St Runwalds Colchester in the name of god amen the 24.12.22Jas1 I Hen Clench of Colchester in the county of Essex gent being sick and weak in body but of good and perfect memory thanks be given to god therefore do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz first and principally I give my soul to god from whom I received it and I will that my body shall be decently buried as shall be thought fit by mine executrix being assured and confidently believing that by and through the merits of christ jesus all my sins shall be pardoned and that in the last day both my soul and body shall be reunited and made partaker of that glorious and everlasting kingdom prepared for the elect and as touching my transitory estate and all those temporal possessions and blessings which it hath pleased god in his great mercy to bestow upon me I do hereby dispose of them as followeth and first I give and bequeath unto the poor of the parish of St Runwaldes in Colchester aforesaid where I dwell 10s of lawful money of England to be distributed am ongst them at the discretion of my executrix hereunder named item I do give and bequeath unto mr Steph Newcomen preacher of the word of god in the parish of St Runwalds aforesaid 30s of lawful money of England to be paid him by my executrix hereunder named item I will and devise unto Jane my well beloved wife all that my messuage or tenement wherein I dwell with all the cellars sollars yards gardens orchards shops working houses barns stables gateways water courses pipes conduits and appurtenances to the same belonging or appertaining situate lying and being in the parish of St Runwalds as the same now is in mine own occupation to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement and all other the before bequeathed premises with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Jane my wife and to her heirs and assigns forever item I do will and devise unto the said Jane my well beloved wife all that my messuage or tenement with all the houses buildings and gardens to the said messuage or tenement belonging or in anywise appertaining with their and every of their appurtenances situate lying and being in the parish of St Martin in the street there called Westockwell Street in Colchester aforesaid as the same now is in the several occupations of Thos Kinvett clerk Jn Nice and Thos Wright to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement and all other the fore bequeathed premises with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Jane my loving wife and to her heirs and assigns forever item I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane Clench the sum of 100li of lawful money of England to be paid unto her at her age of 21yr by my executrix Hen Clench signed sealed and published in the presence of Kath Korthie# Rich Bulner Jn London hereunder named item I do give and bequeath unto Eleanor Clench my daughter the like sum of 100li of like lawful money of England to be paid unto her likewise at her age of 21yr by my executrix hereunder named all the rest of my goods chattels household stuff implements of household wares debts ready money plate and jewels whatsoever unbequeathed of whatsoever nature or kind the same be I do give and bequeath unto Jane my said loving wife for and towards her maintenance the payment of my debts and the education and bringing up of my said two daughters Jane and Eleanor Clench and I do ordain constitute and make the said Jane my wife sole executrix of this my testament and last will requiring her to see the same faithfully performed and to have a special care in the education and bringing up of my said daughters in the fear and service of god and I do renounce all former wills by me heretofore made and do publish and declare this to be my testament and last will in witness whereof to either sheet of paper hereof I have put my hand and seal the day and year first above written signed sealed and published in the presence of Kath Korthie Rich Bulner Jn London Hen Clench