The Will of Thomas Lake of Stanford Rivers, Yeoman, 10 March 1600

To the poor people of Sewardstone in Waltham Holy Cross 20s. and of Stanford Rivers 40s., so that the most godly, aged and honest poor shall be relieved. To Margaret my well-beloved wife £100 in recompense of such sums I have already entered into bonds to William Glascocke her father to leave her at my decease. She shall have and use the new wainscot parlour with the furniture belonging, also a double parcel gilt salt, all during her widowhood; if she marry or dieth, to my son William. To her my old gelding and pasture and keeping for him on my farm or lease ground of Stanford Hall. To her an annuity of £8, on condition that she shall not trouble my son Denbigh Lake for my customary lands in Chingford which shall descend to him, being my younger son, according to the custom [of the manor]. To William my lease of the manor of Stanford Hall, paying out of the profits to my son Thomas £20 yearly for 3 years after my decease and £60 more to be paid to him by my executors out of my goods.

To my daughters Margaret Perye £20 and Isabel £90 and Lettice £100 at marriage or 20. I forgive my son-in-law John Curle £17 of the debt which he oweth me by bill. To Mary Courle his daughter 40s. To my daughter Joan Bowyer £5. To Lettice the bullock which I promised and gave her before. To my sons Henry and Denbigh and Isabel each one of my two-year-old bullocks. To Denbigh the bedsteadle which I have at Sewardstone. To Henry which of the tables there that he will choose.

The residue of my household stuff with the carts and other lumber there (except the brick) to Henry and Denbigh to be equally divided. To every one of my servants 6s.8d. To Denbigh £10. To William my messuage and lands in Stanford Rivers, in the tenure of Widow Tailor. To Henry my messuage and lands belonging in Theydon Garnon in that of William Symon. To Thomas my messuage and lands in Matching and High Laver in that of John Ingolde. To Denbigh my messuage and lands in Chingford in that of Thomas Curtis. If Thomas shall be disposed to sell his lands before my wife’s decease, William shall have them, paying Thomas £80. My executors shall have the rule of Isabel and Lettice to see them brought up in the fear of God and in an honest and Christian course of life, for the performance of which they shall the use of their legacies (their bullocks excepted) until 20 or marriage. To Henry £5.
The residue of my goods, corn and cattle to my wife and William, whom I make executors. I nominate my very good friend and bretheren-in-law Andrew Glascocke of Whelley and Thomas Perrye of [?Great] Warley my son-in-law overseers, and for their advice and pains 40s. apiece.

Witnesses: Richard Clarke, John Pease, Thomas Lake, Thomas Perie.