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