in the name of god amen the 23.8.1582 etc. I Jn Barrett of Earls Colne in the county of Essex and diocese of London yeoman being of good and perfect remembrance thanks be unto almighty god do ordain and make this my present testament containing my last will in manner following that is to say first I bequeath my soul unto the mercy of almighty god faithfully trusting that through the merit death and passion of our saviour jesus christ to have remission of my sins and to be one of the number of his elect my body to be buried in the parish church or churchyard of Earls Colne aforesaid at the discretion of mine executors hereunder named item I give and bequeath to and amongst the poor people in Earls Colne aforesaid 20s to be distributed amongst them at the day of my burial item I give and bequeath unto Marge my wife all that my customary messuage or tenement wherein I now dwell all the houses edifices buildings yards orchards gardens lands meadows and pastures to the same belonging and all other those my customary lands meadows and pastures with the appurtenances now in mine own hands occupation or maintenance situate and lying in Earls Colne aforesaid and which I now hold by copy of court roll of the right honourable Earl of Oxford as of his manor of the earldom and of the Pryory or either of them to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement lands and all other the premises with the appurtenances unto the said Marge my wife during until Jn my son shall come to his age of 21yr and then at the said age of 21yr the said Jn my son I will all the said messuage or tenement lands and all other the premises shall remain unto the said Jn my son and to his heirs forever according to the customs of the said manors and if it happen the said Jn my son to depart this world before his said age having no issue of his body lawfully begotten then I will the said Marge my wife shall likewise have and hold the said messuage lands and other the premises during until my two daughters Agnes and Mary shall accomplish their several ages of 21yr and then I will all the said messuage lands and other the premises shall remain and come unto my said two daughters Agnes and Mary and their heirs forever according to the customs of the said manors item I give and bequeath unto the said Marge my wife all those my two customary tenements with the yards orchards and gardens to them belonging with their appurtenances situate and lying in Earls Colne aforesaid now in the several occupations of Hardinge and Wm Tayler to have and to hold the said two tenements yards orchards and gardens with the appurtenances unto the said Marge my wife during her natural life and after her decease I will all the said two tenements with their appurtenances shall remain unto the said Jn my son and to his heirs forever according to the custom of the manor whereof they been holden it em I give and bequeath unto the said Marge my wife all that my free croft of land with the appurtenances in Earls Colne aforesaid now in the occupation of Barth Church to have and to hold the said croft of free land with the appurtenances unto the said Marge my wife to her and to her heirs and assigns forever item I give and bequeath unto the said Marge my wife all that mine estate interest lease and term of years of and in that tenement and lands with the appurtenances in Earls Colne aforesaid now in the occupation of Jn Skott to have and to hold unto the said Marge my wife her executors and assigns in as ample and large manner as I have or ought to have the same item I give and bequeath unto the said Agnes my daughter 100li of lawful money of England to be paid unto her at her age of 21yr or day of marriage which first happeneth item I give and bequeath unto the said Mary my daughter 100li of lawful money of England to be paid unto her at her age of 21yr or day of marriage which first happeneth and if it shall happen any of my said two daughters to depart this world before her said time of payment then I will the said 100li to her bequeathed shall be paid to the other of my said two daughters then living and if it shall happen both my said daughters to depart this world before their said time of payment then I will the said Jn my son to be paid unto him at his said age of 21yr all the rest of my goods debts chattels money household stuff implements whatsoever I do wholly give and bequeath unto the said Marge my wife which said Marge I do ordain and make executrix of this my testament also I do ordain name and appoint my brother in law mr Robt Churche executor with the said Marge of this my said testament they to see this my present will performed and my body decently brought on earth and I give unto the said Robt Church for his pains therein 20s and his ordinary expenses about the same provided and it is my will that if it shall happen the said Marge my wife to marry after my decease then I will he that shall happen to marry with her shall before his said marriage enter and stand bounden with two sufficient sureties unto my said brother in law Robt Churche in and by one obligation sufficient in the law in the sum of 400li of lawful money of England for the payment of my legacies unto my said children according to this my present testament and if she shall marry before such obligation be made entered and done in form aforesaid then I will my said brother in law Robt Church shall take so much of my said goods and debts into his hands and safe keeping as shall suffice to pay the said legacies to my said children according to this my said testament and then be he the said Robt to stand bound in and by his obligation in the sum of 400li unto my said wife for the payment of the same legacies unto my said children according to this my said testament anything herein to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand or mark in the presence of Barth Church Thos Lefingwell Wm Vigorus Jn Churche and others