Ruth# Hatch#
Robt Potter
in the name of god amen I
Robt Potter
the elder of Colne Engaine in the county of Essex yeoman being of disposing mind and to settle peace in my family after my decease do make and ordain this my last will and testament revoking and annulling hereby all former and other wills whatsoever formerly by me made first and above all I commend my soul into the hands of god my father hoping through the merits of my blessed saviour jesus christ to receive and inheritance among the sanctified by his holy spirit my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried amongst my ancestors at the discretion of my executor hereafter named and for those worldly goods that god hath given me I make the disposal following item I give and bequeath to
Mary
my now loving wife out of my lands called Brantons situate and being in Colne Engaine aforesaid yearly and every year during her natural life the sum of 5li of lawful english money to be paid to her or her assigns half yearly by equal portions or according to the tenor of a bond made to her upon our inter marriage and in full performance of the said sum in the said bond this yearly payment to be made by my executor herein named item I further will that my said executor shall at the desire of my said wife deliver to her or her assigns my best bed now standing in the parlour in my dwelling house called Brantons with all the appurtenances thereunto whatsoever as also all goods and chattels whatsoever that came to me by reason of our inter marriage and also all corn of what kind soever shall be in or upon the lands lying in Colne Engaine aforesaid which I now or shall have in possession in right my said wife and further I give and bequeath to the said
Mary
my loving wife the sum of 40s to be paid by my executor whom I command to respect and tender as my wife item I give and bequeath to my son
Thos Potter
10li of lawful english money to be paid within three months after his demand thereof from my executor and 10li more of like english money within six months after his demand thereof from my executor and in case he come not to demand and receive either of the said sums before
Eliz
his daughter now living shall attain her age of 21yr or happen to be married which shall first be then I will and bequeath unto my grandchild
Eliz
daughter of the said
Thos
10li part of the said 20li to be paid unto her by my executor item I give unto my grandchild
Thos Crosse
10li to put him out an apprentice at the discretion of my executor item I give to my grandchildren
Margt
and
Susanna Crosse
each of them 10li of lawful english money to be paid by my executor at their several days or marriage or 21yr of age which shall first happen item I do give and bequeath to my daughter
Mary
the wife of
Jn Penhacke
of Earls Colne in the county aforesaid the full sum of 30li of lawful money of England to be laid out by my executor hereafter named for the purchase of a house for my said daughter to be settled upon her during the time of her natural life and after her decease my will and meaning is the my said executor or whom he shall appoint by any writing under his hand and seal shall have power to sell the said house and convert the said money arising by the sale thereof to the use of the sons and daughters of the said
Mary
to be equally divided among them or according to the discretion of my executor or of such person that he shall desire and appoint to perform the said fore recited trust and I do also leave it to the discretion of my executor to give or lend unto my said son in law
Jn Penhacke
any small sum of money to buy him a head or two of ware to try his husbandry in his calling of a butcher and if it should so happen that he make good use thereof then in that case I would desire my executor to give or lend to him so much money as may buy him a heifer of small bullock so that all the several sums that my executor shall at his discretion give or lend to him exceed not 5li being put together item I do give and bequeath to each and ever of my own sons and their several wives to each and every of my sons in law and to my daughters their wives to each and every of them half a crown to buy every of them a pair of gloves to wear and keep in remembrance of their father and although it be but a small token yet I am moved to give it them as a testimony of my love to them and as a testimony I leave of their great kindness and love to me while I was living and I desire them to accept it accordingly earnestly entreating them all to live together as brethren and sisters in all m
utual love and kindness
assisting one another with their mutual counsels and best advice all my houses land called Brantons with all quitrents fines profits and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto appertaining together with all monies goods bonds debts chattels whatsoever or wheresoever belonging unto me not herein given and bequeathed I do my this my last will and testament give and bequeath to my son
Robt Potter
of Earls Colne in the county of Essex aforesaid for the payment of my several debts and legacies herein bequeathed for the discharging also necessary funeral expenses straightly charging him faithfully to perform the same and in confidence thereof I do hereby nominate ordain and appoint him the said
Robt Potter
my son my sole and alone executor of this my last will and testament desiring of god that with my lands and goods given to him and his heirs the blessing of god also my accompany the same in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the
17.3.1677
signed sealed published and declared for my last will and testament in the presence of
Ralph Josselin
Sam London
Ruth# Hatch#
Robt Potter