ID: MARG_120_012

TitleWill of Israel Edwards of East Mersea 1666 D/ACW 17/210 - translation
AbstractWill of Israel Edwards, lately Rector of East Mersea, who died 23 November 1666 transcribed from Essex Record Office document D/ACW 17/210
Modern English Translation. For Transcription of the Will, see MARG_120_011 .

Transcription, abstract etc. by Trevor Hearn 26th January 2020

Abstract
Israel Edwards, Rector of the Church of St. Edmund King & Martyr, East Mersea, Essex

Date of death: 23 November 1666;
Date of probate: 26 November 1666

Married to Elizabeth to whom he bequeathes land and buildings called Springs Tyefield; Carters & Cardiffs; Noakes & Noakes; Dretches; land in Copford; and copyhold land in East Mersea called Rynotts [Kynotts?] held of the manor of Reeves Hall. He also bequeathes to Elizabeth the benefit of an Indenture of Bargain and Sale between himself and Jacob Dehame for the house and land in Colchester in which he resided, together with the benefit of an unpaid bond pertaining to such Indenture; and all of his goods, chattels, moveable property, bonds, bills and money owed to him in respect of rates in East Mersea or from any other source.

Monetary bequests are also made to the poor of the parishes of East Mersea and Copford; members of the Ram family; Henry Edwards (first cousin); Thomas, John, Paul and Mary Edwards (relationship unknown); members of the Waine family; Elizabeth Holland (kinswoman); and Sarah Peachie (maidservant). Executors: Elizabeth Edwards (wife) and John Argor in Braintree, Essex (brother-in-law).

Names mentioned in document
Elizabeth Edwards (wife)
William Lockerson (friend)
Samuel Kies [Keys] (friend)

Thomas Perry of Bodingham Hall
Rector of Copford Church

Elizabeth Ram (sister of Israel Ram)
Mary Ram
Isabel Ram
Jane Ram

Henry Edwards (first cousin)

Thomas Edwards
John Edwards
Paul Edwards
Mary Edwards

William Waine
Susan or Marie Waine (sister of William)
Susan Waine, deceased (mother to the above siblings)
William Waine (father to the above siblings)

Elizabeth Holland (described as "kinswoman")
Sarah Peachie (maidservant to Israel & Elizabeth)

Jacob Dehame (grantor of Indenture of Sale)

John Argor (Executor)
Hezekiah Jocelin (witness to will)
Elizabeth Chancy (witness to will)

Thomas Gaell (public notary for probate)
John Wheeley (Probate clerk)
Mary Roberts (witness to probate)
John Negus (witness to probate)

Places mentioned
Springs Tyfield
Carters and Cardiffs
Noakes and Noakes
Dretches
Land in Copford
Rynotts [Kynotts]: Copyhold land in East Mersea held of the manor of Reeves Hall

Other items of interest
Israel Edwards was appointed Rector of East Mersea Church on 2 August 1615 under presentation by the Crown.

In 1650, during the English Civil War, the appointed Governor of Mersea Island, Captain William Burrell, was ordered to remove Israel Edwards from his post as Rector of East Mersea Church (after 35 years service) and to be sent "10 miles out of the island". He was to be replaced by a minister with more Puritan inclinations, but Israel Edwards was restored to his post in 1660 following the end of the Commonwealth period and the restoration of the monarchy, until his death in 1666.

Modern English Translation
In the name of God, Amen. I, Israel Edwards, Rector of East Mersea in Essex, being in good health aside from infirmities due to old age, which are good constant indicators of my impending demise, and being of sound mind, do hereby make my last will and testament as follows:

Firstly, I commend my eternal soul to Almighty God trusting fully in the remission of sins and his eventual salvation and request my body be buried in accordance with the instructions of my Executors.

I dispose of my lands and goods as follows:

I give the sum of £3 to the poor of the parish of East Mersea to be disbursed at the discretion of my good friends, William Lockerson and Samuel Kies, such distribution to be made within six months of my death.

I give the sum of 40 shillings to the poor of Copford, Essex to be distributed by the current Minister and Rector of Copford, and Thomas Perry of Bodingham Hall, such payments to be made within six months of my death.

I give the sum of £10 to each of Elizabeth Ram, Mary Ram, Isabell Ram and Jane Ram to be paid within six months of the death of their Aunt, providing sufficeint funds are available from the Aunt's estate.

I give the sum of £20 to my first cousin, Henry Edwards, to be paid within twelve months after my death, providing my wife is in a position to do so; if such is not the case, Henry is to wait for such bequest until six months after the death of my wife.

I give to Thomas Edwards, John Edwards, Paul Edwards and their sister, Mary Edwards, the sum of 5 shillings each to be paid within twelve months of my death, if my wife is willing to do so.

I give the sum of £5 to William Waine and his sister (whose name is either Susan or Marie), the children of Susan Waine (deceased) and William Waine, such sum to be equally divided between them and paid within six months of the death of my wife.

I give to the sum of 40 shillings to my married relative Elizabeth Holland, and to her heirs, to be paid within six months of the death of my wife.

I bequeath to my wife, and to her heirs for ever, the land and buildings pertaining to Springs Tyfield, and Carters and Cardiffs.

I give the sum of £5 to my maid, Sarah Peachie, to be paid within six months after the death of my wife.

I bequeath to my wife, Elizabeth, and to her heirs for ever, the lands known as Noakes and Noakes by West amounting to approximately 12 acres.

I bequeath to my wife, and to her heirs for ever, my house and land known as Dretches and amounting to approximately 5 acres.

I also bequeath to my wife, and to her heirs for ever, all my lands in Copford.

I give to my wife, and to her heirs for ever, all my copyhold [ Note 1 ] lands in East Mersea known as Rynotts (or by any other name currently known), and held under the manor of Reeveshall.

I give to my wife the benefit of an Indenture of Bargain and Sale between myself and Jacob Dehame for the house and land in Colchester in which he resided, together with the benefit of an unpaid bond pertaining to such Indenture; I entreat my wife to deal favourably with the widow of Jacob Dehame and to give such widow a minimum term of six months to procure the funds due under the bond.

I give to my wife all my goods, chattles, personal property, bonds, bills and any money owing to me for rates at East Mersea, or otherwise due to me from anyone else, for such purposes as described above.

I hereby appoint my wife Elizabeth and my brother-in-law, John Argor of Braintree, Essex, to be my Executors of this, my last will and testament, and to pay my debts and bequests as detailed herein. I hereby renounce all former wills and testaments in favour of this document which shall remain in full force and effect. I have signed and dated the first two pages of this will, and have signed and sealed this last page in confirmation of the same, on 24th October, 1664.

        Israel Edwards

Hezekiah Jocelin

Elizabeth Chancy
  (her mark)

The will was proved of Israel Edwards, lately Rector
of East Mersea, who died on 23rd November 1666.
Elizabeth Edwards was nominated first Executor under
the will first named by force of a commission in this
regard issuing before Master John Negus, Vicar, power
having been reserved to John Argor, the other executor,
when he comes seeking it.

26th November 1666 This document consisting of three sheets
of paper is a true copy of the last will and
testament of Israel Edwards, late Rector
of East Mersea in Essex, deceased, examined
with the original will of the aforesaid
Israel Edwards and agreeing verbatim therewith

Through the offices of Thomas Gaell, Notary Public
      John wheelley


This will properly belongs to the Bishop's
office; everything done here is thought
to be invalid, therefore the Executors
were refunded the fees and they proved the
will in that Court.

26th November 1666

Received by me, Elizabeth Edwards, widow and one of the Executors named in the last will and testamant of Israel Edwards, late Rector of East Mersea, Essex, deceased. The orignal last will and testament of the aforesaid Israel Edwards, deceased, was formerly exhibited by me into the Registry of the Archdeacon of Colchester in which Court it was proved in common form. I herewith discharge Thomas Gaell of Kelvedon, gentleman, the Registrar and Deputies and all officers of the said Court. Signed and sealed on the date above mentioned.

        Elizabeth Edwards

Witnesses:

Mary Roberts
John Negus

Note 1 lands held by a tenant by copy of the Court rolls

Keywordsedwardes
Published24 October 1664
SourceMersea Museum
IDMARG_120_012