Yeovil's Virtual Museum

The Will of Mellis Jennings

The 1654 Will of Mellis Jennings, Spinster

 

In the name of God Amen the first day of Aprill in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand sixe hundred Fiftie and fower I Mellis Jennings of Yevell in the county of Somersett Spinster Being sicke of Body but of perfect memorie Doth make my last will and Testament in manner and forme following (That is to say) First I doe commend my Soule unto God my maker hopeing through the meritts of Jesys Christ to be saved And my body to Christian buriall to be decently interred by my Executor hereinafter named Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Giles Jennings All that seaven acres of land called Lowze lyeing within the parish of Yevell aforesaid and late given to me by my Mothers will And one Hay Reeke in the same ground and one Cowe To have and to hold the said seaven acres of land with thappurtenances unto the said Gyles Jennings his heirs and assignes for ever Alsoe I give and bequeath unto the said Giles All the remainder of yeares which I have yet to come of the Portrives land of Yevell aforesaid in [which?] there nowe dwelleth Thomas [Farm?] James Edwards and Richard Newis tohgether with the Stable thereunto belonging with thappurtenances Further I give and bequeath unto the said Giles one paire of Sheetes one holland pillowty one halfe headed bedsteed Fower silver spoones and two Candlesticks. Item I give and bequeath unto my Brother John Jennings ojne bond of one hundred pounds which he now oweth me to be disposed of according to his will and pleasure and the beding I noew lye inItem I give unto his sonne Giles two silver spoones item I give to my brother John Phelps his sonne John Five and twentie sheepe and two lambes item I give to my Sister Baker two wrott Cushions one [posnett?] one brasse pann and five pewter dishes Item I give to my three sisters all my lining sheetes and other lining and all my wearing apparrell to be equally divided between them All the rest of Goods and Cattles not herein this my Will bequeathed [orginen?] I give unto my brother Giles Jennings whom I make my sole and whole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witnes whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and year abovesaid

The marke of Mellis Jennings

[word illegible] Given to Mrs Thornton Five shillings Sealed and published to be the last will of the said Mellys In the presence of

Henry Starr      Isaac Thornton      Roger Wood

This will was proved att London the Thirtieth day of March in the year of our lord God One thousand six hundred Fiftie and five before the Judges for probate of Wills and granting of Administrations lawfully authorized By the oath of Gyles Jennings the Brother and sole Executor named in the said Will To whom Administration of all and singular the goods Chattells and Debts of the said Deceased was Committed hee being first sworne by Commission truely to Administer the same

Transcribed by Bob Osborn