & hereditaments thereto belonging & appertaining & with the same now occupying enjoyed which I have by lease from the _____ to my said son Richard, his executors & assigns for & during so many years as are yet to come & unexpired in the same, upon condition that my said son Richard shall be personally bound to my well-beloved son in law Richard Luthar & my sons Nicholas & Reynold Meade with one obligation in due form of law to be made in the sum of one thousand pounds of lawful money of England, with condition that he my said son Richard, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns or some of them shall well & truly execute my will & well & truly content to satisfy & pay or cause to be well & truly satisfied & paid, all such several bequests, legacies and sums of money to such several persons & at such several days & times as by this my last will & testament I have limited and appointed the same, so that they amount to the several sums of ten pounds or above, and the one moiety o al such legacies & bequests as are yet unpaid of the bequests of my late husband Edward Meade, as by the last will & testament of my said husband is limited & appointed. And if my said son Richard shall refuse & not become bound as aforesaid to my sons Richard Luthar & Nicholas & Reynold Meade, then I will & bequeath my said lease & term of years and the stock & store thereupon and all other my goods & chattels at Berden Hall aforesaid, & all the corn as well in the barn or barns, and other houses & stocks, and all other my goods & chattels not otherwise given & bequeathed by this my last will & testament shall be sold to the best value by my sons John & Nicholas Meade (whom I have appointed my executors in case my son Richard shall refuse) for the performance of this my last will & testament & the payment of the several legacies in the same manner. Item I give to Margaret Noble my daughter fifty pounds of good and lawful money of England to be paid to her within half a year after my decease, and if she hapento decease before the said time then I will the sum to be paid to the children of my said daughter to be equally divided amongst them at their several ages of XXI years or days of marriage, which shall first come, and if any of them die before that time, then the sum to be paid amongst the residue of them then living at the time or times aforementioned. Item I give unto my said daughter Margaret three of my best silver spoons, one basin & ewer, one little pewter pot hanging in the buttery, my great pan, two bowls, three bigger ____ left standing in the milk house, two round stools, my best gown, three cushions two in the hall and one in the upper chamber. Item I give to my said daughter Margaret my cupboard standing in the chamber where I now lie and the settle by it in manner of a long ____. Further I give unto her a new little red carpet, & another new little yellow one. Item I give & bequeath to Elizabeth Miller my daughter the sum of fifty pounds of like lawful money of England to be paid unto her wihin alf a year after my decease, and if she happen to die within that time then I will the sum to be paid at the same time to John Miller her husband or his executors to the use of the children of my said daughter Elizabeth (if she shall have any) to be equally paid amongst them at their several ages of XXI years or days of marriage, which shall first come, and if any of them die before that time then the sum to be paid amongst the residue of them then living at the time or times aforementioned. And if any of my said two daughters shall decease as aforesaid before their said several portions be paid as aforesaid having no issue of their body lawfully begotten living, then I will the sum to be paid to the husband of her so deceasing at the time aforesaid without any different meaning. Item I give & bequeath unto the said Elizabeth my daughter one press standing in the chamber or the parlor, one dozen of fine napkins, my best coverlet, two round stools in the parlor, my best chafing dish, one great kettle, on grea dripping pan, two bowls, _______________, my best petticoat & my best kirtle, one great pair of cob-irons, and the other three cushions in the hall & upper chamber. Item I give to Nicholas my son the sum of one hundred pounds of like lawful money to be paid unto him within one whole year next after my decease, and if my said son Nicholas shall happen to decease before the said time, then I will the said sum to the child or children of the said Nicholas to be paid unto them at their several days of marriage or ages of XXI years, which shall first come, by equal portions and if any of them die, then to be paid to the residue of them then living at the time or times aforesaid. Item I give him more a Damask carpet. Item I will & bequeath unto my son Reginald one hundred pounds of good & lawful money of England to be paid unto him within one half year next after demand made by him the said Reginald of the said Richard Meade. Item I give unto Reginald Meade & Thomas Meade my sons an annuity or yearly rent o thirt pounds of good & lawful money of England to be paid by the said Richard Meade my son during the time & term of years which he has in the said lease of Berden Hall, payable at two terms in the year, that is to say at the feast of the Annunciation XV pounds, & at the feast of St Michael XV pounds by even portions. Item I give unto Reginald my son two cupboards in the little buttery within the parlor, my great coverlet in the chest where my blankets lie, four cushions red & yellow, & also the little square table in the hall. Item I further will that my son Reginald shall have the parlor wherein I now lie with all the furniture unbequeathed during the continuance of the lease and at the end thereof the furniture with the little trundle bed to his own use. Item I give him all my flaxen yarn to make him shirts. Item I forgive to Edward my son all such debts & sums of money as he owes me. Item I give & bequeath to the said Edward my son thirty pounds of lawful money of England to be paid to him within one mnth nex after my decease, and if he happen to die before that time then I will it shall be paid amongst the children of my said son Edward at their several ages of XXI years or days of marriage, which shall first come, by even portions. Item I give unto Margaret Meade the daughter of my said son Edward ten pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto her at her age of XXI years, and to the other five children of my said son Edward thirty pounds of like lawful money to be likewise paid unto them & divided amongst them at their several ages of XXI years. Item I give unto Joane Hamond my daughter twenty pounds of lawful English money to be paid her or her assigns within three months next after my decease. And I will to her eight children now living, that is to say Agnes, Margaret, Thomas, Edward, Robert, Richard, Martha & Sarah, to every of them forty shillings to be paid unto them at their several days of marriage or at their several ages of XXI years, which shall first happen. Item I give to Martha Hamod, one o the daughters of my daughter Joane, forty shillings to buy her a cow, one little chest standing in the parlor, one mattress, one pair of blankets & a Damask coverlet. Item I give to the seven children of my son John viz. Henry, Joane, John, Edward, Elizabeth, Agnes & Dorothy; to the seven children of my son Richard viz. Agnes, Thomas, Martha, Margaret, Sarah, Joane & Elizabeth: to the four children of my daughter Luthar viz. John Perry, Agnes Perry, Anthony & Thomas Luthar; to the three daughters of my daughter Agnes Thorogood viz. Agnes, Mary & Sarah; to the three children of my daughter Margaret viz. Stephen, Richard and Ann Noble; to the four children of my daughter Miller viz. Agnes, Sara, Katherine & Ursula; to the four children of my son Nicholas viz. Nicholas, Nathaniel, Agnes & Mary, to any of them forty shillings apiece of lawful money of England to be paid unto them at their several marriages or at their accomplishing of their several ages of XXI years, which of them shall first happen. Iem I giveto John Thorogood son off my daughter Agnes VIII s VI d of lawful money of England to be paid to him at his age of XXI years. Item I give to Agnes Thorogood daughter of my said daughter Agnes five pounds of lawful English money, a bedstead in the folks chamber, a little foot bed whereupon she now lies, with the mattress, a pair of blankets, a coverlet with the bolster & ii pairs of tow sheets, the great cupboard in the hall, my table standing at ______, with my buck kettle and bucking tub. Item I give & bequeath unto my daughter Mary Luthar my three needlework cushions & ten pounds of lawful money of England to be paid to her or her assigns within two years next after my decease. Item I give to John Meade my son my silver salt & iii of my best silver spoons usually occupied abroad. Item I give to Edward my son a pot covered with silver, two silver spoons with maidens heads, a bed furnished that is in the bedstead standing next the door in the guest's chamber with mattress, curtains, bolster, a pair of pillow, a pair of blankets, my little tapestry coverlet. Item I give to my son three mattresses with their furniture, three bedsteads in the folks chamber, two silver spoons with the maiden heads, & my biggest brass pot. Item I give unto Nicholas my son two silver spoons with maiden heads, & a Damask carpet. Item I give unto Reginald my son my bedstead with the painted ______ in the loft, the curtains with the foot bed, the mattress, the bolster, two pillows, a pair of blankets, a coverlet, six pairs of sheets, iii of flax & iii of tow, one flaxen tablecloth, two dozen of table napkins, one dozen of flax the other of tow, two pairs of pillowcases, & two towels one of flax and the other of tow. Item I give to Thomas my son my foot bed whereon I now lie, with the bolster, mattress, a pair of blankets, a coverlet, six pairs of sheets, iii of flax & iii of tow, one flaxen tablecloth, two dozen of table napkins, one dozen of flax the other of tow, two pairs o pillowcases, two towels, one of flax and the other of tow. Aso I give unto him my new press in the little buttery within the parlor. Item I give unto Joane Hamond my daughter my new gown & my second kirtle, two silver spoons with maiden heads, and a carpet of yellow & green. Item I give to Elizabeth Meade wife of John Meade my son a ring of gold of the value of XX s, & to Margaret Meade wife of Richard Meade my son a ring of gold of the value of XX s, & seven pounds of lawful English money to make her a gown. To Mary Meade wife of Nicholas Meade my son a ring of gold of the value of XX s. To my sons in law Thomas Hamond, Jeffrey Thorogood & John Miller, to every of them a ring of gold of the value of XX s. Item I give unto my son in law Richard Luthar one ______ with silver & gilt, and one ring of gold of the value of forty shillings. Item I give & bequeath to my five daughters my linen in the hall chest & whatever is in it (my writing excepted) to be equally divided amongst them, my two youngest daughterstaking the first choice. Item I give to William Chaffey three hillings & to his wife a Holland kerchief. Item to the widow Reignold dwelling in the church house XX s and one pair of tow sheets. Item I will to Oliver Spratt, Edward Lark, Thomas Reignold & Joane King to every of them iii s iii d. Item I give to the said Joane King my best working day gown & my kirtle. Item I give to Margaret Folfield, Elizabeth Folfield & Agnes Folfield to each of them a pair of tow sheets. Item I give to my cousin Bennett Burton a ring of gold of the value of XII s VIII d and to his son Thomas Burton my godson six shillings & eight pence of lawful English money to be paid to him at his age of XXI years. Item I give to Margaret Strache the wife of Henry Strache and to her sister to each of them a ring of gold of the value of X s. Item I give to Lucy _____ a working day petticoat & one smock. Item I give to John Knight my godson five shillings of lawful English money. Item I give to the poor people of Berden forty shillings whreof XX s to be paid within one year next after my decease & th other XX s within two years next after my decease. Item I give to my brother Richard Meade a ring of gold of the value of XII s VI d. Item I give to Joane Hamond my daughter my bedstead wherein I now lie, my folded table with the cupboard in it in the same chamber, one little kettle with legs, & one great spit. Item I give to Nicholas my son on great _____. Item I give & bequeath all the residue of my pewter not bequeathed amongst seven of my children, that is to say Reginald & Thomas Meade, Joane Hamond, Agnes Thorogood, Mary Luthar, Margaret Noble & Elizabeth Miller, to be equally divided amongst them. Item I give to Agnes Noble daughter of my daughter Margaret my little brass pot and one more great chest standing in the guest loft. Item I give all the residue of my linen unbequeathed and all my tow yarn to my said five daughters, that is to say Joane, Agnes, Mary, Margaret & Elizabeth to be equally parted & divided amongst them, & I will theyoungest shall have the first choice. Item I give to my said fiv daughters all my coverlets & blankets unbequeathed to be divided amongst them to their use or to dispose of as they please. I do also give them all my candlesticks to be equally parted betwixt them. Item I give to my son Reginald my other great chest in the guest loft and my brass pot with the persons in the side. Item I give to Agnes Thorogood my daughter, to the use of her children ten pounds of lawful English money to be paid to her within one year next after my decease, and if she happen to die before the said time, then I will the sum to be paid to Jeffrey Thorogood her husband or his executor to the use of the children of my said daughter to be equally divided amongst them at their several ages of XXI years or days of marriage, which shall first come. Item I give to the three children of Agnes Adams and the two children of Margaret Crowch, to each of them six shillings eight pence apiece to be paid at their several ages of XXI years or dys of marriage, which shall first happen, provided & my full mind& will is that if any of the children of any of my sons & daughters to whom any legacy is herein given by me to die & depart this world before his or her legacy or legacies unto him, her or them be paid, then such of his, her or their brother or brothers, sister or sisters surviving shall have his, her or their legacy or legacies so dying to him or them equally to be divided at their days of marriage or age of XXI years, which shall first happen. Executor of this my last will and testament I constitute & appoint my son Richard Meade hoping he will truly perform the same, but if he my said son Richard Meade shall refuse to be my executor or fails in the execution thereof, then I nominate & appoint my sons John & Nicholas Meade to be my executors & discharge my said son Richard thereof. And I appoint overseers of this my last will & testament John & Edward Meade my sons, & my well-beloved son in law Richard Luthar, giving them for their pains tobe taken therein XX s apiece. The residue of my goods unbequeathedin this my last will & testament, or not given in a schedule ______, my debts paid & funeral performed, I give to Richard my son (appointed executor of this my last will & testament) if he perform the same, else to remain to John & Nicholas Meade appointed in his default to be my executors. In witness whereof I the said Agnes Meade to this my last will & testament have set my hand & seal, & published the same to be my last will & testament the day & year first above written in the presence of the persons whose names are hereunder written.

Edward Meade of Matching, 1602

In the name of God amen, I Edward Meade of Matching, being sick in body but thanks be unto God in good and perfect memory, do make and constitute this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul unto almighty God and my body to be buried in the churchyard of Matching. Item I give and bequeath unto Mary my wife six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence and a quarter of malt and nine acres of oats and one acre of barley and all the cows in the barn and all the goods in the house. Item I give and bequeath unto Mary my wife two cows and a horse and all my goods and stuff. Item I give and bequeath unto Edward my son six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence and a quarter of malt and nine acres of barley, the bullock and _____ and all things pertaining thereunto, three pairs of shoes, a pair of __________ and two hutches. Item I give and bequeath unto my mother forty shillings to be paid unto her within two years after my decease, five shillings a quarter until she be pad if she live so long. Item I give to the poor of Matching V sh. I make Mary my wife executrix of this my last will and testament and I make John Meade of Matching my supervisor to have for his pains iiii d if he be called about my will. Item I give to Mary my wife all my house and land lying and being in Matching. In witness whereof I have set my own hand. Witnesses Robert Matthew, John Meade, Edward Bugge, Bennett Williams.

George Meade of Great Easton, 1602

In the name of God Amen, the one and twentieth day of May one thousand six hundred and two, I George Meade of Much Easton in the county of Essex, yeoman, do make my last will and testament in form following. First I bequeath my soul to almighty God and my body to the earth , and touching my lands and tenements, goods and chattels wherewith God of his mercy hath blessed me, first I will and my mind is that in consideration of a bond of four hundred pounds wherein I stand bounden and in performance thereof, that Elizabeth my wife shall have and enjoy for term of her natural life all that my messuage or tenement with the appurtenances called Croyes being in Much Easton aforesaid and all the land, meadows, pastures, feedings and hereditaments to the same messuage belonging or in any wise appertaining, and after her decease I will and bequeath the same unto Josias Meade my son and his heirs forever. Item I give unto the said Elizabeth my wife ten milch kine, two featherbeds with pillows, coverlets, blankets, shee and all things thereunto belonging, four horses and a third part of all my other household stuff and implements of household, indifferently to be divided. Item I give more unto my said wife seven quarters wheat, seven quarters malt, six quarters oats and bullymong (?), also a cart, a plough and harness, collars and necessary implements thereunto. Also I give unto her twenty sheep, three hogs and a cow. Item I give unto Josias Meade and George Meade my sons from Michaelmas next after my decease all that messuage with the appurtenances called Brights and all the lands, meadows, pastures and feeding thereunto belonging and therewith lately devised by copy of Coteralls and all that my meadow called Brights Meade in Little Easton to have and to hold unto the said Josias and George, their executors and assigns during the life of the said Elizabeth their mother, and from and after her decease I will and devise the same unto the said George my son, his heirs, executors & assigns. Item my will and mind is that my fehold land, wood and pasture called Ickley and all those my grounds, lands and tenements called Beares and Goodwyns alias Goodgins with their appurtenances and all my estate, interest and term in them and every of them and the occupation and profits of them and every of them shall be and go unto the said Josias and George my sons equally to be divided and taken between them, part and part like, for and during the life of the said Elizabeth my wife, and after her decease I will & devise the said grounds, lands, tenements and premises called Ickley, Beares and Goodwyns unto the said George my son, his heirs, executors and assigns. Item I give unto Grace Meade my daughter the sum of two hundred marks. Item I give unto Mary Stock my daughter the sum of twenty pounds. Item I give to Christian my daughter the late wife of Edward Horiche the sum of six pounds yearly at the two most usual feasts in the year by equal portions during her natural like to be paid by my executors hereunder named. Item I give to the two hidren of my daughter Ellen to each of them six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence apiece to be paid at their several days of marriage or ages of one and twenty years which of them shall first happen. Item I will to the poor people of this parish that was willed by my father the sum of forty shillings and I will more unto them other forty shillings to be paid within one year after my decease. Item I will that the said Elizabeth my wife shall have her dwelling and finding in the house wherein I dwell for the term six months after my decease. Item to my sister Swallow twenty shillings. Item I will that all my other lands, tenements & hereditaments of any estate of inheritance shall descend and remain unto John Meade my eldest son and his heirs, and I give and bequeath unto the said John my son all my other goods, leases and chattels not before bequeathed toward the payment of my debts and legacies and I make and ordain the said John my son the sole executor to see this my will in all things performed. George Meade. These being witnesses Josias Clerke, Henry Leader, John Cowland, Katherine Swallow.

Edward Meade of Elmdon, 1603 (PCC)

In the name of God, Amen, the tenth day of November Anno Domino one thousand six hundred and three and in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord James by the grace of God king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, videlict of England, France and Ireland the first and of Scotland the seven and thirtieth, I Edward Meade of Elmdon in the county of Essex, gentleman, being weak and sick in body but of good and perfect mind and memory, praised be God, do make and declare this my present testament and last will in manner & form following, that is to say first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of almighty God my creator and Jesus Christ his son, my redeemer and saviour, in and by whose merit, death and passion I trust to have free remission and forgiveness of my sins, and my body to the earth to by buried, and covering such goods and chattels which the lord in his mercy and goodness hath lent unto me most (?), of them I fully and wholly give, will and bequeath all and sgular the same my goods and chattels whatsoever unto my loving wife Anne Meade, whom I make my sole and only executrix of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby revoke all former wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof to this my last will and testament I the said Edward Meade have set my hand and seal the day and year above said. By me Edward Meade, sealed and delivered the day and year above said by the said Edward Meade as his last will and testament in the presence of John (?), Humphrey Foxalls, Richard Wichell, scrivener, William Crompton, Gabriel Archer.

Richard Meade of Berden, 1611

In the name of God, amen. I Richard Meade of Berden in the county of Essex, yeoman, being sick of body but of good and perfect memory thanks be given to God, therefore do make my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I give my soul unto the hand of my God my creator and maker. And I do that assuredly first as Christ will be my redeemer and the holy ghost will be my sanctifier. And I give my body to the earth from whence it came and to be buried in the churchyard of Berden near unto where my father was buried. Item I give and bequeath unto the poor people of Berden forty shillings to be paid unto them within one year next after my death. Item I give and bequeath unto the poor people of Furney Pelham forty shillings to be paid unto them within one year after my death. Item I give and bequeath unto the poor people of Clavering ten shillings to be paid unto them within one month after my death. Item, I give and bequeath to the poor people of Langley, Ugley, Benfield, Pledgden, Mallendyne adFarnham, to either of those towns and hamlets five shillings apiece to be paid them within one month after my death. Item I give to every servant that shall be dwelling with me at the time of my death, and that dwells with me by the year, three shillings four pence apiece to be paid them within one month next after my death. Item I give unto my loving brother Thomas Meade a ring of gold of the value of forty shillings to be paid unto him within one quarter of a year after my death. Item I give unto the rest of my brothers and sisters to either of them a ring of gold of the value of ten shillings apiece and to be paid unto them within one quarter of a year after my death. Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Richard Luther another ring of gold of the value of forty shillings to be paid him within one month after my death. Item I give and bequeath unto my son in law John Haulsey a ring of gold of the value of forty shillings to be paid him within one month after my death. Item I give and bequeath unto Margret Meade my well-beloved wife during her natural life all that farm called Lamberley which I purchased of Nicholas Meade and the land of Thomas Meade of Lamberley and all of my free and copyhold lands being and lying in Berden and Mallendyne and solely within the county of Essex. And after the decease of my said wife I do give the aforesaid lands and tenements both free and copy unto my son Richard Meade and his heirs for ever. Item I do also give and bequeath unto my said son Richard Meade all my copyhold land and tenements being in Furney Pelham, Storking Pelham and Auberey in the county of Hertford to have and to hold unto my said son Richard Meade and his heirs for ever. Also my will and mind is that my wife shall have and inhabit in two chambers with her household and family, which she shall best like, in my house called Berden Hall or in my house called Furney Pelham Hall so long as she shall keep herself a widow. Also I give and bequeath unto my said wife ten of my best cows, two sows and a boar ad al my moveables, plates and household stuff within my house (except to every one of my children a bedstead and bed to every one of them ready furnished.) Item I give and bequeath unto my sister Hamend (?) a cross to be delivered unto her within six months after my death. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Meade three hundred pounds and unto my daughter Margaret Mead three hundred pounds, and to my daughter Sara three hundred pounds and unto my daughter Joan three hundred pounds and unto my daughter Elizabeth three hundred pounds and unto my daughter Anne three hundred pounds to be paid unto every one of them at the age of twenty and one or on the day of either of their marriages, or after six months next after that which shall first happen. And that neither of them shall marry without the consent of their mother and my brothers Thomas Meade & Richard Luther and my son in law John Haulsey or any two of them. Item I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Anne Haulsey three score and ten pound to e paid unto her within one year after my aforesaid daughters shall have been paid their several portions as above said. Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Thomas Meade's wife and unto my son in law John Haulsey's wife thirteen shillings and four pence apiece to make them rings with to be paid them within one year after my death. Item I will and bequeath unto my mother Clarke, my brother Carter and my sister, Nathaniel Carter, ____ Cofield, my brother Hamond, my brother Miller, Robert Alexander and his wife, Edward Egmond and his wife, John Tryon and Samuel Tryon ten shillings apiece to make them rings and to be paid them within six months after my death. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Phillips ten shillings to make him a ring. Item I give and bequeath unto Richard Ottway and his wife to either of them five shillings apiece in gold. Item I give and bequeath unto my godson Richard Meade twenty shillings and to the rest of every of my godchildren five shillings apiece to either of them. And my will nd mind is that for the space of two years after my death that my executor shall every year make a dinner to gather my friends together and also that my executor shall once every year during his life make a dinner an bid all his brothers and sisters and their husbands unto the same to the end that there may be unity and love to continue all among them. Item I give and bequeath to Henry Waller and his wife ten shillings apiece to make them rings. All the residue of my lands & leases, debts, goods and chattels and ready money which I have unbequeathed, my debts and funeral charges being paid and discharged I do give and bequeath them unto Thomas Meade my son and his heirs for ever. And my will and mind is that if any of my said daughters shall depart this life before they shall accomplish the age of twenty one years or the day of their marriage, that then the portions of they that shall so depart this life shall be equally divided to every one of them that shall still be living. And my will and mind is that I harge my executor as he will answer at the dreadful day of judgment that he has honestly paid all my debts to any man or to any person whatsoever at the time of my death. And also that he do truly pay all of my legaies and perform this my will according to the true intent and meaning hereof. And I do make and ordain of this my last will and testament to be my full and sole executor for my son Thomas Meade and overseers of the same I do make my brothers Richard Luther, Thomas Meade and my son in law John Haulsey. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal and delivered it as my deed and published that it is my last will and testament the twenty eighth day of August one thousand six hundred and eleven in the presence of those whose names are hereunder written. And this my will contains three sheets of paper. By me Richard Meade signed, sealed, delivered & published in the presence of Thomas Meade, Robert Alexander, John Haulsey, Nathaniel Carter, Thomas Meade Junior.

William Meade of Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, 1611

In the name of God Amen, the XXVIII th day of September anno domino 1611 and in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord king James of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, that is to say of England, France & Ireland the ninth and of Scotland the five and fortieth, I William Meade of Stansted Mountfitchet in the county of Essex, yeoman, being of good whole mind and perfect memory I give God thanks therefore, call to my mind the frail estate of mankind here on earth and well knowing that all men must depart this life, do therefore ordain, make & declare this my present testament containing in it my last will in manner & form following that is to say first I bequeath my soul into the merciful hand and protection of almighty God & of Jesus Christ his only son & only saviour & redeemer, trusting assuredly through the passion and intercession of the same Jesus Christ & by his only merit to have everlasting life. And I will my body to the earth to be buried in Christian burial at the disetion of my executors. Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Meade my wife all that my croft or close of ground in Stansted aforesaid called or known by the name of Bollmare with a way or lane leading into the same containing together by estimation five acres more or less (which I late purchased of George Gratie & Susan his wife, my wife's daughter) to have and to hold to the said Mary my wife, her heirs & assigns forever, provided always upon this condition following (that is to say) that the said Mary my wife, her heirs or assigns shall pay or cause to be paid unto George Palmer (my wife's son) or to his attorney or assigns at or in the house wherein I dwell the sum of forty pounds of good and lawful money of England at such time as the said George shall accomplish his age of one & twenty years if he shall live so long. And if he shall decease before his said age that then the said Mary, her heirs or assigns shall pay the said sum of forty pounds of lawful money at the place aforesaid at such time as the saidGeorge should have accomplished his said age of XXI years in case he had lived or within xiiii days then next following unto Lawrence Palmer & Matthew Palmer brothers of the said George or to either of them as shall then live, or to either of their attorneys, executors or assigns, and if the said sum of forty pounds shall not be paid as aforesaid then I give, will and devise the said croft or close of ground above mentioned with the appurtenances unto the said George if he shall be living or if he shall be then dead then unto the said Lawrence and Matthew, to have & to hold the said crot or close of ground with the appurtenances unto the Lawrence & Matthew & to their heirs forever. Item I do forgive Edmund Oldham all such debts as he do owe to me. All my goods, debts, moveables & unmoveables whatsoever unbequeathed I wholly give, will & bequeath them unto the said Mary my wife, which Mary my wife I ordain & make the only executor of this my will. In witness whereof I have caused this my will to be written & ead & declared the same to be my very will & have hereto set my hand & seal in the presence of George Savell, James Giffin, Nicholas Savell, William Lacy Thomas Barnarde.

Elizabeth Meade of Great Easton, 1611

December Xth anno domino 1611.

In the name of God amen, the day and year above written, I Elizabeth Meade of Much Easton in the county of Essex, widow, being now sick in body but thanks be given to almighty God therefore of good & perfect memory, do make this my will and testament in manner and form following. First & principally I commend my soul unto the hand of almighty God my creator and redeemer and my body I bequeath unto the earth from whence it came to be interred at the discretion of my executors hereafter named. Item I give unto the poor of Much Easton twenty shillings to be distributed by the hand of the overseer of the poor of the same parish. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Grace Cork my bedstead standing in the chamber above the parlor with the featherbed, sheets, bolster, pillows and all other furniture belonging unto the same, which I promised her at her marriage, and also a press standing in the same chamber. Item I give unto my daughters Mary Scott and Grace Cork all my wearing apparel equally between them to bdivided. [damaged] unto Elizabeth Cork daughter of my daughter Grace Cork to any of them ten pounds apiece. Item I give & bequeath unto my son Josias Meade all my ____ lying in the barns, two milk beasts, and a bull, and all my browning _____ for and in consideration and in full disposing of that ten pounds which I owe him. And I give more unto the said Josias Meade one bedstead standing in the chamber above the kitchen, with a featherbed, a pair of sheets, a bolster, pillow, blankets and other furniture belonging unto the same. Item I give more unto my two daughters Mary Scott & Grace Cork eight milk beasts equally to be divided between them. Item I give unto George Meade, son of my son George Meade, VI £ XIII s and IIII d to be delivered by the hand of my son in law James Scott to purchase a stock for the said George Mead ______________________________. Item my will & meaning is (my legacies paid and my funeral discharged) all my goods and chattels upon the ground and in the barn shall be equally divided mong my two daughters and my son Josias Mead. Item of this my last will and testament I make executors my said son in law James Scott and my daughter Grace Cork. In witness whereof I have set my hand & seal the day and year above written in the presence of John Mead, Newman Mead.

Edward Meade of Great Stambridge, 1612

In the name of God amen, I Edward Meade of Much Stambridge in the county of Essex, yeoman, though weak in body yet perfect in memory, thanks to God, do ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. In primis I bequeath my soul into the hand of my merciful father who gave it me and to whom I am willing to resign my body to be buried in the churchyard. Then I give to my son Edward Mead five pounds to be paid upon the day of his marriage. Item I give to my daughter Sara Mead the sum of five pounds to be paid in like manner. Item I give unto my son John Mead the sum of forty shillings to be paid at the age of one and twenty years or day of marriage, whichever comes first. Item I give unto my son Samuel Mead forty shillings to be paid in like manner. Item I give unto my son Henry the sum of forty shillings to be paid in like manner. Item I give unto my daughter Rebecca Mead forty shillings to be paid in like manner at the age of one and twenty years or day of marriage which shall come firstItem I give unto Sara Mead all the rest of all my goods and chattels whatsoever already unbequeathed to be at her disposal for the better providing and keeping especially of my younger children to have and to enjoy the same without any disturbance of my children or others during the time of her widowhood. Item I will that if my wife Sara Meade shall happen to marry that then before such time of her marriage she shall make by all of my children portions to the sum of ten pounds to be paid into the hand of the above said of this my last will and testament to be employed to the use and behove of my children until such time as they come to the age of twenty and years or the day of their marriages which shall first come. Item I will that the overseer of my will shall put in sufficient security to my executor for the repliment of the said sum of ten pounds unto my children in manner aforesaid. Item I give unto the poor of Much Stambridge the sum of X s. Item I ordain and make my wife Sara Mead full and sole exectrx of this my last will and testament and my brothers John Mead and Thomas Mead overseers of the same to see this my will performed. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal. Jannary 4, 1611.

John Meade of Great Easton, 1613

In the name of God amen the sixth day of April 1613 I John Meade of Much Easton in the county of Essex, gent., being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance, thanks be given to almighty God, therefore do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally above all other things I commend, bequeath and yield up my soul into the hand of almighty God the father, the son, and the holy ghost, trusting and assuredly believing by the death, passion and bloodshedding of Jesus Christ that sweet lamb of God my only saviour and redeemer to obtain remission of all my sins and to enjoy everlasting life and to reign with Christ and his saints forever in the kingdom of heaven.

Item I bequeath my body unto the earth from whence it came to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter named there to remain in full and perfect hope of the resurrection and then also to enjoy everlasting felicity with God and his saints forever.

Item I give and bequeath to the poor of Much Easton five pounds to be employed yearly forever in a stock to set the poor on work by the churchwarden and overseers of the poor for the time being.

Item I give unto Jane my well-beloved wife all my houses, land, tenements, meadows, pastures, and other hereditaments with their appurtenances situate lying and being in Much Easton aforesaid in a certain hamlet or street called Denton Hill now in my tenure and occupation. And also one parcel of land or pasture called Great Burge now in the tenure of Thomas Gunn. And also all my copyhold land held of the manors of Tiltey and Blampster Hall or any of them to have and to hold all the said premises with their appurtenances unto the said Jane for and during her natural life and after her decease I give all the said premises with the appurtenances unto John Meade my son and to his heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath and my will, intent and meaning is that my said wife shall have and enjoy all that my mead called Broadaway Meade being parcel of the demesne of Blampster Hall for and during my lease thereof without paying any rent for the same.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said wife all those my leases which I have of and a certain parcel of the demesne of the manor of Tiltey, saving that my brother Meade of Henham is to have, and my X moors during that lease, paying all the rent, whereof also I am to enjoy during the lease two parcels thereof now planted with hops some part thereof in my term and the residue in the term of Thomas Bromley. And also John Enever of Chawreth Street is to enjoy one parcel of arable land called the Cauditt Moore for certain years yet to come, paying for it forty shillings a year during my lease.

Item I leave to descend unto my said son John Meade all that my copyhold tenement and land with their appurtenances held of the manor of Much Easton, and I give unto him all my hop lees and hop ground stocked being in and upon one parcel of hop ground being parcel of the premises to enter upon it presently after my decease.

Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Meade and Philip Meade my sons all the tenement and lands in Thaxted called Harbies or by any other name late in the tenure or occupation of William George to have and to hold the said premises with their appurtenances to the said Robert Meade and Philip Meade their heirs and assigns, when it shall happen by and after the death of Ann Buttolfe now the wife of John Buttolfe and late the wife of Robert Newman, gent, deceased.

Item whereas my cousin John Newman of Stanstead did assure and convey unto me and my heirs certain freehold land lying and being in Broxted in the said county, late John Clarke of Dame Affs upon condition that if the said John Newman his heirs, executors or assigns should pay yearly unto me, my heirs, executors or assigns the sum of sixteen pounds of lawful money of England at the feasts of the annunciation of the blessed virgin Mary and Saint Michael the archangel or within certain dates after either of the said feasts by even and equal portions for and during the natural life of the said Ann Buttolfe and after her decease during the continuance of one lease which the said William George late had of the said tenement and land called Harbies in Thaxted aforesaid, that then the said deed thereof to me made should be void as by the same deed now plainly does and may appear, now I give and bequeath the said land lying in Broxted with their appurtenances and the said yearly sum of XVI £ unto my said sons Robert Meade and Philip Meade, their heirs and assigns forever.

Item my will and meaning is and I do most earnestly entreat and pray my well-beloved friends and brothers in law Henry Glascock and William Courtman, Esquires, to receive and take into their hand and possession all the issues and profit of such lands and legacies formerly and hereafter bequeathed unto my sons Robert and Philip until they come out of their apprenticehood and the same to employ to some benefit for them toward the augmenting of some stock toward the setting up of their trades. And my meaning is that if either of them depart this life before he has accomplished his full age of XXI years then the survivor to enjoy his part so dying. And if it shall happen both of them to depart this life before the said age then I will that all things to them before bequeathed shall remain and be unto my said son John, his heirs and assigns forever. But if they or any of them shall live until his or their said age of XXI years, then my meaning is that he or they shall have full power and authority to dispose of l things to them bequeathed at his and their will and pleasure.

Item I give unto my said wife all that my land which I have of two parcels of arable land in Henham being parcel of the demesne of the manor of Henham which I have devised for and during my term and have reserved unto myself three pounds over and above the lord rent.

Item my will and meaning is that my said wife and John my son shall pay yearly unto my sister Reynolde xxvi s viii d for and during her natural life.

Item I give unto Newman Meade vi £ xiii s iiii d, unto my cousin Clarke xx s and unto every servant that shall be with me at the time of my decease vi s viii d over and above their wages.

Item all the rest of my goods, chattels, money and debts, my legacies and debts being paid, I give them wholly unto my said wife to the end that she shall pay all my debts and legacies, desiring her withal to have good consideration of my children and to bestow some of them amongst them, leaving it unto her own consideration.

Item I will and devise all that my lease and term for years of all those lands called Venors Land unto my said brothers in law Henry Glascock and William Courtman their executors and assigns upon special trust and confidence that they, their executors and assigns shall permit and suffer Jane my said wife to have and take the benefit and profit of the same during her natural life without committing any wilful waste, and that after her decease they the said Henry Glascock and William Courtman, their executors and assigns shall assign and set over all that the said lease and term for years unto John Meade my son, his executors and assigns for and during the residue of the said term.

Item also I give and devise unto the said Henry Glascock and William Courtman all that my lease of certain ground in Thaxted called the Bushes upon special trust and confidence that they the said Henry Glascock and William Courtman, their executors and assigns shall permit and suffer my said sons Robert Meade and Philip Meade, their executors and assigns to have and take the benefit and profit of the same for and during the continuation of the said term and shall also assign, bargain and set over the said lease and term for years unto such person or persons whereby they may make the most benefit and profit of the same for the said Robert and Philip Meade, their executors and assigns and shall in the meantime employ the benefit and profit thereof in stock to the use of the said Robert and Philip Meade.

Item I give and bequeath unto John Meade my said son all that my lease of the demesne of the manor of Blampster Hall, except Broadaway Meade which I have formerly given unto Jane my said wife during the said term.

Item whereas my cousin John Newman of Standsted stands bound by bill to pay unto me, my executors and assigns the sum of twenty pounds within a certain time after the decease of the said Ann Buttolfe, now I give that bill and twenty pounds unto the said Robert Meade and Philip Meade my sons, their executors and assigns equally to be divided between them.

Item I do earnestly request that it would please the right worshipful my good friends Sir William Maynard knight and baronet and the Lady Susan Maynard that they would permit and suffer my said wife and my said son John to have those lands that I hold of them by lease by such rent when my lease is ended as they in favour shall them meet and covenant, hoping that they will continue faithful unto them as I have done and so leave these things to their good consideration.

Item I make executors of this my last will and testament my said wife and my said son John Meade desiring them even for God's sake ever to have a care that this my last will and testament may be justly performed and that my debts may be truly satisfied and paid.

Memorandum that I do hereby earnestly entreat Jane my said wife to be advised from time to time by my said brothers in law Henry Glascock and William Courtman and by my brethren Thomas Meade, Robert Meade and William Meade, knowing that they will advise her in all things for the best.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal and delivered the same as my last will and testament the day and year above written in the presence of Henry Glascock, Newman Meade.

Thomas Mead of Great Waltham, 1613

Memorandum that upon the fifth day of the month of January in the year of lord God 1613 Thomas Mead of Great Waltham in the county of Essex, tailor, being sick in body but of good and perfect mind and memory, did utter and declare his last will and mind containing the disposing of his goods in case to should please God to take him out of the world, by word of mouth in manner and form and to the effect following, which he said he did give to Thomas Mead his youngest son all his goods in his shop and to all the rest of his children he did give XII £ apiece to be paid unto them severally at the decease of their mother, and for all the rest of his goods he did give and bequeath to Agnes his wife. This he did declare and pronounce to be his last will in manner aforesaid is set down in the presence of Lawrence Wignal and George Allen then present whom he did request to bear witness that this was his mind and last will.

Thomas Meade of Henham, 1614, yeoman

Son of John Meade 1570, son of John 1565

Married Elizabeth Spillman

Children: Thomas, William. Margaret Yonge

Jn the name of God Amen Memorand~ y=t= J Thomas Meade of Henham in the countie of Essex yeoman being sick in bodie, yet God be thancked therefore, of p~fecte minde & memorie do make & ordayne this my laste will & testament in manner & forme following. Jmp=r= J commend my soule into the handes of God my maker being throughly p~suaded y=t= by the mercies of Jesus Christe my savio=r= both soule & bodie is saved & shall receyve theire eternall blisse & happines at the resurreccon of the iuste. Jt~ J bequeath my bodie after the manner of Christian buriall in the p~ish church of Henham aforesayd to orderly buried. Jt~ whereas I and my sonne William Meade are [inynto] purchasers of certayne copie hold land bought of M=r= Chenison w=ch= sayd land my sayd sonne William Meade is to have presently after my decease by way of survivor now in liewe & recompence thereof J do give unto my sonne Thomas Meade & his heires my tenement lying adioygninge unto my ponde at wood and green & the barne thereunto belonginge & all other houses upon the sayd tenement late in the occupacon of one Lewes Brond & all my crofte of land called how crofte conteyninge by estimacon syxe acres & one peice of land lyinge under Plisden Hedge called Skowtie pole conteyning by estimacon two acres but my will & meaninge is y=t= my Executo=r=s hereafter named shall have & enioy all of the sayd tenement & land above mentioned untill the feaste of S=te= Michaell Thearchangell in the yeare of o=r= Lord 1616 towards the payment of my debts & legacies.

Jtem J give & bequeath unto Thomas Meade & Willia~ Meade my sonnes whome J make executo=r=s of this my laste will & testament all my goodes chattells plate money and goodes whatsoever and allso all my other landes tenements & hereditaments whatsoever both free & copie with theire app~tenances lyinge & beinge in the p~ish of Henham aforesayd from the day of my decease untill the sayd feaste of S=te= Michaell Thearchangell 1616 which sayd goods & landes J do give unto my sayd Executors toward the payment of all my debtes & legacies whatsoever for my will & meaninge is and so J do devise y=t= all my debts & legacies whatsoever should be iustly & trewly payed unto the utmoste farthinge.

And after the sayd feaste of S=te= Michaell Tharchangell 1616 J do give & bequeath all my sayd other landes tenements & hereditaments both free & copie with theire app~tenances lyinge in Henham aforesayd laste above mentioned unto my sayd sonnes Thomas & William Meade to have & to hold the one moitie & the halfe parte of all the sayd landes tenements & hereditaments unto my sonne Thomas Meade & his heires for ever And to have & to holde thother moitie & halfe parte of all the sayd landes tenements & hereditaments unto my sonne William Meade & his heires for ever.

Jt~ J make overseers of this my laste will & testament my Sonne in law M=r= William Yonge & Symon Suell Clarke & J give unto my sayd sonne in law tenn poundes and to the sayd Simon Suell three powndes.

Jt~ my will & meaninge is y=t= my sayd Executo=r=s shall enter into bond by obligation to my overseers in the summe of three hundred powndes for the payment of my debtes & legacies & performance of this my laste will & testament.

Jt~ J do give unto the poore of Henham XX =s=. Jn wittnesse whereof J setto my hand & seale the twelfte day of October in the yeare of o=r= Lord God one thowsand and syx hundred & ffowreteen.

Nicholas Meade of Ugley, 1590 - 1616

Son of Robert, son of John Mede

Memorandum that Nicholas Meade late of the parish of Ugley in the county of Essex, single man, about the 23 day of September Anno Domini 1616, being of perfect mind and memory with an intent to dispose of his goods and to make and declare his last will and testament used these words following or the like in effect viz:

I give unto my sister Ellen 30s.

I give unto my sister Susan 30s.

To my brother Richard Meade 30s.

I will that my brother Thomas shall have the sum of 10s which is due unto me for the use of £5 which he owes me.

I give my brother John 20s.

I will my brothers Robert and Nathaniel shall have the rest of my goods whatsoever and I will my brother Nathaniel shall be my executor.

And these words or the like in effect the said Nicholas used in the presence of Robert Meade, John Meade.

Richard Meade of Hornchurch, Essex, 1616

In the name of God amen, I Richard Meade of Hornchurch do make this my last will and testament. First I bequeath my soul unto God in certain hope of my full resurrection and my body to rest until that time in the grave. Concerning my worldly goods, I make my wife Agnes my sole executor and unto my four children, Mary Meade, Richard Meade, John Meade, William Meade, I give and bequeath out of my goods, and chattels twenty pounds apiece to be paid unto every of them when they shall be come unto the age of XXI years. The rest of my goods moveable and unmoveable I give to my wife. In witness whereof I have set to my hand and seal. December 7, 1614.

Thomas Meade of Wendon Lofts, Essex, 1617

Memorandum that about the fifteenth or sixteenth of September Anno Domino one thousand six hundred and seventeen, Sir Thomas Meade of Wendon Lofts, late of the county of Essex, knight, sick of body but of good and perfect mind and memory, with a purpose to dispose of his goods and chattels and whatsoever his personal estate, made his last will and testament in manner and form following. First he gave and bequeathed to George Starling, a young man that waits on him in his chamber, two of his riding coats and five pounds of money. Item unto Luke Watridge his cook he gave and bequeathed another five pounds. Item unto Mary Wroman another servant in the house, widow, and to Ellen Prade her fellow servant four shillings apiece. All the rest of his goods, chattels and moveables whatsoever he gave and bequeathed to his loving and well beloved wife the Lady Bridget Meade and to his son and heir Mr John Meade by equal portions to be divided between them. And of this his last will and testament he made and ordained hissaid lady and son executors in the presence of Barbara Meade, Thomas Trigge and Luke Watridge.

John Meade of Chrishall, 1620

In the name of God, amen, the four and twentieth day of March in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord James by the grace of God king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, that is to say of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth and of Scotland the three and fiftieth and in the year of our lord God 1619, I John Meade of Chrishall in the county of Essex, gentleman, sick in body yet of perfect mind and memory, thanks to almight God, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul unto almighty God my creator and redeemer and my body I commit to the earth from whence it came, to be buried according to the discretion of my executrix hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath unto all my five children five shillings apiece and I will and devise that all debts which I owe to any person or persons shall be paid and discharged out of my goods by my executrix hereafter named. The residue of all my goods unbequeathed I give a bequeath them to Alice my wife. And I make and ordain Alice my said wife my sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal the day and year first above written. They being witnesses Tobias Cook, Henry Minor.

Bridgett Meade of Heydon, 1622

In the name of God amen, the eleventh day of October in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord James by the grace of God king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, that is to say of England, France and Ireland the nineteenth and of Scotland the five and fiftieth anno domino 1622, I Bridgett Meade of Heydon in the county of Essex, spinster, feeling the weakness of nature and thereby put in mind to remember my end, yet of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to almighty God, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I commend my soul into the hands of almighty God my creator and redeemer and my body I commit to the earth whereof it was made to be decently buried at Chrishall within the county of Essex according to the discretion of my executor hereafter named. Imprimis I give and bequeath to the poor people of Chrishall aforesaid ten shillings of good and lawful money of England and I likewise give and bequeath to the poor people of Hedn aforesaid ten shillings of good and lawful money of England, and whereas Anthony Meade of Chrishall aforesaid, gent, does owe me three score pounds of lawful English money as by assurance thereupon made by writing more plainly appears, I will therefore that my executor hereafter named shall receive the same three score pounds to and for the discharging of the legacies hereafter mentioned. And I give unto my said brother Anthony Meade five shillings of good and lawful money of England. And I give and bequeath to Anthony Meade and John Meade the two children of my said brother Anthony five pounds of lawful English money, that is to say fifty shillings apiece. And whereas Frances Meade of Heydon aforesaid, gent, my brother owes me twenty pounds of lawful English money I will and bequeath the same twenty pounds unto him the said Frances upon condition that he take upon him the executorship of this my last will and testament and to perform faithfully such things as are herein prescribed & appointed for him topeform and do according to the true meaning thereof. Item I give and bequeath to John Meade the son of the said Frances Meade the sum of five pounds of lawful English money. Item whereas I have given to my cousin Philip Harrison of Cambridge, tailor, six pounds so that Thomas Meade my brother William Meade's son to be an apprentice with my cousin Harrison and for that I know not whether he will remain with him or not, I do therefore will & bequeath the said six pounds to the said Thomas for his putting out to be an apprentice if he should happen to come away from my cousin Harrison or so much money as he my said cousin Harrison will part with to him. Item I give and bequeath to John Meade son of my said brother William, deceased, the sum of ten pounds of good and lawful money of England. Item I give and bequeath to Joan Meade, Barbara Meade and Margery Meade the daughters of my said brother William, deceased, fifteen pounds of good and lawful money of England to be paid betwixt the said three daughters five ponds apiece. Item I give and bequeath to Frances Meade the daughter of my brother John Meade, deceased, the sum of four pounds of lawful money of England. Item I give and bequeath to George Meade and John Meade sons of my said brother John Meade four pounds of lawful money of England to be equally parted etwixt them, that is to say forty shillings apiece. Item I give and bequeath to Alice Bank my sister's daughter three pounds of good and lawful money of England. The residue of all my goods & chattels unbequeathed I give and bequeath them all to Frances

Meade my said brother and I make and ordain him the said Frances my sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Edward Mead of Rayleigh, Essex, 1623

In the name of God Amen, the XXI day of April 1623 I Edward Mead of Rayleigh in the county of Essex, husbandman, do make & ordain this my last will and testament in manner & form following. First I commend my soul into the hand of almighty God my saviour, believing through his merits it shall be received into eternal glory & my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken. Concerning my worldly goods that God has given me I give as follows. Item I give unto every one of my three children Edward, Sarah & Mary to every one of them three pounds six shillings & eight pence apiece, the same top be paid at their several ages of one & twenty years or days of marriage, which shall first or next happen. All the rest of my goods, cattle, chattels moveables and immoveables whatsoever I give unto my loving wife Mary whom I make my sole executrixof this my last will & testament, desiring her to see my children educated, my debts discharged, my legacies paid. In witness whereof I have set my hand & seal the day & yr above written. Sealed in the presence of James Eliot, Mary Little.

Henry Meade of South Weald, Essex. 1625

In the name of God amen, the thirteenth day of July in the first year of the reign of our sovereign lord King Charles of England, Scotland, France & Ireland et cetera, I Henry Meade of South Weald alias Broadmead Woald within the county of Essex, being of good and perfect memory, praised be God, do ordain, constitute and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I do bequeath my soul into the hand of almighty God in certain hop of the remission of my sins only in and by the death of Jesus Christ my blessed redeemer, and my by to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named. Concerning my lands and goods that it has pleased God to bless me withal, my will and mind is as follows. Item I do give and bequeath unto Ann my loving wife all those my free lands with all the edifices & buildings and with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging during the full term of nine years. All which lands & buildings I bought of one Henry Catwood lying and being in the rish of Wicon in the county of Cambridge and after the said term of nine years I do give all the said lands with all the appurtenances unto Thomas Mead my son and unto the heirs of his body, and for want of such heirs unto Richard and Henry my sons and to their heirs forever. Item I do give unto Ann my wife all those my lands and tenements with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging which I bought of Isaac Barrough lying in Wicon aforesaid, as also two acres of land lying in Bishops Stortford within the county of Hertford, the which I bought of Mr George Hawking for and during the whole term of seventeen years and after the said term I do give all the said lands & tenements with their appurtenances before mentioned and not bequeathed unto Henry Meade my son and to his heirs forever. Item I do give and bequeath unto Richard Meade my son after the decease of Ann my wife all those my free lands unbequeathed and tenements with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging that I have within the parish of BishopsSortford in the county of Hertford and unto his heirs forever. Also I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Annis Mead the full sum of forty pounds to be paid unto her at the age of eighteen years by my executrix hereafter named. I do appoint my trusty and loving wife to be sole executrix of this my will not doubting but that she will be careful to pay all my debts and legacies before given and see my children to be brought up in the service of the lord. In witness whereof I have put my hand and seal the day and year above written. Read, sealed and delivered in the presence of Edward Simson, John King.

John Mead the Elder of Ugley 1626

In the name of God Amen, the one & twentieth day of June in the year of our lord god 1625, I John Meade the elder of Ugley in the county of Essex, yeoman, do make this my last will and testament in manner & form following. First and above all things I bequeath my soul to God, not doubting but for his infinite mercy set forth in the death & passion of his son Christ Jesus he will receive it into his ____, my body to be buried in the churchyard of Ugley aforesaid. Next after soul and body, such estate as God has blessed me withal, I give and bequeath in manner and form following, that is to say, unto Richard Mead my son three score pounds in manner and form following, that is, twenty pounds within one whole year next after my decease, and the other forty pounds within two whole years next after my decease, and if it happen my said son Richard to die before the time or times of payment of the said sums, that then the said sum or sums so behind and unpaid to be utterly void and extinguished as if no such gift oregacy had ever been made, anything to the contrary formerly conveyed notwithstanding. I give unto John Mead, son of my son Richard, twenty pounds of good & lawful money of England to be paid unto him when he shall have accomplished his full age of four and twenty years, and if the said John die before his said age accomplished then the said gift to be of no effect. All other of my goods & chattels real and personal whatsoever or wheresoever, my debts and legacies discharged, I give & bequeath unto Lawrence Mead my eldest son, whom I make sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have put to my hand & seal the day & year first above written.

Sealed & delivered in the presence of Alexander Hart, John Mead

John Meade of Aveley, 1626

In the name of God, amen, I John Meade, sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, do ordain and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. In primis I bequeath my soul in the hand of almighty God, trusting upon the merit of Jesus Christ my only saviour and redeemer, and my body to be buried in the churchyard of Aveley, in confident assurance of a joyful resurrection in the day of Jesus Christ. And for my worldly goods I thus dispose of them in form following. In primis I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Bennet the sum of thirty pounds to be paid at the day of marriage or at the age of twenty years. Item I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Meade the like sum of thirty pounds to be paid at the age of twenty and one years of age or at the day of his marriage. Item I give & bequeath unto my youngest son Thomas Meade the like sum of thirty pounds to be likewise paid at the age of one and twenty or at the day of his marriage. And if it please God that either of them die before they attain the forenamed years then their portions shall be equally divided to those that remain and if it please God they all die then their portions I bequeath to my loving wife and their tender mother Joan Meade, unto whom I commend the education of my forenamed children and to whom I bequeath and give all the rest of my estate and goods, and make and appoint her my loving wife the sole and full executrix of this my last will and testament, and do desire her to pay and discharge all my debts and do desire that my loving friends Mr William Godney and John Reade would take upon them the care and oversight of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set to my hand and mark this present twentieth day of the instant April.

The sign of John Meade

Moreover I give and bequeath unto my cousin Richard Wood the sum of three pounds to be paid at the death of my wife or when he shall have accomplished the age of twenty and one years. Also I give and bequeath unto my cousin William Wood the like sum of three pounds to be likewise paid either at the death of my wife or else at the age of twenty and one years.

Memorandum that this clause was added at the signing of this my will in the presence of John Potter.

Thomas Meade of Great Stambridge, Essex, 1625/26

In the name of God, Amen, the second day of January in the year of our lord 1625 I Thomas Meade of Much Stambridge in the county of Essex, yeoman, being sick & weak in body but of perfect mind & remembrance, thanks be unto almighty God for the same, do institute, make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following. First I give & bequeath my soul into the hand of almighty God that gave it & my body to the earth from whence it was first taken at the discretion of my executrix hereafter named, trusting must assuredly to be saved by the only merit of my lord and saviour Christ Jesus & by no other means whatsoever. And for those worldly goods which God has given me I do thus dispose of them. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Meade my only son one black cow with a star on her forehead as also one black bullock that is not with calf & further one ______ board furnished as it now stands in the chamber, one little table & one silver spoon, always provided that Martha my loving wife shall have h use of these things until Michaelmas next after my decease. And my will is that she do give all the said goods bequeathed to my son Thomas at the said Michaelmas. All the rest of my goods unbequeathed, my debts paid & my burial discharged, I give & bequeath unto my beloved wife Martha & make her my sole executrix of this my last will & testament & Jonah Sloe my supervisor. In witness whereof I have put my hand & seal the day & year first above written.

Jane Meade of Great Easton, 1626

In the name of God, amen, the first day of February in the year of our lord one thousand six hundred twenty and five, I Jane Meade of Much Easton in the county of Essex, widow, remembering the estate of this world to be but frail and transitory and altogether uncertain and this life to be but a vapour both for the time and hour when it shall leave the body, therefore not trusting to the frailty thereof do therefore in good and perfect memory by God's most gracious favour and assistance make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I bequeath my soul into the hand of almighty God my maker and redeemer, assuring myself to enjoy everlasting life by the only death and bloodshedding of Jesus Christ. Item I bequeath my body unto the earth from whence it came to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of my executor hereafter named, there to remain in full hope of the joyful resurrection and then also to enjoy everlasting life with God and his saints forever. Item give and bequeath unto the poor of the parish of Much Easton aforesaid three pounds of lawful money of England to be paid into the hand of the churchwarden and overseer of the said parish for the time being to be by them and their successors employed in a stock for the benefit of the said poor. Item I give and bequeath unto my loving sister Ann Courtman a two and twenty shilling piece of gold to buy her a ring. Item I give and bequeath unto my cosin Spranger's wife twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto her within one month next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto every one that shall be servants in the house at the time of my decease six shillings eight pence apiece of lawful money of England. Item I give and bequeath unto Newman Meade twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto him within one month next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Ellen Davie my maid two pairs of tow sheets whereof one pair be new ones & marked with an E. Item I give andbequeath unto my son Philip Meade ten pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto him within one year next after my decease. And I do give more unto my said son Philip my silver tankard. Item I give and bequeath unto my sister King's eldest son forty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto him within six months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my kinswoman Ann Elliott one of the daughters of my brother Richard Glascock deceased the sum of five pounds of lawful money of England and a pair of flaxen sheets to be paid and delivered unto her within six months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Suzan Meade, widow, the late wife of my son Robert Meade, deceased, the sum of forty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto her within six months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Jane Meade the daughter of my said son Robert Meade the sum of fifty pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto her at her age of one and twenty year or at the day of her marriage, at which of them shall first happen, and my will and meaning is, and so I do devise, that my executor hereafter named shall employ the said fifty pounds in the meantime to the best advantage he can towardsher education and further my will and meaning is that if she depart this life before her said age, unmarried, that twenty pounds part of the said sum of fifty pounds shall remain to Jane Meade the daughter of my son Philip Meade, and the residue of the said sum of fifty pounds shall remain to Jane Meade the daughter of my son John Meade. Item I give more unto the said Jane Meade the daughter of my son Robert Meade two featherbeds, two bolsters, two pillows, three blankets and one coverlet that I ordinarily use and lie upon, and one pair of new blankets lying in the press with two or three rows of black by the sides, and also I give unto her one chest bound about with iron, with all the goods and linen in it, to be delivered unto her at her age of XXI years or at the day of he marriage, at which shall first happen, but if she depart this life before her said age unmarried then I give and bequeath all the said goods last mentioned unto the said Jane Meade the daughter of my said son John Meade. Item all the rst of my goods, chattels, money and debts whatsoever unbequeathed I give them wholly unto my said son John Meade towards the performance of this my last will and testament and bringing my body decently unto the ground. Item I constitute, make and ordain the said John Meade my son sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written, and have declared the same to be my last will and testament in the presence of Newman Meade, Daniel Gunne.

John Meade of Ugley, 1593 - 1627

Joiner

Made 1627, probated 1627

Memorandum that John Meade late of Ugley in the County of Essex, Joiner, deceased did in his lifetime viz: on the thirtieth day of March Anno Domini 1627, being of perfect memory did utter and declare his last will and testament nuncupative or disposition of his goods in these words following:

I give to my brethren Nathaniel and Richard all my moveable goods whatsoever paying out three pounds and ten shillings viz: to my brother Thomas 10s, and to my brother Robert twenty shillings, to my sister Hellen twenty shillings, to my sister Susan twenty shillings, and to pay to them ten shillings apiece within one year after his death and the residue within one twelvemonth after that, and these words were spoken by him in the presence of Francis Bishop, Barbara Moises.

William Mead the elder of Ugley, 1627

In the name of God amen the fifteenth day of _____ in the year of our lord one thousand six hundred twenty and seven, I William Mead the elder in the parish of of Ugley in the county of Essex, husbandman, perfect remembrance unto the ____ of God, make and ordain this my last will and testament in form following. I bequeath my soul unto my only and all-sufficient saviour and redeemer and my body to be buried in the churchyard of Egley. I give unto my son William the join bed now standing in the parlor with all the bedding that belongs to it, and one cupboard in the same room, and two hutches in the same room, and the table and form and bench in the hall. I will that Joan my wife shall have all during her life. I give unto my son Thomas the bedstead and all the bedding belonging to it and the trundle bed both standing in the kitchen chamber, and two hutches in the same room, and one table and form in the same room, and one great kettle, and one small kettle, and one iron pot, and one quaern with all as it stan that belong to it, and one mattock. I will that Joan my wife hall have all during her life. I give unto my daughter Elizabeth twenty shillings to be paid to her by my wife, one shilling every quarter of a year until all be come out. And I do ordain and make Joan my wife my whole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I here set my hand and seal in the day and year above written in the presence of Alexander Saben, John Mead.

Elizabeth Meade of Thaxted, 1628

To all Christian people to whom this present writing shall come, Elizabeth Meade of Thaxted in the county of Essex, widow, sends greetings in our lord God everlasting, know you that I the said Elizabeth Meade as well for and in consideration of a marriage had and solemnised between Steven Sumpner of Feifield in the county above said, yeoman, and Dorothy my daughter the now wife of the said Steven Sumpner, as also for and in consideration of a jointure made by the said Steven to the use of the said to the use of the said Dorothy _______ given, granted, bargained, sold, assigned and set on, and by these presents do fully, clearly and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, assign & set onto the said Steven Sumper all such goods, chattels, bedding, household stuff, implements and moveables of whatever nature, estate, quality or condition they or any of them be, all which said moveables and implements of household stuff _____ unto the said Steven Sumpner, his executors, administrators and assigns and to every of em from the day of the date hereof forward, to use, order, dispose & distribute the same at his or their will and pleasure, as his own goods and chattels. I the said Elizabeth Meade have put and set the said Steven Sumpner in full quit by the gift and delivery of one shilling of good and lawful money of England and one silver spoon which the day of the date hereof I the said Elizabeth Mead have freely given and delivered the said to the said Steven Sumpner fixed on the sale of all & singular the premises abovesaid. In witness whereof to this my present deed I the said Elizabeth Meade have hereunto set my hand & seal dated the fifteenth day of November in the fourth year of the reign of our most gracious and sovereign lord Charles by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith & anno domino 1628.

Signed Elizabeth Meade

Signed and delivered by the said Elizabeth Meade in the presence of Edward Meade and Richard Tailor.

Lawrence Meade of Ugley, 1629

Yeoman

Son of John Meade of Ugley, 1626

I will that my body be buried in the churchyard of Ugley near unto my father.

I give and bequeath all my freehold lands and tenements, one tenement called Burlese, the other called Lukes, lying in Much Lees and Black Notley, unto John Meade the son of Richard Meade my natural brother when he shall accomplish the age of 24 years, and from that time to the said John Meade to him and his heirs forever.

I give unto John Meade son of Richard Meade my brother all my lands and tenement commonly called or known by the name of Kings Land lying and being in the parish of Tackley when the said John shall accomplish the age of 24 years and from that time to him and his heirs forever.

If the wife of Richard Meade my natural brother shall be left a widow that then my will is that the said John Meade shall pay unto his natural mother during the term of her natural life the sum of five pounds yearly.

I give unto Thomas Meade my godson, the son of John Mead, and unto James Savill the son of Robert Savill my godson, both of the parish of Ugley aforesaid, each of them 20s to be paid within ten years after my death.

I give unto Lawrence Waylet the son of George Waylet my godson, of the parish of Ugley, the sum of ten shillings to be paid when he shall accomplish the age of 22 years.

I give unto John Harrison my godson, the son of John Harrison of Ugley, the sum of five shillings ten years after my death.

I give unto John Wright the son of John Wright of Matching & Hatfield, my godson, the sum of ten shillings to be paid ten years after my death,

I give and bequeath all the rest of my goods, cattle and chattels moveables and unmoveables whatsoever unbequeathed unto Richard Meade my natural brother whom I do make and ordain sole executor of this my last will and testament.

Sealed subscribed and delivered in the presence of Richard Smyth, John Bucke, Alexander Harte.

John Meade of Finchingfield, 1629

In the name of God the father who hath created me and of his son Jesus Christ that hath redeemed me and of the Holy Ghost 2ho hath in some measure sanctified me, I John Mead of Finchingfield in the county of Essex, esquire, this four and twentieth day of March in the fourth year of the reign of our sovereign lord King Charles do make this my last will and testament in writing as followeth. First and above all I commend my soul and spirit into the hands of my gracious God that gave it me, hoping to obtain everlasting salvation by the merit of my blessed saviour Jesus Christ without any confidence in my own works or merits and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken with assured confidence of a glorious resurrection at the day of Jesus Christ when this my mortal body shall put on immortality and both my body and soul shall be united together and remain forever with the lord. And for the disposing of my temporal estate in lands and goods wherewith God in his mercy hath blessed me I devise them asolloweth. Imprimis I give to my dear and loving wife Dorothy Mead all that manor or farm wherein I now dwell called by the name of Sculpons, and all lands, tenements and hereditaments thereunto belonging and all that farm wherein Edward Dikes now dwelleth in Finchingfield with all lands, tenements& hereditaments thereunto belonging, and all that farm at Brockhold Green in the aforesaid parish and county, each and all lands, tenements and hereditaments thereunto belonging now in the possession or occupation of John Fitch, his assign or assigns, to have and to hold all and every the abovesaid farms, lands, tenements and hereditaments with their and every of their appurtenances and every part thereof to her the said Dorothy and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life in full recompense and satisfaction of all jointures or dowers which she hath or can claim out of any my lands, tenements or hereditaments upon condition that she shall not claim any part of the jointure which I formerly made unto e of the manor of Nortofts or of any other my lands in the county of Essex, and upon this condition that she shall commit no waste. Nevertheless I do allow her and her assigns to take sufficient and reasonable first boot, house hoot, plough boot and cart boot. Item I give to my said wife all other my lands, tenements and hereditaments in Finchingfield or elsewhere in the county of Essex (excepting only the manor of Nortofts with the appurtenances) and I also give unto her my manor and rectory impropriate of Soane in the county of Cambridge to have and to hold the said lands, tenements, manor and Rectory to my said wife from the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary next ensuing the date hereof for and during the term of four years fully to be complete and ended. Item I give to my son John Meade all that my manor of Nortofts in the parish of Finchingfield with all lands, tenements and hereditaments thereunto belonging and all other my manors, lands & tenements formerly devised to my wife in Finchingfildor elsewhere within the county of Essex, to have and to hold the said manor of Nortofts with the appurtenances to the said John from the time of my decease, and the said manors, lands, tenements and hereditaments devised to my wife as aforesaid from the determination of the several estates limited as aforesaid to my wife, to him the said John and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten. And for want of such heirs the remainder thereof to Elizabeth Mead my daughter and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten and for want of such heirs the remainder thereof (blank line). Item I give to Elizabeth Meade my daughter for her portion the sum of fifteen hundred pounds to be paid to her by my executor hereafter named. Item I do commit and by this my will appoint the custody of the body and lands of my son John to my wife until he shall attain to the age of twenty and one years and I do allow him for his maintenance at Cambridge the sum of fifty pounds by the year during the time that he shall be there and three scorepounds by the year when he shall be admitted and continue at Lincoln's Inn, and that his maintenance I wish to be taken out of the rents, issues & profits of the lands devised unto him if they amount unto so much in value. Item I give unto my sister Paschall, my sister Poole and sister Cowland the sum of five pounds apiece, and I give to my sister Harvey five and twenty pounds, but I will that it shall be paid sister Paschall by five marks a year in trust from my sister Harvey, and I will that no part of it be paid to her husband. Item I give to my loving and Christian friend Mr Marshall minister of God's word in Finchingfield five pounds and to Mr Rogers five marks. Item I give to the poor of the parish of Finchingfield five marks to be distributed by Mr Marshall, my executors and the overseers of the poor for the time being. Item I give to my servants as followeth, to Bartholomew Falde twenty shillings by the year till ten pounds be paid to him if he live so long, to Margaret Clerk and Hannah Jackson thirt shillings apiece, to Joan Clark and Mary Adams six shillings eight pence apiece, to Barbara Inde forty shillings to be paid at her age of one and twenty years upon condition that she remain so long in my wife's or daughter's service and remain till that time a dutiful servant, to Thomas Titterell thirteen shillings and four pence, to Ralph Blackbeard ten shillings, to Richard Ramsey twenty shillings. Item I do by this my will absolutely revoke and make void all former wills by me heretofore made. All the rest of my goods and chattels not devised by this my will, my debts, funeral and legacies being discharged, I give to my wife and I make her and my son John Meade executors of this my last will and testament. Lastly I do make my loving friend Samuel Browne of Lincoln's Inn esquire supervisor and overseer of this my last will and desire him to be aiding and assisting to my wife and son in all business that they shall have concerning this my will, and I do give unto him to buy him a gelding the sum of twenty arks. In witness whereof I have set to my hand and seal the date and year above written anno domino one thousand five hundred twenty eight, John Meade, signed, sealed and published in the presence of Samuel Browne, Thomas Wendy, Henry Taylor, Bartholomew Faldoe, Ralph Blackbeard, William Taylor.

Frances Meade of Heydon , Essex, 1630

In the name of God amen, the nine and twentieth day of August in the sixth year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles by the grace of God king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, Anno Domino 1630, I Frances Meade of Heydon in the county of Essex, gentleman, sick in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to almighty God, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I commit my soul into the hand of almighty God my creator & redeemer and my body I commit to the earth whereof it came to be buried according to the discretion of executrix hereafter named. Item I will and devise that whereas I have made & conveyanced to my wife during her natural life all that my messuage or tenement wherein I inhabit & dwell in Heydon aforesaid with every thing thereunto belonging, the remainder thereof to John my son after her decease I will it shall so remain and be according to the same writing and I do confirm the same gift according to the same my said riting. Item I give and bequeath to John Meade my son and to his heirs and assigns forever all those ten acres and a half lying and being in Heydon and Chishall Magna within the county of Essex, that is to say six acres and a half n Chrishall, three and a half acres at Wit Hook and half acre in Dolos tenos mead at the nether end of Dame field, to have and to hold the same ten acres and a half to him the said John and his heirs as aforesaid upon this condition following that if the said John Meade his heirs & assigns do not well and truly pay or cause to be paid to Ann Meade my daughter the sum of fifty pounds of good and lawful money of England at her age of one and twenty years at the parish of Heydon aforesaid, that then upon default of the said sum of fifty pounds in manner and form aforesaid I will and devise the said ten acres and a half with the appurtenances to the said Ann Meade, her heirs and assigns, anything before said to the contrary notwithstanding. Item I give and bequeath to Grace Meade my wife all that my lease of land lying and being in Chrishall within the county of Essex with all my goods and chattels to the said Grace, paying and discharging all my debts as I hope she will, and I make and ordain Grace my said wie my sole executrix of this my last will. Item I give and bequeath to John Meade my son my joined bed in the parlor aforesaid, two pillows, two sheets, a great one and a little one, together with a joined ___. And be it remembered that I have surrendered the leases of land according to this will according to the custom of the manor. In witness of this my last will I have set my hand and seal the day and year first above written. Sealed & delivered in the presence of Henry Ingmott, Philip Harrison, William Mardell, Robert Hopper

Thomas Meade of Farnham, 1630

In the name of God amen, the XXIIII day of July Anno Domino 1630, in the XI year of King Charles, I Thomas Meade the elder of Farnham in the county of Essex, yeoman, being weak in body yet thanks be to almighty God of perfect memory, do by this my will give and bequeath to my eldest son Thomas Meade the younger and to Ann his now wife for term of their lives and the longer life of them, and after their deaths to the first son of the said Thomas Meade the younger and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and after to his second son and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and after to every of his sons one after the other as they shall be in priority of age and to the heirs of the body of every such son lawfully to be begotten, and after to all the daughters of the said Thomas Meade the younger and to their heirs forever. All that messuage with the appurtenances commonly called Gingers and the parcel of pasture thereto adjoining lying on the west side thereof and the great barn, the little barn andhed thereupon built and the parsonage croft of _____ with their appurtenances in the occupation of William Lyme, gent, containing two acres more or less, and that croft of arable land with the appurtenances late in the occupation of Thomas Wood the elder lying by Walker's field on the east and the ground of John Gardener at the west, all such lying in Farnham aforesaid. And I do bequeath the two cart houses which are not

ground sold (?) adjoined to the said great barn to my executor with free liberty of ingress, egress and regress to and for my executor to enter, take down and carry away the said two cart houses which are not ground sold (?) at the free will and pleasure of my executor within three years after my decease. And of this my will I make my wife Elizabeth my executor provided always that my executor shall have free liberty to take away all such corn I have as shall be laid in the great barn, little barn or shed at any time within one year after my decease. And my mind is that my said son Thomas shall make to my wife in my lifetime or to my executor after my death a release or acquittance for all such money, goods and stock that I the said Thomas the elder have had and have paid for the debts of the Thomas Meade the younger. Witnesses whereof William Hone, Thomas Trigg.

John Meade of Matching, Essex, 1632

In the name of God amen, the eight & twentieth day of January in the year of our lord God after the computation of the church of England one thousand six hundred thirty and one, I John Meade the elder of the parish of Matching in the county of Essex, gent, being aged and weak in body but yet of good & perfect mind & remembrance, laud & praise be to almighty God, do make & ordain this my present last will & testament in manner & form following, that is to say. First I give & bequeath my soul into the hand of almighty God my maker & to Jesus Christ my only saviour & redeemer and my body I commit to the earth to be buried in Christian burial within the parish church of Matching aforesaid. Item I give & bequeath unto William Meade, clerk, my younger son, the full sum of fifty pounds of good and lawful money of England, being parcel of the sum of two hundred pounds which John Meade my eldest son, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns is to pay to such person or persons as he the said John shall nominae appoint according to the intent & true meaning of one indenture having the date the nine & twentieth day of May in Anno Domino 1626 and in the second year of the reign of our sovereign lord king Charles the same fifty pounds to be paid to the said William my son, his executors or assigns within one year next after my decease according to the true meaning of the said indenture. Item I give & bequeath unto the said William my son the bedstead standing in the loft with the featherbed and whole furniture thereunto usually belonging, or else the sum of eight pounds of lawful money of England in lieu thereof which my executor shall _______. Item also I give to him the said William one silver beaker and one silver bowl marked with the letters W & M and four pairs of sheets, two pairs being of flax and two pairs of tow. Item I give to Thomasine Meade daughter of the said William Meade one box which was my wife's standing in the loft or the kitchen. Item I give to Elizabeth Meade daughter of my son John on trunk stading in the best chamber & one childbed sheet & one painted box. Item I give to the poor people of Matching aforesaid twenty shillings to be distributed unto them after my decease at the discretion of my executor hereafter named. All the rest of my goods & moveables, cattle & chattels whatsoever not before bequeathed I give them wholly to John Meade my eldest son whom I make my full & whole executor, to see my debts paid, my legacies fulfilled & my body decently buried. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year first above written in the presence of the witnesses hereafter named: George Harrison.

John Meade - 1632

John

Elizabeth

William

Thomasine

Dorothy Meade of Finchingfield, 1632

In the name of God amen, I Dorothy Meade of Finchingfield in the county of Essex, widow, being sick in body and calling to mind the objective of my life, which is the infinity, do make this my will as follows. First I give my soul to God my most merciful father trusting that through the mercy of Jesus Christ I shall obtain everlasting life. I will my body to the grave expecting joyful resurrection at the last day. And for my goods I give them as follows. Imprimis I give to my son John Meade twenty pounds to buy him a basin & ewer. And I give to him the gelded bull with a cow that was my father's. Item I give to Elizabeth Brown my granddaughter twenty pounds ______________. Item I give to my daughter Browne my _______ and all my brass. I give to Mary Marshall my silk gown, and to Hannah her daughter twenty shillings. I give to Thomas Tillwell my servant ten shillings & to William Taylor & Margaret his wife ten shillings apiece. Item I give to the poor of Finchingfield the sum of forty shillings. The rest of m goods, debts & chattels whatsoever I give to my beloved daughter Elizabeth Browne whom I make sole executrix of this my will and testament made this 16^th October 1632. Item I give to Dorothy Brown my grandchild my little silver tankard.

Signed & published in the presence of William Browne, Thomas Wendy.

Elizabeth Meade of Henham, 1632/3

Uncertain relationship

Sons: John, Samuel, Richard, Thomas, Joseph

Daughters:Sarah Spark, Mary, Elizabeth

In the name of God Amen Memorand y=t= upon the seventh day of March Anno Dii 1631 J Elizabeth Meade of Henham in the Countie of Essex widdow being sicke in boadiyet sound in mynd & of perfect memorye (God be praysed therefore) do make & ordeyne this my last will & testament in manner & forme following vz. J do give and bequeath my soule unto God who gave me it and my bodie to ground from whence it was taken there to be buried after the manner of Christian buriall. Jt~ J do give unto John Meade myne eldest sonne Twentie shillings within a quarter of a yeare after my decease. Jt~ J do give unto my sonne Samuell Meade Syx powndes of good & lawfull money of England to be payd within halfe a yeare after my decease. Jt~ J do give unto my sonne Richard Meade Syx powndes of good & lawfull money of England to be payd within halfe a yeare after my decease. Jt~ J do give unto my sonne Thomas Meade Syx powndes of lyke lawfull money of England to be payd within halfe a yeare after my decease. Jt~ J do give unto my sonne Joseph Meade Syx powndes of lyke lawfull money of England to be payd within halfe a yeare after my decease. Jt~ J do give unto my daugther Marye Meade ffyve powndes of lawfull money of England to be payd w=th=in halfe a yeare after my decease. Jt~ J do give unto my sayd Sonne Samuell Mead a greate chest & a lyverye cupboard & two lyttle stooles & one kettle one stript featherbed one bolster one pillow two blancketts three pewter dishes. Jt~ J do give unto my sayd sonne Richard Meade one brasse kettle thre pewter dishes one ffetherbed one boulster one pillow one double table one fourme one great chayre one red & yealow coveringe. Jt~ J do give unto my sayd sonne Thomas Meade one brasse kettle three pewter dishes one flock bed two blancketts two boulsters one pillow and trundle bed one payre cobirons. Jt~ J do give unto my sayd sonne Joseph one brasse kettle two pewter dishes one chamber pott two flock beds one boulster one standinge bedsted one coveringe two blancketts one ould rugg one pillow one table fowre ioyned stooles one chayre with a wicker bottom one shett and a payre of Andirons one dryppinge panne. Jt~ J do give unto my daughter Elsabeth Meade one greate bowle one greate platter & fyve shillings in money. Jt~ J do give unto my daughter Marye Meade one ffeatherbed one bowlster one pillow a payre of blancketts a coveringe yealow and black one brasse pott and potthooks one kettle two posnetts two pewter candlesticks a pewter salte one linnen wheele one wollen wheel an iron morter a pestell. Jt~ J do give unto my daughter Sara Sparke one ffetherbed one bowlster a greate posnett w=th= a cover one colinder one pewter candlestick. Jt~ J do make my Sonne in law Thomas Sparke Executor of this my last will & testament unto whome the sayd Thomas Sparke J do give all my money goods and chattells unbequeathed. Jn wittnesse whereof J setto my hand & seale the day & yeare above written.

Richard Meade of Ugley 1595/6 - 1638

Son of Robert, son of John

In the name of God amen, I Richard Meade of the parish of Ugley in the county of Essex, being weak in body but of good and perfect memory, thanks be to almighty God, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. Imprimis I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God, trusting for salvation in Jesus Christ my merciful savior and redeemer.

Item I give unto Ellen Hutchin of Newport, my goddaughter, the sum of 10s to be paid when she shall accomplish the age of 14 years.

Item I give unto Richard Smith, vicar of Ugley, the sum of fifty shillings.

Item I give to my brother Thomas Meade the sum of twenty shillings to be paid within one year next after my decease.

Item I give unto my brother Nathaniel Meade the sum of 20s to be paid him within one year next after my decease.

Item I give unto Robert Meade my brother the sum of 20s to be paid within one year next after my decease.

All the rest of my goods, cattle and chattels whatsoever unbequeathed I give unto my master Thomas Bush of Ugley aforesaid, whom I do make and ordain my sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Richard Meade have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Sealed and subscribed in the presence of Richard Smith, Francis Bishop.

William Meade of Thaxted, 1639

In the name of God amen, the six and twentieth day of August Anno Domino 1639 I William Meade of Thaxted in the county of Essex, yeoman, being weak in body but in good remembrance, thanks be unto almighty God therefore, do make and ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following, that is to say first and principally I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God assuredly believing to enjoy everlasting life by the only death and bloodshedding of Jesus Christ. Item my body I commit unto the earth from whence it came to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of mine executors hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath unto Margaret my wife five pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto her within six months next after my decease, so as she doth release all her third & dower in my little messuage or tenement lying in Mile End in Thaxted aforesaid late in the occupation of my son Robert Meade. Item I give and bequeath unto my two sons Newman Meade and Thomas Meade and to their irs and assigns forever all that my aforesaid messuage or tenement with the appurtenances situate, lying and being in Mile End in Thaxted aforesaid to this intent and purpose that they the said Newman Meade & Thomas Meade or the survivor of them or the heirs of the survivor of them shall sell the said messuage or tenement with the appurtenances to the best advantage and the money thereof coming to be distributed in manner and form following, viz. for the placing of Edward Meade one of the sons of my said son Robert Meade and he being placed the residue of the money that the house shall be sold for to be equally divided amongst all the children of my said son Robert part and part alike. Item all my goods and chattels whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my said two sons Newman Meade & Thomas Meade whom I make executors of this my last will & testament towards the payment of debts, discharging my legacies, proving of this my will and bringing my body decently unto the ground, and my will and meaning is that th aid goods shall be sold to the best advantage and the overplus if any happen to be, the former things discharged, shall be equally divided amongst all my children part and part alike. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of Samuel Salmon, Robert Salmon

Anne Mede of Wendon Lofts, will written1639, probated 1640

Abt. 1622 - 1640

Daughter of Sir John Mede

Jn the name of God Amen the ninth day of July in yeare of the Raygne of our sovereygne Lord Charles bye the grace of God Kinge of England Scotland france and Irland defender of the faith & the fifteenth anno doi 1639 J Anne Mede of Loftes in the countie Ess~ daghter of Sir John Mede knight being sicke in body but of p~fect mynde and memorye thankes be to allmighti god doe make and ordaine this my last wille and testament in maner and forme followyng. ffirst J bequeath mye soule jnto the handes of almighty god mye creator and redeemer and my body J commit to the earth from whence it came to be decently buryed according to the discretion of my mother ore my eldest brother. J bequeath to my eldest sister Breget three hundred and fiftie pounds. J bequeath to my sister Jane Mede two hundred pounds. J bequeath to my sister Elicebeth Mede two hundred pounds. J bequeath to my brother John Mede one hundred marke. J bequeath to my brother Simeon one hundred marke. I make my brother Thomas Meede my sole executor. In witnes wherof J have set to my hand and seale the day and yeare first a bove writine.

Witness: Luke Wateridge

Elizabeth Meade of Farnham, widow, 1640

In the name of God amen, the thirtieth day of September Anno Domino 1630 and in the sixth year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles by the grace of God king of England, Scotland, France & Ireland, defender of the faith etc, I Elizabeth Meade of Farnham in the county of Essex, widow, being at this present (I praise God) of good health & perfect mind & memory, do ordain, make & declare this my present testament containing in it my last will in manner & form following (that is to say) First I bequeath my soul into the merciful hands & protection of almighty God my creator, savior & redeemer and I will my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of mine executor. Item I give to the poor people of Farnham aforesaid six shillings & eight pence to be distributed amongst them within one month next after my decease at the discretion of mine executor. Item I give & bequeath unto Thomas Meade mine eldest son one shilling. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth (now wife of Robert Bowyer of Brnt Pelham) all my wearing apparel whatsoever as well linen as woolen, and I give & will unto her two children to either of them twenty shillings to be paid into their father's or mother's hands to the use of the said children within one year next after my decease. Item I give, will & devise unto Nicholas Meade all my lease lands for the term or terms of years therein yet to come and also all & singular my goods, cattle, chattels, moveables & unmoveables whatsoever unbequeathed, he paying my debts, legacies and funeral charges, which Nicholas Meade my son I ordain, make and appoint the only executor of this my last will & testament, whom I put in trust. In witness whereof I have caused this my will to be written & read & declared the same to be my very will and have hereto set my hand & seal in the presence of me Thomas Barnarde, John Barnarde, the mark of John White of Takely

Richard Mead of Ugley 1641

Yeoman

Son of John Mead the Elder of Ugley 1626

Wife Elizabeth

Son John

Memorandom that on the twentieth day of February anno domino iuxta computationem

ecclie Angliam 1640 Richard Meade of Ugley in the county of Essex, yeoman, being minded to settle and dispose of his estate, did declare his last will nuncupative or disposition of his goods in these words following or the like in effect viz: He gave and bequeathed unto John Mead his only son all his goods and chattels both within doors and without doors, and he further willed that his said son John should pay unto Elizabeth his wife ten pounds yearly during her natural life and that she should have her board with him and firing, if she did like to live with him; if she did mislike it then he willed that his said son John should pay unto the said Elizabeth twenty pounds yearly during her natural life, and she to provide for herself, which words he spoke being of perfect mind and memory, and gave and bequeathed the aforesaid legacies as is set down aforesaid, in the presence of John Sampford, Francis Bishop + witnesses.

Thomas Meade of Henham 1641

In the name of God amen the four and twentieth day of April Anno Domino 1641 I Thomas Meade of Henham in the county of Essex, yeoman, being sick of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto almighty God therefor, and knowing that all men are mortal and none knowing the departure of this life, therefore I do ordain and make this my last will and testament, revoking all other wills before by me made. First and principally I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker and to Jesus Christ his only son my only redeemer, trusting and assuredly believing by his death and passion to have remission of all my sins, and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken and to be buried in the parish church of Henham aforesaid, and as for the temporal estate which it hath pleased almighty God to bestow upon me I dispose of it as followeth. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Meade the sum of ten pounds to be paid unto him within three months after my decease by my executor hereaer named. Item I give and bequeath unto all the children of my son Thomas Meade which are now living the sum of three pounds six shillings and eight pence apiece to be paid unto them by my executor when and as they shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years and if any of the said children shall happen to die before they shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years then the said three pounds six shillings and eight pence to be equally divided amongst them that are then living. Item I give and bequeath unto my son John Meade one piece of freehold land lying in Copperton field containing by estimation three rods which is now in my occupation and the sum of thirty pounds to be paid unto him within half a year next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Nicholas Meade the sum of twenty pounds to be paid unto him when he shall accomplish the full age of one and twenty years and if it shall happen that my said son Nicholas shall die before he shall accomplish the age of one and twenty yeasthen I give and bequeath the said twenty pounds to all the children of my said son Thomas Meade to be equally divided between them and to be paid unto them as they shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann the wife of George King the sum of ten shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto the eldest daughter of George King my grandchild my brown cow. Item I give and bequeath unto George Newland my son-in-law the sum of ten shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Meade the press standing in the hall. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Nicholas Meade the table standing in the hall and one joined bed now standing in the parlour with a featherbed and all the furniture thereunto belonging. Item I give and bequeath unto Ann my well-beloved wife all the rest of my movable goods not before bequeathed, to see my funeral charges discharged and my body brought decently to the earth and my debts paid and my legacies discharged. And I do hereby ordain An y well-beloved wife sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness hereof I have set my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of Matthew Walley, the mark of Thomas Meade, Symon Woolward.

Nathaniel Mead of Ugley 1584/5 - 1643

Joiner

In the name of God amen, I Nathaniel Mead of Ugley in the county of Essex, joiner, being of sound & perfect memory, thanks be given to almighty God therefore, do make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following. Imprimis I bequeath my soul ino the hands of almight God my creator & maker & my body to the earth to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of mine executrix hereafter named. And for such goods & estate as God hath lent me in this world I dispose thereof as followeth. Item I give and bequeath to Ellen my wife all my moveable estate whatsoever, she paying my debts and such fines as my son Nathaniel shall pay for five acres & one rood of copyhold land held of the Manor of Ugley Hall & also such fines as John my youngest son shall pay for five acres & one rood of copyhold land held of the Manor of Pryors Hall in Widington. Item I give and bequeath to Ellen Mead & Sara Mead my two daughters all my free land lying in Stondon in the county of Hartford to be equally divided btween them to have & to hold the said free land to them and their heirs forever. And I do make and ordain the said Ellen my wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Nathaniel Mead have hereunto set my hand & seal this 29th day of July in the year of our Lord God 1643 and in the 19th year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles of England, Scotland, France & Ireland king, defender of the faith.

Read, sighed, sealed & declared to be his last will & testament in the presence of John Buck, John Mead, Francis Gapes.

John Meade of Great Easton 1643

In the name of God amen, the seventeenth day of December in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith the fifteenth, I John Meade of Great Easton the elder, yeoman, being well in body and of good and perfect remembrance, thanks be given to almighty God therefore, considering the uncertainty of this life do make and ordain this my present will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I give and commend my soul into the hand of the everliving blessed and glorious Trinity the father the son and the holy ghost, hoping that through the death and passion of Jesus Christ my sins are blotted out and forgiven, and as for my body I commit and commend the same to the earth from whence it was first framed, hoping and verily believing that at the last and general day of judgement it shall rise again and come to judgement with all flesh, the same to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereaft named according to Christianity. Item I give and bequeath unto the poor people of Great Easton aforesaid the sum of forty shillings of good and lawful money of England to be paid and distributed unto and amongst them by my said executors upon the day of my burial. Item I give and bequeath unto my said executors the sum of five pounds of good and lawful money of England to be spent upon the said day of my burial in bringing of my body to the ground in lieu of my funeral expense. Item I give and bequeath unto John my eldest son the sum of ten pounds of good and lawful money of England to be paid unto him, his executors or assigns by my said executors within six months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Robert my son the like sum of ten pounds of like money to be paid unto him, his executors or assigns by my said executors likewise within six months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Edward my son the like sum of ten pounds of like money to be paid unto him, his executors o ssigns likewise within six months next after my decease by my executors. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas my son the like sum of ten pounds of like money to be paid unto him, his executors or assigns by my said executors likewise within six months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Joan my daughter the sum of twenty pounds of like good and lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my said executors likewise within six months next after my decease, and if it shall happen that the said Joan my said daughter shall die or depart this natural life before the said six months end in which she should have received her said portion, then my will and meaning is and I do hereby will, direct and bequeath the said twenty pounds given and bequeathed unto my said daughter Joan unto John and Mary her son and daughter, equally to be parted and divided between them by my said executors at the end of the said six months in which it should have been paid unto my said daughter Joan if she had lived. te I give and bequeath unto Ellen my daughter the sum of ten pounds of like good and lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my said executors within six months next after my decease and if the said Ellen shall fortune to die or depart this natural life before the end of the said six months in which she should have received the said ten pounds then my will and plain meaning is and I do hereby will the said ten pounds unto Jane her daughter to be paid unto her by my said executors at the end of the said six months if the said Jane the daughter of my said daughter Ellen shall be living. Item I give and bequeath unto Jane my daughter the sum of twenty pounds of good and lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my said executors likewise within six months next after my decease, and if it shall happen that my said daughter Jane shall die and depart this natural life before the end of the said six months in which she should have received her said twenty pounds that then my will and plain meaning is lkewse and I do hereby then will, devise and bequeath the said twenty pounds given unto my said daughter Jane unto her children to be paid unto them by my said executors at the end of the said six months in which it should have been paid unto my said daughter Jane if she had lived, equally to be parted and divided unto an amongst them part and part like. Item I give and bequeath unto Susan my daughter the like sum of twenty pounds of like money to be paid unto her by my said executors within six moths likewise after my decease and if the said Susan my said daughter shall fortune to die or depart this natural life before the end of the said six months in which she should have received her said twenty pounds then my will and meaning is likewise and I do hereby then will, devise and bequeath the said twenty pounds given unto my said daughter Susan unto William, Edward, John, Katherine and Joan the sons and daughters of my said daughter Susan to be paid unto them and every of them by my said executors at the endof te said six months equally to be parted and divided unto and amongst them part and part like. Item I give and bequeath unto Anne my daughter the like sum of twenty pounds of like money to be paid unto her, her executors or assigns within six months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto the said Anne my said daughter and to her assigns all that my house wherein I now dwell with the yard and orchard thereunto adjoining for, during and until the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel next coming after my decease and not longer, provided always and my will and plain meaning is that if the said John my eldest son shall or do any ways molest or vex my said daughter Anne by reason whereof he shall not and do not permit and suffer my said daughter Anne peaceably and quietly for to enjoy the said house, yard and orchard until the said feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel next after my decease and according as I have in this my last will given and bequeathed the same unto my said daughter Anne thenmy will is and I do then give and bequeath the said ten pounds herein and hereby above by me given and bequeathed unto my said son John unto the said Anne my said daughter to be paid unto her, her executors or assigns immediately after he the said John my said eldest son shall molest or vex my said daughter Anne be reason whereof shall not suffer her to enjoy the said house, yard and orchard as aforesaid and then I give my said son John twelve pence of lawful English money to be paid unto him by my executors. Item I give and bequeath to my said executors the sum of forty shillings apiece of good and lawful money of England for their care and pains in seeing this my last will and testament to be performed. Item I give and bequeath unto the said Anne my said daughter one table, six joined stools and one joined press standing in the hall of and belonging to the messuage or testament wherein I now dwell and also one quarne (?) to be delivered unto her, her executors or assigns immediately after my decease.Item Igive and bequeath unto all and every my grandchildren the sum of twenty shillings of good and lawful money of England apiece to be paid unto them and every of them as they and every of them shall come to and accomplish their several ages of twenty and one years. The residue of all and singular my goods, chattels, household stuff, money and all other my goods and chattels as well within doors as without, after all the aforesaid legacies paid and this my will performed, I give and bequeath unto Robert, Edward, Thomas, Joan, Ellen, Jane, Susan and Anne my said sons and daughters equally to be divided and parted unto and amongst them part and pat like. And I do nominate and appoint my son-in-law Christopher Waltham alias Tamier and Anne my said daughter to be executors of this my present last will and testament, revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and do pronounce this only to be my last will. In witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament being writ in three sheets o paper et my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Edward Meade of Thaxted 1648

In the name of God amen, the first day of March in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith the four and twentieth, I Edward Meade of Thaxted in the county of Essex, Gent, being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance, thanks be given to almighty God therefore, do make and ordain this my present last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say first and principally I do give and commend my soul into the hands of the everliving blessed, holy and glorious Trinity the father, the son and the holy ghost, hoping that through the death and passion of Jesus Christ my saviour and redeemer my sins are blotted out and clearly forgiven, and as for my body I do commit and commend the same to the earth from whence it was first framed, hoping and verily believing that at the last and general day of judgement it shall rise again and come to judgement with all flesh, the same to be buried in decenmanner by my executor hereafter named according to Christianity. Item I give and bequeath unto the poor people of Thaxted aforesaid the sum of five pounds of good and lawful money of England to be paid into the hands of John Humfrey of Mill End and Samuel Salmon by my said executor within one year next after my decease to be distributed and paid by them the said John and Samuel unto and amongst the most (-) and neediest poor people in Thaxted aforesaid as to them shall seem fit and convenient. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Meade my son and to his heirs and assigns forever all those my messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments whatsoever both freehold and copyhold with all and singular their appurtenances situate, lying and being in Thaxted aforesaid and Wimbish in the said county of Essex or elsewhere within the realm of England. Item I give and bequeath unto John Meade my brother the sum of four pounds a year of good and lawful money of England to be paid and laid out quarterly and every quarte or and during the term of the natural life of the said John my said brother by my said executor unto and for the apparel for the said John and unto and for such other necessary things as the same John shall have need of as my said executor and the supervisors of this my will hereafter named shall think fit, necessary and convenient unto and for him. Item I give and bequeath unto John Pledgheard my servant for the advancement of his wages, having been my servant for a long time, the sum of twenty pounds of good and lawful money of England to be paid unto him or to his assigns by my said executor in three years next after my decease, that is to say twenty nobles a year. Item I give and bequeath unto Edward Collin my godson the sum of ten shillings of good and lawful money of England to buy him a ring. Item I give and bequeath unto Henry Wale my godson the like sum of ten shillings of like money to buy him a ring. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Holland my servant the sum of twenty shillings of good and awul money of England to be paid unto him by my said executor within one year next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Ward my servant the sum of twenty shillings of good and lawful money of England to be paid unto him by my said executor within one year next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Abiah Pimock my servant the sum of twenty shillings a year of like money to be paid unto him yearly and every year for and during the term of his natural life by my said executor. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Meade my kinsman which I now keep the sum of five pounds of good and lawful money of England to place him and bind him out an apprentice to be paid at such time by my said executor when the said Thomas shall be bound and fitting to be an apprentice. Item I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Strutton my servant the sum of twenty shillings of good and lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my said executor within one year next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath ntoGrace Marshall my servant the sum of thirteen shillings and four pence of good and lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my said executor likewise within one year next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Trappe the son of George Trappe the sum of forty shillings of good and lawful money of England to be paid unto him by my said executor at such time when he shall be put out and bound an apprentice. Item I give unto the said Thomas my said son, his executors and assigns all and singular my goods, chattels, household stuff, hogs, beasts, corn and cattle whatsoever for the performing of this my last will and testament, which said Thomas I do make and appoint to be sole executor of this my last will and I do earnestly entreat and desire Mr Thomas Wale my brother in law and Mr Edmund Plome to be supervisors of this my last will and to have a care and see the same performed in every point and I do give to either of them for their pains and care therein the sum of fifty shillings of ood nd lawful money of England to buy them a ring, revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and do pronounce this only to be my last will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, given the day and year first above written.

William Mead the younger of Fieldgate in Ugley 1586 - 1650

Fanwright

Son of John Meade of Fieldgate

In the name of God amen the seven & twentieth day of June in the year of our loprd God 1649 I William Mead of Ugley in the county of Essex, fanwright, being of sound & perfect memory, do make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following. First I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God my creator & maker, hoping assuredly by the merits of Jesus Christ my saviour & redeemer to have everlasting life, and my body to be buried in the parish churchyard of Ugley at the discretion of my executrix hereafter named. And for the disposal of such estate as God of his mercy hath lent me here in this life I dispose thereof as followeth. Item I give to Alice Mead late wife of my son John Mead and her heirs one parcel of copyhold land called Heards as it now lies in two crofts containing by estimation six acres be they more or less, upon condition that she shall well & truly pay or cause to be paid to Margaret my beloved wife the sum of six pounds of lawful money of England yearly during the ter of her natural life, which I will shall be paid quarterly at the four usual quarters of the year (viz: the Feast of the Annunciation, the Feast of John Baptist, the Feast of St Michael & the Feast of the Nativity), by thirty shillings a quarter, and one load of wood for my wife's necessary firing in case she shall desire it, the first payment to begin at which of the said Feasts shall first happen to come or be next after my decease, and in case there shall be a default made on payment of the said annuity then I give the said parcel of copyhold land called Heards to Margaret my wife & her heirs. And I will the said Margaret my wife shall have the use of the parlor and the parlor chamber of the tenement in which I now live for & during the term of her natural life. Item I do give more to the said Alice Mead my daughter in law all the other part of my said tenement with all the lands thereunto belonging (being copyhold holden of the Manor of Ugley Hall) not by me formerly surrendered, for & during the term ofher natural life, and whereas I promised Nathaniel Straight of Coggshall ten pounds after my decease as part of his portion which I gave him with my daughter Joan in marriage, I will that Alice Mead my daughter in law shall pay him the sum of five pounds within one year next after my decease & the other five pounds within one year after that payment. Item I give unto Margaret my wife all my household stuff. Item I do give unto the abovesaid Alice Mead my daughter in law my stock of rods and furniture belonging to my trade with all my debts & moneys for and toward the payment of my debts and performance of this my will, and I do make & ordain the said Alice Mead sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written. The mark of William Mead.

Read, signed & sealed & declared to be his last will and testament in the presence of John Buck, John Meade, Francis Gapes, Phebius Hut.