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From National Archives - transcribed by Janet Meads 2020
The Will of Edward Wood
1655
The first few lines of Edward Woods' will. The will seems to imply that regarded his son William
as "obstinate" and did not wish him to act as executor if he "would not bee ruled by his mother."

In the Name of God Amen I Edward Wood of Burton Latimer in the Countie of Northampton yeoman being sick of Body but of Sound and perfect memorie thankes bee given to God doe ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following. ffirst I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of God who hath made mee, and his Sonne Jesus Christ who hath Redeemed mee, and my body to bee buried at the discretion of my Executors who hereafter named. And for my Worldy goods wherwith it hath pleased God to blesse mee I dispose of them in manner and forme following. ffirst I give and bequeath to my Wife and my Sonne the Lease of the ffarme wherin I live and one Browne horse, and one Grey horse, and two Browne Bay horses of three yeares old and the Stock of Sheepe in the ffield of Burton, and Seven Milch Beaste and two Heiffers and two long Carts, and Plows and Harrowes, and Geares belonging to the ffarme of Burton wherin I now live. And all the moveable goods, Except the best bedd, and furniture to it, which I give to my daughter Elizabeth at the day of marriage. Item I give and bequeath to my Sonne Thomas the Lease of a ffarme in Woodford which I latlie tooke of Widow Harris, and all the Cropp that is now Sowen, and Seed to Sow the rest, at my Wives charge, with his labour. And stock of sheepe that are there, and ffower Milch Beasts, and Seven Heiffers, and three horses, and Eleven pounds to buy him two horses. Two long Carts, and Cart ...eares, and Plow-Beares, and their Harrowes all that, that hee may have to find him Bread-Corne and Malt till hee hath Graine of his Owne, and my Wife to pay the Shepherd his Wages and and all taxes till the ffirst day of August One thousand Six hundred ffiftie and ffour. Provided that hee my said Sonne Thomas shall pay out of this to my daughter Elizabeths use, unto my Brother Thomas Wood, Edmond Edy of Burton aforesaid and Robert Michell of Burton Seagrave yeoman, or the Survivor of them the Summe of threescore pounds, Thirty pounds wherof within one twelve Moneth after my decease, and Thirtie Pounds within Six Monethes after. But in case hee shall marry within one yeare after my daughter then hee shall pay the whole Threescore Pounds within one Twelve Moneth after my decease to the said Thomas Wood, Edmond Edy and Robert Michell to bee imployed to the best use for my said daughter Elizabeth. Also I give and bequeath unto my Sonne Edward Wood ffortie pounds, Twenty Pounds to bee paid within two yeares after my decease, and Twenty pounds to bee paid within fower yeares after my decease to the said Thomas Wood, Edmond Edy and Robert Michell, or the survivors of them to bee imployed by them or the survivor of them to the the best use of my said Sonne Edward, Provided that if any of my Children shall happen to depart this life before they bee married that then their severall portions to bee equallie divided betweene my Wife, and the rest of my Children. And all the rest of my goods, and Chattells I leave to my Executors who I appoint to bee my deare Wife and my loving Sonne William Wood. In Witness wherof I have herto Sett my hand and the Eleventh day of November One thousand Six hundred ffiftie ffower. Provided that if my Sonne William shall bee obstinate, or will not bee ruled by his mother in what shee advises that then hee my said Sonne William shall have noe parte in the Execurturshipp, but shall leave the same to to my Wife, and shall recieve ffortie Pounds of her and so to leave of any clayme to the Executorshipp whatsoever. The marke of the said Edward Wood. Signed and published in the presence of us. Wm. Phelipe, The Marke of John Person
This Will was proved the Two and Twentieth day of May in the yeare of our Lord One thousand Six hundred ffiftie ffive, before the Judges for Probate of Wills, and granting Administration lawfully authourised: By the Oath of Katherine Wood the Relict of the deceased, and one of the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration of all and singular the goods, chattells and debts of the said deceased was granted and committed: Shee beeing Sworne by vertue of a Commission well and truly to Adminiter the same according to the tenor and effect of the said Will: Power beeing refused to William Wood naturall and lawfull Sonne of the said deceased and the other named in the said Will, when he shall come legallie to require the same and take the execution therof upon him.


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