Thos Pryor
Dan Lea
Jn Read
in the name of god amen the
12.12.1612
etc. I
Robt Rookes
the elder of Earls Colne in the county of Essex and diocese of London being sick in body but of perfect memory do ordain and make this my present testament declaring herein and thereby my last will and mind in manner and form following first I commend my soul into the hands of almighty god my creator with assured trust and confidence of eternal life and salvation through the merit death and passion of jesus christ my saviour and redeemer and my body to be decently buried in christian burial within the church or churchyard of Earls Colne aforesaid and for the ordering and disposing of that portion of worldly goods wherewith it hath pleased god of his goodness to bless me item I give and bequeath unto
Dorethy Rookes
my now wife all my house and lands with all the barns stables and all the other outhouses with the orchards gardens and with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging even as I now have in my possession with all my movable goods cattle chattels and household stuff of what kind or sort soever during her natural life item I give and bequeath unto the said
Dorethy
my house called
Tylwyckes
with a yard and all the appurtenances thereunto belonging now in the tenure and occupation of one
Hen Strutt
situate in Earls Colne aforesaid during her said life as I shall have no need to sell the same in the meantime item I give and bequeath the foresaid tenement called
Tylwyckes
with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto
Wm Brydge
my son in law and to
Susan Brydge
my daughter and to the longer liver of them both during their natural lives and no longer after the decease of my said wife item my will and mind is to have the taynter and all my working tools belonging to a shearman now in my occupation after my said death to be sold at the best hand and the money to be given unto
Rich Rookes
the eldest son of
Robt Rookes
my son within one year next after my decease and my mind and meaning is if at any time my son
Robt Rookes
shall molest or trouble or cause to be molested or troubled by any kind of means my said wife of the houses and lands movable goods or household stuff that then it shall be lawful for my said wife to give and to sell the said houses and lands to whom she pleases and at her disposing and my mind is that all my movable goods household stuff and chattels shall be equally divided between
Robt Rookes
my son and
Susan Brydge
my daughter saving all the hall and the copper and the vat in the backhouse and I do make and ordain
Dorethy
my now wife the sole executor of this my will to see my debts paid and my body decently buried and brought to the earth in witness hereunto I have set my hand and seal the day and year first above mentioned in the presence of whose name are here subscribed sealed signed and delivered in the presence of
Thos Pryor
Dan Lea
Jn Read