in the name of god amen the 28.8.1637 I Sam Burton the elder of Earls Colne in the county of Essex yeoman being sick in body yet in perfect remembrance thanks be to almighty god do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following first I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty god my creator hoping and steadfastly believing by the merit death and resurrection of jesus christ my saviour to attain free pardon and remission of all my sins and my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my executrix hereafter in this my will mentioned imprimis I give and bequeath unto Ann my well beloved wife all those my houses (torn) and tenements being customary with the appurtenances lying and being in Earls Colne aforesaid that is to say the house wherein I now dwell with the appurtenances edifices yards (torn) orchards with the close of land lying on the backside thereof and the house (torn) my son Sam now dwelleth with all edifices yards gardens orchards and all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging and also that house and tenement with the appurtenances wherein Edw Newton the elder now dwelleth and that croft of land called Crosfield near the pound in Earls Colne or by what other name or names the same be called or known by for and during her natural life item I give and bequeath unto Sam Burton my eldest son and to his heirs forever the reversion and remainder of that house wherein he now dwelleth with the appurtenances edifices yards gardens and orchards immediately from and next after the decease of the said Ann my wife item I give and bequeath unto the said Sam my son and to his heirs forever the reversion and remainder of all those my lands meadows and pastures being customary lying and being in Colne Engaine aforesaid to have and to hold the said lands meadows and pastures aforesaid to the said Sam my son and to his heirs forever immediately from and next after the decease of the said Ann my wife yielding and paying there out the sum of 50li of lawful money of England unto Grace Burton my daughter within six months next after the decease of the said Ann my wife and likewise yielding and paying there out the sum of 50li more of lawful money of England unto my daughter Ann the wife of Geo March within twelve months after the decease of the said Ann my wife if she shall have then any issue or to any issue then living but if it shall please god that she have not any issue at the day of payment as aforesaid then my will and meaning is that my son Sam shall pay the said 50li unto my daughter Mary Burton item I give and bequeath unto my son Rich Burton the reversion and remainder of that house or tenement with the appurtenances wherein Edw Newton the elder now dwelleth and the reversion and remainder of that close of land called Crosfield lying near the pound in Earls Colne aforesaid or by what other name or names the same is called or known by to have and to hold the tenement aforesaid together with the close of land called Crosfield to him the said Rich Burton and to his heirs forever immediately from (torn) after the decease of the said Ann my wife item I give and bequeath unto Wm Burton my youngest son the reversion and remainder of that messuage or customary tenement wherein I now dwell together with the edifices yards gardens orchards with all and singular other the appurtenances thereunto belonging together with the close of land lying and adjoining being to the backside thereof to have and to hold the messuage aforesaid with the appurtenances together with the close of land aforesaid to him the said Wm Burton and to his heirs forever immediately from and next after the decease of the said Ann my wife and my will and meaning is that if my son Wm shall depart this life without any issue before he shall enjoy his portion as aforesaid that then my son Rich shall have the house and croft before bequeathed to my son Wm as aforesaid paying out thereof for my daughter Mary the sum of 50li of lawful money of England within six months next after the decease of Ann my wife Sam Burton (inserted) and my will and meaning is that if my daughters Mary and Grace or either of them shall depart this life without issue before their portions shall grow due unto them that then the portion or portions of them or either of them so deceased shall be equally divided amongst the rest of my children then living item I give and bequeath unto Ann my wife my debts being paid and my funeral charges expended the rest of all my goods and chattels whom I make and ordain my sole executrix of this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke and renounce all former will or wills by me made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first mentioned and expressed subscribed in the (torn) Sam Burton