Archdeaconry Depositions (ERO D/ACD1)

.9.1588 (September 1588)

document 600115

(next examination part illegible) the said Agnes being her near neighbours did house in Earls Colne upon lent last past and remember in the morning of clock and being come together she did find the said Agnes Beiston very sick dying upon a pallet by the fireside in the parlour of the dwelling house of the said Agnes and with her mrs Person goodwife Abbott and Agnes Sparrowe her contestis and she saith that shortly after her coming into that same parlour the said Wm Beiston mentioned previously being in the same parlour kneeling by the said pallet did ask the said Agnes his mother forgiveness whereupon the said Agnes taking hold upon the hair of his head with her hands said as followeth or like in effect"Will Will be content all is thine both within doors and without and god bless thee" and she saith that after the premises the said Wm departing out of the said parlour this examinant did ask the said Agnes Bieston if she did forget her daughter meaning the said Joan whereunto the said Agnes answered"no" for that she had given her 20li the other day and said all was left and she saith that during all the premises the said mrs Peirson goodwife Abbott and Sparrowe's wife were present and heard the said examinant saith that the said Agnes Beiston was during this in sound mind and memory that she did tell this examinant and the rest there of the 20li to her said daughter Joan which was aforesaid for that the said Agnes Bieston did well notwithstanding