| Will of John Smith, yeoman, of West Mersea, 2 Nov 1675 transcribed from ERO D/ABW 68/73
Transcription, abstract etc by Alan Mogridge April 2023)
Abstract
John Smith, yeoman, of West Mersea
Date of will: 2nd November 1675
Date of death: unknown
Date of Probate: 18th November 1676
John Smith leaves his soul to God and his body to be decently buried at the discretion of his executrix. He makes the following bequests:
His tenement lying in West Mersea held of the manor of the same to Parnella Edwards, the current occupier of the property, for the rest of her natural life. After her death, the property is bequeathed to John Edwards for the rest of his life; thence to William Edwards and his natural born heirs.
He also bequeaths two copyhold pightles (a triangular piece of land) to his wife Mary, and to her heirs for ever. These are situated on the road to West Mersea church near to the house which John currently occupies.
The residual estate is bequeathed to his wife Mary who is appointed executrix. Additionally, Moses Polly is appointed executor.
The will is dated 2nd November 1675 and witnessed by Thomas Edwards.
Probate is granted on 18th November 1676.
Transcription of the will
1. In the name of God Amen the Twenty second of November In the Seaven & twenteth yeare of the
2. Reigne of our Sov[er]inge Lord King Charles the second And in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand
3. six hundred Seaventy & five I John Smith of West Mersey in the County of Essex yeoman being sicke of
4. body but of reasonable understanding & perfect memory Thanks be given to Almightie God doe make this my
5. last will & Testament in Manner & forme Following Imprimis I give my soul to God that gave it hopeing
6. that through the meritorious death & passion of my blessed Saviour & redemer Jesus Chirst to find rest for my
7. soul. And as for my Body to be buried in decent buriall at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter Named
8. And for those Worldly Goods which it hath pleased Almighty God to endowe me with I give & bequeath
9. in Manner & Forme Following First I give & bequeath all that my Tenement or Copyhold Messuage with
10. the appertenances \holden of th[e] Man[n]or of West Mersey/ now in the occupation of Parnella Edwards Widdow Lying or being in West Mersey unto
11. the said Parnella Edwards for terme of her naturall life And after her decease unto John Edwards duering
12. terme of his life And after his decease unto William Edwards & to the hiers of his body lawfully begotten
13. for ever. Item I give & bequeath all those my two Copyhold pightles \holden of th[e] Man[n]or of West Mersey/ by estimation three acres
14. more or lesse Lying & being in West Mersey afforesaid Abbutting upon the high way leading to West Mersey
15. Church South & North neare unto the house wher I now dwell unto my Loveing Wife Mary Smith & to her
16. heires for ever Item all the rest of my Goods & Chatteles & Moveables whatsoever unbequeathed I give &
17. bequeath unto my Loveing Wife Mary Smith And doe make & ordaine she the said Mary Smith Executrixe
18. And Moyses Polley Executor of this my last Will & Testament Revoakeing all other former Wills by me
19. made In Wittnesse wherof I have hereunto sett my hand & seale the day & yeare first above written
20. Sealed & delivered & declared to be
21. the last Will & Testament of the w[i]thin
22. named John Smyth in the p[re]sence
23. of Thomas Edwards
[signed by John Popper and John Smith]
24. Colcestria novembris mentis decimo octavo die An[n]o D[omi]ni 1676
25. Predicte Maria Smith Relicte Johannis Smith Predicte decess' nup[er] de Marsey occidente
26. et Moses Polley de Colcestria' Cont' essex executores predicte jurat seun' lege ob
27. fidele executione Predicte Testamenti cora[m] nobis
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