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Will of Thomas FARMOR of Somerton
Will 15 Jun 1580 Probate 13 Aug 1580 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Probate 13 Aug 1580 London (PCC) ... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transcriber's and Editor's Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Not basically a complicated will, but he seems to have owned most of the Midlands and it is long and very verbose. He calls various people "servants", but they seem to be much more than the usual house-servants. Perhaps they were tenants, owing him some kind of feudal "service". The scribe sprinkles commas around quite randomly -- they should probably be mostly ignored. Hardwick and Ardley are now two villages, about two miles apart, a few miles north of Bicester. The following details are believed to be true but should not be totally relied upon: Testator: Son of Richard (1551/52 qv); Grandson of Thomas RICARDIS alias FERMER (1485 qv) & Emott FERMER (1501 qv) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Translated and paragraphed. with some of the standard preamble and "legalese" removed. Go to Glossary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
... I Thomas Farmor of Sommertonne Esq ... whole of body ...
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As transcribed from a copy of the original document. Original line- and page-breaks are preserved as far as possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In the name of god amen The xvth daie of June in the yeare of oure Lorde god 1580, and in the xxij yeare of the reigne of oure sovereigne Ladye Queene Elizabethe. I Thomas ffarmor of Sommertonne in the Countie of Oxforde Esquier beinge whole of body and of good minde, and perfecte remembraunce (thancks be to god, Doe ordaine and make this my laste will and Testamente in mann’ and fourme followinge. ffirste I bequeathe my sowle unto allmightie god my Creator and Redemer stedfastlye hopinge, and firmelye belevinge by the merritts of Christs deathe to enioie the heavenlye kingedome prepared for me, and all trewe belevers, And I will that my bodye shalbe buried in the Churche of Sommertonne aforesaide, as neere unto the body of Bridgette my late wyffe, as it convenientlie maie be, where I will my Executors shall within three yeres after my Death Cawse to be erected suche a Tombe of Alabaster, whiche shalbe sette over the bodyes of me and my saide wieff, as theie shall thincke conveinente, And I geve to be bestowed uppon the saide Tombe ffourtie poundes, And I geve towardes the Reperacions of thee saide Churche of Sommertonne xx s. And to the pooreste people inhabitinge within the towne and p’rishe of Sommerton aforesaide, Other xx s, Also I geve to the pooreste people Dwellinge or resiant within the Towne of Bridgenorthe in the Countie of Salopp the somme of ffower poundes, And to the pooreste people Inhabitinge in Astleye in the same Countie of Salopp xx s, and towardes the Reperacions of thee Churche of Astleye aforesayde x s, Also I geve to the poorest people dwellinge in the p’rishe of Wapenham in the Countie of Northampton xx s, And to the pooreste people inhabitings in Chinnor in the Countie of Oxforde other xx s, All whiche sommes of monneye before bequeathed, my will is shalbe paide and delyvered by my Executors at the Awdytte whiche shalbe kepte at Sommertonne nexte after my deceasse, and shall bee distributed amongeste the poore people, and other personnes aforesaide by myne Executors, or suche other as theie will appointe, Also I geve and bequeathe to Wiilliam Turnor my Servaunte, one Messuage or Tenemente in Sommertonne aforesaide wherein he nowe dwellethe withe all Landes, meadowes, pastures feedings, Commons and other Commodities belonginge to the same, or withe the same nowe occupied and used whiche nowe be in the Tenure and occupacion of the saide William, To have and to houlde to the saide William from the Daie of my Deathe for and Duringe the naturall lyffe of the saide William withoute any Rente or other Consideracion therefore, to be payde by the saide William to myne heires Executors or Assignes, But that onely the saide William, or his Assignes shall paie and discharge all other Rents, Dueties and Demaundes as well ordinarie as extraordinarye to be due yssuinge or goinge forthe of the premisses to any other personne or personnes, And also shall maintaine uphoulde and repaire the saide Messuage or Tenemente, And all Buyldings thereunto belonginge withe all manner of necessarie heryott accordinge to the Custome of the Mannor of Sommerton. Moreover I geve and bequeathe to James Allwoode my Servaunte one Annuytie or yerelye Rente of ffortie shillings to be issuinge and goinge forth of my Mannor, And all those my landes Tenements and hereditaments lyinge and beinge in Hardwicke Ardeleye in the Countie of Oxforde, To have houlde receyve and enioye the sayde Annuytie or yerely Rente of xl s, to the same James Allwoode and his Assignes for and duringe his naturall lyffe for and in considerac'on of his good and faithefull s'vice to me heretofore donne. And further my will and requeste is that the same James Aldwood shall duringe his lyfe serve and attende uppon my sonne Richarde ffarmor, and that hee shall doe his uttermoste indevor that my saide sonne maie be vertuouslye and godlye broughte uppe and instructed in the feare and S'vice of god, in good learninge, and all honneste qualityes decente for a gentleman, And in consideracion of his service and paines so to be taken I doe geve and bequeathe to the saide James Allwood and his assignes one other Annuitie or yerelie Rente of ffower Poundes to be issuinge and goinge forthe of my saide Mannor, and other my landes in Hardwicke Ardeley aforesayde. To have and houlde the sayde Annuytie or yerelie Rente of iiij li unto the saide James and his Assignes for and duringe so longe tyme and so many yeres as he the saide James shall serve and attende uppon my saide sonne Rycharde, Whiche severall Annuities or yerelie Rents of xl s and iiij li my will is shalbe paide unto the same James Alwoodd or his Assignes for and duringe the severall __mes above specified at the ffeasts of Saincte Michaell Tharchaungell, and the Annu’ciation of oure Ladye by even porc'ons Whereof the firste paymente shall begynne at the ffirste of the foresaide ffeasts whiche shall chaunce nexte and ymmediatlye after my decease, And if it shall fortune the sayde Annuities or yerelye Rents of xl s and iiij li or anye of theime or anye parte or percell of anye of theme to be behinde unpayde at any of the ffeasts aforesaide, in w’ch the same oughte to be paide, and by the space of one Monneth after, than my will is that it shall and maie bee lawfull to and for the saide James and his Assignes into the saide Mannor and other my landes and Tenements in Hardwick Ardeley aforesaide, to enter and distreine, And the distresse or distresss than and there so taken, to leade, dryve, carrye awaye, ympounde, and withoulde untill he or theie be of the saide severall Rentes, or Annuytyes, and of the arrerags thereof, if any be fully satisfied contented and payde, Also I geve & bequeath unto my welbeloved Nephewe Nicholas ffarmor, One Annuytye or yerelie Rente of Tenne Poundes to be yssuinge and goinge forthe of my sayde mannor, and other my landes Tenementes and hereditaments in Hardwick Ardeley aforesaide, To have houlde receyve and enioie the sayde An’uitie or yerelie Rente of x li unto the saide Nicholas ffarmer and his Assignes for and duringe his naturall lyfe, whiche Rente my will is shalbe payde unto the saide Nicholas or his Assignes at the Two moste usuall ffeasts or tearmes of payemente of the yere, that is to saye, at the ffeasts of Sainct Michaell Tharcha'ngell And the Anunci= acion of oure Ladye by even porcions, Whereof the ffirste payemente shall begynne at the ffirste of the foresaide ffeasts whiche shall Chaunce nexte and ymmedyatlie after my deathe And if it shall fortune the saide Annuitie or yerelie Rente of x li or any parte or percell thereof to be behinde unpaide at anye of the ffeasts aforesaide in whiche the same oughte to be payde and by the space of one Monneth after, Than I will and graunte that it shall and maye be lawfull to and for the saide Nicholas ffarmor and his assignes, into the mannor of Hardwicke Ardeleye, and into all other the p’misses to enter & distreyne and the distresse or distresss then and there so taken to leade, dryve, carye awaye, ympounde and w’tholde, untyll hee or theie be of the saide Rente of x li, and of the Arrerages thereof (if anye be) fully satisfyed, Contented and paide. Provided Nevertherles and my will is, that when my saide Nephewe Nicholas ffarmor shalbe advaunced, or attaine unto by discente, purchaze, gifte, graunte marriage, or other wyse so muche landes Tenements hereditaments, annuyties, or ffees as shall amounte to the clere valewe of One hundred poundes by yeare Duringe his owne or his wyves lieff That then and from the tyme of suche attainemente or advauncemente, the foresaide Annuytie or yerelie Rente of x li to him before by theise presents geven and bequeathed shall cease presents conteyned to the Contrarie notwith standinge And further I will and bequeathe unto John Bulleyne my servaunte All that my cheif Mansion howsse Messuage or Tenemente scituate lyinge and beinge in Hardwick Ardley aforesaide, nowe in the Tenure of the saide John Bulleyne And also all my Howsses Edifices, buyldings Courtes yardes, gardeines, Orchardes landes, meadowes, ffeedings Closes, Pastures, warrens, Coneyes, pondes, Pooles, and all other, Commodities, emoluments and proffittes whatsoever in Hardwick Ardeleye aforesayde whiche nowe be or late weare in the Tenure & occupacion of the same John Bulleyne or his Assignes (the wooddes and underwooddes nowe standinge and being or hereafter to be standinge and growinge uppon any parte of the premisses, And also the Two tenem’ts in the Tenure of George Mearcer, and David Apcadwalider onelye excepte), To have and houlde the saide Mansion howsse, Landes Tenementes and all other the premisss withe theire Appurtenaunces whatsoever (excepte before excepted) unto the saide John Bulleyne and his assignes for and duringe the naturall lyffe of the saide John, and for and untill the ffeaste of Saincte Michaell Tharchaungell whiche shall chaunce nexte and immediatelie after the daie of the deathe of the saide John, The saide John and his Assignes yeldinge and payinge therefore yerelie Duringe the saide tearme to myne heires executors or Assignes the usuall and accustomed rente, that is to saie, ninetene poundes of lawfull Englishe money at the ffeaste of Saincte Michaell the Archaungell, And the Annu’ciation of oure Ladye by even porcions, or within xiiij daies nexte after ether of the saide ffeasts, And also the sayde John and his Assignes shall at his and theire owne Costs, and Chargs, mainteyne uphoulde, and repayre all howss Edifices and buildings standinge and beinge uppon the p’misses withe all manner of Reperacions necessarye (greate Tymber onelye excepte) And shall maintaine all quickesetts and other moundes and fences, and shall scowre clense and preserve all pondes, pooles, gutters and ditches beinge withein anye parte of the before demysed premisses. And after the deathe of the saide John Bulleyne and the sayde ffeaste of St Michaell, Then my will is that Joyce Bulleyne nowe wyfe of the saide John and her Assignes shall have houlde and enioye the saide mansion howsse Landes Tenements meadowes feedings Pastures, and all other the premisss withe theire appurtenancs in Hardwyck Ardeley aforesayde (excepte before excepted) for and duringe so longe tyme as she the sayde Joyce shall remayne sole and unmaryed, and untill the ffeaste of Saincte Michaell Tharchaungell whiche shall Come nexte and ymmediatelye after the daie of the deathe or marriage of the sayde Joyce Bulleyne, The saide Joyce and her Assignees yealdinge and payinge therefore yerelie duri’g the foresayde tearme unto my heyres Executors or assignes the Rente above reserved at the ffeasts and daies before lymyted, and also mainteyninge and preservinge the howses buyldings, quickesetts ponds pooles and other things before rehearsed (excepte before excepted) in manner and forme, and in suche sorte as is before appointed and declared that the sayde John Bulleyn and his Assignes shall paie, mainteyne and doe, And after the deathe of the sayde John Bulleyne, and the deathe or mariage of the sayde Joyce, and the ffeaste of Sainte Michaell Tharchaungell whiche shall firste chaunce nexte after the deathe of the Survivor of the saide John and Joyce, or the marriage of the saide Joyce, Then my will is that the foresayde Nycholas ffarmor my Nephewe and his Assignes shall have houlde hand enioye the foresayde mansyon howsse Messuage or Tenemente, and all the foresayde Landes Tenementes, meadowes, feedings, pastures, Closes, and all other the premisss above specifyed withe theire Appurtenauncs in Hardwick Ardeleye aforesaide (excepte before excepted) for and duringe so longe tyme, and so many yeres, as he the sayde Nicholas shall lyve and shall Inhabyte, and moste Commonlye dwell, in, at, or uppon the sayde Mansyon howsse Messuage or Teneme’t and shall occupye the same in his owne of my heires Executors or Assignes, and shall paye the foresaide Rente of xix li yearelye at the daies and tymes before lymyted to my heires Executors or assignes, and shall mainteyne and keepe the howsses buyldings and edifices standinge and beinge uppon the premisses withe conveniente and necessarye Reperacions (greate tymber onelie excepte) whiche greate tymber my will is shalbe Delyvered by my heires Executors or assignes to the saide John Bulleyne, Joyce Bulleyn, Nycholas ffarmor, and theire assignes for and towardes the Rep’acions of the saide mansion howse and other buyldings there unto annexed, or belonginge at all and everie tyme and tymes when the same shalbe needefull, and required. Item I will that William Mercer my s'vaunte shall have all that messuage or Tenemente in Godington withein the Countie of Oxford, nowe in his tenure and occupacion, And all Landes meadowes pastures Commons feedings and other Commodytyes to the same messuage belonginge or apperteyninge for the tearme of xxj yeres nexte after my deathe, Yealdinge and payinge nothinge there= fore duringe the naturall lyffe of the sayde William, And after the deathe of the saide William, my will is that the Executors or assignes of the saide William shall paie to myne heires Executoures, or Assignes the olde and accustomed Rente. And further my will is that the saide William Mearcer shall have all those peces and percells of arrable lande, meadowes, pastures, Commons and other Commodyties whiche I have of late lette unto him that weare sometyme accompted percell of thee demeanesnes of my ffarme in Godington for and duringe his naturall lyfe, the saide William or his Assignes yealdinge and payinge therefore to my heires Executors or assignes suche & somuche Rente as hee dothe nowe paie to me for the same, And further I geve and bequeathe to John Yates of Goddington all that my Messuage or Tenemente in Goddington in the Countie of Oxforde, And all those my howses Edyfyces buyldings, Courtes Yardes, gardeynes orchards landes meadowes pastures feedings Closes Commons, and other Commodyties whatsoever to the saide Messuage or Ten’te belonginge or withe the same nowe occupyed, and demysed, whiche be in the Tenure and occupacion of the sayde John Yates or his Assignes, To have and holde the saide messuage or Tenemente and all other the premisss withe theire Appurtenanc's to the saide John Yates and his Assignes for and duringe the naturall lyfe of Anthonye Yates ffather of the saide John Yates (if the saide John Yates shall fortune so longe to lyve) The sayde John and his Assignes, Yealdinge and payinge therefore yearlie duringe the saide tearme unto my heires Executors or assignes nyne poundes of lawfull Englishe monneye at the ffeastes of Saincte michaell the Archaungell and the Annu’ciacion of o’r Lady by even porc'ons or within xiiij Daies nexte after either of the of the [sic] foresaide ffeastes, And howses, buyldings quickesetts, moundes, fences, and ditches standinge and beinge uppon any parte of the p’misses withe all reperacions necessarie and conveniente duringe the said tearme (greate tymber onelie excepte) Whiche my will is shalbe delyvered unto the saide John Yates or his assignes by my heyres Executors or assignes, when and as often as neede shall require, And I geve to Marye ffarmor my daughter Sixe hundred poundes of lawfull Englishe monney whiche I will that my Executoures shall paie to the saide Marye within Twoe Monnethes nexte after the solempnizacion of her marriage, or within Twoe Monnethes nexte after she shall accomplishe the age of Twentie yeres whiche shall firste happen, And if my saide daughter Marye shall marrie by the full Consente and good will of my Executours and Overseers or the greater nomber of theyme w’ch shalbe lyvinge at the tyme of her marriage, and that Consente be declared and published in wrytinge before the saide marriage under the handes and seales of the Executours and Overseers then lyvinge and consentinge, Then my will is that my saide Executors shall well and trewlie Contente and paie unto the saide Marie or her assignes ffyve hundrethe poundes more of lyke lawfull Englishe monneye, Over and above the sixe hundred poundes absolutelye bequeathed unto her before, And if the Condicion aforesaide be perfourmed, Then I will that the laste specified ffyve hundred poundes shalbe payde unto the sayde Marye w’thin sixe Monnethes nexte after the solempnizacion of her marriage, And if my saide daughter shall, and will marrye by the Consents of the saide Executors and Overseers, or the greater nomber of theyme then lyvinge, and that be declared by wrytinge in manner and fourme aforesaide, Then I geve to the saide Marye to be delyvered at the tyme of her marriage, or presentlie after, my secounde Chaine of golde my beste braceletts one of my twoe Diamonds, whiche shee will choose, the booke of golde whiche was her Mothers, a fflaggon Chaine made for a girdell, Twoe borders of goldesmithes worke, the pearles w’ch weare her Mothers, and a Ringe that was her Mothers, Wherin the beste Turkas is, And if it shall fortune my saide daughter Marye to dye before her marriage, or age of Twentie Yeres, whereby she is not to have the foresaide Legacies of Eleven hundred poundes, and the golde and Jewells to her bequeathed Or that my saide daughter Marye shall marrye before the Consents Overseers, or the greater nomber of theime firste had and obteyned in wrytinge under theire handes and seales whereby the laste specified Legacies of ffyve hundrethe Poundes, and the foresaide Chaines Braceletts Ringes and other Jewells to her Condicionallye bequeathed shall not be dewe payable or geven unto her, Then I doe geve and bequeathe the foresaide monneye, Rings, Jewells, and other things before specified w’ch be not payable unto my Daughter by meanes of her deathe, or by her disobedience in marriage contrarie to my will and direction to Richard ffarmor my sonne to be delyvered unto him by my Executors w’thin twoe Monnethes nexte after he shall accomplishe his full age of xxj yeares, And if my sonne Rycharde ffarmor die before he shall accomplishe the full age of xxj yeres, then I doe geve and bequeathe all the foresayde Monneye, Rings, Jewells and other things to my forenamed Nephewe Nicholas ffarmor if he be lyvinge at the tyme of the deathe of my saide Daughter and sonne, or at the tyme of the deathe of my saide sonne and the disobediente marriage of my saide Daughter whiche my will is shalbe payde and delyvered to the saide Nicholas within three Monnethes nexte after the same shalbe due unto him by force of this my bequeste, And my will is that my Executors, shall at the next Awdytte holden after my deathe, or assone as the same maie be convenientlye levied of my monneye, or debts, delyver, and lende unto ffraunces Capper, and Richarde Jackeson my s'vauntes, the foresaide Som’e of Eleven hundred poundes bequeathed unto my daughter Marye to be equally devided betwixte the saide ffraunces and Rich’d. So that the saide ffraunces and Richarde canne will and doe bringe in for everye Twoe hundred poundes, whiche he shall receyve of the saide Eleven hundred Poundes twoe sufficiente Suretyes, suche as my Executors will at their Charge and perrill allowe and answere for, whiche Suretyes withe the partie that shall receyve the saide money shalbe come bounde to my Executors in an Obligacion or Recognizaunce of ffower hundrethe pounds for the trewe paymente of the saide som’e of Twoe hundred pounds to my Executors at the ende of thre yeres nexte after the Receipte of the same, And so my will is that either of the saide ffraunces and Rycherd shall have somuche of the sayde somme of Eleven hundrethe poundes as theie Canne will, and doe putt in suche sufficiente Suretyes for as is aforesaide to myne Executors, And that alwaies uppon the paymente or satisfaction thereof, my Executors shall againe lende and redelyver the same money unto the saide ffraunces and Rycharde or the Survivor of theime uppon the Bandes of the same, or other sufficient Surties in suche sorte as my Executors maie be assured to have all the saide monney well and trewlie paide unto theime at or somewhat before the daies and tymes when as the same shalbe dewe and payable to my said daught’ Marie, my sonne Richarde, or my Nephewe Nicholas by force of this my Testamente, And as I am desirous to gratifie my saide ffreendes and Servaunts ffraunces Capper and Rycharde Jackesonne withe the lone and use of my Daughters porcion, So I am unwillinge that my saide daughter shoulde spende and impaire anye parte of her porcion whiche I have bequeathed unto her for and aboute her necessarie and ordinarie maintenaunce and lyvelyhod And therefore my will is that my saide Executors shall take of the saide ffraunces and Richarde (or suche other as shall have the use of my saide daughters porcion) somuche yerelie Consideracion for the lone and forbearaunce thereof as shall finde and mainteyne my daughter withe sufficiente meate and drincke and apparrell conveniente for her degree So that theie doe not take of the saide ffraunces or Richarde or anye other personne above ffyve markes at the uttermoste for the forbearaunce of one hundreth poundes by the space of a yeare, and the lesse the better so that it will convenientlie mainteyne her. But if my Executors canne by anye meanes buye or obtaine the wardeshippe of my sonne Richard and thereby shalbe inforced to emploie and laie forthe a greater somme of monneye then (my daughter Maries foresayde porcion beinge deducted) theie shalbe at that tyme able to levye presentlie of my monneye debtes and Annuall revenewes, then my will is that my saide Executoures shall emploie and disburse somuche of the foresaide somme of Eleven hundreth poundes bequeathed to my saide Daughter, as shalbe needefull for the obteyninge of my saide sonnes wardeshippe, And then I will that theie shall leavye and make uppe the residewe of my saide Daughters porcion of the yssues Rentes and Revenewes of my landes and Leases, and so lende and delyver the same fourthe yearelie as it maie be raysed unto the saide ffraunces Capper and Richarde Jackeson uppon the Sureties and Bandes, and for the tyme before lymyted, And I doe earnestlie requeste my welbeloved Cozen George Shorleye Esquier, that hee will take into his Custodye and charge my saide Daughter Marye and doe his uttermoste endevor that she maie be broughte uppe in the honor, feare and service of god, and then bestowed in marriage to a man in like sorte enclyned, and somewhat agreeinge to her age and estate. And as Concerninge the disposicion of my Landes and Tenementes, I will, appoint and leave to discende unto Richarde ffarmor my sonne, All that my Mannor of ffritwell and all my Landes Tenementes and hereditaments withe theire appurtenauncs in ffritwell in the Countie of Oxforde, And also all that my Mannor of Ganho, and all my Landes Tenementes and hereditamentes withe theire appurtenaunces lyinge and being in Ganho in the Countie of Worcester, beinge the full third parte of all my Mannors, landes, Tenements and other hereditam’ts whiche I have within the Realme of Englande. To have and houlde the saide mannors Landes, Tenements and other the p’misses in ffritwell and Ganho aforesaide to my saide sonne Richarde ffarmor and the heires of his bodye law= fullye to be begotten, And for defaulte of suche yssue, I will that the saide Mannor of ffritwell, and all other my Landes Tenements and hereditaments in ffritwell shall remaine and Comme to Marye ffarmor my Daughter, and to the heires of her bodye lawfullye to be begotten, And for defaulte of such yssue, the Remaynder over to Jerome ffarmor my Brother accordinge to the gifte of my Unckle William ffarmer of Sommertonne. And further my will is that if it shall fortune my saide sonne Richarde to die withoute issue of his bodye lawfullye begotten, That then the foresaide mannor of Ganho, and all my landes Tenements and hereditamentes in Ganho shall remaine and Comme unto the foresaide Nicholas ffarmer my Nephewe, and to the heires of his bodye lawfullye begotten, And if it shall fortune the saide Nicholas ffarmor to die withoute issue of his bodye lawfullie begotten, Then I will that the saide Mannor of Ganho and all other the premisses in Ganhoe shall remain to the righte heires of me the saide Thomas ffarmor forever, And further I doe geve and bequeathe unto my Exe= cutors hereafter named, All those my mannors Landes Tenements meadowes feedings pastures woods, underwods Advowsons of Churches Rents, Revercions, S’vics, and all other my hereditaments whatsoever lyinge and beinge in Sommertonne Hardwick Ardeley, Godington Clanfeilde, and Woodstock in the Counties of Oxforde, and Buckingham, or in anye of theime, And in Normyngton in the Countie of Leicester. And in Eaton in the Countie of Bark, And also all other my Landes Tenementes and hereditaments whatsoever w’th theire Appurtenaunces scituate lyinge and beinge in the Counties of Oxforde Buckyngha’, Leicester Bark and Worcester, or els where within the Realme of Englande (The Landes before speciefied and bequeathed, and the Castell yarde in Sommertonne aforesaide, and the Chappell therein standinge hereafter geven to other uses onelie excepted) To have and houlde the foresaide Mannors Lands Tenements, and all other the p’misses (excepte before excepted) to my saide Executors for & duringe the full and whole terme of Sixtene yeares nexte and ymmediatlie ensuinge the daie of my deathe, To the intente that my saide Executors shall withe the issues and proffitts thereof performe this my laste will and Testamente, And after the saide tearme of xvj yeres expired, Then my will is that the same Mannors Landes Tenements, and all other the p’misses (excepte before excepted) shall remaine and Comme unto Richard ffarmor my sonne, and to the heires of his bodye law= fullye to be begotten, And if my saide sonne Richarde shall dye withoute issue of his bodye lawfully begotten, Then I will that the same mannors, landes, tenements and all other the premisses (excepte before excepted) shall remayne and comme to Marye ffarmor my Daughter, and to the heires of her bodye lawfullye to be begotten, And for defaulte of issue of the bodye of my saide Daughter Marye lawfullye begotten, Then I will that all the foresaide Mannors landes tenements, and other the premisses shall remaine and Comme to my saide Nephewe Nicholas ffarmor and to the heires of his bodye lawfullye begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue, then my will is that all the foresaide Mannors, landes, tenements, and all other the premisses shall remaine and Comme heires of me the saide Thomas ffarmor forever, And bicawse it maie be that somme of my landes be houlden of the Queenes Maiestie in Capite, or by knights service, or somme other Lorde by knights service, and by that meanes her highnes, or the other Lorde maie be intituled to the Wardshippe of my sonne, Therefore my will is if my saide sonne shall by due and lawfull meanes be proved Warde unto her grace, or anye other lorde, that my Execu= tors shall obtaine and buye his Wardshippe if convenientlie theie maie doe it withe anye reasonable Chargs And that theie shall assaie procure and obtaine the same Wardshippe, and doe all things thereunto tendinge or belonging at my chardgs and my adventure withe the issues and proffitts of my landes and leases, or withe employinge of somme parte of the monneys for a tyme whiche is provided for my Daughters porcion as is aforesaide, And that theie shall graunte or Release unto my saide sonne his wardshippe at his full age or before takinge nothinge more for the same of my saide sonne then the deduction, releasse or dischardge of somuche monney as theie shall disbursse, and emploie for and aboute the obteyninge thereof, All whiche monneye so to be emploied and layde fourthe by my Executoures aboute the saide Wardshippe, my will is shalbe deducted and allowed unto theime, thoughe it shoulde please god to call my sonne oute of this worlde at anye tyme duringe his minoritie, So that my meaninge is that my Executors shall buye my sonnes Wardeshippe if it be possible, and neither gayne, nor lose by it After whiche Wardshippe so obtained my desier is to have my sonne and daughter broughte upp togither, and that my good Cosen George Shorley will take my sonne, and make that care bothe of his education and marriage, whiche I have before requested of him for my Daughter, Moreover I geve and bequeathe unto my Executors the use and occupacion of my Pastures at Walton in the Countie of Northampton for and duringe the tearme of xvj yeres next and ymmediatlie ensuinge the daie of my deathe, together withe all my Stocke of sheepe and other Cattell whiche shall remaine uppon the same Pastures at the tyme of my deathe To thintente that theie shall withe the issues and proffitts of the same, paie the Rente yerelie due to the lorde or owner of the same groundes, and discharge all other Rents and duties ordinarie and extraordinarie issuinge and goinge forthe of the same pastures, and then emploie and bestowe all the Residue of the Revenewes and proffitts thereof to the perfourmaunce of this my Testamente. And my will is that my saide Executors shall keepe the same Pastures, stocked and stored withe the Cattell w’ch I shall leave uppon the same groundes, or withe the increase thereof, And the saide grounde withe the stocke to sette to some good Tennaunte for some reasonable Rente to make the beste proffitte of yt and keepinge the Stocke uppon yt. And in thende of theire tearme delyver the same pastures and stocks of Cattell to my sonne Richarde, And if he die then to my Daughter Marie, and if shee die, then to suche other personne as by force of this my will is to have the same, And I doe ordaine and Constitute Executors of this my laste will and Testamente, my forenamed assured lovinge kynnesman and freende George Shorley Richarde ffarmor my sonne, and my Cosins Nicholas ffarmor and Bennett Winchecombe, and Will’m Mercer, and James Smithe my Servaunts, Assuredlye hopinge that as I have chosen theme forth of all the kynnesmen and freends I have lyvinge, and am contente to Committe unto theire Custodie and direction my Children, my howse, my landes, my leases, my goods, Cattells, and all other earthlie things whiche god hath lente me the use of, so theie and everie of theyme will vouchsafe to take uppon theime, the care and Chardge thereof, and will in suche sorte doe theire indevor in the perfourminge of this my will in the bringinge upp and bestowinge of my Children, and employinge of theire lyvinge and porcions, that not onelie my saide Children, tastinge the Comforte of my choyce, But all others knowinge thereof, maie iustlie testifie that my said Executours are as honeste in perfourminge, as I happye in choosinge, and theie as faithfull to execute as I am readye to repose a truste in theyme, And I will and requeste my saide Executors that untill this my laste will and Testamente be performed, or at the leaste, untill my sonne and Daughters Legacies be to theime paide at some suche conveniente tyme as theie thincke good, betwene the first daie of October, and the Twentithe daie of December, theie will yerelie keepe an Awdytt at my nowe dwellinge howsse in Sommerton at whiche Awdytte, all Bayliffs, Receavers, ffarmers, Ten'ntes, Accomptants, debters, or any other, that are to make Accompte or paymente of anye monney, to the use of my heire, daughter, or Executors, shall Comme and make theire Accompte unto my said Executors And also make paymente unto theyme at the same, or suche other daies and tymes as the same monney shalbe due, And at whiche Awdytte my Executours shall take order for the maintenaunce and repayringe of my saide dwellinge howsse, and of all the Barnes, Stables, and other Edifics, and buildings, walls, gardeines orchardes Courtes yardes, and the Parke, whiche nowe be in myne owne handes and occupacion, when and so often as the same shalbe needefull for I will that James Smythe my Servaunte shall have the Custodie of my said howse, Courtes, yardes, gardeynes, orchardes, and Parke, and of all the stuffe that my Executors shall leave in, or aboute the Rente of the howsse, wherein he nowe dwellethe, But yf the saide James shall fortune to die during the terme aforesaide, or not doe his duetie and diligence in the usinge and p’servinge of my saide howse ground & howsholdestuffe, Then I will that my saide Executors shall either keepe the premisses in theire owne handes unletten, or els shall lette forthe the same or some percell therof to one of theyme selves, or to some trustie freende of theires beinge a man of no greate countenaunce and callinge, from yere to yere, or for a small nomber of yeres, And I doe earnestlye entreate my Executors that theie will yerelie at the same Awditt reade over, or call to remembraunce the Counterpaines of suche leazes as I have made to anye personne, And also all suche leases as others have made to me, And that theie will providentlie and circumspectlie foresee that all suche Rentes, Dueties, S'vics, Customes, graunts, Covenants, and agreements as I have graunted, Covenaunted, or otherwise stande bounde or chargeable by lawe to doe or paie to any other, maie be in suche sorte, and at suche daies and tymes paide discharged, performed, and accomplished, that neither anye of my saide leazes maie be in daunger of forfeiture, or incombred withe distresse, nor my saide Executours, sonne, or other, to whome I have bequeathed the same, maie be molested vexed or sued for wante thereof, And in like sorte my desire is that my saide Executors will make diligent Inquirye at the saide Awditt, and searche at other tymes howe my leazes, ffermors, and Ten'nts doe keepe theire, messuages and tenements in repayre, howe theie paie theire rentes, maynteyne theire Customes, and doe theire services, and observe suche Covenaunts, graunts, and agreaments, whiche by the purporte of theire severall leases, and Covenaunts theie stande chargeable and bounde unto me to doe, and to appointe the Courts to be kepte when and as often as neede shall require, and that theie will seeke redresse by intreaty threates or extreamitie of lawe, as the bicawse my meaninge and full intente is that all my Jewells, Plate, howsholde stuff, beddinge and other furniture, and utensells of howsse, and all suche other things whiche be at the tyme of my deathe in or aboute anye parte of my howsss, or yardes whiche I doe geve and bequeathe to my sonne and daughter shall remayne in my nowe dwellinge howsse at Sommertonne, and in the howsss, and yardes, nowe in myne owne occupacion (savinge those things whiche will greatlie decaie duringe my Childrens minoritie, or whereof there maie be daunger in keepinge there) Therefore my will is that my Executors shall yerelie at theire saide Awditt see the saide Jewells, plate, howshold stuffe, and other things aforesaide, and provide for the safe keepinge of the same, and repairinge when and where neede shall require And moreover I will that my Executors shall as soone as convenientlie maie be after my deathe provide at my Chargs sixe faire and large paper bookes, In everie of w’ch shalbe written by ffraunces Capper nowe my Apprentize, yf he bee lyvinge, and at conveniente leysure, and in his absence by Richard Jackeson my Apprentize, and if theie bothe dye or be absente, by some p’sonne hired yerelie for xx s at my Chardge the trewe Copye of this my laste will and Testamente, and a trewe and perfecte Rentall of all my landes tenements and hereditamentes and of all my Leazes, and also a trewe and perfectte Inventarie of all suche Jewells, plate, monneye Beddinge, Naperye, Brasse, Pewter, Utensells of howse, horsses, Beasts, sheepe and other goods, and Cattell whatsoever whiche I shall have at the tyme of my deathe, and also of all debts due to me, or by me And in everie of the same vj bookes my Executors shall yerelie cawse to be written perticulerlie the whole Contents and effecte of theire Awditte, that is how muche monneye theie doe receyve of whome and for what cawse, and what theye doe disbursse, to whome, and for what cawse, Of the whiche sixe bookes my will is that ev'y of my ffyve Executors shall have one in his owne Custodye, and that the sixte shall remayne in my howsse at Sommerton in the Custodye of the forenamed James Smythe to the use of myne heyre, by whiche he knowinge what I leave, and what is spente he maie call for that remaynethe. And I will that everie of my Executors shall at the ende of the saide Awditte, sette his name yearelye to the ffoote of theire Accompte in ev'y of the saide vj bookes, And I bequeathe to ev'y of my Executors Comynge to the same Awdyt hearinge and takinge the same accompte, and settinge his hande to ev'y of the sayde sixe Bookes ffyve poundes yearlye of lawfull Englishe monneye, over and above the Charges to be bestowed in or at the saide Awdytt, whiche withe all things thereunto incidente my will is shalbe defrayed at my onelie Costes. And I will that if anye Executor shall not Comme to the saide Awdyt, or do not heare and take the Accompte, and sette his hande to ev'y of the saide sixe bookes, That then that yeare wherein he faylethe he shall have nothinge, And my will is that if it shall fortune anye of my saide Executors to die before this my will be in eache poincte perfourmed, and havinge at the tyme of his deathe anye Jewells, monneye gooddes, Cattells, or other things of mine in his handes, That then his Executors, or Administrators shall at the nexte Awdyt holden after his deathe make delyverie and payemente thereof to my other Execu= tours then survivinge, takinge an acquittaunce of theyme for the same. And whereas I have devised to William Keneston and James Smithe my demeasnes, and certeine pastures, meadowes Commons, and other Commodities in Somm’ton aforesaide, and also have graunted to John Yates, and William Mercer Certeine pastures, Closes, meadowes feedings, and other Commodities in Goddington aforesaide, And in like sorte have leased certeine meadowes, pastures, feedings and other Commodities in Eaton to James Smythe, and William Mearcer for the terme of certeine yeres yet enduringe my will is that if it shall fortune any of my sheepe to be remayninge uppon any parte of the saide groundes at thee tyme of my deathe, that my Executors shall sell the same for the uttermoste valewe to the foresaide personnes w’ch shalbe ffermors of the groundes wheare the same Cattell then shall contynewe so that the same personnes do request to buye and have the same Cattell of my Executors, and also will enter into Obligacions withe suche goodde, and sufficiente Sureties as my Executors, at theire owne charge and perrill will receyve and allowe to paie unto my saide Executors the verie valewe of the same Cattell within three yeres then nexte followinge, And uppon the receipt or satisfaction of the said moneye, My will is that the same monneye shalbe againe lente and redelyvered unto the forsaide personne uppon the same, or other sufficiente suretyes paiable from yere to yeare, and tyme to tyme, accordinge to the discretion of my Executors for so longe tyme as theie shall lyve and enioye the foresaide percell of grounde whiche I have by my severall Indentures demised unto theyme. ffor my will and desire is that all the saide groundes maie be delyvered to my sonne Richarde at his full age of xxj yeres thorowghlie and well stocked withe the same lytture of Sheepe whiche I shall leave, or withe the increase thereof, or withe some others, as good as theie be, and withe asmuche other Cattell and of as good valewe as I shall leave theme, And I geve and bequeathe to the foresaide George Shorleye Nicholas ffarmor, Bennette Winchecombe, William Mercer, and James Smithe, and to their heires forever, the Castell yarde in Sommertonne aforesaide, and the Chappell therein standinge (the Water Mill onelie excepte), And my will is that theie withe the Rents issues and proffitts of my landes and leases shall procure obtaine or purchase a good and absolute estate in ffee simple of Landes tenements, or Rents to the yerlye valewe of Tenne poundes over and above all Chargs and that theie shall procure licence and erecte a Com'on Schoole in the saide Chappell, for the instruction and bringinge uppe of Children in vertue and learninge And the saide tenne poundes theie shall assure to a Scholemaister yerelie to be payde to him and his Successors from tyme to tyme forever, for the teachinge and instructinge of Children in the place aforesaide And becawse there be manye circumstaunces requisite for the foundation, erection, licence, assuraunce orders, nominations and contynewaunce of a Schoole and Scholemaister, whiche for wante of experience and tyme I cannott p’ticulerlie prescribe, Therefore I will leave unto my Executors a Conveniente place wherein to erecte a Scholehowsse, and monney sufficient to provide mainteyn'nce for a Schole M’r Referringe all the Residewe to theire wisedomes and consciences, Nothinge doubtinge, but as theie have care to doe theire duetye to god theire prince, and Countrye, so theie will doe theire uttermoste indevor for the provision establishemente and good order of this Schoole whiche maie be a meane to rayse unto god, a greate nomber of faithfull Servaunts unto the Prince severall necessarie Subiects, and to the Common Wealthe manye good members, And becawse good Examples be moste perfecte meanes of instruction to suche as will attempte devises that be rare, therefore my desier is that my Executours will diligente inquirie in severall places of the foundacion, constitutions, and orders of other scholes of the Choice, nominacion and allowaunce of the Scholem’r and of other circumstances therunto incidente, and then uppon advised conference withe my Ov’seers, and others of learninge and experience to selecte, and choose forthe the beste of the same devises, and in due order, and fourme of lawe to appointe and determyne theme, and cheiflie to take care so farre as the wisedome of man maie foresee things to come (that uppon the deathe or other avoidance of one Schoole maister, an other maie w’th all expedition be placed in his Romthe, w’ch is knowne to be able and like to be willinge to execute that function whereunto he is called, The contynewall choise, nominacion and allowance of w’ch Schole maister from tyme to tyme, as the place shalbe voyde, I am contente that my Executors shall by Autentike constitu= cion referre to the Bisshoppe, Archedeacon or Chauncelor of the Dioces of Oxforde, or to the Justices of Assise or Justices of peace for the tyme beinge withein the Countye of Oxforde, or to the Provoste, wardeyn Presidente or Governour of some Colledge in Oxforde, or to the Personne of Sommertonne and some other personnes and Vicars therunto adioyninge, or to the heire or owner of my dwellinge howse at Sommertonne and to somme gentlemanne therunto adioyninge, or to suche other personne or personnes as my Executours (uppon somme probable reasonn) shalbe p’swaded will moste cheiflye further the service of god, the increase of vertue and the mainteynaunce of learninge. All the residewe of my Jewells, Plate, readye monney, Beddinge, Naperie, Brasse, Pewter, Howshoulde stuffe, and Utensills of howshoulde Horsses, Mares, Beastes, Sheepe, Leazes, Debts, gooddes, and Cattells, aswell reall as personnall (heretofore not bequeathed) I doe wholye geve and bequeathe to Richarde ffarmor my sonne, All whiche my will is shall remayne in the Custodye, order or direction of my Executors, untill my saide sonne shall accomplishe his full age of xxj yeares, and then to be delyvered unto him And also I geve and bequeathe unto my saide sonne Richarde all the residue of the issues Rentes, Revenewes, and proffittes of all my Landes Tenementes, and hereditamentes, and of all my Leasses whiche I have before bequeathed to my Executours, over and above those whiche my saide Executors shall imploye and bestowe in or aboute the perfourmaunce of this my laste will and Testamente. Of whiche Jewells, plate, gooddes, Cattells, Rents, Revennewes, proffitts and all other thee p’misses my will is that my saide Executours shall make unto my saide sonne whensoever he shall requier the same after he doethe accomplishe his full age of xxj yeres, a iuste and perfecte Accompte, and then immediatelye make unto him presente Delyverie of the gooddes and paymente of the monney whiche then shall remaine in theire handes, And if itt shall fortune my saide sonne to die before he shall accomplishe the saide age of xxj yeares then I will and bequeathe all the saide Jewells Plate leases, gooddes, Cattells, Rents, proffitts, and all other the p’misses to Marye my Daughter to be delyvered unto her at the daie of her marriage, or her age of xx'ti yeares, whiche shall first chaunce, And if it shall fortune bothe my sonne Richarde and my Daughter Marye to die before theire severall ags and tymes above lymyted Then I geve and bequeathe all and singuler the saide Jewells Plate, Leases, goods, Rentes, and other the p’misss to Nicholas ffarmor my Nephewe, whiche my will is shalbe delyvered unto him assone as this my will shall or maye convenientlye be perfourmed, And I will requeste my lovinge Brother in Lawe S'r Richard Knightleye, knighte, and my welbeloved kinsmanne S'r Thomas Lucye knighte, Richarde ffynes, George ffarmor, and fferdinando Pulton Esquiers to be Overseers of this my laste Will and Testamente, and to assiste my Executors to the uttermoste of their power in the obtayninge of the Wardeshippe of my sonne, in the erection of my Schole, and otherwyse in the p’for= maunce of my will if theie shall neede, and crave theire healpe. And I will also earnestlie desier my said kinsmen and ffreendes that theie will imparte to my twoe Orphanes theire Councell, countenaunce and assistaunce in all theire honneste and reasonable suytes, And I doe geve to everie of theime in consideracion of theire paines so to be taken and in token of good will ffyve poundes to be paide unto theime at the Awdytte kepte nexte after my deathe, And I doe geve to the saide fferdinando Pulton in consideracion of comminge yerelie to the Awdytte and there asistinge my Executors Tenne Poundes yearlie and his chardges to be paide at everie Awdyt when he dothe Comme, and when he dothe not comme the paymente for that yere to cease. And in witnes that this my laste will and Testame’t and that I doe Revoke all other wills by me heretofore made I have to everie leafe of this my will sette mine owne hande Thomas ffarmor Witnesses hereof fferdinando Pulton the writer of the will, Mr Edwards Phisic'on John Stuttesburye gentleman John Michell Person of Sommerton Richard Jackeson John Yates John Birtwissell, and divers others. Probatum fuit suprascriptum Testamentum apud London coram M'ro Willi'mo Mowse Legum Doctore Surrogato venerabilis viri Mag'ri Will'mi Drury legum Doctoris Curiae Prerogativae Cantuarien' Commissarij etc Decimotertio die mensis Augusti Anno Domini Millesimo Quingentesimo octogesimo Juramento __ Christopheri Robinson Notarij Publici Procuratoris Georgij Shorley, Rich'i ffarmor Nicholai ffarmor Benedicti Winchecombe Willi'mi Mercer et Jacobi Smithe Executorum etc Wuibus Commissa fuit Administracio etc de bene etc Jurat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||