Wills (ERO D/ACW18/69 D/ACR8/78 Edw Potter 1667/8 1668)

6.3.1668 (Friday 6 March 1668)

document 4601080

to all christian people to whom this present writing shall come to be seen and read know ye that I Edw Potter the elder of Earls Colne in the county of Essex yeoman being of perfect memory praised be god almighty for it do hereby ordain declare and make this present writing herein containing my last will and testament in manner and form following renouncing all other and former wills by me void and to be of none effect and as for all all (sic) temporal estate which god in mercy he hath endued me with I do hereby give and bequeath as followeth imprimis I do give and bequeath unto my son Edw Potter 3a more or less of meadow which I hold by lease which purchased of Rich Harlakenden esq deceased for a thousand years at the yearly rent of 2d called by the name of Hall Ponds otherwise called How Ponds lying in the parish of Earls Colne aforesaid lying in Beare Crofts or Ashwell Crofts abutting upon the north and abutting upon the lands of Rich Harlakenden of Colne Pryory called Sidcob and Riefeild on the south upon condition that my said son Edw Potter shall pay out of the same unto Edw Potter my brother Geo Potter's son's son the sum of 15li of lawful money of England soon after he shall attain and come to the age of 21yr and likewise shall pay unto the brother of the said last named Edw the sum of 20s upon condition my said kinsman Edw Potter shall pass a good and perfect surrender unto my said son Edw of the tenement or tenements wherein Wm Newton and Jn Pilgrim now dwell in nevertheless if my said kinsman Edw Potter shall not but refuse to pass a good and perfect surrender as aforesaid unto my said son Edw Potter then my said son Edw shall pay unto my said kinsman Edw Potter and to his brother but 20d apiece and my former bequest of 15li to be null and void and of none effect item I do hereby give and bequeath more unto my son Edw Potter the one half or moiety of Nox Meadow which I purchased of Hen Amies and his wife and the other moiety and half part I do hereby give and bequeath unto my son Geo and my mind and will is that the same meadow shall be and remain unto the longer liver of my said two sons and to his heirs forever item I do hereby give and bequeath unto my son Edw Potter the barn and the stable and the piece of free land which I purchased of Robt Potter whereon I builded the said barn and stable and likewise one other parcel of free land called Wrenns Park purchased of one Barth Church upon condition that he shall pay unto my grandson Wm Read the full sum of 10li of lawful money of England so soon as he shall accomplish and attain to the age of 21yr upon condition that my son in law Wm Reade shall not make any disturbance for any rent due to him for Parkers Garden which if he do challenge any this my gift of 10li unto my said grandson Wm Read to be void and of none effect sealed subscribed and delivered in the presence Jn Pennocke Jn Finch Edw Potter (inserted) item I do hereby give and bequeath unto my son Geo Potter my field called Beare Crofte with the windmill now standing upon the same to him and his heirs forever item I do give and bequeath more to him and to his heirs a croft and an orchard which I purchased of one Jn Rookes holding upon the manor of Gilberds joining onto the said Beare Croft on the north all lying in Earls Colne item I do hereby give more unto my son Geo Potter certain customary or copyhold tenements which I purchased of one Rich Rookes wherein Geo Peartree and Geo Man now live in lying in Earls Colne aforesaid to hold according to the custom of the manor whereon it holdeth and one other tenement which I purchased of one Cooke all which to remain to him and his heirs forever and my mind and will is that my son Geo shall pay unto my granddaughter Mary Read the full sum of 10li of lawful english money at her age of 21yr and if my son Geo his heirs executors administrators or assigns shall refuse to pay or not to pay unto my said granddaughter Mary Read the said 10li as aforesaid that then it shall be lawful for my said granddaughter to enter into all my said freehold lands before to my son Geo herein before bequeathed and to enjoy all the same to her and to her heirs forever item my mind and will is that my son in law Wm Read shall enjoy and occupy all my lands both copyhold and freehold as they now are in his occupation and possession yielding and paying unto my said two sons the full sum of 30li of lawful english money yearly equally between them the same to be paid half yearly by even and equal portions during the full term of three years from the 25.12.last past and no longer upon condition he my said son in law Wm Read shall keep them or one of them one horse or mare running and feeding in his pastures and with hay and paying all the out rents all the said term of three years as aforesaid my executor clearing and paying all the out rents due to the lord of the manor before the said 25.12.last past and that the said Wm Read shall and may take all the tops and lopping of all the trees upon the premises that are above six years growth in an equal proportion and not to stub up nor fell down any manner of trees or timber all the said term of the croppings and loppings to be spent upon the premises and not elsewhere and I do hereby declare publish ordain and make my said son Edw Potter and my loving wife my executors of this my last will and testament giving unto them all my goods and chattels unbequeathed to see my body decently buried and to pay all my debts and legacies herein bequeathed item I do hereby give and bequeath unto the poor people of the parish of Earls Colne the sum of 5li of lawful english money to be distributed by my executors where most need is and my mind and will is that my two sons Edw and Geo shall enjoy the windmill together during the term of the three years before mentioned in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and se al the 6.3.1668 sealed subscribed in the presence of Jn Pennocke Jn Finch Edw Potter