in the name of god amen the
19.5.1623
I
Jn Potter
the younger of White Colne in the county of Essex being in good and perfect health and memory I do thank god therefore do declare and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following first and principally I surrender and bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty god and his blessed son jesus christ my only saviour and redeemer by whose precious bloodshedding upon the cross I do steadfastly hope to have remission of all my sins my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently buried according to my degree item I do give unto
Jn Potter
my eldest son and to
Helen Potter
the daughter of
Jn Potter
of White Colne aforesaid the elder yeoman whom my said son
Jn
intendeth by good grace to marry and take to wife all that my lands tenements and hereditaments being copyhold to the manor of Colne Priory lying in White Colne aforesaid called by the name of
Little Redinge
to have and to hold the same premises to the said
Jn Potter
my son and to the said
Helen Potter
for and during the natural lives of the said
Jn
my son and of the said
Helen Potter
and the life of the longer liver of them and after their deceases then to the use and behoof of the said
Jn Potter
my son and of the heirs of the body of the said
Jn Potter
my son upon the body of the said
Helen Potter
lawfully begotten or to be begotten and for default of such issue then to the use and behoof of the said
Jn Potter
my son and to his heirs forever upon condition that the said
Jn
my son his heirs or assigns shall pay or cause to be paid unto
Agnes
now my wife the yearly sum of 3li10s of lawful money of England at the feasts of michaelmas and annunciation by even portions or within ten days next ensuing either of the said feasts for and during the natural life of the said
Agnes
at or in the south porch of the parish church of White Colne aforesaid this first payment thereof to begin at whichsoever of the said feasts shall first happen or chance after my decease and if the said
Jn
my son his heirs or assigns shall make default of payment of the said sum of 3li10s in manner and form aforesaid then my will and meaning is and it shall be lawful to and for the said
Agnes
my wife to enter upon and have hold and enjoy three closes or fields lying on the west side of my said house and adjoining to the land now in the occupation of
Jn Bowles
during her natural life item I do give unto
Rich Potter
my son all those my copyhold lands and tenements called Crosse Feldes being copyhold to the manor of Sheriffs in Colne Engaine to have and to hold the same to the said
Rich
and to his heirs forever upon condition that my said son
Rich
his heirs or assigns shall pay or cause to be paid to
Thos Carter
my son in law 26li of lawful money of England within four years next after my decease at or in the south porch of the parish church of White Colne aforesaid that is to say upon every feast day of michaelmas 6li10s until the said 26li be fully satisfied and paid to the said
Thos
his executors or assigns upon condition that my said son
Rich
his heirs or assigns do pay unto
Dorothy
my daughter or her assigns at the place aforesaid 15li of like money within seven years next after my decease that is to say 5li upon every feast day of michaelmas until the said sum of 15li be fully satisfied and paid and likewise upon condition that the said
Rich
his heirs or assigns do pay unto
Wm
my son 20li of like money at the place aforesaid within eleven years next after my decease that is to say upon every feast day of michaelmas 5li until the said sum of 20li be fully satisfied and paid and if the said
Rich
my son his heirs or assigns shall make default of payment of any of the said several sums of 26li 15li or 20li contrary to the true intent and meaning of this my last will or testament then I will that such of them which shall not be paid the several sums abovesaid shall or may lawfully enter upon and have and enjoy the said lands called Crosse Feldes before given to the said
Rich
my son and his heirs until such of them which shall not be paid the several sums aforesaid according to the form and effect of this my last will and testament shall be fully satisfied and paid out of the premises of my said land called Crosse Feldes the several sum to last memory to be paid to every of them item I will that the said
Agnes
my wife shall have yearly one cartload of wood during her life felled and made up at the charges of the said
Rich
my son or his heirs upon Crosse Feldes and I do give unto her all my corn and grain and tilth of land growing or being upon my said lands called Crosse Feldes and
Redinges
and do give unto her all my goods chattels and implements of household whatsoever my funeral charges paid and discharged and I do ordain and make the said
Thos Carter
sole executor of this my last will and I do give him in respect thereof 10s in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the day and year above written read sealed and published as his last will and testament in the presence of
Simon Ive
Jn Harvies
Thos Leffingwell
Jn Potter