Wills (ERO D/ABW26/259 Roger Marche of Great Birche 1614/15)

13.3.1615 (Monday 13 March 1615)

document 3600005

in the name of god amen the 13.3.1615 I Roger Marche of Great Birche in the county of Essex yeoman being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance thanks be to almighty god do ordain and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following first I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty god my maker and jesus christ my redeemer and my body to be buried in the churchyard of Great Birche aforesaid item I give to the poor people of Great Birche aforesaid 10s to be paid at the time of my funeral and 10s yearly forever out of the profits and rents of Churchfeilde Castle Hill and a meadow of 10a lying below Churchfeild abutting upon a certain parcel of land called Birch Heath to be paid forever by my heirs or assigns that shall enjoy the same after my decease either by descent or by this my last will and testament yearly upon monday in easter week to the churchwardens overseers for the poor and constables or some or one of them of the said parish to the use of the poor there and for want of payment thereof my will and meaning is that it shall be lawful for the said churchwardens overseers and constables or any of them to enter upon all or any of the said lands and to distrain and the distresses there taken to lead or carry away until the said annuity of 10s and the arrearages thereof be duly paid and satisfied according to my will and meaning herein and that the said 10s yearly due shall always be distributed by the minister churchwardens and most discreet men of the said parish at their discretions where most need shall be item I give and bequeath unto Wm Marche my eldest son my house wherein I now dwell called by the name Lucasses with all the lands meadows pastures and feedings thereunto belonging and all other their appurtenances by what name or title soever they be called item I do also give unto my said son Wm my aforesaid lands called Churchfeilde Castle Hill and a meadow of 2a lying below Churchfeilde aforesaid together with Sower Hill lying all in Great Birche aforesaid to him and to his heirs forever at the age of 21yr item I give unto Eliz my wife my said house wherein I now dwell called by the name of Lucasses with all the lands meadows pastures and feedings thereunto belonging by what name or names soever until my said son Wm shall accomplish the aforesaid age of 21yr item I do also give unto my said wife my aforesaid lands called Churchfeilde Castle Hill and the meadow aforesaid together with Sower Hill aforesaid I do also give her eight loads of wood yearly (torn) taken and one load of logs yearly to be taken upon some of my aforesaid (torn) the assignment of my supervisor provided always and my will (torn) that she shall keep the said house in good and sufficient reparations (torn) accomplish said age of 21yr (torn) my aforesaid lands

Roger Marche

and upon condition that she shall bring up my children well and sufficiently with meat drink apparel and learning until such time as they shall accomplish their several ages item I give unto Eliz my daughter the mow or gooffe of wheat lying in my barn at Birche church on the right hand going in at the great doors item I do also give unto my said daughter the sum of 21li of lawful english money which is owing me by Lawrence Gibsonne of Colchester baker and oats sufficient for the sowing of her grounds at the farm called the Moore item I give unto Joane Cornewell my daughter the lease of my farm situate and being in Salcott Firly called Round Mead and 12a and I do also give to every one of her children 20s apiece of like lawful money item I give unto Rich Newman my brother in law the sum of 6s8d yearly and every year to be paid unto him out of the house wherein I now dwell until my son Wm shall accomplish his aforesaid age item I do give unto every one of my brother Newman his children 10s of lawful english money to be paid unto them within one year next after my decease item I give unto Edw Warden and Thos Warden to either of them 20s to be paid unto them within six months next after my decease item I give unto Thos Fisher my servant 6s and I do give unto every one of my other men servants 4s to be paid unto them within three months next after my decease item I give unto the poor people of Much Tay in the county of Essex 6s8d item I give unto Rich Hills of Much Taye aforesaid 5s item I give unto Wm Eatney the younger of Great Birche 5s item I do make Eliz my said wife my sole executrix to this my last will and testament trusting that she will see the same performed according to my meaning herein and I do give unto her all my other goods not afore bequeathed paying my debts and legacies and I do entreat Wm Eatney the elder of Great Birche aforesaid to be my supervisor of this my will and testament and I do give him for his pains 10s in witness whereof that is my last will and testament I have to these two leaves set my hand and seal the day and year first above written Roger Marche sealed and subscribed in the presence of Wm Eatney Jn Bereman Rich Newman Robt Marche