Earls Colne Manor Court Rolls (ERO D/DPr79)

16.1.1655 (Tuesday 16 January 1655)

document 39101396

whereas at a court held for the said manor 1.11.1653 it was presented by the homage that Hen Dow who held to him and his heirs one customary messuage or tenement with the appurtenances called Mordens since the last court that is to say upon 20.12.last did surrender into the hands of the lord of the said manor by the hands of Barth Clerke the younger in place of the bailiff and in the presence of Ralph Josselin and Barth Clerke the elder two customary tenants of the said manor the same witnessing the said messuage or tenement with the appurtenances to the use of his last will and afterwards died so seised now at this court came Jn Clerke the son in law of the said Hen Dow and showed forth in court the last will and testament of the said Hen in writing bearing the date 20.12.1652 by which he gave the said messuage or tenement with the appurtenances to the said Jn Clerke and his heirs upon condition that the said Jn Clerke his heirs and assigns shall pay within four years after the decease of the said Hen 4li of good and lawful money of England to Rich Harlakenden esq and Ralph Josselin clerk to be by them disposed as in and by the said will is appointed which said 4li the said Rich Harlakenden esq and Ralph Josselin clerk being present in court did acknowledge that they have received and thereupon the said Jn Clerke prayed to be admitted tenant to the said premises to whom the lord of the said manor by his said steward did grant and deliver thereof seisin by the rod to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement with the appurtenances to the said Jn Clerke his heirs and assigns of the lord by the rod at the will of the lord according to the custom of the said manor by the rents and services due and he gave to the lord for a fine and did his fealty