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1622 Will of John Colston

Gentleman of Marsh

 

In the name of god Amen the Seaventh daie of March in the yeare of our lord god on[e] Thousand sixe hundred twentie and two I John Colston of Marsh within the p[ar]ish of yevell within the Countie of Som[er]set gent beinge sicke of bodie but of perfect and good memorie god be praysed Doe make this my last will and testament first I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of Almightie god my maker and Redeemer hoping through the meritts of Jesus Christ my maker and redeemer to be partaker of his heavenly Kingdome and I give my body to the earth from whence it came and to be buried in the Church or Church yard of yevell aforesaid It[e]m I give unto the Church of yevell Tenn shillings It[e]m I give and bequeath unto fifteen poore widdowes livinge within the p[ar]ish of yevell aforesaid five shillinges It[e]m I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Colston five hundred pounds (around £100,000 at today's value) to be paid her when shee shall accomplish the age of one and twentie yeares or at such tyme as shall please god shee shall marrie or after the death of John Somerset late of [Morlinges?] within the County aforesaid this to be done within one moneth next and ymmediately after [such?] tyme first shall happen to be I give and bequeath unto my daughter Marie Colston one hundred pounds to be paid her when shee shall accomplish the age of one and twentie yeares or at such tyme as shall please god shee shall marrie or after the death of John Som[er]sett late of [Morlinges?] aforesaid within the County aforesaid this to be performed and donne within one moneth next and immediately after [such?] tyme first shall happen to come or be It[e]m I give unto my wief Mary Colston all my houshold stuffe It[e]m I give and bequeath and my Will is that William Colston my sonne shall have and [mien?] one Tenem[en]t for terme of hios lief with all house buildinges and ediffices with appurtenances sett lyinge and beinge in Hewish weithin the p[ar]ishe of Burneham within the Countie aforesaid nowe in the tener or use of one Edward hext with terme to comence and beginn ymmediately after the decase of my wief Mary Colston her or his assignes yeilding and payinge therefor yearely Fower Shillinges duringe his said terme at fower equall Feaste of the yeare by even porcions that is to saie at the Feast of St Michaell then next and soe quarterly this to be paid unto the right [heyer?] of the said land and farder my Will is that the porcions before limitted & given unto my two daughter be ymployed for the best use and benefitt for their best mayntenance & breeding at the discretion of my wief & overseer & furder my Will is that yf shall happen thet either of my said daughters shall decease before the age or marige accomplished or default of John Somersett That then such some or somes of money to be equally devided bewtweene shee longest living & my sonne William Colston Item I give and bequeath unto John Colston my Sonne all my goods lande & Tennemente not yett given & bequeathed whome I make my heyer and sole executor of this my last will and testament And I make my sister Elizabeth Colston Overseer of this my last will prayeinge her to see it performed & donne and for her paines therein I give her twentie shillings in witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the daye & year abovesaid

John Colston

Signed & sealed in the pr[esen]ce of

Andrian X hawker    Tho[mas] Swayne

 

Proved in 1623

 

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn