Wills (ERO D/AMR2/8 D/ACW27/162 Geo Nicholson of Sible Hedingham 1599 this appears to be a copy of a will)

14.5.1599 (Monday 14 May 1599)

document 3201076

in the name of god amen the 14.5.41Eliz1 etc. I Geo Nicholson of Hedingham Sible in the county of Essex and diocese of London yeoman being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance thanks be unto almighty god do ordain and make this my present testament containing my last will in manner and form following first I bequeath my soul to the mercy of almighty god my maker and creator and to jesus christ my only saviour and redeemer trusting through his precious death and passion to have free remission and forgiveness of all my sins and my body to be buried whensoever it shall please god to call me item I will that there shall be distributed to the poor people of Hedingham Sible at the day of my burial 20s item I give and bequeath unto Josias my son all that my messuage or tenement called the Bell in Hedingham Sible abovesaid with all the yards orchards and gardens to the same belonging as the same is now in the tenure or occupation of Wm Thompson or his assigns to have and to hold all the said messuage or tenement with all and singular the appurtenances unto the said Josias my son and to his heirs forever immediately after my decease item I give and bequeath unto the said Josias my son all that parcel of customary land called Gracells Fen containing by estimation 3a be it more or less holden of the manor of Gracells to have and to hold all the said parcel of customary lands or tenement with the appurtenances unto the said Josias my son and to his heirs forever according to the custom of the same manor immediately after my decease item I give and bequeath unto the said Josias my son all that field called Henley Field also Gracell Felds now divided in two several pieces containing together by estimation 12a be it more or less lying and being in Hedingham Sible aforesaid item I give and bequeath unto the said Josias my son all those lands (torn) and pastures called Ley Felds and Ashbredge Felds with their appurtenances situate lying and being in lords and parishes of Hedingham at Castle Hedingham Sible and Much Maplested also one parcel of customary meadow and hopground lying in Hedingham at Castel aforesaid hold by copy of court roll of the manor of Castel Hedingham also one parcel of customary land containing half an acre more or less holden of the manor of Hosdenours to have and to hold all that field called Henley Feld alias Gracell Feld and all those lands meadows and pastures called Leyfeld and Ashebredge Feld with their appurtenances and also the fine parcel of customary meadow and hopground lying in Hedingham at Castel and also the said parcel of customary land containing half an acre with all and singular their appurtenances unto the said Josias my son and to his heirs forever by from and after the decease of Anne my wife according to the custom of the several manors whereof the said customaries are holden upon this condition notwithstanding my following that is to say I will that the said Josias my son his heirs or assigns shall and will pay out of the said lands 50li of lawful money of England in manner and form following that is to say to Anne my daughter 20li of lawful money of England to be paid unto her within one year next after the decease of Anne my wife and to Sara my daughter 20li of lawful money of England to be paid unto her by the said Josias my son his heirs or assigns within two years next after the decease of the said Anne my wife and to Giles Bredge my daughter's child 10li of lawful money of England to be paid unto him by the said Josias my son his heirs or assigns when he shall come to the age of one and twenty years provided al ways and it is my will that if the said Josias my son his heirs or assigns do not or shall not pay the said several legacies by me given and bequeathed unto the said Anne and Sara my daughters and to the said Gyles Bredge my daughter's son in such manner and form as I have before willed appointed then I will that the gift of the said lands given unto the said Josias my son by me after the decease of the Anne my wife his mother shall be utterly frustrate void and of no effect to all intent constrictions and purposes and that the said lands shall remain unto the said Anne and Sara my daughters and to their heirs forever paying out of the same lands unto the said Gyles Bredge 10li of lawful money of England at his age above mentioned any gift bequest or will or clause whatsoever in this my present testament to be contrary in any wise notwithstanding item I give and bequeath unto said Anne and Sara my daughters and to their heirs forever all those two parcels of meadow called Pale Meadow and Dormans Meadow with the hopground thereunto next adjoining lying and being in Hedingham Sible aforesaid to have and to hold unto them and their heirs immediately after my decease item I give and bequeath unto my daughters Rachell and Juda one parcel of land called Stotters Feld containing 10a more or less and also one parcel of land called Ibblands thereunto next adjoining containing 4a more or less in Hedingham Sible aforesaid to have and to hold all the said fields called Stotters Feld and the said parcel of land called Ibblands Feld with all and singular their appurtenances unto the said Rachell and Juda my daughters and to their heirs forever immediately after my decease item I give and bequeath unto Eliz my daughter 20li of lawful money of England to be pa id unto her by my executor within one year next after my decease item I give and bequeath unto Susan my daughter one milch cow to be delivered unto her immediately after my decease item I give and bequeath unto Wm Browne her son one dry bullock of a year old to be delivered unto him immediately after my decease item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Marie Waters one melche bullock of two years old item I give and bequeath unto the said Anne my wife all that messuage or tenement called Gurnerds with all the customary lands meadows and pasture to the same belonging holden by copy of court roll of the manor of Colne Priory during her natural life and also one tenement called Searles late the tanhouse with the appurtenances also one tenement and garden called Kitts now the mill in Hedingham Sible abovesaid also one other parcel of meadow called Dormans Meadow alias Swan Meadow to have and to hold unto the said Anne my wife during her natural life and after her decease I will that the said messuage called Gurnerds with all the lands meadows and pastures to the same belonging and also that tenement called Searles late the tanhouse and also that tenement called Kytts and also that parcel of meadow called Dormands Meadow alias Swane Meadow with their appurtenances shall remain and come to Jn my son and to his heirs forever provided notwithstanding and it is my will that the said Jn my son his heirs or assigns shall and will pay out of the said lands to the said Eliz my daughter 20li of lawful money of England within one year next after the decease of the said Anne my wife provided also that if the said Jn his heirs or assigns shall not nor will not pay unto the Eliz my daughter the said sum of 20li in manner and form aforesaid then I will that the gift of Dormans Meadow alias Swane Meadow to him by me before given and bequeathed shall be utterly frustrate and void to all intents and purposes and that then I will the same shall remain and come to the said Eliz my daughter and her heirs forever anything in this my present testament to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding provided also and it is my will that if the said Jn my son shall not be content with his portion herein by me given and bequeathed or shall practise any disturbance against my executor or any other my children otherwise then for that portion in this my will to him before given and bequeathed then I will that the gift of all the messuages lands and tenements to him before given shall be utterly frustrate void and of no effect to all intents constrictions and purposes and that then all the said messuages lands and tenements shall be divided amongst all my children then living part and part alike anything in this my present testament to the contrary and anywise notwithstanding item I give and bequeath unto the said Anne my wife all that said field called Henley Feld alias Gracell Feld and all those lands meadows and pastures called Leyfeld and Ashebredge Feld with their appurtenances and also the said parcel of customary meadow and hopground lying in Hedingham at Castel holden of the manor of Castel Hedingham also the said parcel of customary land containing half an acre holden of the manor of Hosdenor and with all and singular their appurtenances to have and to hold unto the said Anne my wife during her natural life and after her decease I will the same shall remain and come to the said Josias my son and to his heirs forever as I have before in this present testament willed and bequeathed all the residue of my goods unbequeathed both movable and unmovable my debts paid and my legacies fulfilled and my funeral charges discharged I give them wholly unto the said Anne my wife who I ordain and make my sole executrix of this my present testament to see the same performed accordingly as my trust is in her and my body to be decently brought in earth and I do ordain name and appoint my son in law Jn Water to be overseer of this my present testament and to be a help for my wife and I will that he shall have 5li of lawful money of England for his pains therein Geo Nicholson these being witnesses by me Rich Baker Jn Harris Thos Brewer provided always and further my will and mind is that Anne my wife shall have the profit and commodity of all that parcel of customary land called Gracells Fenn with the crop of hops from the time of my decease until the feast of michaelmas next ensuing anything or gift in this my present will to the contrary notwithstanding item I give will and bequeath and my mind is that Anne my wife shall hold one and every all those two several parcels of land called Stotters Feld and Ibblands until the feast of michaelmas next ensuing and from the said feast of michaelmas unto the full end and term of three years from thence next ensuing and fully to be complete and ended item I also give will and bequeath unto the said Anne my wife all those two parcels of meadow called Pale Meadow and Dormans Meadow with the hopground thereunto next adjoining together with the crop of hops now growing with all other profit and commodities whatsoever from the time of my decease until the said feast of michaelmas and from the said feast of michaelmas for and during the full end and term of three years from thence next ensuing and fully to be complete and ended any gift bequest article or clause whatsoever before in this my present testament to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding in witness whereof I the said Geo Nicholson to this present provision of my will and testament have set my hand and seal the 21.5.1599 Geo Nicholson memorandum sealed and delivered by the said Geo Nicholson as his last will and testament in the presence of us whose names are under written Jn Harris Jn Water the mark of Thos Brewer (inserted)