in the name of god amen I Jn Carter of Earls Colne in the county of Essex yeoman being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect disposing mind and memory thanks be given to almighty god for the same do make ordain and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following first and principally I commit my soul into the hands of almighty god my only saviour and redeemer hoping through the merits of jesus christ to have pardon and remission of all my sins and as to my body I desire it may be decently buried by the discretion of my executor hereafter named and as to such worldly estate as god of his infinite mercy and goodness far above my deserts to bestowed upon me I dispose thereof as followeth first I will all those debts which I owe and am justly indebted to any person whatsoever be satisfied and paid within some convenient time after my decease by my executor hereafter named and whereas I do owe and am justly indebted unto Edw Johnson of Earls Colne aforesaid maltster in the sum of 50li of lawful money of England for security whereof I have by indenture of feoffment conveyed all that my messuage or tenement commonly called or known by the name of Cowland or by whatever other name or names the same be called or known with the lands meadows and pastures thereunto belonging as the same are now in the occupation of the said Jn Carter or his assigns or undertenants and are situate lying and being in Earls Colne aforesaid now for the payment of the said 50li and the interest thereof and all other my just debts I give and bequeath unto my loving friend and kinsman Jn Plume of Stansted Leete in the parish of Halsted and to his heirs forever all that my said messuage or tenement called by the name of Cowland or by whatsoever other name or names the same be called or known with all the lands meadows pastures and feedings thereunto belonging with their and every of their appurtenances as the same are situate lying and being in the said parish of Earls Colne aforesaid and now are in the tenure and occupation of the said Jn Carter or his assigns upon this condition that the said Jn Plume his heirs executors or administrators shall within some convenient time after my decease so soon as he can sell and convey the said messuage or tenement lands and premises herein before mentioned with the appurtenances unto such person or persons and their heirs forever as will give the worth thereof and all such sum and sums of money as shall arrive upon the sale of the lands herein before mentioned and given to be sold as aforesaid my will and meaning is that part thereof shall be for the payment of the said debt of 50li and the interest thereof due to the said Edw Johnson for which the premises herein before mentioned and given to be sold are mortgaged for the payment thereof as also all such other debts which I justly owe and shall be due at the time of my death and also all such charges and expenses as the said Jn Plumme shall lay out and expend in and about the execution thereof and for his necessary trouble and pains and as to the overplus which shall arises and be made upon the sale of my said lands given to be sold as aforesaid after my debts and charges satisfied as aforesaid my will and meaning is shall be by the said Jn Plumme put out and disposed of at interest and the interest and profit thereof yearly arising and be made my will is shall be paid unto Ann Shelley my wife until Mary Carter my daughter Jn Carter (seal) (inserted) shall attain unto the age of 21yr or be married which shall first happen for and towards the bringing up of the said Mary Carter my daughter and my will is that the principal money which remain upon the sale of my said lands and to be disposed of and put out by the said Jn Plumme as aforesaid when my said daughter Mary Carter shall attain her age of 21yr or within one month after her marriage shall be equally divided between the said Ann Shelley my wife and the said Mary my daughter share and share like and if it shall happen the said Mary Carter my daughter shall depart this life before she attain the age of 21yr or be married then my will and mind is the said Ann Shelley my wife shall have the share or part which the said Mary Carter my daughter should have had to be paid her within one year after the death of the said Mary Carter my daughter and if it shall happen the said Ann Shelley my wife shall depart this life before the said Mary Carter shall attain her age of 21yr or be married then my will and meaning is my said daughter Mary Carter shall have and enjoy the part or share which the said Ann Shelley my wife should have enjoyed item I give and bequeath unto the said Ann Shelley my wife all and singular my household stuff now standing and being in the house wherein I now dwell until my said daughter Mary Carter shall attain her age of 16yr and then my will and meaning is that the said Jn Plumme or his executors shall divide the said goods and household stuff equally between the said Ann Shelley my wife and the said Mary Carter my daughter share and share like and I do desire the said Jn Plumme within some convenient time after my decease to inventory my said goods and household stuff and see that none be disposed of by the said Ann Shelley my wife without the consent or approbation of the said Jn Plumme and I do hereby ordain and constitute the said Jn Plumme sole executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this 7.9.1683 which said will consists of one sheet and three quarters of paper signed sealed published and declared to be the last will and testament of the said Jn Carter in the presence of us Eliz Bridge Geo Toller Jn Somervell Jn Carter