1650-1700
1651 William Meade of Widdington, yeoman
In the name of God amen, the sixteenth day of April anno domino 1650, I William Meade of Widdington in the county of Essex, yeoman, being sick of body but of perfect mind and memory, praised be to God for the same, I do hereby constitute and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I give and commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my maker, saviour and redeemer and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken and buried in the parish church of Henham in the county of Essex aforesaid by my executrix hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath unto Henry Meade my son the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto him within one year next after my decease by my executrix hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Meade my son the sum of twelve pence to be paid unto him within one month next after my decease by my executrix hereafter named. Item give and bequeath unto Grace Meade my daughter the sum of twenty pounds oflawful money of England to be paid unto her within one year next after my decease by my executrix hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Meade the son of my son Thomas Meade, my grandchild, the sum of twenty shillings to be paid unto him within four years next after my decease by my executrix hereafter named. All the rest of my movable goods whatsoever, my debts and legacies paid, I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my wife whom I do make and ordain my sole executrix of this my last will and testament, revoking all other former wills and testaments by me formerly made. In witness hereof I the said William Meade have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Sealed and delivered in the presence of the mark of John Meade, Simon Woodward. Signed William Meade.
Edward Mead of Aythorpe Roding, shoemaker, proved 1659
In the name of God amen, I Edward Mead of Eythorp Rothing in the county of Essex, shoemaker, being weak in body but of perfect and sound memory, thanks be given to Almighty God therefore, calling to mind the frailty of man's life and the mortality of the time, do make and constitute this my last will and testament in manner and form following, absolutely revoking all wills or testaments by me formerly made, and first I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my maker and of Jesus Christ my redeemer. Item I give and bequeath to Elizabeth my wife and to Edward Mead my son and to the longer liver of them and after their deceases to be to the use and only behoof of Edward Mead my grandchild and of his heirs and assigns for ever, all that house or messuage wherein I now dwell and four acres of land thereto belonging, more or less, called Childes. Item I give & bequeath to my son John Mead one parcel of land usually called Perrie Croft containing five roods more or less, after the decease of my wife Elizabeh, to be to him and his heirs forever. Item I give & bequeath to Elizabeth my wife and Edward my son and to the longer liver of them twain and after them to Edward Mead my said grandchild, Richard's piece containing by estimation two acres more or less, & to his heirs & assigns forever. Item I give & bequeath to Elizabeth my said wife and Edward my son and to the longer liver of them twain and after them to Edward Mead my grandchild, Sugden or Sugen or by whatever other name or names the same is called, containing by estimation half a rood more or less. Item I give unto my said son John Mead seven pounds & ten shillings which he now oweth me. Item I will & bequeath to my daughter Mary the sum of five shillings and to my daughter Elizabeth one shilling when they shall demand it of my executrix. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal. Dated the fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fifty and eight.
Signed, sealed & acknowledged to be the last will of the testator in the presence of Thomas Keeler, the mark of Timothy Gages, the mark of Edward Mead.
Thomas Meade of Thaxted 1661
In the name of God amen, the thirtieth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand six hundred fifty and nine, I Thomas Mead being sick and weak in body yet in perfect memory thanks be unto God almighty, I do make my last will and testament in manner and form as followeth. First I commend my soul unto God the maker and creator of heaven and earth to be saved by the mercies and merits of Jesus Christ. My body I commit to the earth to be decently buried by my executors and all my worldly goods as followeth. Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth thirty pounds to be paid her by my executors when she shall come to be one and twenty years of age, and I give unto my daughter Mary thirty pounds to be paid her when she shall be one and twenty years by my executors. Item I give unto my daughter Susan thirty pounds to be paid her by my executors when she shall be one and twenty years of age and I give unto my daughter Jane thirty pounds to be paid her by my executors when she shall be one and twenty years of e. I give to my daughter Sarah thirty pounds to be paid her by my executors when she shall be one and twenty years of age and also I give unto my daughter Martha thirty pounds to be paid her when she shall come to be one and twenty years of age by my executors and I will that a parcel of my land shall be sold by my executors lying in Much Waltham containing by estimation fourteen acres more or less to raise money to pay my debts and legacies. The land is called by the name of Pitt field and Four acres field and Cross field, and my will is that if any of my forenamed daughters shall die before they shall come to be one and twenty years of age then the legacies which I have given them shall remain unto Mary my wife and my will is that my house and land lying in Much Waltham commonly called by the name of Wards shall remain unto my mother during her natural life and after her decease unto my son Thomas Mead and his heirs forever and my will is that if my wife Mary shall after my decease marry again that her hubnd shall put in bond unto my brother Richard Loughs for the payment of my daughters' legacies and all the rest of my goods and chattels within doors and without I give unto Mary my wife for and towards the bringing up of my children until they come full age. And I do appoint my brother Richard Loughs and Mary my wife to be executor and executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Thomas Mead have set my hand and seal the day & year above named. The mark of Thomas Mead. In the presence of us William Bickner and John Cummins.
1661 Edward Mead of Great Canfield, yeoman
In the name of God amen I Edward Mead of Much Canfield in the county of Essex, yeoman, being sick in body but of good & perfect memory do make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following, that is to say first I commend my soul into the hands of God my creator, sanctifier & redeemer, and my body to be buried in decent Christian-like manner. And for my worldly goods I will & bequeath as follows. Item I give unto John Mead my eldest son all my copyhold lying in Much Easton known by the name of Lilley & Lider Highly (?), & he enter upon the same when he shall accomplish his full age of one and twenty years, and twenty shillings of lawful English money after. I give unto Edward Mead my younger son the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money of England to be paid to him by my executor hereafter named when he shall accomplish his full age of one and twenty years. Item I give unto Ann Mead, Susan Mead, Grace Mead, Elizabeth Mead, Jane Mead, Frances Mead my six daughters the full sum of ten ponds apiece to be paid them by my executor when they shall accomplish their several ages of one & twenty years. Item I will that my said executor shall pay to the same John Mead, Edward Mead, Ann Mead, Susan Mead, Grace Mead and Elizabeth Mead the full sum of five pounds apiece being legacies given to them by John Mead my father, late of Much Easton deceased, when they & any of them shall accomplish their several ages of one & twenty years. And all the rest of my goods, chattels, household stuff, corn, hay, cattle and implements, money, lands, bills & debts whatsoever I give and bequeath to Ann Mead my wife, she paying all my debts, legacies herein given & bequeathed & other charges, and do nominate and appoint my dear beloved Bartholomew Newman my father in law and the said Ann Mead my wife my full and sole executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this thirtieth day of July in the 22th year of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles by the grace of Gd of England & so forth King, defender of the faith, etc. 1646.
Thomas Meade of Rivenhall, 1661
In the name of God amen, the thirtieth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand six hundred fifty and three, I Thomas Meade being sick and weak in body yet in perfect memory, thanks be unto God almighty, I do here make my last will in manner and form as followeth. First I commend my soul unto God the maker and creator of heaven and earth to be saved by the mercies and merits of Jesus Christ. My body I commit unto the earth to be decently buried by my executors, and all my wordly goods as followeth. Item I give unto my daugthter Elizabeth thirty pounds to be paid her by executors when she shall come to be one and twenty years of age, and I give unto my daughter Marie thirty pounds to be paid her when she shall be one and twenty years of age by my executors. Item I give unto my daughter Susanna thirty pounds to be paid her by my executors when she she shall be one and twenty years of age, and I give unto my daughter Jane thirty pounds to be paid her by my executors when she shall be one and twenty ears of age. Item I give unto my daughter Sarah thirty pounds to be paid her by my executors when she shall be one and twenty years of age, and also I give unto my daughter Martha thirty pounds to be paid when she shall come to be one and twenty years of age by my executors. And my will is that a parcel of land should be sold by my executors lying in Much Waltham containing by estimation fourteen acres more or less [to] raise money to pay my debts and legacies, the land is called by the name of Pitte field and four acres field and trosse (?) field, and my will is that if any of my fore-named daughters shall die before they shall come to be one and twenty years of age then the legacies which I have given them shall remain unto Marie my wife, and my will is that my house and land lying in Much Waltham commonly called by the name of Wardes shall remain unto my mother during her normal life and after her decease unto my son Thomas Meade and his heirs forever. And my will is that if my wife Marie shall after my dcease marry again that her husband shall put in bond my brother Richard Hughes for the payment of my daughters legacies. And all the rest of my goods and cattles within doors and without I give unto Marie my wife and towards the bringing up of my children until they come of full age. And I do appoint my brother Richard Hughe and Marie my wife to be executor and executrix unto this my last will and testament. In witness hereof I the said Thomas Meade have set to my hand and seal the day and year above named. The mark of Thomas Meade. In the presence of the mark of Willman Bickman, John Comming.
Josias Mead of Great Easton, 1661/62
In the name of God Amen, the last will and testament of me, Josias Mead, who, being aged yet in perfect memory in the thirteenth year of our sovereign Lord King Charles the second. Item I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Philippe Mead all and singular all those my cattle, goods and hereditaments whatsoever and after the decease of my said wife I will and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Meade all those my aforesaid cattle and goods whatsoever and to her heirs, executors and administrators and assigns. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Josias Meade one boar. Item I give and bequeath unto my son in law William Wallis the sum of one shilling to be paid by my said wife and my daughter Elizabeth Meade. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Philippe Hack two pewter dishes. Item I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Grace Wallis one pair of sheets and one little (unclear). In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of December in the year of our lord God 1661. And Ido nominate and ordain Philippe my loving wife sole executrix of this my will. Sealed in the presence of Thomas Willett, Eli: Meade. The mark of Josias Meade.
Will of William Meade, 1662
Transcribed by David Stern
In the name of God Amen. The one and twentieth day of September in the fourteenth year of the raigns of our Soveraigne lord Charles the Second by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the faith and ____ in 1662. I William Meade of Barnish Rothings in the County of Essex, Clerk, being frail and weak in bodie but of perfect minde and remembrance (praised be god the father) do make and declare this my sole testament and last will in manner and forms followinge (that is to saie).
First and before all things I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of Almightie God my maker and creator, from whom I had and received the same, assuredly trustinge and belonginge that by the death and merritts of Jesus Christ my Saviour and redeemer I shall have free omission and forgiveness of all my sins and eternall life in the kingdoms of heaven amongst the angels of god. And my bodie I commit to the earth from whence it came (in an assuredly hope of a peisfall exhumition) and to be buried in decent and Christian burial in the chansell of the Parish Church of Barnish Rothings aforesaid att the discretion of my Executor hereafter named.
And for that worldly wealth whence with it hath pleased God to bless me I dispose thereof as followeth (that is to saie). Item I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Anne Meade all that Moytie or halfe partes of and into the Rectorie of Barnish Rothings aforesaid with all and singular the rights members and appurtances thereunto belonginge. And all that Moytie of the old ______ and free _______ and right of patronage of the vicarage of the Church of Barnish Rothing aforesaid and all and all monies of portions, tenths, tithes, oblations, absentions, fruites and all other possessions and hereditary lands whatsoever to the said Rectories belonginge or appurtaininge. And also all and all manner of messuages, edifices and buildings, lands, meadows, pastures, feedinge grounds and other hereditary lands whatsoever with all and singular their appurtenances to have and to hold all and singular the said possessions unto my said loving wife for and during the terme of her natural life. And after her decease I give andbequeath all and singular the said possessions with their and every of their appurtenances unto my Sonne John Meade and to his heires and assignees forever upon condition notwithstandinge that my said sonne John Meade his heires executor administrator or assignees shall paie or cause to be paid unto my daughter Thomazin Meade the sume of One hundred pounds of lawfull monie of England within one year next after the decease of my said wife. And to my daughter Elizabeth Meade the sume of One hundred pounds of lawfull monie of England within one year next after the decease of my said wife. And to my daughter Anne Meade the sume of One hundred pounds of lawfull monie of England within one year next after the decease of my said wife. But if as my said sonne John Meade his heires executor administrator and assignees shall faile and make default in paiement of all or any of the said several sumes of monie or amounts of them given by me as aforesaid unto my said Daughters Then my will and meaninge is And I do hereby ive and bequeath all and singular the said possessions with their and every of their appurtenances unto her and them to whom default of paiement shal be made and to her and their heires and assignees forever.
And also that my said sonne John Meade his heires executor administrator or assignees shall paie or cause to be paid by and after the decease of my said wife unto my disobedient sonne William Meade and his assignees for and during the terme of his naturall life One Annuitie or yearly sume of Tenn pounds of lawfull monie of England at the two most usual feasts or times in the year (that is to saie) at the feast of the annunciation St. Marie the virgin and St. Michael the archangel by same and equal portions at or in the south porch of the Parish Church of Barnish Rothings aforesaid. But in case my said sonne John Meade his heires executor administrator and assignees shall faile and make default in paiement of the said sume of tenn pounds or any parte thereof unto my said sonne William Meade, That then it shall and maie be lawfull to and for my said sonne William Meade and his assignees upon such default to enter into and upon all and singular the said possessions and to disposess and the dispossessions soo taen to then carrie awaie and detaine until he or they be fullie satisfied and paid the said Annuitie or yearly sume of Tenn pounds and the arranginge thereof and so from time to time as often as default of paiement shall be made.
Item All the rest and residue of my goods, Chattells, Cattell, household stuffs, lynnon, pewter, brases, plate, naproie, waddis moms (?), debts and whatsoever other thinges of mine and my due debts beinge first paid and funerell expenses discharged I give and bequeath unto my said loving wife Anne Meade and my said sonne John Meade whom I make joint Executors of this my last will and testament. And my will and meaninge is that my said wife shall have both the use and benefit of my said possessions all soo given unto her as aforesaid but for and during the terme of her naturall life and then the same shall remain unto my said sonne John Meade. And I doo hereby revoke and disavow all former wills and gifts and bequests by me made willed or bequeathed and this to stand and abide for my last will and testament. In witness thereof the said William Meade the testator have to this my last will and testament beinge this the shortest of pages put my hand and seal to every of them and my seale to them on the baxx affied together the daie and now first _______.
Signed, Sealed, and Published in the presence of John Gibbons, Richard Fox____.
Proved March 24, 1662.
Thomas Mead of Thaxted, 1662, yeoman
In the name of God amen, the thirteenth day of January in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles the second by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland King, defender of the faith etc. the thirteenth, I Thomas Mead of Thaxted in the county of Essex, yeoman, considering the uncertainty of this life, being not well 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. 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 be blotted out and clearly 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 wi all flesh, the same to be buried in decent manner by my executor hereafter named according to Christianity. Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Noake my brother-in-law and to his heirs and assigns forever all that my messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments whatsoever which Thomas Mead my father deceased lately purchased and had to him and to his heirs and assigns forever (-) William Kent alias Reynolds like deceased with all the appurtenances situate, lying and being in Thaxted aforesaid (--) Richmond Green (--) unto Anne, Elizabeth and Joane my sisters and to their heirs and assigns forever. (--) my lands, tenements with all and singular the appurtenances situate, lying and being in Thaxted aforesaid and whereas the said Thomas Mead my father did give and bequeath unto Edward Mead my brother the yearly sum of fifty shillings of good and lawful money of England to be paid by me yearly to the said Edward my said brother for and during the term of his natural life now my will and plain meaning is thatte said fifty shillings a year given and bequeathed by the said Thomas Mead my father unto the said Edward my brother for and during the term of his natural life as aforesaid shall be made three pounds and four shillings of good and lawful money of England and I do will, devise and bequeath the said three pounds and four shillings to the said Edward Mead my said brother to be paid yearly and every year unto the said Edward for and during the term of his natural life by the aforesaid Ann, Elizabeth and Joane my said sisters, their heirs, executors and assigns at such time and times and in such manner and form as the said sum of fifty shillings is to be paid unto the said Edward in and by the last will & testament of the said Thomas Mead my father, and whereas also the said father did give and bequeath unto Jane Mead my sister the yearly sum of forty shillings of good and lawful money of England to be paid yearly by me unto her for the term of her natural life, my will and plain meaning is also that the said ealy sum of forty shillings shall be three pounds of like money and I do give and bequeath the same sum of three pounds unto the said Jane my said sister to be paid yearly and every year by the said Ann, Elizabeth and Joane my sisters, their heirs, executors and assigns unto the said Jane my said sister for and during the term of her natural life at such time and times and in such manner and form as the said yearly sum of forty shillings is to be paid unto her in and by the last will and testament of the said Thomas Mead my said father. Item I do give and bequeath unto John Taylor son of John Taylor of Great Easton in the said county of Essex, yeoman, the sum of five pounds of good and lawful money of England and my will and plain meaning is that my said executor shall use and employ the said sum of five pounds to the greatest profit, increase and commodity that can be made for and during so long time that the said John Taylor the son shall come to and accomplish his full age of xxi years of the raising andmakng of a stock for the said John Taylor the son and upon that day the said John Taylor the son shall come to and accomplish the age of xxi my will and plain meaning is that my said executor shall pay unto John Taylor the son the sum of five pounds together with the profit, increase and commodity made thereof as is aforesaid. Item I do give and bequeath all and singular my goods, chattels, household stuff, utensils of household, hay and cattle whatsoever after my debts paid, my funeral expenses discharged and this my present last will and testament fulfilled unto the said Anne, Elizabeth and Jane my said sisters, their heirs, executors and assigns, equally to be divided amongst them part and part like, and I do nominate and appoint, make and ordain the aforesaid Robert Noakes sole executor of this my present last will and testament, revoking and renouncing all former wills whatsoever by me at any time heretofore made and do pronounce this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the saidThoms Mead to this my present last will and testament have set to my hand and seal, given the day and year first above written anno domino 1661 Thomas Mead. These being witnesses William Pomphnette, and (-) Jobb. This copy agreeth with the original being faithfully compared by us Cha. Fillingham, Notary Public and Rich. Stubbing.
Robert Mead of Great Easton, husbandman, 1662
In the name of God amen, the third day of April in the year of our lord God one thousand six hundred sixty two, I Robert Meade of Great Easton in the county of Essex, husbandman, being at this present sick in body but of perfect mind & good memory, I praise God, and well knowing that all men are born to die & depart this life, and that the time of our decease or departure is unknown & uncertain & sometimes sudden, and to the intent that the small portion of earthly possessions & goods which it hath pleased almighty God of his great mercy to lend me & are in my power to dispose, should after my decease come remain to my daughter & to my daughter's children in manner and form following, that is to say, first I give, will & devise unto my daughter Grissigon now the wife of Daniel Fleming all that my tenement & parcel of land commonly called Fiveacres during the term of her natural life and after the decease of my said daughter aforesaid I give & bequeath all that my tenement and parcel of land with their appurtenances unto my daughter Grissigon's children to be sold by mine executrix hereafter named or by his heirs or assigns and for to be divided amongst her children equally part and part like, that is to say Ann Fleming, Susanna Fleming, Grissagon Fleming, John Fleming, Barbery Fleming, Robert Fleming, Elizabeth Fleming, Hannah Fleming. I do make, ordain & appoint John Leader of Much Easton to be my sole executrix of this my last will & testament, hoping that he will have a care to perform this my will according to the true intent & meaning thereof, revoking all other former wills & testaments and do announce this to be my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day & year first above written being the 3rd day of April 1662. Sealed and delivered in the presence of her mark Ann Mead, John Mead.
William Mead of Takely, yeoman, 1665
In the name of God amen, the seventh day of April in the year of our lord God one thousand six hundred sixty and five, I William Meade of Takley in the county of Essex, yeoman, being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance, for the which I praise almighty God, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and from following. First I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God my creator and redeemer and my body to be buried in Takley churchyard aforesaid. And concerning my temporal estate I give and bequeath as followeth. First I give and bequeath unto Joane my wife all my house and land in the parish of Ugley in the county of Essex aforesaid now in the possession and occupation of Thomas Dennis, bricklayer, for and during all the term of her natural life. Item I give unto Joane my said wife the house wherein I now dwell being in Takley aforesaid in the county aforesaid with all and singular the outhouses and appurtenances thereunto belonging called and known by thename of Stabell for and during her natural life and after her decease unto Joane Coell the daughter of Henry Coell and to her heirs forever. Furthermore I make the said Joane my wife full and whole executrix of this my last will and testament and revoke all other wills and testaments. Witness my hand and seal the day and year above written in the presence of us whose names underwritten. The mark of William Edwicke, William Parsley.
John Meade of Great Easton, gent, 1666
The last will & testament of me, John Meade of Great Easton in the county of Essex, Gent, concerning the temporal estate is as followeth, viz: I do give, devise & bequeath unto my oldest son John Meade & to his heirs & assigns forever all that my capital messuage or tenement wherein I now dwell with the rights, members & appurtenances thereof and all & singular other my freehold lands, tenements and hereditaments whatsoever, situate, lying & being in Great Easton aforesaid, and also all & singular my goods & chattels, upon condition that he, the said John, his heirs or assigns shall well & truly pay or cause to be paid unto Anne Meade my daughter the sum of one hundred & fifty pounds of lawful English money & fifty pounds more, now in my hand, which was given her by Robert Sandford Esquire her grandfather, the said sums to be paid at her day of marriage or within six months after my decease, which shall first come, provided that for default of payment thereof I do will that the said Anne, her executors & assgns shall & may enter upon, have, hold and enjoy the said messuage, land & premises & the rents, issues & profit thereof until she be fully satisfied & paid the said several sums, with interest for the same & all charges & damages sustained by the detaining thereof. Moreover I give to any of my children not before named ten shillings apiece, to any of my servants that shall be with me at the time of my death six shillings eight pence apiece, and to the poor of Easton aforesaid forty shillings to be distributed amongst them by my executors. Lastly I ordain the said John Meade my son sole executor of this my will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the four and twentieth day of November anno domino 1665. Sealed and declared in the presence of John Mounke, John Calthorp. Signature of John Meade.
John Mead Senior of Ugley, tailor
Will made 1666, probate Jan. 1667/8
In the name of God amen, the twentieth day of June in the eighteenth yeare of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles the second of England, Scotland, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith etc, anno domino 1666, I John Meade senior of Ugley in the coounty of Essex, tailor, being in good health and of perfect mind and memory, praise be unto almighty God for the same, yet klnowing that my time here upon earth is but short and my life uncertain, I do therefore hereby make and ordain this my last will and testament, revoking all other wills by me formerly made. First & principally I give and commend my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker, saviour and redeemer, and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken and to be buried at the discretion of my executrix hereafter named. Item I give & bequeath unto Alice Eve my daughter the sum of forty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto her within one year next after my decease by my executrix hereafter named, being lawfully demnded, at my now dwelling place situate in Ugley aforesaid. I give & bequeath unto Lawrence Mead my grandchild & to his heirs & assigns forever all those my five pieces or parcels of copyhold land situate lying and being within the parish of Ugley aforesaid, two of them called or known by the names of Barr Crofts & one of them called Middle Croft, and Further Croft & one Little Mead, containing all five by estimation ten acres more or less, upon condition that the said Lawrence Mead his heirs or assigns, or any of them, shall well & truly pay or cause to be paid unto Mary Mead his mother the sum of three pounds a year, yearly of lawful money of England during the term of her natural life, being lawfully demanded every year at my now dwelling house situate in Ugley aforesaid. And in case the said Lawrence Mead his heirs or assigns shall or do refuse to pay the said sum of three pounds a year yearly as aforesaid, then I give & bequeath the said five parcels of copyhold land aforesaid unto John Mead my grandchil & to his heirs & assigns forever, upon condition that the said John Mead his heirs or assigns do well & truly pay the said sum of three pounds a year yearly to the said Mary Mead his mother as aforesaid during the term of her natural life, and in case he or they do refuse to pay the said sum as aforesaid then I give & bequeath the said copyhold land unto the said Mary Mead for & during the term of her natural life upon condition that she or her assigns do not make any impeachment of waste. Item I give & bequeath unto the said John Mead my grandchild all those copyhold tenements & lands in Ugley aforesaid not before bequeathed, upon condition that the said John Mead my grandchild his heirs or assigns do well and truly pay unto Mary Mead his mother the full sum of three pounds a year yearly during the term of her natural life, being lawfully demanded, at my now dwelling house situate in Ugley aforesaid, and in case the said John Mead shall or do refuse to pay the said sum of three pounds a year as aforesaid, hen I give & bequeath the said copyhold tenements & lands unto Lawrence Mead his brother my grandchild & to his heirs and assigns forever, upon condition the said Lawrence his heirs or assigns shall pay unto Mary Mead his mother the said sum of three pounds of lawful money of England as aforesaid, and in case the said Lawrence his heirs or assigns shall refuse to pay the said sum as aforesaid then I give & bequeath the said copyhold tenements & lands unto the said Mary Mead for & during the termf her natural life, upon condition that she keep the buildings in sufficient repair & do not make any impeachment of waste. All the rest of my moveable goods & chattels whatsoever I give and bequeath unto Alice Mead my well beloved wife whom I make sole executrix of this my last will & testament, and I do hereby make Thomas Wood of Elsenham in the county aforesaid, yeoman, and my brother Francis Gapes of Ugley aforesaid, husbandman, supervisors of this my will & testament desiring them to see it well & truly performed and I give & bequeath unto them five shillings apiece to be paid unto them by my executrix within one half year next after my decease, being lawfully demanded. In witness whereof I have caused this my will to be written, read, sealed and published, & have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written.
Read, sealed & delivered in the presence of John Stubbin, Simon Hayward.
Joseph Meade of Woodham Ferrers, 1668
Memorandum that upon the fourth day of September or thereabouts in the year of our lord God 1666, Joseph Mead of Woodham Ferries in the county of Essex, husbandman, did make and declare his last will and testament nuncupative in these words or the like in effect viz. Imprimis he did give and bequeath unto his three children, namely Elizabeth Mead, Joseph Mead and John Mead, forty shillings apiece to be paid unto them within one year after his decease. And if my wife Grace Mead shall continue a widow then I give her the rest of my personal estate, but if she shall happen to marry again then his mind was that his goods should be equally divided into two parts, and the one part thereof he gave unto his said wife and the other part he gave amongst his said children, for to be equally divided amongst them, part and part like, in the presence of credible witnesses whose names are hereunto subscribed. William Mott, the mark of Robert James.
John Mead of Hornchurch, Essex, b. 1638, will 1668, proved 1669,
Gentleman
In the name of God Amen. This four and Twentyeth day of December Anno Dii 1668 and in the twentyeth yeare of the Raigne of our most gracious Soveraigne Lord Charles the second by y=e= grace of God of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the faith &c I John Mead of the parish of Hornchurch in the Countie of Essex Gent being weak in body but of a sound and perfect memory thanks bee to Allmightie God and calling to my remembrance the incertaine estate of this my transitory Life on earth and that all flesh must yeild unto death when it shall please God to call And that nothing is more certaine than death and nothing more incertaine than y=e= tyme when doe therefore make constitute ordaine and declare this my last will and testam=t= in manner and forme following. And first being penitent for my sinns past most humbly desireing forgivenesse of the same I comend my soul into y=e hands of Allmightie God my Creator in assured confidence that of his infinite mercy and by y=e= onely meritts of his son sus Christ he will receive it into his favour and everlasting glory And my body I comend to y=e= earth whence it was taken to bee decently buryed according to y=e= discretion of my Executrix hereunder named firmly beleiving that at y=e= generall resurrection of y=e= dead by y=e= power of Allmightie God it shall bee raysed againe and reunited unto my soul and made partaker of everlasting glory and for such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to blesse me with I dispose of as followeth. Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my sonne John Mead the sume of one hundred pounds of good and lawfull money of England to be paid unto my Overseers hereafter named by my Executrix hereafter named at y=e= day of her marriage or day of her death which shall first happen and that my said Overseers shall convert y=e increase thereof for and towards his education untill he shall attaine to his age of one and twenty yeares as they shall think fitt. Item I give and bequeath unto my said sonne John Mead my silver Tankerd seald Rin nd one mourning Ring to bee delivered to my Overseers for his use at y=e= day of marriage or day of death of my said Executrix, which shall first happen. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Mead the sume of one hundred pounds of good and lawfull money of England to be paid unto my Overseers hereafter named by my Executrix at y=e day of y=e marriage or day of y=e= death of my said executrix w~h shall first happen and that my said Executrix shall receive y=e= profit and increase of y=e= same for and towards y=e= education of my said daughter Elizabeth. Item I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth the biggest of my two eared silver cupps to bee delivered by my said Executrix to my said Overseers at y=e= day of marriage or day of death of my said Executrix. Item I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth Mead all those my messuage Lands and Tenements scituate lying and being in Easthaning feild in y=e= Countye of Essex afores~d which I late purchased of Nathaniel Luttifatt and Stephen Luttifatt, to have and to hold all the said messuage Lands and Tenements unto y=e= said Elizabeth for and dureing the terme of her naturall Life and after her decease then to the heyres males or females of her body lawfully to be begotten and in default of such yssue then to y=e= right heyres of y=e= said John Mead his heyres and assignes for ever And my will and meaning is that my Overseers shall receive the rents issues and profitts of my lands at Machin which are not part of my wid~s joincture and of those my Coppyhold Lands in Cryminster and shall keep and preserve the overplus of the same for y=e= use of my said sonne after an allowance of twenty pounds a yeare to my Executrix for his maintenance and education untill he shall attaine to his age of one and twenty yeares their necessary charges and expenses being allowed them. And my further will and meaning is that if in case my said Executrix shall happen to depart this naturall Life before my said son John shall accomplish his age of one and twenty yeares and my said daughter her age of eighteene yeares that then it shall and may bee lawfull to and for my said daughter Overseers to take into their care and charge the education of my said Children and alsoe take have and receive the rents issues and profitts of all my Lands for y=e= maintenance of my said children as they in their discretion shall think fitt and convenient And further that my Executrix shall lay out and bestow upon y=e= repaires of y=e= mansion house called or knowney the name of Kingstons in Machin and y=e= outhouseing thereunto belonging the sume of fifty pounds where most need shall bee by Midsumer next and that it shall bee lawfull for her to take principall Timber upon y=e= premisses for and towards y=e= repayres of y=e= same. Item I give and bequeath unto y=e= poore of y=e= parish of Machin the sume of forty shillings to bee disposed of y=e= Churchwardens where they shall see most need. Item I give and bequeath unto y=e= poore of the parish of Hornchurch the sume of forty shillings to bee disposed of according to y=e= discretion of y=e= Churchwardens & Overseers. All y=e= rest and residue of my goods cattles and chattels whatsoever unbequeathed after my debts Legacyes and funeralls discharged I give and bequeath unto my loveing wife Mary whom I make the sole Executrix of this my last will and Testam=t= renouncing revoaking and nulling all other wills by me made. And I intreat my loveing friends M=r= William Ballett the son of John Ballett of Downhall Esq and M=r=Tomas Stark of Albans to bee y=e= Overseers thereof and to bee assistant to my Executrix in y=e= execucen of this my will. And I give unto each of them the sume of twenty shillings to buy them Rings to weare in my remembrance. In witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my hand & seale y=e= day & yeare first above written being y=e= four & twentyeth day of December Anno Dmi 1668. John Mead sealed, signed, published and declared in the presence of George Millott, Robert Lalmor.
1669 George Mede of Heydon, gent
In the name of God Amen, I George Mede of Heydon in the county of Essex, gent, being sick in body but of perfect mind and memory, praised be God, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping through the merit, death and passion of my saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins, and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried. And as touching the disposition of my temporal estate which it hath pleased God to bestow upon me, I give and dispose thereof as followeth. First I will that out of the profits of my real estate all my debts may be paid and discharged. Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Dorothy Mede the revenue and profits of all my freehold lands for and during her natural life, towards her own maintenance and the education of my children, and after her decease, upon condition that my son Thomas Mede shall pay (within ne year after the decease of his mother) unto Elizabeth Mede my daughter the sum of three hundred pounds of good and lawful money of England, I give unto him my said son and his heirs forever all my freehold lands, tenements and hereditaments whatever within the county of Essex or elsewhere, provided nevertheless that in case he shall not pay unto Elizabeth my daughter the sum of three hundred pounds aforementioned, it shall be lawful for my said daughter into all my lands, tenements and hereditaments whatever to enter and the same to hold and enjoy to her own use until she shall be fully satisfied the aforesaid sum of three hundred pounds, with interest and charges for the same. Item I give unto my son Thomas Mede all my goods, chattels and personal estate, whatever both within doors and without. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Mede and her heirs forever all my copyhold lands or wood which I hold in the manor of Rockills in Arkesden in the county of Essex. And of this last will and testaent I do constitute and appoint Thomas Mede my son to be my sole executor. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this three and twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred sixty and nine 1669. Witnesses William Collin, William Wallis. Signed George Mede.
1674 Nicholas Meade of Farnham, yeoman
In the name of God Amen, the six and twentieth day of July Anno Domino 1673 and and in the five and twentieth year of the reign of King Charles the second, I Nicholas Meade of Farnham in the county of Essex, yeoman, being somewhat aged but yet of good & perfect memory, do therefore ordain, make & declare this my testament & last will in manner & form following (that is to say) first I commit and bequeath my soul into the merciful hands and protection of Almighty God my creator and my body I will to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of mine executrix hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath unto Agnes now my wife one piece or parcel of arable land containing half an acre more or less lying in a common field called Common Perry field, one other piece or parcel of arable land containing by estimation half an acre more or less lying in a common field called Millfield, and one other piece or parcel of land containing one acre more or less lying in a common field called Common Down, all which premses are lying in the parish or Farnham aforesaid, to have and to hold the said three pieces or parcels of land aforementioned with their appurtenences unto the said Agnes my wife for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give the same unto Nicholas Meade my son and to his heirs & assigns forever. Item I give & bequeath unto my two sons namely Christopher & Thomas Meade five shillings apiece to be paid to them within six months next after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto my three daughters Elizabeth, Sarah & Mary Mead the sum of five pounds apiece of good & lawful money of England to be paid to them within one year next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Edward Meade twelve pence and unto my two daughters Frances and Ann twelve pence apiece to be paid to them within one week after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto the said Agnes my wife all that my croft or close of arable land containing by estimation two acres more or less called or known b the name of Twelve Acres lying in the parish of Farnham aforesaid with the appurtenances to have and to hold unto the said Agnes my wife and to her heirs & assigns forever. All my goods, cattle, chattels, moveables and household stuff whatsoever I wholly give and bequeath them unto the said Agnes my wife, she paying my debts, legacies & funeral charges, which said Agnes I do hereby make and appoint the only executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have caused this my will to be written and read and have declared the same to be my only and last will, revoking all others formerly by me made, and have hereunto set my hand & seal the day and year above written in the presence of the mark of James Ayly and Thomas Barnard. The mark of Nicholas Meade.
1675 Thomas Mead, husbandman, Farnham
In the name of God amen, the last day of July anno domino one thousand six hundred seventy four and in the twenty sixth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King Charles the second, witness that I Thomas Mead of Farnham in the county of Essex husbandman, being sick in body but of sound and perfect memory, thanks be to God, do leave, make and ordain this my last will and testament as in manner and form followeth. First I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker, hoping through the meritorious death and passion of his son and my saviour Jesus Christ eternally to be saved, and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried in the churchyard of Farnham at the discretion of mine executrix hereafter mentioned. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Sibley the wife of John Sibley five shillings to be paid to her half a year after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Cock the now wife of Thomas Cock five shillings to be paid half a year after my decease. tem I give and bequeath unto my son Newman Mead five shillings to be paid half a year after my decease. Item I give and bequeath to my wife Anne Meade all my moveable goods and househod stuff, within doors and without, to have use and benefit as long as she shall live and to whom she shall dispose of the same after her death. Item I do make, ordain, constitute and declare my wife Anne Mead my sole executrix of this my last will and testament, revoking all other wills formerly made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this last day of July in the presence of (unclear) Pattman his mark, Thomas Favay his mark. Thomas Mead his mark.
John Mead senior, yeoman, of Ugley. Made 1673 proved 1678.
In the name of God amen the eight and twentieth day of April in the five and twentieth year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles the second, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith etc, anno domino 1673, I John Meade senior of Ugley in the county of Essex, yeoman, being in health and of perfect mind and memory, praises be unto almighty God for the same, yet knowing that my time here upon earth is but short and my life uncertain, I do therefore hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will & testament, revoking all other wills by me formerly made. Imprimis I give and commend my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker, saviour and redeemer, and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken and to be buried at the discretion of my executrix hereafter named whensoever it shall please God to call me.Item I give & bequeath unto Margaret my well-beloved wife all these my two messuages or tenements with the yards, gardens, outhouses & buldings situate, lying & being in the parish of Ugley aforesaid and also all my copyhold lands within the parish of Ugley aforesaid with all the appurtenances unto them belonging to be and remain to the proper use & behalf of the said Margaret my wife and of her heirs and assigns forever. Item I give & bequeath unto the said Margaret my wife all my moveable goods and chattels, bills, bonds & ready money that I shall have at the time of my decease towards the payment of my debts and legacies & funeral charges and I do hereby make & ordain the said Margaret my wife sole executrix of this my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day and year first above written.
Sealed & delivered in the presence of Mary Hayward, Simon Hayward Sr.
Alice Mead of Ugley 1678
Widow of John Mead of Ugley, 1668
In the name of God amen the seventeenth day of June anno domino 1676 I Alice Meade of Ugley in the county of Essex, widow, being in health and of perfect mind and memory, praises be to almighty God for the same, yet knowing that my time here upon earth is but short and my life uncertain, I do therefore hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, revoking all other wills by me formerly made. First and principally I give & commend my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker, saviour and redeemer, and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken, and to be buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named, whensoever it shall please God to call me. And as for my worldly estate that it hath pleased almighty God to lend me, I do dispose of them as followeth.
Item I give & bequeath to Alice Asur the wife of William Asur of Stansted Mountfitchet my daughter the sum of six pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto her the said Alice Asur my daughter by my executor within one week next after the decease of the said William Asur her husband if she the said Alice Asur be then living, being lawfully demanded, she then delivering an acquittance for the receipt thereof.
Item I give and bequeath to the said Alice Asur my daughter my cupboard standing in the parlor and all things that are therein and also one great hutch that stands at my bedfeet in the parlor and my little coffer desk to be delivered unto her within one week next after the decease of the said William Asur her husband by my executor hereafter named, but my will and mind is that my said daughter Alice shall have these things with the said cupboard when so ever she shall demand them but not to be delivered to anybody but only to she.
Item I give and bequeath to the said Alice Asur my daughter my best white apron to be delivered unto her by my executor within one week next after my decease being demanded.
Item I give and bequeath to the said Alice Asur my daughter the sum of forty shillings a year yearly for and during the term of her natural life to be paid unto her yearly at the two most usual feast days or terms in the year, that is to say, at the feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Lady St. Mary the Virgin and St. Michael the Archangel, which shall first happen, by even & equal portions, or within one & twenty days next after any of the said feast days by my executor hereafter named at or within my now dwelling house situated in Ugley aforesaid being by her lawfull demanded, she the said Alice Asur delivering an acquittance every half year for the receipt thereof and her acquittance shall be my executor's discharge for so long time as it shall become one & payable unto her the said Alice Asur, and also if my said daughter shall happen to be a widow that then my will & mind is and I do hereby give and bequeath unto her the sum of twenty shillings over and above the said yearly sum of forty shillins a ear above said and to be paid half yearly as aforesaid so long as she shall keep herself a widow, not otherwise, and for the true & sure payment thereof I do hereby give and bequeath unto John Mead my grandchild all that my croft or parcel of freehold land lying in the parish of Stansted Mountfitchet in the county of Essex aforesaid called or known by the name of Pennington Acre and also all that piece or parcel of customary land lying in Angelmore Field containing by estimation two acres more or less, and also one other piece of parcel of customary land lying in Church Field Common containing by estimation half acre more or less and also one other piece or parcel of customary land lying in a common field calld Newland containing by estimation one acre more or less, and all the said customary lands are lying & being within the parish of Ugley aforesaid and are to be and remain to the proper use & behalf of the said John Mead my grandchild & of his heirs and also forever, upon condition that he the said Jhn ead my grandchild his heirs or assigns do and shall well & truly pay or cause to be paid all & every the said sums of money by me before bequethed unto the said Alice Asur my daughter half yearly as aforesaid, the sum being lawfully demanded at or within my now dwelling house in Ugley aforesaid and as aforesaid, and if it shall happen the said John Mead my grandchild shall or do not make true payment thereof at the time and place as aforesaid then and at all times immediately after such default it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Alice Asur my daughter to enter in and upon the said freehold land called Pennington Acre and all these my several pieces of customary land before by me bequeathed unto Jon Mead and his heirs and assigns forever and shall then be & remain to the proper use & behalf of the said Alice Asur my daughter for and during the term of her natural life, always provided that she the said Alice Asur or her assigns shall not commit or suffer any manner of waste or spoil upon any pat f the premises, and then immediately next after her decease that my will & mind is that the said free & customary lands shall be and remain to the proper use and purpose of the said John Mead & of his heirs and assigns forever, and further my will, mind and meaning is that if it shall happen that the said Alice Asur shall or do at any time hereafter give, sell, assign or put away her annuity of ten pounds a year that she now has in the parish of Elsenham in the county of Essex aforesaid that then my will, mind & meaning is that the said sum of forty shillings a year and twenty shillings a year yearly by me formerly given and bequeathed unto her the said Alice Asur my daughter shall cease, determine and be utterly void and of no effect as if the sum had never by me formerly been given and bequeathed, anything to the contrary thereof anywise notwithstanding.
Item I give and bequeath unto the said Alice Asr my daughter my best black gown and black stuff that do belong unto it and my best hat and my best red petticoat and my riding suit, to be delivered unto her by my executor whensoever it shall please her to call for them or demand them.
Item I give and bequeath and my mind & meaning is that if it should happen that the said Alice Asur my daughter to be a widow then my will & mind is that then immediately she shall have the use of my parlor or my chamber over the kitchen and buttery which she please for to dwell in so long as she shall keep herself a widow and also to have the use of my joined bed in the parlor or the joined bed in the chamber over the kitchen and buttery, and one great skip and the use of the chimney in the hall or in the kitchen and the oven and brewing pan and the use of part of the buttery for and during the term of her natural life, if she shall so long continue a widow, for her necessary use and not otherwise, with free liberty of ingress, egress & regress for she and her maidservant or friends at all times to go to & from the said parlor or chamber the usual ways thereunto and also to have a room in the yard to lay or set her firewood during all the term aforesaid and to make use of the yard and the pond for her necesaryue as it is now in my possession, without any allowance therefor or any let or denial of the said John Mead, his heirs or assigns or any other person whatsoever so long as she shall be a widow.
Item I give and bequeath unto the said Alice Asur my daughter my best featherbed & bolster in my parlor and one pillow and my best coverlet and one blanket and a little flock bed and the trestle table and joined form and the chest standing in the chamber and one joined stool and one broad stool standing in the hall and one boarded chair standing in the hall and one other chair there bottomed with rushes, two cushions, my biggest iron pot and my chafed kettle and my little kettle and one skillet and one pint skillet and one tub that I did buy of her and one kimnel [a tub] and one cup dish, one woollen wheel, my little mortar & pestle, one barrel, one pair of flaxen sheets and three tow sheets, two pillow bears, six napkins and two laid work napkins, one linen cupboard cloth, four pewter platters, one little joined stool, one trundle bed, my biggest hutch with a lock standing in Marie's chamber and one bowl dish that I bought of her and one cupboard cloth, one old pair of curtains and one spit and one pair of ob ions, and all these several parcels to be delivered unto her immediately next after the decease of William Asur her husband if he shall be then living, otherwise all these parcels of goods before by me given & bequeathed unto her I do hereby give & bequeath them all unto John Mead my grandchild forever, but if she shall happen to be a widow and so continue then my will and meaning is that she may then dispose of them to whom she please.
Item I give and bequeath all the rest of my wearing apparel not before bequeathed I give it all unto Alice Asur & Mary Mead my daughters to be equally parted between them, my said daughter Alice Asur to make her first choice of her part, when they are parted immediately after my decease.
Item I give and bequeath unto John Mead my grandchild all my freehold lands lying and being within the parish of Stebbing and Little Saling within the county of Essex aforesaid called or known by the name of Hazlewood to be & remain to the proper use & uses of the said John Mead and of his heirs and also forever, and also all my customary messuage or tenement wherein I now dwell with all the customary or copyhold lands thereunto belonging with their appurtenances to be & remain to the proper use & behalf of the said John Mead & of his heirs & assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto Lawrence Mead my grandchild all that my customary tenement situated in Ugley aforesaid now in the tenure or occupation of John Dowsett or of his assigns with all the yards, gardens & orchard thereunto belonging to be & remain to the proper use and behalf of the said Lawrence Mead & of his heirs & assigns forever.
Item I give & bequeath unto the said Lawrence Mead my grandchild all that my customary tenement situate within the parish of Rickling within the county of Essex aforesaid with all the yards & orchard with the appurtenances thereunto now in the occupation of James Pigram or of his assigns to be & remain to the proper use & behalf of the said Lawrence & of his heirs & assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto the said Lawrence my grandchild the full sum of three pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto Mary Mead his mother for his use & benefit by my executor within one week next after my decease, being lawfully demanded, and her acquittance shall be my executor's discharge for the receipt thereof.
Item I give and bequeath unto the said Lawrence Mead my grandchild one featherbed, one flock bolster, one pillow, one pair of flaxen sheets, one pair of tow sheets, six napkins, two of them laid work ones, one basket, the second yellowish coverlet, four pewter platters, one of them a little one, two pewter spoons, two saucers, the little table standing in the hall & one broad stool standing in the hall and one great chest standing at Warner's house and one old hutch standing in the chamber over the hall, one little iron pottage pot, one iron pottage pot, one little kettle, one pint skillet and one other skillet, one cheese tub, one bowl, one little joined chair in the hall, one painted salt, one little pewter pot, one joined stool & my trundle bed that is to be set up and one tin candlestick and one little hutch standing in Marie's chamber, all which several parcels to be delivered unto him by my executor when he the said Lawrence Mead shall accomplish the full age of one and twenty years being lawfully demaded.
Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Mead my daughter in law the full sum if three pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my executor within one month next after my decease, being lawfully demanded, and also two laid work napkins, at the same time to be delivered unto her by my executor, and further my will and mind is that the said Mary Mead my daughter in law shall have her dwelling in my now dwelling house situated in Ugley aforesaid so long as she shall keep herself a widow, and a room in the yard for to lay or set her wood in and to have the use of the kitchen chimney and the oven for her necessary use without any allowance unto John Mead my grandchild for the use thereof and also my will and mind is that Alice Asur my daughter, if she shall happen to be a widow and so continue, that then the said Alice Asur, immediately after her husband's decease, shall have the use of any of my moveable goods for her necessary use if in case she shall not have any such goods of her own to make use of,o long as she keep herself a widow here and no longer, and also my will and mind and meaning is that the said John Mead my grandchild his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns shall not make any use of any if the said moveable goods that I have herein given or bequeathed unto my said daughter Alice Asur during the term of her life without her consent, and further my will and mind is that if in case that my grandchild Lawrence Mead shall at any time hereafter happen to be sick of body or out of service and he being a single man that then my will and meaning is that he the said Lawrence Mead shall and may have a bidding & lodging in my now dwelling house situate in Ugley aforesaid until such time as he the said Lawrence shall recover his health or an angel can get him a service, always provided that he the said Lawrence Mead shall allow unto the said Joh Mead aforesaid or his assigns a reasonable consideration for his diet and attendance if need require so long as he shall keep himself a single man & no therwise.
Item I give and bequeath unto George Mead my grandchild my long table & frame standing in the hall and six joined stools thereunto belonging to be and remain to the said George Mead my grandchild immediately after the decease of John Mead my grandchildren's father.
Item I give and bequeath unto the said George Mead my grandchild my trunk to be delivered unto him presently after the decease of Alice Asur my daughter.
I give and bequeath unto Alice Asur my said daughter & Mary Mead my daughter in law my woollen reel to make use of so long as they shall keep themselves widows and have their dwelling in my now dwelling house.
Item I give and bequeath unto Lawrence Mead my grandchild my bearing sheet under condition that he the said Lawrence Mead shall pay or cause to be paid to Alice Asur my daughter four shillings withinh one week next after my decease, being demanded, and further my will and mind is that the said Alice Asur my daughter shall not sell nor give nor carry away the joined bedstead that stands in the parlor chamber without the consent of John Mead my grandchild.
Item I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Crab, widow, the sum of five shillings to be paid unto her within one week next after my decease by my executor hereinafter named.
All the rest of my moveable goods and chattels whatsoever not before bequeathed that I shall have at the time of my decease I give and bequeath them all unto John Mead my grandchild towards the payment of my debts & legacies & funeral charges, and I the said Alice Mead do hereby make & ordain the said John Mead my grandchild sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Alice Mead have caused this my will to be written & published & have hereunto set to my hand & seal the day & year first written above. Sealed & delivered in the presence of Thomas Warricke, Simon Hayward Senior.
1678 John Meade, Widdington, Yeoman
In the name of God Amen, the seventh day of January in the nine and twentieth year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles the second by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France & Ireland king, defender of the faith, anno domino 1677, I John Meade of Widdington in the county of Essex, yeoman, being sick of body but of perfect mind & memory, praise be unto almighty God for the same, yet knowing that my time here upon earth is but short and my life here upon earth is uncertain, I do therefore hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will & testament, revoking all other wills by me formerly made. Imprimis I give & commend my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker, saviour and redeemer and my body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken & to be buried in the churchyard in the parish of Henham in the county of Essex aforesaid, whensoever it shall please God to call me, by my executor hereafter named. And as for my worldy estate which it hath pleased God to lend me I do hereby dispoe thereof as followeth. Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Meade son of my brother Thomas Meade late of Henham, deceased, all those my stable and all my arable land & pasture lying & being within the parish of Henham aforesaid called or known by the name of Coales or otherwise for and during the term of his natural life, and immediately next after his decease to be and remain to the proper use and behoof of Thomas Meade his son and of his heirs and assigns forever. Item I give and bequeath unto William Meade son of my brother Thomas Meade aforesaid the sum of twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto him by my executor hereafter named within two years next after my decease being lawfully demanded. Item I give & bequeath unto John Meade son of my brother Thomas Meade aforesaid the sum of twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto him by my executor within two years next after my decease being lawfully demanded. Item I give & bequeath unto Hannah Meade daughter of my brothr Thomas Meade aforesaid the sum of twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my executor within two years next after my decease being lawfully demanded. Item I give & bequeath unto Sarah Meade daughter of my brother Thomas Meade aforesaid the sum of twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my executor within two years next after my decease being lawfully demanded. Item I give & bequeath unto Mary Meade daughter of my brother Thomas Meade aforesaid the sum of twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my executor within two years next after my decease being lawfully demanded. Item I give & bequeath unto Grace Meade daughter of my brother Thomas Meade aforesaid the sum of twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my executor within two years next after my decease being lawfully demanded. And the rest of my moveable goods & chattels whatsoever that I shall have at the time of my decease I do hereby give and bequath unto my cousin Thomas Meade son of my brother Thomas Meade aforesaid, deceased, towards the payment of my debts and legacies and funeral charges & the probate of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby make & ordain the said Thomas Meade my cousin sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said John Meade have hereunto set to my hand and seal the day & year first above written. Signed John Meade. Sealed and delivered in the presence of the mark of Elizabeth Brookes, the mark of Frances Rigby, Simon Hayward.
John Mead of Latton, maltster, 1683
In the name of God Amen, I John Mead of the parish of Latton in the county of Essex, malster, being sick and weak in body but of sound and good memory, praised be God for the same, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, and do hereby renounce and make void all former wills by me made. First I bequeath my soul into the hands of my blessed Saviour Christ Jesus, through the merits of whose death and passion I believe and hope to obtain pardon of sins with peace of conscience whilst here and everlasting happiness hereafter, and I bequeath my body to the ground, desiring that it may be decently and in a Christian manner buried, the ordering of which I leave to the discretion of my executrix hereafter named. And for that worldly estate wherewith God hath blessed me, my will and mind is that it be disposed of as followeth. Imprimis I give to my daughter Sarah Mead the sum of twenty pounds to be paid her when she shall attain the age of one and twenty years, but if she happe to die before she attain to that age, then my will and mind is that the said sum of twenty pounds shall be to the use and at the disposal of my dear and loving wife Sarah Mead. Item all the rest of my estate, ready money, bonds, bills, book debts and all my goods and chattels as well within doors as without (my debts, legacies and funeral charges being paid) I do give and bequeath unto my said dear and loving wife Sarah Mead, humbly beseeching almighty God to bless her in the enjoyment of it. Item I do make, constitute and ordain my said dear and loving with Sarah Mead sole executrix of this my last will and testament. Witness my hand and seal September 15th 1683. Signed, sealed and published in the presence of Michael Altham, Sarah Brooks her mark. Signed John Mead.
1685 Sarah Meade, widow, Maldon
In the name of God amen, the eighteenth day of October in the year of our lord God 1685 and in the first year of the reign of our sovereign lord King James the second over England etc. I Sarah Meade of Maldon in the county of Essex widow, being sick & weak in body but of a disposing mind & memory, the name of God be praised therefore, do make & declare this my last will & testament in manner & form following. And principally before all other things I comit & commend my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker, assuredly trusting in & by the merit, death & passion of my lord & saviour Jesus Christ to have free remission & pardon of all my sins. My body I commit to the earth to be decently interred by my executor hereafter named. And as to that temporal estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I dispose thereof as followeth. And first I give & bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Westbrowne seventy pounds of lawful money of England to be paid to her at the age of one & twenty years or the day of hermarriage, which shall first happen. Item I give & bequeath unto my two sons Thomas & Robert Westbrowne to each of them sixty pounds of like lawful money of England to be paid to them at their several ages of one & twenty years, and if it shall happen that any of my said children shall die before the days for the payment of their respective legacies, then my will and meaning is the legacies of him, her or them so deceased shall be paid to the survivor or survivors of them to be equally divided amongst them share and share like. Item I do give & bequeath unto my two sons aforesaid four silver spoons that are wrapped up together, viz to each of them two, as also my two wedding rings and two guineas which my daughter Elizabeth hath in her possession. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth two ten-shilling pieces of gold which she hath in her keeping. Item I give & bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth two silver cups, viz the biggest & the least, & two gold rings that are in the least cup. Item Igive & bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth all my wearing apparel, wearing linen & childhood linen, except one suit of the best childhood linen of my late husband Meade's which together with one pair of his best sheets, one pair of pillow bears & half a dozen of good clouts (not diaper) I give & bequeath unto his daughter Johanna Meade. Item I give & bequeath unto his said daughter Johanna Meade one little silver cup & two silver spoons that are in it & one little gold ring, a child's corrall set in silver & a silver chain for a pair of sizers, also one little carved round box with all the silver coins in it & as much other silver as will make it up forty shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto my sister Choate's three John, Matthew & the younger (whose name I remember not) twelve pounds that is owing me by their father Edmund Choate upon his bond to my first husband Robert Westbrowne. Item I give & bequeath unto the widow Elizabeth Hawkes daughter of Nicholas Turner of Maldon one five-shilling piece o gold. Item I give & bequeath unto Robert Turner the younger son of the said Nicholas Turner my late husband's buckskin gloves. Item I give & bequeath unto Richard Burlay kinsman to my late husband Meade his buckskin breeches. Item I give & bequeath unto the eldest son of the said Richard Burlay one ten-shilling piece of gold that is in the little round carved box. Item I give & bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Chaote the sum of twenty shillings to buy her a gown. Item I give & bequeath unto my neighbour William Woodwarde and to my good friend Mr William Vernon the sum of ten pounds apiece of lawful money of England if they will take upon them the execution of this my last will & the care of my children. All the rest & residue of my personal or other estate whatsoever (my debts, legacies & funeral charges being paid) if any overplus be, my will & desire is that it be wholly employed & made use of by my executor hereunder named for the better education & benefit of my children. And I do nominate & appoint mygood friends William Woodward and William Vernon aforesaid executors of this my last will & testament and revoking all former wills I do make & declare this to be my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have to this my last will & testament containing one sheet of paper & part of a second sheet to either of the said eheets put my hand & to the label which affixeth them together put my seal, the day & year first above written. The mark of Sarah Meade. Signed, sealed & published by the testatrix to be her last will & testament in the presence of the mark of Ellen Mitchall, the mark of Elizabeth Fryer, Hugh Browne.
Agnes Mead of Farnham, widow, 1688
In the name of God amen, I Agnes Mead of Farnham in the county of Essex, widow, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping through the merit, death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon of all my sins and to inherit everlasting life, and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named. And as touching such temporal estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give & dispose here as followeth. Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my son Christopher Mead one shilling to be paid him within one month next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Nicholas Mead twenty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid to him within six months next after my decease. Item I give and devise unto Elizabeth Passell my dughter the wife of Thomas Passell of Hartingfordbury in the county of Hertford and to the heirs of her body forever one moiety or half part of my two messuages or tenements in Puckeridge in the parish of Standon in the said county of Hertford with the houses, yards, orchards and backsides hereunto belonging, containing by estimation one acre more or less now in the tenure or occupation of one Tuffnale or his assigns or undertenants, provided that the said Elizabeth Passell & the heirs of her body do thereout pay or cause to be paid unto Nicholas Mede my grandson the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England when he shall attain his age of one and twenty years, which I do hereby bequeath unto him to be paid accordingly out of the said moiety of the said premises. And the other moiety or half part of my said messuages or tenements with their appurtenances in Standon aforesaid I give and bequeath unto my daughter Frances Hutt, wife of James Hutt and to her (__) & assigns for and during the term of twelve yeas next after my decease, provided nevertheless and my will and mind is that as well the moiety of the said tenements devised to the said Elizabeth Passell as the other moiety devised to the said Frances Hutt and the rents and profits thereof for and during the said term of twelve years next after my decease shall be charged and subject not only to the payment of the sum of twenty for which the said premises are mortgaged by me to Mr Perkins and the interest hereof but to the payment of all other my debts and legacies bequeathed by this my will & not hereby provided to be otherwise paid, and I do hereby charge the same with the payment thereof accordingly, and from and after the end and expiration of the said twelve years I give and devise the said moiety or half part of my said messuage with the appurtenances devised to Frances Hutt unto Frances Patmore my grandson and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten or to be begotten, and for want of such issue then to Sarah Patmore my granddaughter and to the hers of her body lawfully begotten or to be begotten, and for want of such issue then to my son Nicholas Mead and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath unto my son in law Henry Hauscome and to Ann his wife for and during the term of their natural lives & the life of the longest liver of them one annuity or yearly rent or sum of twenty shillings of lawful money of England for and during the term of six years after my decease. The mark of Agnes Mead.
Newman Meade of Great Dunmow, 1689
In the name of God amen, the last will and testament of Newman Meade of Great Dunmow in the county of Essex, mercer, as follows. Imprimis I give and devise unto Anne Meade my eldest daughter and to her heirs forever that my messuage or tenement called Barkey or otherwise with the outhouses and buildings, lands, meadows, pastures and grounds thereunto belonging and all other my land, tenements and heritables situate, lying & being in the house lot of Northand in the parish of Great Waltham in the said county of Essex and now leased and let unto John Shiver of Northand aforesaid, she paying the four hundred pounds I lately borrowed upon it thereof toward the payment of my daughter Jane's portion now the wife of Mr. Thomas Swallow. Also I give and devise unto the said Anne my daughter and to her heirs forever all that my customary messuage or tenement with the outhouses, buildings, yard, orchards & gardens with the appurtenances thereunto situate & being in Hodingham Castle in the county aforesaid and now in th possession of Thomas Stubbing & his heirs or under tenants. All the residue of my messuages, lands and tenements whatsoever situate, being and lying in ____________________ and elsewhere within the county of Essex I give and devise unto Susan, Elizabeth and Johanna Meade my three youngest daughters and to their heirs equally to be divided between them part and part alike and if any of my said three daughters shall happen to die and depart this life before she shall attain her age of one and twenty years & without heirs of the body lawfully begotten then my will is that the share and portion of such daughter so dying shall go and remain unto & amongst all the residue of my daughters hen living part & part alike. Item I give and devise unto my said three youngest daughters the sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto them at their several ages of one and twenty years or days of marriage which shall first happen, and if any of my said three daughters happen to die before the said tie of payment of two hundred pounds or her portion thereof, then my will is that the share & portion of such daughter so dying shall be equally divided amongst all my daughters then living part & part alike, and my mind is that my executor have the said two hundred pounds at interest & pay unto my said three children thereof at the rate of four pounds a person until the said two hundred pounds be due and payable and payable towards their education and maintenance. Item I give unto Mr Thomas Swallow my son in law and Jane his wife my daughter twenty shillings apiece to buy each of them a ring. And I make my daughter Anne and Robert Gyor my brother in law executor and executrix of thismy last will and testament, not doubting but they will carefully perform the same (at my desiring) by the payment of my debts & legacies in this my will. In witnesses whereof I have herewith put my hand and seal the 14th day December in the two and thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles the second by the grace of God King of England, etc., anno domino 1680, Newman Meade. Signed, sealed & published in the presence of Thomas Wheeler, Thomas Smith, George Ripley.
Richard Mead of Rainham, yeoman, 1689
In the name of God amen, I Richard Mead of Rainham in the county of Essex, yeoman, being at this time indifferent well as to my bodily health and of a sound and disposing memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, first I give my life I now possess into the hands of God my merciful father who gave me the same, and my body to be buried in the earth at the discretion of my executrix hereafter named, verily believing through the redemption which my lord and saviour Jesus Christ hath purchased that I shall receive a resurrection unto eternal life at his glorious coming and appearing. And as to my personal estate, first I give and bequeath unto every one of my four daughters one hundred pounds, that is to my daughter Elizabeth one hundred pounds, to my daughter Mary one hundred pounds, to my daughter Rebecca one hundred pounds and to my daughter Frances one hundred pounds, to be paid to each of them when they shall attain unto the age of one and twentyyears or day of marriage, which shall first happen, and if either of my daughters, Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca or Frances, shall happen to die before they have attained unto the age of one and twenty years or day of marriage, then my mind and will is the hundred pounds hereby given unto any of my said four daughters that may so die shall be equally difived between my son Edward and the survivor or survivors of those my four said daughters, and to be paid unto such survivors at the time aforesaid of one and twenty years or day of marriage, which shall first happen. Item all other my ready money and plate, pewter, brass, linen, woollen, bedding, household stuff, stock without doors and all other my debts and credits, goods, chattels and personal estate whatsoever not herein before bequeathed unto my children, my debts and funeral expenses being satisfied and paid, I give and bequeath unto my living wife Sybela, whom I make and appoint full and sole executrix of this my last will and testament, and for my real estte I give and devise the same as followeth, that is to say, my tenementr and lands lying and being in the several parishes of Hasely, Purleigh and Woodham Mortimer in the occupation of Christopher Turnidge, and also my lands in the parish of Upminster in the occupation of John Bauke, and also my tenement in Rumford in the occupation of John Lacye, all in the county of Essex, I give and bequeath unto my wife Sybela for and during the term of her natural life, and from and after her decease I give and bequeath all my foresaid lands and tenements unto my son Edward and unto his heirs that shall be begotten of his body, and for default of such issue unto my foresaid daughters Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca and Frances, and unto the heirs of their bodies, and for default of issue in any of them then unto the survivor of them and unto the heirs of the body of such survivor, but if it should so happen that all my foresaid children should die without issue begotten of their bodies then my express mind and will is that allmy foresaid lands and tenements shall be unto my said wife Sybela and unto her heirs forever. And lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all other wills and testaments by me at any time heretofor made or published. In witness whereof I the abovesaid Richard Meade have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of August in the year of our lord one thousand six hundred eighty eight, 1688. Signed, sealed and published by the abovesaid Richard Mead in the presence of us, Frances Creswell, John Brewster, Frances Moorcock, Joseph Rabenett, Edward Moorcock. Signature of Richard Meade.
Thomas Mead of Great Baddow, husbandman, 1694
In the name of God amen, I Thomas Meade of Great Baddow in the county of Essex, husbandman, being sick & infirm in body but of sound & perfect memory, sense & understanding, praise be given unto Almighty God for the same, do make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following (that is to say) first & principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my heavenly creator, hoping assuredly through the passion, death and merit of Jesus Christ, my blessed saviour & redeemer to receive the the full pardon & free remission of all my sins & to be made partaker of his heavenly kingdom. And as for my body I commend the same to the earth from whence it was taken to be buried in such decent & Christian manner as to my executrix herafter named shall be thought meet & convenient. And as touching such worldy estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me in this life (far beyond my defects) my will & meaning is that the same shall be employed and bestowed as hereafter in this my willis expressed (viz). I do give, devise & bequeath unto my son William Mead & his heirs forever all that my customary messuage or tenement with the yards, gardens, orchards, lands & all other the appurtenances thereunto belonging as the same now are situate, lying and being in the parish of Great Baddow aforesaid & are holden of the manor of Great Baddow aforesaid, called or known by the name or names of Ty house and Ty fields, upon this condition nevertheless & my will & meaning is that the said William do & shall well & truly pay or cause to be paid yearly & every year unto Elizabeth my loving wife during the term of her natural life the full & just sum of four pounds of lawful money of England, half yearly, the first payment to commence & begin within six months after my decease and that if my said son William Mead shall make default of payment or refuse to pay the said sum of four pounds as aforesaid then my will & meaning is that my said loving wife shall take & receive the rents of the premises profits tereof as often as such refusal or default shall be made contrary to the meaning of this my will, and also upon this condition that he the said William do also well & truly pay or cause to be paid unto my son Thomas Mead within four years after the decease of Elizabeth my said loving wife the full & just sum of twenty pounds of like money of England. But in case the said William shall refuse to pay unto the said Thomas the said sum of twenty pounds at the time aforesaid then my will & meaning is that the said Thomas shall receive the rents & profits of the premises, before hereby bequeathed, to his own proper use until the said sum of twenty pounds shall be fully satisfied & paid. And further my will & meaning is that if it shall happen that the said William should depart this life before my said loving wife that then the said customary messuage or tenement, lands & premises before mentioned shall come to & remain with my son Thomas Mead & his heirs forever, upon condition that he the said Thomas do allow & py unto my said loving wife yearly during her natural life the said sum of four pounds as aforesaid & upon default of payment that then my said loving wife shall receive the rents as aforesaid. And further if it should please God that my said son Thomas should also depart this life before my said loving wife then my will & meaning is that she my said loving wife shall have & enjoy the premises aforesaid & every part thereof during her natural life & from & after their several deceases, if they the said William & Thomas do die without issue by them lawfully begotten, that then the said customary messuage & premises before herein bequeathed shall descend & come to the right heirs of me the said Thomas forever. And lastly I do constitute & appoint Elizabeth my said loving wife sole executrix of this my last will & testament to whom I give & bequeath all my goods & chattels, ready money, bonds, bills, debts & demands which are or shall be due unto me at the time of my decease from any person or persons whomever, evoking all former & other wills by me heretofor made. In witness whereof I the said testator have hereunto set my hand & seal the seventh day of October in the fourth year of the reign of our soveraign Lord & Lady King William and Queen Mary over England anno domino 1692. Signed, sealed, published & declared to be the last will & testament of the testator in the presence of us, Elizabeth Alders, Thomas Sawell.
Nathaniel Mede of Ugley, husbandman, 1695
In the name of God amen, I Nathaniel Mede of Ugley in the county of Essex, husbandman, being sick & weak in body but yet of sound & memory, thanks be to almighty God for the same, do make this my last will & testament. Imprimis I give and bequeath my sould into the hands of almighty God that gave it, trusting in the merits of my saviour Jesus Christ to inherit everlasting life. And I do give & bequeath unto Lydia my wife & unto her heirs forever all that my copyhold cottage or tenement with the appurtenances in Ugley in my possession held of the Manor of Ugley Hall. And I do will & bequeath unto the said Lydia my said loving wife all my goods & chattels whatsoever & make her sole executrix of this my will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this one & twentieth day of September Anno Domino 1694.
Signed, sealed, published & declared this to be my last will and testament in the presence of Joe Sparrow, John Meade, John Meade.