The Essex Records Office at Chelmsford hold the will of Samuel Playle of Stanford Rivers, dated 1711.
The will reads thus:
In the name of God Amen I Samuel Playle of Stanford Rivers in the County of Essex being sick in Body but of sound disposing mind and memory (thanks be given to almighty God) do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that I to say) first commend my soul into the mercifull hands of God my creator, trusting thro the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ my alone Saviour and Redeemer my sins will be forgiven me. My body I comit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter named. And as for the worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I dispose there of as follows.
……I give to my loving wife Mary all my houses and lands for ten years from the date hereof both Free Hoppy and the Farm called Clark, in Stanford Rivers during her life and I give her all my personal estate with in doors and without.
Item I give to my eldest son Samuel and his heirs for ever the two Farms in Stanford Rivers called Blakes and Susslands and after the space of ten years wch my wife is to enjoy them.
Item I give to my younger son Mathew and his heirs for ever the Farm in Stanford Rivers called Clarks after his mother has enjoyed it for her life.
Item I give to my two daughters Mary and Elizabeth an hundred pounds a piece to be payd them on the day of their marriage or at the age of one and twenty wch shall first happen and for the payment thereof I…my copyhold land in ……. Wch I order my wife to sell…if it fall short of that money to make it up out of my Lands and personal estate. If one of my daughters die without heirs of her body the other is to have her portion if both die, the next heir at law, for my will is that in case of death their portions should legally descend from one to the other in my family.
I doe nominate and appoint my loving wife Mary sole executrix of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of February 1711.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Samuel Playle to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names in his presence.
Robert King
Thomas Smith his mark
James Mills
Richard Hewytt
Samuel Playle was born in 1671 in Stanford Rivers the son of Samuel Playle (1645 - 1703) and Clemence. He married Mary King on the 24 August 1704 at Stapleford Tawney, and they had five children:
Mary born 1705
Samuel born 1706 died 1707
Samuel born 1708 died 1781
Matthew born 1709 died 1794
Elizabeth born 1710.
In 1705 and again in 1708 and 1709-10, Samuel Playle is a churchwarden in Stanford Rivers.
His son Samuel (born 1708) was baptized at Stanford Rivers on May 2, 1708. He married Sarah Mills of Stanford Rivers at Stapleford Tawney, on April 15, 1740,
Samuel wrote a will on October 20, 1774 that stated:
"... unto my Daughter Mary the wife of Mr. John Waylett and her Heirs All that my customary Messuage or Tenement where in Charles Robinson doth now dwell with the Barns Stables outhouses buildings yards gardens orchards and appartenances and als all the arable meadow and pasture lands to the said messuage or tenement belonging containing together by estimation Eighteen Acres moree or less as the same are situate and being Stanford Rivers aforesaid and now in my own Occupation and which I pruchased of Sarah Beckwith Widow John Beckwith her son and John Crooke"
"I give and divse my loving wife Sarah Playle all that my freehold Messuage or Tenement called Blacks otherwise Blakes and Seslands and also all that my cottage or tenement with the Orchard Garden and the appurtenancnes... and now in the occupation of Samuel Playle and Thomas Crabb my undertenant..."
also owns land in Stapleford Common in the Parish of Stapleford Tawney
"...to the use of my grandson Richard Waylett..."
"... the use of my grandson John Waylett shall happen to die before he shall attain his age of twenty one years..."
"I bequeath unto my nephew Matthew Playle and to my Nieces Mary Playle and Maragretta Maria Playle the sum of Ten pounds a piece..."
"... my son in law Mr John Waylett"
A Samuel Playle, son of the above Samuel and Sarah (Mills) was buried in the churchyard at Stanford Rivers on 17 August 1744. He is described in the burial register as ‘an infant.’
Cesslands Farm.
In 1768-73 Stanford Hall farm, with Crumpscroft and Fresholts, consisted of 298 acres and was leased to Matthew Playle for £160 a year gross. Land-tax and the cost of repairs were deducted from the rent and in 1768 he paid £129 to his landlord.