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