The Will of Robert Archdeacon
Yeoman of Great Paxton d.1614

1614 - Will of Robert Archdeacon, Yeoman of Great Paxton - scan of the original

In the name of God amen

The eighth day of Aprill anno domini 1614, I Robert Archdeacon of Great Paxton in the countie of Huntingdon yeoman being sick in body but yet of good and perfect mynde and remembrance (thanks be to God therefore) doe make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and forme following.

First I bequeath my soule unto the hands of Almightie God my maker and creator hopeing to be saved by the merritte death and passion of Jesus Christ his only sonne my lord and saviour, and my body to the earth from whence it came. And as for my worldly goods I dispose of them in manner and forme following.

Inprimis I give and bequeath unto Jane Archdeacon my daughter one hundred pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto her by my executrix hereafter named when she shall attayne to her full age of XXI (twenty one) yeares or at the day of her marriage which shall first happen.

Item I give and bequeath to the repaire of the church and bells of Great Paxton tenn shillings.

Item I give and bequeath unto the poore people of Great Paxton twelve shillings.

Item I give and bequeath unto the repayer of the chantry of Great Paxton tenn shillings.

Item I give and bequeath unto Ellyn Steele the elder a peece of gould of eleven shillings.

Item I give and bequeath unto John Steele friend one peece of gould of tenn shillings.

Item I give and bequeath unto every one of my godchildren twelve pence a peece.

Item I give and bequeath unto Ellyn King my servant fortie shillings to be paid unto her at the day of her marriage or at her age of XXI (twenty one) yeares which shall first happen.

All the rest of my goods debts cattells chattels and household stuffe unbequeathed I give and bequeath unto Francis Archdeacon my wife, whom I doe nominate ordayne and make sole executrix of this my last will and testament.

 And my will and meaning is that my said wife Francis shall pay the tuition and government of my sonne John Archdeacon until he come to the age of three and twenty yeares.  And that then my said executrix shall leave crop ready sown with the horses plonged, and plonged gears, cart and cart gears as sufficient and in as good estate or repair as they now are to the behoof of John my sonne and further my will and meaning is that my said wife Francis shall well and sufficiently educate and bring up my said sonne John and Jane Archdeacon finding them sufficient meate, drinke and cloathes fitt and convenient for them until they shall attayne to their severall ages as aforesaid without asking any allowance for her pain, and that my said executrix shall leave the two hovels now standing to the use and behoofe of my said sonne John and I give and bequeath unto my said sonne John Archdeacon and his heires for ever all that my freehold and copyhold messuages land meadow and pasture in Great Paxton,

And I doe request and entreat my very good friends John Darrell of Old Wesson, John Steele senior and Richard Oliver of Great Paxton to be supervisors of this my last will and testament and they to be helping and assisting to my said executrix and my sonne John Archdeacon, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and year first within written in the presence of

Gilbert Longe

Signed and sigillum Roberti Archdeacon

Gilbert Longe

John Darrell

Henry Crowther

William Fisher

John Steele junior

Richard Oliver his marke

 

PROBATUM fuit Testamentum suprascriptum apud London coram venerabili viro Mag[istr]o Edmundo Pope legum doctore surrogato venerabilis viri Domini Johannes Benet militis legum etiam Doctoris Curiae Prerogativae Cantuarensis Mag[istr]o Custodis sive Commissary legitime constituti nono die mensis May Anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo decimo quarto Juramento Francisce Archdeacon Relicte dicti defincti et Executoris in eadem Testamento nominat.  Cui commissa fuit Administra[ti]o bonorum Jurium et Creditorum dicti defuncti de bene et fideliter Administrando et ad Sancta Dei Evangelia Jurat.

Translation

The above written will was proved at London before the venerable Master Edmund Pope, Doctor of Laws, surrogate for the venerable Sir John Bennet, Knight, also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted  the Ninth day of May in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred and Fourteen.  By the oath of Frances Archdeacon, widow of the said deceased,  nominated Executor in this same will and granted administration of Goods, Rights and Credits of the said deceased to well and faithfully administer the same, sworn on God's Holy Gospel.

Transcription by Rachel Osborne