Sara Dewsly
Jeff Potter
in the name of god amen the
11.4.1639
etc I
Jeff Potter
of Manningtree alias Manytree in the county of Essex linen draper sick in body but of good and perfect memory god be praised do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following first I commend my soul into the hands of almighty god my maker hoping assuredly through the only merits of jesus christ my saviour and redeemer to be made partaker of life everlasting and I commend my body to the earth whereof it is made and as concerning my worldly goods which it hath pleased almighty god to bestow upon me I give and bequeath them as followeth that is to say imprimis I give devise and bequeath unto
Eliz
my loving wife all my freehold lands and tenements with the appurtenances situate lying and being in White Colne or elsewhere in the county of Essex and also my copyhold land holden of the manor of Colne Priory in the same county to have and to hold the same lands and tenements with the appurtenances unto the said
Eliz
my wife and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give devise and bequeath all the same lands and tenements
(rest of line unclear as document folded badly)
son
Jn Potter
and to his heirs and assigns forever provided always and upon condition notwithstanding viz that my said son
Jn Potter
his heirs executors or assigns shall well and truly pay unto my son
Jeff Potter
or his assigns the sum of 20li of lawful money of England within two years next after my wife's decease and for non payment thereof my will and meaning is that it shall be lawful for my said son
Jeff
to enter upon the same lands and tenements and hold and enjoy the same until the said 20li shall be thereby fully satisfied and paid item I give devise and bequeath unto the said
Eliz
my wife all that my messuage or tenement and 3a of land with the appurtenances called Humfryes situate lying and being in White Colne aforesaid and holden of the manor of Barwickhall for and during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give and bequeath the said messuage or tenement and 3a of land with the appurtenances called Humfryes unto the said
Jeff Potter
my son and his heirs forever according to the custom of the said manor of Barwickhall item I give devise and bequeath unto the said
Eliz
my wife all that my messuage or tenement with the yards orchards and gardens and other the appurtenances thereunto belonging
Jeff Potter
(inserted)
situate lying and being in the parish of St Martens in Colchester in the said county of Essex to have and to hold the same with the appurtenances unto the said
Eliz
my wife her heirs and assigns forever to the intent that the said
Eliz
my wife shall sell the premises last mentioned with the appurtenances to the uttermost value and the money thereof coming or arising my will and meaning is shall be distributed and laid out for and towards the payment of my debts and the legacies by me given in and by this my last will and testament item I give and bequeath unto my daughter
Eliz Potter
the sum of 40li of lawful money of England to be paid unto her by my executrix hereafter named and her executor in manner and form following viz 30li thereof when she shall accomplish her full age of 21yr and 10li thereof residue within six months next after my said wife's decease item I give and bequeath unto my daughter
Sara
the like sum of 40li
(rest of line unclear as document folded badly)
and her executor administrator after her decease in manner and form following viz 30li thereof when as she shall accomplish her full age of 21yr and 10li thereof residue within six months next after my said wife's decease item I give and bequeath unto my daughter
Rebecca
the like sum of 40li to be paid unto her by my said executrix and her executors or administrators after her decease in manner and form following viz 30li thereof when as she shall accomplish her full age of 21yr and 10li thereof residue within six months next after my said wife's decease item I give and bequeath unto my daughter
Mary
the like sum of 40li to be paid unto her by my said executrix and her executors or administrators in manner and form following viz 30li thereof when as she the said
Mary
shall accomplish her full age of 21yr and 10li thereof residue within six months next after my said wife's decease
Jeff Potter
(inserted)
and if it fortune any of my said daughters to die or decease before they accomplish their said ages that then I give and bequeath her part and portion of them so deceasing to the other of them then surviving to be paid unto them when they shall accomplish their said ages of 21yr all the rest of my goods cattle chattels household stuff and implements of household jewels plate and ready money whatsoever I give and bequeath unto the said
Eliz
my wife whom I make sole executrix of this my last will and testament and of the execution of the same I make and ordain my dearly be loved brother
Tobias Potter
overseer and I utterly revoke and annul all and every other former testament wills legacies bequests executors and overseers by me in any wise before this time named willed and bequeathed in witness whereof I the said
Jeff Potter
have to this my testament and last will containing three sheets of paper to every sheet thereof subscribed my name and put my seal the day and year aforesaid sealed subscribed and published in the presence of us
Walt Procter
Thos Dewsly
Sara Dewsly
Jeff Potter