whereas at a court held for the said manor 13.1.1637 Edw Elliston gentleman took for himself and his heirs by copy of court roll the reversion of certain parcels of land called also Heathcroft Stonyland and Brookehouse Meadow lying in Earls Colne and containing by estimation 20a3p the said parcel The Hayhouse should accrue by or after the death of Thos Prior senior who held the premises for his lifetime now at this court it was shown by the homage that the said Thos Prior sometime before this court died and that Edw Elliston after the last general court viz 16.4.1663 by the rod surrendered into the hands of the lord by the hands of Giles Lagden instead of the bailiff and in the presence of Wm Harlakenden esq and Giles Crow two customary tenants of the said manor the same testifying etc the said premises with appurtenances by name all his lands tenements and hereditaments held of the said manor by copy of court roll to the wishes uses and intentions in his testament and last will declared or intended and that after and before this court the said Edw died thus seised thereof upon which came here into court Mabel Elliston widow late wife of the said Edw and showed here in court the testament and last will of the said Edw bearing the date 14.4.1663 as said above the tenor of which concerning the premises among other things follows in these English words first I give all my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments situate lying and being in the parish of Earls Colne aforesaid both free and copyhold unto my dear wife for and during the term of her natural life and according as it appears by the said testament signed and proved before Mundeford Cramston (Mundeford Bramston ) doctor of law in the office of archdeacon of Colchester and upon this the said Mabel sought admittance as tenant of the lord to the premises to whom the lord by the said steward granted and delivered seisin thereof by the rod to have and to hold the said parcel of land with appurtenances to the said Mabel and her assigns for her lifetime from the lord by the rod at the will of the lord according to the custom of the said manor by the rents services and customs thereunto belonging and by right accustomed and she gave to the lord her fine and made fealty