Hen Smyth
Robt Woodward
and
Rich Williamson
with others by me
Rich Williamson
Jn Cutler
in the name of god amen the
1.6.1587
I
Jn Cutler
of Earls Colne in the county of Essex and the diocese of London husbandman being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance thanks be unto almighty god therefore do ordain and make this my testament and last will in manner and form following first I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty god my maker and to jesus christ my redeemer and to the holy ghost my comforter and my body to the earth from whence it came and to be buried in the parish churchyard where it shall please god to call me out of this mortal life to his mercy item I do will and bequeath to the poor folks of the parish of Earls Colne to be given to them after my decease 3s4d item I do give unto
Margt
my wife all my movable goods during the term of her natural life conditionally and also it is provided that she shall not at any time give sell or embezzle any part of those my movable goods whereby to hinder or diminish them only herself to have the use of them towards the maintenance of her living according to her necessity during the time aforesaid and after the decease of the said
Margt
my wife when it shall please god to call her out of this mortal life to his mercy that then I do will that those my movable goods then remaining shall be divided equally into four parts by some indifferent men and being so equally divided I do give those four parts to my four children that is to say
Cecily Burke
Mary Grygges
Margt Man
and
Jn Cutler
my son in and to their heirs and executors and or assigns forever in manner and form following that is to say I do will that after my said goods be divided in manner as is aforesaid that my daughter
Cecily
shall have the first choice and my daughter
Mary
to have the second choice and my daughter
Margt
to have the third choice and my son
Jn
to have the fourth and last choice according to the true meaning of this my will also I do will and make my said son
Jn Cutler
my only executor to see my debts paid and my body decently brought in earth and also to see these my legacies distributed according to the true meaning of this my testament containing therein my last will in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written these being witnesses
Wm Adhams
clerk
Hen Smyth
Robt Woodward
and
Rich Williamson
with others by me
Rich Williamson
Jn Cutler