Some C16th Stanford Rivers Wills

RICHARD BALLARDE of Stanford Rivers husbandman, 9 July 1581.

To CONYERS the smith a bushel of wheat. To Agnes BRETT my servant my sow hog at Richard FINCHE's with the profit of her. To Francis my youngest son my best chest in the parlour. I will that the joined chest standing in the parlour shall remain to the use of him which shall have the house wherein I dwell after the decease of my mother [not named]. If my wife Marion shall chance to marry, she shall deliver out of the goods which I intend to give her to Thomas CLERKE my brother-in-law £10 to be paid by him to my 2 younger sons William and Francis, each £5 at 21; if both die before, the £10 to be equally divided amongst my other children [not named]. And for that my ability is not such that I may give anything to my 2 daughters or my 2 younger sons for their advancement, considering that the small portion of goods is not sufficient for my wife's maintenance and to bring up my children whereupon I die mean and would have surrendered those copyhold lands and tenements after my mother's decease which if I had lived should have been mine to the use of my wife for 6 years [so] that thereby she should not have paid William and Francis and my 2 daughters Joan and Eleanor each £10, but for that I am confirmed that I cannot do anything that may to effect (my mother being alive), therefore in most humble wise I do most trustily desire the lords of whom the lands are holden that my mind (specially that my 2 younger sons and my 2 daughters may have £10 apiece) may be satisfied if it shall please God to call away my mother, my son Richard, or he who shall be the heir thereof to perform the payment of the £10 to his brethren and sisters. The rest of my goods to my wife. I make her and Thomas CLERKE exors. and my brother-in-law Robert PEELE overseer. Wit. John FINCHE the elder, William TYMOND, Andrew GLASCOCK.

JOHN HART of Stanford Rivers yeoman, 18 May, 29 Eliz. 1587.

To the poor people that shall resort to my burial 12s. to be distributed at the discretion of my exors. There shall be bestowed in bread, drink and meat 30s. to make my neighbours and friends drink at my burial. To Thomas DOWSET and John DUNSTON of Stanford 12d. apiece and to 7 other of the poorest householders 8d. apiece at my burial day. To Robert NEWTON, old STEELE, old NEWMAN, and old GLADWIN of Theydon Garnon 6d. apiece. To Gerard DOWSET my son-in-law 20s. To John FORDE of Nazeing my brother. in-law 10s., Joan PICKERING 30s. and Elizabeth BROWNE widow 10s. To each of the brethren and sisters of my wife which are now living 20s. apiece. To Katherine PEYSON of Nazeing 10s. To Susan STANDERD my sister's daughter 20s. To 20 of my godchildren 20d. apiece so that they require it within 1 year after my decease. To Joan now wife of John PEASE my son-in-law £3 6s.8d. to bestow on herself and her children and to Joan HART daughter of my son John my best chest and the old cupboard at his house, and the cupboard in the chamber at Stanford where I lie, at 21 or marriage; if both die before, to the rest of the children of John HART. To Ellen my well-beloved wife £80 and 20s. in the hands of John PEASE her son to be paid by him. She shall have the £80 and 20s. only on condition that she do not claim my jointure, dower or third in my tenement called Stubbes in Theydon Garnon but shall release to John son of my son John her right and title of dower in the said tenement if she be required. To my wife all such goods, linen and woollen which I brought to Stanford and is in the house of John PEASE, except my wearing apparel, 2 cushions and 1 cobiron, which I give to John my son, and 1 coverlet of black and yellow which I give to John PEASE my godson after my wife's decease. My wife shall have an annuity of £3 6s.8d. as it hath been paid to me in the right of my wife, to be paid to her for her life by Richard EVE or any other according to an arbitrament in that behalf made. Whereas there is in the hands of John PEASE £35, he shall be charged therewith towards the payment of other my legacies as the same shall extend. To John son of John HART my son my messuage called Stubbes with the meadow or garden adjoining in Theydon Garnon, on condition that he (John my son's son) shall within 3 years after he is 21 pay and distribute among his brothers and sisters £5 if demanded. To John PEASE my son-in-law 20s. Whereas I have put into the hands of Francis MICHELL of Theydon Garnon gentleman £60 to be apportioned amongst all the children which my son John and Grace his wife shall have at the time of John's death I will that Francis shall be charged with payment thereof according to a recognizance, dated I May 27 Eliz, [1585] acknowledged by him wherein he standeth bound to John HURST of Sheering for payment of the same to the children of John HURST and that my exors. be discharged thereof; provided that my hearty desire and request to my exors. and overseers is that they will aid the children for the recovery of their portions of the £110 at the hands of Francis MYCHELL if cause shall require. To the children of my son John £12 to be equally divided, to remain in stock and be put forth by my exors. and the profit and increase of the stock shall be paid to John and Grace his wife and the longer liver towards the bringing up of their children. To the children of John PEASE my son-in law £3 6s.8d: to- be employed in stock to their use. To the servants of John PEASE 33s 4d. amongst them. I make Thomas HURST of Sheering and John PEASE my son-in-law exors. and for their pains 13s.4d. apiece. I ordain John my son of Theydon Garnon and Andrew GLASCOCKE of Stanford supervisors, and for their pains l0s. apiece. Wit. John HART the father, Thomas HURST, Andrew GLASCOCK, John PEASE, Thomas PEACOCK, John HART.

Codicil. The testator did revoke 40s. given to his son John, and l0s. out of the 30s. given to 'Jerrett'.DOWSETT his son-in-law, and £3 6s.8d. given to his wife to employ in stock amongst his son's children; £5 l0s. taken out of his Will he willed to John PEASE his son-in-law, on condition that he should pay to Jane HARTE daughter of the testator £5 at Michaelmas next after his decease come 7 years, i.e, 1595; in respect whereof Jane should have no part of the £12 given to the children of his son John. Pr. 1 July 1588 by John PEASE one of the exors., the other exor. renouncing; inventory exhibited at £1S4 15s.2d.

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HENRY STANE of Stanford Rivers yeoman, 1585

To William my son the lease of Barwickes, on condition that he keep me for my life, finding sufficient meat and drink; but if he die before me, the lease shall remain to me again. I will that forth of this lease William shall pay yearly to my son 40s. during the term of the lease to the use of my children that shall have most need. To William all my horses; sheep and cattle (except and reserved 4 of the best kine to me) and my corn in the barn and on ground growing on my farm. I will that William deliver to Elizabeth PACHE my daughter yearly for 10 years, in consideration of 20s. given her by her grandfather's [not named) Will, 6 bushels of the best wheat and pay me yearly to the end of my life 40s. To my son John £10. To my daughter Thomasine SCUAGS [recte SNAGS?1 40s. within 2 years; to my daughter Joan BARRATE 33s.4d.; to my daughter Dorothy FYNCHE 20s.; and to my daughter Grace BIRDE 20s.; all in consideration of their grandfather's Will. To Henry son of John STANE 20s. within 3 years. To John PACHE l0s. within 4 years. To Richard BARRAT 3s.4d. To my son John the bedsteadle and bed which I lie on and 4 pewter platters and my son Robert's children other 4 pewter platters. To the poor people 12s, The rest of my goods to William, whom I make exor. I make John overseer. Wit. John FINCH the elder, Henry ELY, Thomas HOWKINS writer, and for his pains l0s. Pr. 4 Feb. 1585/6.

Allegation concerning the contumacy of Avice widow of Henry STANE, he being of sane mind.