Wills (PROB11/294/403 Edw Spooner 1652 1659)

23.6.1652 (Wednesday 23 June 1652)

document 4300665

(first couple of lines from a rough transcript the rest verbatim) in the name of god amen the 23.6.1652 I Edw Spooner of Earls Colne yeoman being frail and weak and revoke all former will or wills by me heretofore made whatsoever first and principally I commend my soul into the merciful hands of almighty god the father my creator and to his son ever blessed and beloved son jesus christ my alone redeemer and to the holy ghost my only comforter and my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently buried according to my degree at the discretion of my hereafter named executrix and for that part and portion of my worldly goods wherewith it hath pleased almighty god to bless me withal imprimis I do give and bequeath unto Francis Spooner my youngest son all my copyhold messuage or tenement and five parcels or closes of copyhold land holden of the manor of Much Tey by copy of court roll with all and singular the houses buildings barns stables outhouses yards gardens orchards and all other the appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging called Cavells and Lady Wood Crofts or by whatsoever other name or names the same or any part or parcel thereof now is or at any time heretofore hath been called and containing in the whole by estimation 15a be it more or less as the same is now in the tenure and occupation of Edw Spooner my eldest son to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement and lands with the appurtenances unto the said Francis my son for and during the term of his natural life upon these conditions hereafter following item after the death of my said son Francis I do give and bequeath the same unto the eldest son of my said son Francis and his heirs forever if it shall please god to leave him a son provided always and my true intent and meaning is that if it shall happen that my said son Francis shall die without any son then I give and bequeath the said messuage or tenement and lands with all the appurtenances unto Edw Spooner my grandchild the son of my said son Edw and to his heirs forever and also I will that the said Francis my son shall pay unto Edw Spooner my eldest son the full sum of 5li of good and lawful money of England every year during the natural life of Ann my beloved wife and I do charge him to pay the same during the term of his mother's life as he shall expect any blessing from god upon what I do leave him all the rest of my goods chattels and cattle whatsoever or wheresoever unbequeathed after all my debts legacies and funeral charges are paid and satisfied I do give and bequeath unto the said Ann my beloved wife for and during the full term of her natural life and then after her decease all her debts and funeral charges being first paid out of the same and satisfied then I do give and bequeath one half thereof unto the said Francis my second son and the other half or part thereof I give and bequeath unto the said Edw my eldest son and to my three daughters Mary Eliz and Ann to be equally divided amongst them part and part like and if either of my said son or daughters shall die before they come to enjoy that part of goods herein bequeathed unto them then my will and meaning is that the child or children of that son or daughter shall inherit and enjoy their father's or mother's part desiring all my said sons and daughters to carry themselves dutifully towards their mother all her time and to agree lovingly one with another as brothers and sisters ought to do and see also in parting of that little that I and their mother shall leave them after both our deceases and yet although I have given my said goods to my wife but during her life as formerly mentioned yet my mind and will is that my said wife shall not be hereby debarred from buying or selling or exchanging any part of the said goods during her time as convenient for her and her children's advantage and I do make and ordain the said Ann my beloved wife to be my only executrix to this my last will (rest from transcript) witnesses Hen Bislett and Margt Cobb