Dorset

William Meade, of Bradforde Abbat, Dorset, husbandman, 1597

In the name of God, Amen, I William Meade, of Bradforde Abbat in the county of Dorset, husbandman, being whole of mind and perfect of memory, do make my last will and testament the twelfth day of December in the nine and thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God Queen of England, in manner and form following, viz. First I give and bequeath my soul to almighty God my maker and redeemer and my body to be buried in the churchyard of Bradford aforesaid, to the church of which I give and bequeath three shillings four pence. Item I give and bequeath to the poor people of the parish of Bradford aforesaid one bushel of barley to be delivered by my executors within one month after my decease as it shall seem good unto them. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Walter Meade one ladder which is in the barton of John Still, one putt draught not yet fully made, and one yoke. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Margery Rogers my best wether sheep save two and to her son Richard Rogers one calf of twelve month of age. Item I give and bequeath to my nephew John Combe one calf of twelve month of age. Item I give and bequeath to each of my godchildren four pence. The rest of my goods, moveable and unmoveable, by this my last will and testament not bequeathed, I give and bequeath to my well-beloved wife Edith Meade and John Meade my son, whom I make, ordain and constitute executors of this my last will and testament, paying my debt and legacies & discharging my funeral. In witness whereof I the said William Meade to this my last will and testament have put my hand, the day and year above written in the presence of George Pimfold & Lionel Harrison. William Meade his mark.

Alban Meade, of Bradford, Dorset, husbandman, 1613

In the name of God, amen, I Alban Meade of Bradford in the county of Dorset, being whole of Mind and perfect of memory (thanks be unto God), do make and ordain my last will and testament in manner and form following, viz. first I bequeath my soul unto almighty God my maker and redeemer, by whose death and passion mine only trust and confidence is to be saved, and by no merits of mine own, and my body to be hurried in the parish churchyard of Bradford aforesaid, to the repairing of the church whereof and of East Coker I give xl d to each of them, and to the poor of the same parish of Bradford six shillings eight pence, to be distributed by the discretion of mine executrix. Item I give unto Anne the now wife of John Parsons of Bradford aforesaid ten pounds of lawful money of England, to be paid unto her within the term of one whole year, after that the said John Parsons shall and do provide and procure to be lawfully assured unto her for the term of her life or widowhood any living or house of the clear yearly value of five pounds, provided always that if the said Anne shall happen to die before any such living or house shall be provided and procured for her, that then my will is and I do give and bequeath the said ten pounds, unto Elizabeth Meade my daughter. Item I do give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth Mead twenty pounds more of lawful money to be paid unto her at her full age of twenty and one years, or before at the discretion of mine executors and overseers. Item I give unto John Trask my wife’s son twenty shillings and Mary Trask twenty shillings, and unto each of them a silver spoon, and unto Elizabeth my said daughter one other silver, which moneys last given and spoons are to be paid and delivered them at the discretion of mine executrix. Item I give unto my said daughter Elizabeth my two bedsteads of the best and two of my best cupboards, one tableboard standing in my hall, seven of my best platters of pewter, my furnore, one trowse, and one vat of timber and a kettle of brass, all my plough stuff and a garnard, all which my will is that my wife shall have the use and occupation thereof so long as she shall remain a widow unmarried. All the rest of my goods not given nor bequeathed herein I give and bequeath unto my loving wide Alice Meade, whom I make and ordain my sole executrix of this my last will and testament, whereof I make mine overseers my loving friends Robert Master, Lionel Harrison and John Knight, desiring them to be assisters and aiders to my wife and children in all things concerning the performance of the premises. I witness whereof I have signed these presents the day and year above first written, viz. the first of December in anno domino one thousand six hundred and twelve. Alban Meade his mark. Henry Sterr, Lionel Harrison, John Knight his mark.

John Meade, of Weston Backehorne, yeoman, 1614

In the name of God, amen, anno domino 1614, I John Meade, of the parish of Weston Backehorne within the county of Dorset, yeoman, being of good and perfect memory, God be thanked therefore, do make my testament and last will in manner and form following. Imprimis I give and bequeath my soul into the hand of almighty God my creator and redeemer, by whose merit I hope to be saved at the dreadful day of judgment, and my body to be buried within the church of Weston Backehorne aforesaid. Item I give to Mary Meade the daughter of my son Clement Meade x Li. Item I give to Richard Maunsell and William Maunsell vi Li equally to be divided between them, to be paid within one year after my decease. Item I give unto Katherine Meade my wife x Li to be paid within one month after my decease and one featherbed with his appurtenances, the which I and my said wife doth now lie on. Item I give to Henry Meade and Edith Meade and Joan the wife of Richard Yonge, the children of William Meade my brother, x s equally between them. Item I give to the children of Henry Meade my brother and Margaret Pinshorne my sister’s children xii d apiece. Item I give to all of my godchildren xii d apiece. Item I give to Joan the wife of Henry Wylles a bullock of one year of age. Item I give to Philip Browne my kinsman xx s within one year after my decease. The rest of my goods and chattels, moveable and unmoveable, my debts paid and my legacies performed, I give and bequeath unto Clement Meade my son, whom I make my executor of this my testament and last will. And further I entreat these my trusty and well-beloved friends George Scryven and Robert Yonge to be overseers of this my testament and last will. In witness whereof, in the presence of those whose names are hereunder written, the day and year above written. By me John Meade, signed, sealed and delivered to Robert Vininge, to the use of Clement Mead my executor, in the presence of those hereunder written. Richard Jaconn, Robert Gryffyn alias Davyes, Robert Vinynge.

Walter Meade, Ryme Intrinseca, Dorset, yeoman, 1649

In the name of God, amen, in the year of our lord God one thousand six hundred forty nine, I Walter Meade of Ryme Intrinsica in the county of Dorset, yeoman, being sick of body but of good and perfect 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 I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker and redeemer and my body to be buried in the parish church of Ryme aforesaid, unto which church I give and bequeath six shillings eight pence. Item I give unto John Plowman six pence. Item I give unto Sarah Plowman twelve pence. Item I give unto John Warren the elder six pence. All the rest of my goods and chattels, moveable and unmoveable, my debts paid and funeral discharged, I give and bequeath unto my son William Meade, whom I make and ordain sole executor of this my last will and testament, and do appoint my friend George Strood and Mr John Elford, minister of this parish to the the overseers hereof. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my mark. The mark of Walter Meade. Witnesses hereunto John Elford, George Stroud, Richard Michell his mark.