16th Century Greensted Wills

John Gladwine 19 April 1563

To be buried in Greenstead [-juxta Ongar] churchyard. To Alice my wife my house in Birchanger for her life; after her decease, to be sold, the money to be equally divided among my six children, William, Bartholomew, Geoffrey, John and Nicholas GLADWINE and Joan a PAGE my wife’s daughter. To Nicholas my fairest brass pot, my wife to have the keeping until he is 20: if he dies before it, to be freely my wife’s. To her 4 kine to help to discharge my debts and funeral withal. To Bartholomew and Geoffrey each a sheep. The rest of my sheep and lambs and also my mare and the olt to my wife. Towards the mending of Greenstead church steeple 8d. The residue of my household and cattle to my wife, whom I ordain my executrix. I make Geoffrey FYNCHE of Greenstead Hall, the overseer, and for his painstaking 12d. Witnesses: Thomas FYNCH of Stanford Rivers, Robert ROWLAND parson [rector] of Greenstead. Proved 26 May 1563.

John CLAYE the younger of Harlow, 6 Nov. 1564

To the poor people of Harlow 6s 8d. To John my son £6 13s. 4d. to be paid to him by John KYNGE of Latton Priory at 22 or marriage; 1 red bullock with a star in the forehead being 3 years old, 2 sheep, a pair of new cart wheels, the best cheese, and the best brass pot. To Henry my son £6 13s. 4d. at 22 or marriage, to be delivered by John FYNCHE of Great Parndon; 1 brown bullock, 2 sheep, the 2nd brass pot, nd the second chest. To Joan my wife my house and lands in Stanford Rivers and Greenstead [juxta Ongar] for 8 years after my decease; afterwards Robert my son shall have the rent for other 8 years to be let at the discretion of my overseers, and the rent to him at 22 or marriage; 1 red bullock, 2 sheep and 1 chest. To George my son my said house and lands after the said terms of years; 1 bullock of 3 years and 2 sheep at 15. To Joan my daughter £3 6s 8d at 18, a cupboard in thehall, a bed and 2 pewter dishes at 18. To Alice my daughter £3 6s. 8d., a featherbed, 2 pewter dishes and a hutch at 18. To John my servant 3s. 4d. and Joyce my maidservant 8d. The rest of my goods to Joan my wife, whom I make my executrix. I ordain John KYNGE and John FYNCH my overseers, and for the pains 5s each. Witnesses: John KINGE, Richard WELLES, Richard HARRYSON clerk [vicar of Harlow]. Proved 12 Mar 1564/5