in the name of god amen I Jn Houldon of Earls Colne in the county of Essex saymaker being of an infirm and weak body but of good and perfect mind and memory thanks be to god therefore do hereby make and declare this to be my last will and testament revoking all other former wills by me heretofore made whatsoever and first I commit my soul into the hands of almighty god the maker thereof and my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be buried decently at the discretion of my executors hereafter named not doubting of a glorious resurrection of soul and body through the merits of jesus christ my saviour and first my mind is the debts I justly owe be truly paid amongst which the greatest is to my son in law Thos Meadows to whom I am obliged by several bonds to pay 300li at several days of payment which is in full of the portion agreed to be paid unto him upon his marriage of my daughter Mary his now wife which I do desire may be paid as it grows due item I give unto my son Jn Houlden 1s of lawful english money item I give and bequeath unto my son Sam Houlden the sum of 5li of lawful money of England to be paid unto the said Sam Houlden within three years next after my decease but if the said Sam Houlden shall depart this life before legacy of 5li shall be due and payable that then the said legacy to be void item I give and bequeath unto my son Simon Houlden the sum of 5li of lawful money of England to be paid unto the said Symon Houlden within four years next after my decease and the rest of all my estate of what quality or condition soever my debts legacies and funeral expenses being paid and satisfied I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Margt Houlden provided with condition that if she shall happen to marry or take to husband any person after my decease that it is my mind and will that the said Margt my wife before her marriage shall give good and sufficient security to pay unto my two daughters Letitia Houlden and Eliz Houlden the sum of 150li apiece of lawful money of England according to the intent of my this my will as lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my well beloved wife Margt Houlden and my beloved brother Jas Lynnett of Markshall yeoman to be my executors of this my last will and testament not doubting of their faithful performance of the trust reposed in them and I give to my brother Jas Lynnett aforesaid as a token of my respect and love 5s in witness whereof I the said Jn Houlden have hereunto set my hand and seal dated the 14.6.1676 sealed and delivered declared and published as the last will and testament of the said Jn Houlden in the presence of Jn Bagshawe Jn Smith Jn Houlden