in the name of god amen the 23.2.1617 etc. I Jn Church of Earls Colne in the county of Essex and in the diocese of London gent being perfect in mind and of good remembrance thanks be unto almighty god do ordain and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following first I bequeath my soul unto almighty god faithfully trusting in his merit to be saved by the obedience and precious bloodshedding of his only son my saviour and redeemer jesus christ and my body to be buried in the church or churchyard of Earls Colne aforesaid by my father and mother and their children or otherwise whereas god shall appoint and according to the discretion of mine executor hereafter in this my will named item I will that a sermon be made on the day of my burial and the preacher to have for his pains according to the discretion of mine executor item I give and bequeath unto to poor people of Earls Colne aforesaid 40s to be given at their houses upon the day of my burial or the next day thereafter according to the discretion of mine executor item I give and bequeath towards the reparations of the church of Earls Colne aforesaid 6s8d to be deposited by the churchwardens of the said parish upon the needful reparations of the same church item I give and bequeath unto Rose my wife all those parcels of movable goods household stuff and plate viz two featherbeds two bolsters of feathers four pillows four pillowcase of holland two pair of blankets one coverlet and the green rug a bedstead standing over the shop and a trundle bedstead two pair of holland sheets two pair of canvas sheets item a silver and gilt trencher salt with the cover thereto a stone pot lipped with the lid and footed with silver and gilt six slip spoons of silver a bowl of silver and a beaker of silver parcel gilt item I give unto her a great chest standing in the parlour three square joined stools three high joined stools and two short forms in the parlour and a livery table in the chamber next the street and six cushions in the hall of thrumed work two spits a dripping pan of iron six dishes of pewter six platters six saucers six porringers of pewter two brass pots two posnets a chafing dish of latten a basin of pewter and five little pots of pewter a frying pan and a warming pan of brass a fire pan a pair of tongs two pairs of pot hooks two andirons tipped with brass two kettles a pair of pewter candlesticks and one of latten a counter table in the lower chamber an a cupboard with drawers there standing item I give unto her my said wife all my brewing vessels and my brewing copper and barrels in the brew house and all my implements in the milk house and hogsheads and all my vessels in my buttery and a chafer of brass and a great kettle in my milk house and a trammel of iron and my best carpet cloth and all her mother's linen that she brought with her item I give and bequeath unto my son Jn Churche these parcels of movable goods household stuff and plate viz one dozen of silver spoons with lions one silver bowl one other bowl of silver and gilt one beaker of silver parcel gilt a silver salt all gilt with the cover thereunto one stone pot lipped with silver and gilt item three bedsteads with cords and mats whereof one is half headed the other posted with a cover of joiners work both these standing in the lower chamber next the street and the third is posted with a cover of joiners work and curtains of green saye standing in my upper chamber next the street window item three featherbeds three bolsters of feathers four pillows of down four pillowberes of holland or lockram three pairs of blankets three coverlets thereunto belonging two pairs of holland sheets two pairs of canvas sheets a quiver of shafts and twikwen bows and chest of joiners work in the great chamber over the parlour and one other chest barred with iron in the upper chamber next the street item two great cushions with vincorers item in pewter six dishes six platters four saucers four porringers a basin and ewer of pewter which was my father's two candlesticks of pewter one water pot of pewter item a great brass mortar with the pestle to it two spits a chafing dish two brasspots a dripping pan of iron two long racks of iron a pair of slings of iron to carry beer on and a pair of andirons a pair of bellows a frying pan and a pair of tongs a trammel of iron four pitchforks a pair of shackles of iron five iron wedges item a tablecloth of canvas six tablenapkins two long towels of lockram one diaper tablecloth and six diaper napkins a pair of tables wrought with ivory two kettles one bigger than the other a short joined form standing in the upper chamber next the street and a livery table there standing item a new desk of joiners work with lock and key and all that therein is item one table with the frame of joiners work and three joined stools and tree square stools and a great cupboard all these standing in the hall item a colyver with flasks sword and dagger thereto and a headpiece of red velvet and two daggers besides and my great books of statutes and a pistol item I will and my meaning is that Rose my wife shall have the safe custody and keeping of all those goods of household stuff and plate until my said son Jn Churche shall marry item I give and bequeath unto Jn Church my youngest son three parcels of land being in Earls Colne aforesaid down towards Burrowes Bridge whereof one piece is called Burrowes and the other Stonly holden of the manor of the Priory in Colne aforesaid and also one other parcel of land called Sawyers and three parcels of land called Stonebridge Ground or Boultinghouseland lying within the said ground called Little Bridge Meadow holden of the manor of the earldom there and a parcel of land called Parkfeilde and three parcels of land adjoining thereto called Chewland holden of the said manor of the earldom there in Colne aforesaid to have and to hold all these parcels of lands and tenements unto him the said Jn Churche my son and his heirs and assigns forever immediately after my decease the residue of all my lands and tenements not formerly given I give and bequeath unto Barth Church my eldest son to him and his heirs and assigns forever after my decease paying out of the said lands and tenements unto his mother Rose my wife yearly during so long as she shall keep herself a widow the sum of 10li of lawful money of England at our lady day and michaelmas item also I do give unto my said son Barth Church all my movable goods household stuff and plate whatsoever before not by me bequeathed and all my debts not formerly given and not bequeathed upon condition that he do pay my legacies and debts and all other charges concerning my burial to be paid and discharged item of this my present last will and testament I do ordain nominate and appoint my son Barth Church my executor faithfully to perform and fulfil according to my true intent and meaning as my special trust and hope reposed in him that he will do and to see my body decently buried in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first before written in the presence of these witnesses whose names are hereunder written Jn Church Sam Bruer his mark Edw Cressener Thos Pryer