1700-1800

Joseph Mead of Belchamp Walter, 1704

In the name of God amen, the ninth day of June anno domino one thousand seven hundred and four, Joseph Mead of Belchamp Walter in the county of Essex, yeoman, being sick in body but of sound and perfect memory, blessed be God, do make, constitute and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, first and principally I commit and commend my soul into the hands of God my maker, trusting through the only merits of Jesus Christ my saviour to be made partaker of life everlasting, and I commit my body to the earth whereof it was made, decently to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter named, and as for that worldly estate which it hath please God to betrust me withal, I give and bequeath as followeth. Imprimis I give and bequeath unto Frances Mead my loving wife two hundred pound of lawful money of England to be paid by my executors hereafter named within three months after my decease, unless my said executors shall within three months give their bonds unto te said Frances my wife for the payment of twelve pound a year of lawful money of England during the term of her natural life by four quarterly payments, that to say three pound every three months, the first payment to be made three months after my decease, then my will and mind is that my executors shall be discharged from payment of the aforesaid legacy of two hundred pound. Item I give and Frances my said wife one featherbed & coverlet and a blanket and bedstead and two pair of sheets and two pillows and pillow bears, with all the furniture thereunto belonging now standing on the parlor chamber. Item I give and bequeath unto Frances Mead my daughter the sum of one hundred pound of lawful money of England to be paid four months after my decease, and lastly I do make, constitute and declare Elizabeth Womack my daughter and the said Frances Mead my daughter to be my executrixes of this my last will and testament, unto whom I give all the rest and residue of my whole personal estate whatsoever to be equally diided between my said executrixes, share and share alike, for the payment of my debts and legacies aforesaid and discharging of my funeral charges. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Joseph Mead his mark. Sealed and delivered in the presence of us Lydia Ray, George Womack, Ann Womack her mark.

John Mead of Ugley, yeoman, 1714

Of Filgate or Fieldgate

In the name of God amen, I John Mead of Ugley in the county of Essex, yeoman, being declining in bodily but of sound disposing mind, memory & understanding, thanks be given to almighty God for the same, do make and ordain my last will & testament in manner following (that is to say). First & principally I commend my soul into the merciful hands of God my creator, hoping & trusting that through the merits & mediation of Jesus Christ my alone saviour & redeemer, my sins will be forgiven, and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named. And as to the wordly esatate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I dispose thereof as followeth.

Imprimis I give & bequeath unto Mary my loving wife the sole use, privilege and command of all those two lower rooms in the messuage or tenement wherein I now dwell called or known by the name or names of the two parlors, with free liberty of ingress, egress & regress for all time during the term of her natural life, and also the bedstead, curtains & all things thereunto belonging, and all other goods & furniture whatsoever which are standing, being in or are properly belonging to the said parlors, one also one kettle, one porridge pot, one skillet & three pairs of sheets.

Item I give and bequeath unto the said Mary my wife one sufficient sized load of good firewood & two bushels of fair apples to be laid in & delivered to my said wife by my executor hereafter named yearly and every year during the term of her natural life, provided she the said Mary shall remain a widow, but if the said Mary my wife shall be married to a second husband, except it be by the consent, advice or approbation of my trustee & esteemed friend Mr John Canning Vicar of Elsenham, then I declare that my mind, will & meaning is that all things whatsoever which are herein above mentioned to be given & bequeathed by me to the said Mary my wife shall be taken and remain to the sole purpose & behalf of John Mead my son and of his heirs and assigns forever.

Item I give, devise & bequeath unto John Mead my son all that my copyhold messuage or tenement wherein I now dwell called or known by the name of Filgate in Ugley aforesaid (except the use, privilege & command of the said two parlors given by me to my said wife aforesaid) with all the houses, outhouses, edifices & buildings, yards, gardens, orchards, lands, meadows & pasture grounds with their appurtenances to my said messuage or tenement in the parish of Ugley aforesaid in the said county of Essex, to have and to hold to him the said John my son and to his heirs & assigns forever, upon condition that the said John my son or his heirs do & shall yearly & every year during the natural life of the said Mary my wife well & truly pay or cause to be paid to her the said Mary or her assigns the yearly sum of five pounds of lawful money of Great Britain by four quarterly payments at the four most usual feasts or terms in the year, that is to say, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St John theBaptist, St Michael the Archangel and the Birth of our Lord Christ, by even & equal portions, the first paying thereof to begin and be made upon such of the said feast days as shall happen next after my decease, and upon this further condition that he the said John my said son and his heirs do and shall well & truly pay or cause to be paid unto Mary my daughter the sum of thirty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain and unto Anne my daughter the sum of thirty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain and unto Hannah my daughter the sum of forty pounds of like lawful money of Great Britain at the several & respective ages of one & twenty years, but if the said John my said son & his heirs do or shall refuse or neglect to pay unto the said Mary my said wife the said yearly sum of five pounds during the term of her natural life by quarterly payments aforesaid or to pay unto Mary my daughter the said sum of thirty pounds or unto the said Anne my said daughter the said sum of thirty pounds or unto the said Hannahthe si sum of forty pounds at their several and respective ages of one & twenty years, being lawfully demanded, then my mind & will is and I do hereby give full power & authority unto the said Mary my said wife to, upon a failure of payment to be made, & unto the said Mary my daughter to enter into & upon my said messuage, land & premises herein before given & devised unto John my said son & his heirs and to hold & enjoy the same until they each and every one of them shall be fully paid & satisfied the said yearly rent of five pounds and all arrears thereof and the said sums of thirty pounds & thirty pounds & forty pounds & every part thereof with all costs & charges to be expended in the law or otherwise for the recovery thereof.

Item I give & bequeath unto my loving friend John Canning aforesaid the sum of one guinea to be paid unto him within one month next after my decease and I do hereby nominate & appoint the said John Kenning sole guardian of my said son during his minority, and overseer of this my last will and testament.

Item all the rest and residue of my goods, chattels, cattle, corn, hay, implements of husbandry and personal estate whatsoever unbequeathed after my debts, legacies & funeral expenses & charges of proving this my will paid thereout, I give & bequeath the same & every part & parcel thereof unto the said John my son & to his heirs & assigns forever, and I do hereby nominate, appoint, make and ordain the said John my son sole executor of this my will.

In witness whereof I the said John Mead the testator, revoking all other wills by me at anytime heretofore made, have to this my present last will and testament contained in three sheets set my hand & seal the eleventh day of April in the tenth year of the reign of our sovereign lady Anne by the grace of God of Great Britain, France & Ireland queen, defender of the faith etc anno domino 1711.

Signed, sealed & published & declared to be the last will & testament of the said John Mead in the presence of Henry Wilkinson, Daniel Rice, George Canning.

April Anno Dom 1729

The Last Will and Testament of John Mead the Elder of High Easter

Transcribed by David Stern

Be it remembered that this is the last will and testament of me John Mead the elder of High Easter in the county of Essex Yeoman made and published this second day of August in the second year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King George the Second over Great Britain, Anno dei 1728 in manor and form following (that is to say) first I give devise and appoint unto my eldest son John Mead all my customary messuages or tenements and ten acres of land thereunto belonging parcel of the quarter of yardland called Browns at Whites and four acres of land parcel of Wiskins quarter and three acres of land parcel of Stubbards with their and every of their Rights Members situate lying and being in Pleshey in the said county and High Easter aforesaid and all my customary and copyhold lands and tenements in Pleshey and High Easter aforesaid with the appurtenances to have and to hold all the same messuage lands and premises with the appurtenances unto my said son John Mead his heirs and assignees for ever upon the severalonditions herein after mentioned and subject unto and hereby charged with the payment of one annuity or yearly sum of five pounds out of the rents and profits of the premises unto Benedicta my wife during her life and ten pounds apiece unto my other three children in manner and form as herein after is mentioned and expressed (that is to say) upon this condition that my said son John Mead and his heirs shall permit and suffer my dear wife Benedicta Mead to hold and enjoy all and singular the estate and premises and the rents and profits thereof to receive and take to her own use for and during the time and term of one whole year next after my decease and upon this further condition that if my said son John Mead his heirs or assignees do not well and kindly pay or cause to be paid yearly and every year from and after the expiration of one full year next after my decease unto my said wife Benedicta for and during the term of her natural life clear and free from any abatement of oz for oz in respect of any land axes repairs or other charges the aforementioned annuity or yearly sum of five pounds in lawful money of Great Britain by half yearly payments and first half years payment to begin and be made at the expiration of one year and half next after my decease that then after default shall be made in payment of the said yearly sum of five pounds or any part thereof contrary to this my said last will the said Benedicta my wife shall and lawfully may enter into and upon all and singular the said estate and premises and the same hold andenjoy and the rents issues and yearly profits thereof and take to her own use during the term of her natural life any thing herein to the contrary notwithstanding and the said yearly sum to my said wife shall be paid at the place where she shall from time to time abide and dwell.

Item I give and appoint unto my eldest daughter Benedicta Mead ten pounds to be paid unto her by my said son John Mead his heirs or assignees at the end of one year next after my said wife's decease and to my daughter Mary I give and appoint ten pounds and the same to be paid unto he by my said son John Mead his heirs or assignees at the expiration of two years next after my said wife's decease and I give and appoint unto my son Thomas Mead ten pounds and the same to be paid unto him at the expiration of three years next after my said wife's decease by my said son John Mead his heirs or assignees and my mind and intent is that in case my said son John Mead his heirs or assignees shall neglect or refuse to pay the said legacies of ten pounds apiece unto his sisters and brother in manner and form aforesaid contrary to this my said last will than it shall be lawful for my said daughters Benedicta and Mary and son Thomas any or either of them separately whose legacy shall be neglected or refused to be paid in maer and form aforesaid to enter and the same shall hold and enjoy and the rents issues and yearly profits thereof to receive and take to their her and his own use and benefit until by the reception of the rents and profits thereof he she and they shall be fully paid and satisfied his her and their respective legacy and legacies and moneys so neglected or refused to be paid as aforesaid together with all reasonable costs and charges and damages occasioned by nonpayment thereof any thing hereunto the contrary notwithstanding.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Benedicta Mead ten pounds to be paid unto her within two months next after my decease also I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Benedicta the further sum of twenty pounds and to my said daughter Mary I give and bequeath the like sum of twenty pounds which two last mentioned legacies I will shall be paid out of my Stock and personal estate at the end of one year next after my decease. Also I do further give and devise unto my said daughters Benedicta and Mary twenty pounds apiece to be paid unto them respectively out of the residue of my personal estate within twelve months next after my said Wife's decease and of this my said last Will and Testament I do name constitute and appoint my dear and loving wife Benedicta Mead and my said son Thomas Mead jointly Executrix and Executor charging them faithfully and kindly to pay all my just debts funeral expenses and legacies and moneys hereby given and bequeathed and to my said Executrix and Executor I do will givend appoint all my ready moneys goods plate household stuff living and dead stock upon the lands tenements and farm in my occupation with all moneys due and owing to me by bill bond and mortgage or writing or otherwise howsoever and all my rights of wills and personal estate given and made payable out of my said personal estate and also securing to be paid unto my said daughters Benedicta and Mary the said twenty pounds apiece unto them respectively after my said wife's decease as aforesaid to the well liking and approbation of the overseers of this my said last will hereinafter named and my mind and will is that in case my said wife and son Thomas Mead shall not after the end of one year next after my decease continue to occupy together the lands tenements and farm now in my occupation or any other lands of about such a yearly value then they shall raise out of my stock and personal estate the sum of one hundred pounds and shall place the same out at interest upon good security with the approbation of my brter in law Joseph White and cousin John Fellows and shall continue the same out upon interest as aforesaid during the life of my said wife who shall receive and take the yearly interest and produce thereof to her own sole use during her life and after her decease the said twenty pounds apiece unto my said daughters Benedicta and Mary herein before last mentioned to be given and devised out of the residue of my said personal estate shall be paid unto them respectively out of the same one hundred pounds and the residue of the said one hundred pounds my said son Thomas Mead shall have and take to his own use and I name and appoint my said brother in law Joseph White and cousin John Fellows supervisors of this my last will and testament earnestly requesting them to assist my said wife and son Thomas Mead with their advice in the performance of my said last will and to the same faithfully performed.

Witness whereof I the said John Mead the Elder have to this my said last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year first above written John Mead his mark Signed sealed delivered published and declared by the above named John Mead the Elder the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who immediately afterwards in his presence subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto: George Andrews, John Asser, Thomas Bush.

Will of John Mead of Great Waltham, 1765

Transcribed by David Stern

In the name of God Amen. I, John Mead of North End in the parish of Great Waltham in the county of Essex, Yeoman, being of sound memory and understanding (praised be almighty God) yet considering the uncertainty of life, so for the settling and disposing of that Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I ordain and publish my last will and testament in manner and form following (to wit). As to for and remaining my messuage or tenement and farm called Wiskens, Stubbards, and Browns Quarter or otherwise with all and every the Lands, Rights, Members, and Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, Situate lying and being in High Easter and Pleshey in this county aforesaid and now in the occupation of Daniel Witney, Robert Washet, and William Druher or their kin or tenants or Assigns, which premises are hold in by Copy of Court Roll of the Manor of High Easter in the said County Parish of the Duchy of Lancaster and have been by me surrendered to the use of my will.

I give and devise the same unto my son John Mead, his heirs and assignees for ever, subject unto and charged and chargeable as well with the payment of one annuity yearly rent or sum of three pounds therein after mentioned as also with the payment of the several sums of twenty pounds, ten pounds and ten pounds herein after directly to be paid thereout. And I do hereby give and devise and appoint unto Mary my much beloved wife and her assignees one annuity yearly rent or sum of three pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be ensuing and going out of the said messuage or tenement farm and premises herein before given or devised and out of every part and parcel thereof, and to be paid yearly and every year unto the said Mary and her assignees for and during the term of her natural life at or in the South Porch of the Parish Church of Great Waltham aforesaid on the two most usual feasts or days of payment in the year, that is to say the feasts of the annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary and of Saint Micha the Archangel, by equal portions without any deductions or abatement thereout for or by reason of any taxes, charges, or dispositions imposed or to be imposed by authority of Parliament or otherwise howsoever, the first payment thereof to begin and be made on each of the same feasts or days of payment as shall first and next happen after my decease.

And also I give unto John Mead, the reputed son of my son John Mead, the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money to be raised out of the said messuage or tenement farm and premises and paid at the end of one year next ensuing the decease of the said Mary my wife if she shall survive me, but in case she shall die before me then at the end of one year next ensuing my own decease so the said John the reputed son shall at the time limited for such payment be living. I also give to my grandson Edward Mead now living with me the sum of ten pounds like lawful money to be raised in like manner and paid at the end of two years next ensuing the decease of the said Mary my wife if she shall survive me, but in case she shall die before me then at the end of two years next ensuing my own demise so the said Edward shall at the time limited for such payment be living. I also give to my grandson William Mead now living with me the sum of ten pounds like lawful money to be raised in like manner and paid at the end of two yrs next ensuing the decease of the said Mary my wife if she shall survive me, but in case she shall die before me then at the end of two years next ensuing my own demise so the said Edward shall at the time limited for such payment be living.

And I do hereby charge and subject all and every the said messuage or tenement farm and premises to and with the payment of the said annuity yearly rent or sum of three pounds and of the said several sums of twenty pounds ten pounds and ten pounds accordingly, and my will is that in case the said annuity yearly rent or sum of three pounds or any part thereof shall be behind or unpaid by the space of twenty eight days next over or after either of the aforesaid feasts whereso the said is herein before directed to be paid as aforesaid then and so after it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Mary my wife and her assignees to enter upon all and every the premises charged with the same annuity as aforesaid or any part thereof and distrain for the same or for so much thereof as shall be so in arrear and all costs and charges occasioned by nonpayment thereof, providing always and my mind and will nevertheless is that in case my said son John Mead his heirs or assignees shall refuse or neglect to pay the seveal sums of twenty pounds ten pounds and ten pounds herein before charged on the premises or any of them according to the true intent and meaning hereof, then and at all times after such default of payment it shall and may be lawful to and for the said John Mead (the reputed son of the before named John Mead) Edward Mead and William Mead or any of them respectively whose money is so charged as aforesaid shall be unpaid into all and every the premises herein before devised and every or any part or parcel thereof to enter and the same to have, hold, occupy, possess, and enjoy until by perceptions of the rents funds and profits thereof the said money so charged and payable to them as aforesaid together with all costs and charges occasioned by such default of payment and entry as aforesaid shall be unto them respectively satisfied and fully contented and paid.

Also, as to my customary messuage or tenement called Spooners or otherwise and all the lands thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining or held or occupied or enjoyed therewith situate lying and being in High Easter aforesaid and now in the occupation of John Everett and John Evers with their and every of their rights members and appurtenances (which premises are holden Copy of Court Roll of the Manor aforesaid and have been by me surrendered to the use of my will) and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders thereof I give and devise the same to my daughter Mary the wife of William Drisher (?) and to her heirs and assignees forever, subject unto and charged and chargeable as well with the payment of one annuity yearly rent or sum of two pounds herein after mentioned as also with the payment of the several sums of ten pounds and ten pounds herein after directed to be paid thereout. And I do hereby give devise and appoint unto the said Mary my wife and her assignees one other annuity yearlyent or sum of two pounds of like lawful money to be yearly ensuing and going out of the messuage or tenement lands and premises last mentioned and out of every part and parcel thereof and to be paid yearly and every year unto the said Mary my wife and her assignees for and during the term of her natural life at the place and on the days and times and in manor and form herein before appointed or mentioned for payment of the said annuity yearly rent or sum of three pounds herein before given to her the said Mary my wife.

And also I give unto my grand daughter Frances Mead (daughter of my son Edward Mead deceased) the sum of ten pounds of like lawful money to be raised out of the said messuage or tenement lands and premises last mentioned and paid at the end of one year next ensuing the decease of the said Mary my wife if she shall survive me, but in case she shall die before me then at the end of one year next ensuing my own decease so the said Frances shall at the time limited for such payment be living. And I also give to my grand daughter Mary Mead daughter of my said son Edward Mead the sum of ten pounds of like money to be raised out of the said messuage lands and premises last mentioned and paid at the end of two years next ensuing the decease of the said Mary my wife if she shall survive me, but in case she shall die before me then at the end of two years next ensuing my own decease so the said Mary my grand daughter shall at the time limited for such payment be living. And I do hereby subject and charge all and everyhe said messuage or tenement lands and premises last mentioned to and with the payment of the said annuity yearly rent or sum of two pounds and of the said several sums of ten pounds and ten pounds herein before given to my said grand daughters Frances Mead and Mary Mead accordingly, and my will is that in case the said annuity yearly rent or sum of two pounds or any part thereof shall be behind or unpaid by the space of twenty eight days next over or after either of the aforesaid feasts whereso the said is herein before directed to be paid as aforesaid then and so after it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Mary my wife and her assignees to enter upon all and every the premises charged with the same annuity as aforesaid or any part thereof and distrain for the same or for so much thereof as shall be so in arrear and all costs and charges occasioned by nonpayment thereof providing always and my mind and will nevertheless is that in case my said daughter Mary Drisher (?), her heirs or assignees shal efuse or neglect to pay the several sums of ten pounds and ten pounds herein before charged on the premises to her and them herein before devised or either of them according to the true intent and meaning hereof, then and at all times after such default of payment it shall and may be lawful to and for my said grand daughters Frances Mead and Mary Mead or either of them respectively whose money so charged as aforesaid shall be unpaid into all and every the messuage or tenement lands and premises last mentioned and every or any part or parcel thereof to enter and the same to have, hold, occupy, possess, and enjoy until by perceptions of the rents funds and profits thereof the said money so charged and payable to them as aforesaid together with all costs and charges occasioned by such default of payment and entry as aforesaid shall be unto them respectively satisfied and fully contented and paid.

Also as to my Copyhold Cottage or tenement situate and being in at North End in the parish of Great Waltham aforesaid and holden by Copy of Court Roll of the Manor of Great Waltham otherwise Waltham Bury with the orchard rights members and appurtenances thereunto belonging which premises I have surrendered to the use of my last will and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders thereof I give devise and appoint the same to my grandson Benjamin Mead (son of my son Benjamin Mead deceased) and to his heirs and assignees for ever, he or they paying to my grandson William Mead (the brother of said Benjamin Mead) the sum of twelve pounds of like lawful money at his age of twenty one years if he shall live to attain that age to and with the payment whereof I hereby subject and charge the same cottage and tenement and premises. Also I give and bequeath all my goods chattels rights credits and personal estate unto the said Mary my wife for her own use benefit and behalf for ever she paying all my just des and funeral charges. And lastly I constitute and appoint the said Mary my wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament and hereby revoke all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in four sheets of paper set my hand in the first three sheets thereof and in the fourth and last sheet thereof my hand and seal this twentieth day of June in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty five. John Mead, signed sealed published and by the above mentioned John mead the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who as witnesses thereto immediately afterwards in his presence and the presence of each other at his request subscribed our names George Andrews, Rowland Davies, William Stocks.

This will was proved on the seventeenth day of December in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty six before the reverend John Wrangley clerk surrogate by the oath of Mary Mead widow the relief of the deceased and sole executrix to whom administration of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased was granted and committed on the twenty sixth day of the same month she being first sworn duly to administer.