Gloucs
1570 Thomas Meade of Frampton on Severn
In the name of God, amen, in the year of our Lord God 1570, the 4th of August, I Thomas Meade of Frampton on Severn, in the county of Gloucester, weaver, being sick in body but, thanks to God almighty, of good and perfect remembrance, doth make this my last will and testament, in manner and form as follow. Imprimis I give and bequeath my soul to almighty God, my maker and redeemer and my body to be buried at the will of mu executrix in the churchyard of Frampton aforesaid. Item I give and bequeath to John Amyes my son in law 2 bushels of malt. Item to his daughter 3 shillings in money, Item I give to John Dee 2 bushels of malt, my best cap and my best shirt. Item I give to Isabel my daughter 20 shillings in good money. Item I give to Thomas Obbut(?) my godson a black (unclear). Item I give to Thomas Doppty(?) a pair of russet hose, a (unclear), a jerkin and my best (unclear). Item I give to John Alan my black coat. Item I give to Nicholas Geappinny(?) my blue jerkin, a pair of hose and a pair of sheets. Item to John Rolles my russet coat and a (unclear) with my second petticoat. Item to Anne Heanis the daughter of William Heanis a ewe and a lamb. Item I give to Maud Dee my best ewe and her lamb. Item I give to the poor of Frampton aforesaid 7 shillings of good money. Item all the rest of my goods not given nor bequeathed I give and bequeath to Ann Mead my wife whom I do ordain and make mine only executrix of this my last will and testament. Also it is my will that if my wife Ann Mead do marry that then at the day of her marriage she shall deliver the one half of my goods to Maude Dee the daughter of John Dee. Item I do make and ordain Peter Oviet and William Heanis overseers of this my last will and testament. In witness hereof Thomas Tully and John Dee with others more the year and day above written.
1578 Ann Meade of Frampton on Severn
In the name of God amen, I Ann Meade of Frampton upon Severn in the county of Gloucester, widow, being sick of body but of perfect remembrance, thanks be to God, do make this my last will and testament the 20th day of March and in the 20th year of the Queen’s Majesty’s reign in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul to almighty God and my body to be buried in the churchyard. Item I give to John Thee, my daughter Marget Heynes’ son, 20 shillings in money, a crock and a joined bedstead. Item to Thomas Thee his brother one crock. Item to William thee brother to the foresaid John and Thomas a crock. Item I give to Joan their sister a cupboard. Item I give to Maude Thee their sister and the foresaid Joan all my napery and linen. Item I give to give to the foresaid John, Thomas and William all by brass ware. Item I give to the foresaid Maude 20 shillings in money. Item I give all the rest of my goods to be equally divided betwixt the above named Thomas, John, William, Maud and Joan. Item I do appoint that the boys shall have their parts delivered unto them at 20 years of age and the said Maud and Joan to have their parts at the age of 23 years. And if it happen any of them to die before they come to the foresaid age, then I will that his or her part that happen to die to be equally divided betwixt the others that shall happen to live. Item I do appoint the above named John Thee to be my executor, to dispose my goods with the consent of my overseers. These witnesses Peter Oviat, Robert Simons and others. Item I do appoint Walter Heines and Thomas Selwin my overseers.
1583 John Mead of Marshfield
In the name of God amen, the 14th day of July in the 25th year of the reign of our sovereign lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland queen, defender of the faith, and in the year of our lord God 1583, I John Mede of Marshfilde in the diocese of Gloucester, sick of body but yet of good and perfect memory, praising God therefore, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I give and bequeath my soul to almighty God my maker and redeemer and my body to be buried in Christian burial. Item I give and bequeath to the poor people of Marshfilde abovesaid 3 shillings 4 pence. Item I give and bequeath to John my son twenty pounds of money, which twenty pounds shall be paid by Isabel my wife unto Edmund Buttler, Robert Nichols and John Meredith when at what time as the foresaid John my son shall come to the age of 12 years and they then to dispose and use it at their discretion for the commodity and profit of my said son John until he come to his full age, provided that if Isabel my wife shall at any time hereafter before John my son come to his full age buy one seal in reversion of the house wherein I now dwell unto the foresaid John my son, then my will is that she shall be discharged and acquitted of the said legacy of 20 pounds. Item I give and bequeath unto the child wherewith my wife now goeth ten pounds to be likewise paid and delivered unto the foresaid Robert Nichols, Edmund Buttler and John Meredith when the said child shall come to the age of twelve years and to be used in such sort as they by their discretion shall think for his or her commodity. Item my will and bequest is that if either of the said children shall die of depart this life before they shall come to the age of 12 years then his or her said legacy that shall so depart shall be paid unto him or her that shall survive or overlive the other at his or her 12th years of age and to be used as is aforesaid. Item I give and bequeath to Robert Nichols, Edmund Buttler and John Meredith one sheep apiece. The rest of all my goods, moveable and unmoveable, I give and bequeath to Isabel my wife whom I make and ordain my full and whole executrix of this my last will and testament. Witnesses at the making hereof William Jones, Edmund Buttler, Robert Nichols and John Meredith, vicar.