William Emerton

Prerogative Court of Canterbury will made: 5th August 1656
Probate Date: 16th January 1656/7
Proved by William Emerton son of the testator
National Archive Catalogue reference: PROB 11/261

The original document is in the custody of the National Archives

Transcript

In the Name of God Amen: The fifte day of August in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred fiftye and sixe I William Emerton of Heath in the parishe of Laighton Bussard in the Countie of Bedford yeoman beinge aged sicke and weake of body but yet of good and perfect memorye (praised be God therefore) doe make constitute and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge (that is to saie) First and principally I Comend my Soule unto Almightie God my Creator assuredlie beleevinge that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of all my sinnes and be saved by the pretious death and merritts of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ And my bodie to the earth from whence it was taken to bee buryed in such decent and Christian like manner as to my Executor hereafter named shalbe thought meeke & convenient And as touchinge such worldlye estate as the Lord in mercye? hath lent me my will and meaninge is that the same shalbe employed and bestowed as hereafter in this my will is expressed And first I doe revoke frustrate and make void all wills by me formerlie made, and declare and appoint this my present writinge to be as my last will and Testament and none other Inprimis I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Emerton my daughter my middle kettle and alsoe the sume of fower score and tenne poundes of lawfull English money Item I give and bequeath unto my grandchild Elizabeth Betlowe one Cowe and a Calfe and sixe sheepe Item I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my loveinge wife the use of all my houshold goodes whatsoever for and dureinge her naturall life And after her decease I give and bequeath the said goodes unto William Emerton my sonne All and singuler other my goodes Chattells Cattell houshold goodes Implem[en]tes and utensills of houshold landes Tenementes and hereditamentes whatsoever and wheresoever the same are or be in whose handes possession or Custodie soever they are or be I give and bequeath unto my said sonne William Emerton And lastlie I doe appoint & ordaine my said sonne William Emerton to be my sole and whole Executor of this my present Testament and last will by me made utterlye revokinge and makinge void and null all former wills and bequeastes whatsoever by me made either by word or writinge whome I doe order and appoint to pay all my debtes and Legacies whatsoever and to see my Funerall expences discharged In wittnes whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the day and yeare above written. Wee whose names are hereunder written doe certefie unto all people whome it may concerne That the day and yeare above written the said William Emerton deceased did by word of mouth declare his last will and testament punctually accordinge to the tenor effect and true meaninge of this present writinge, and declare his minde to seale unto the same (but god sudainely after prevented it by death) Wittnes our handes hereunto sett the eleaventh day of August in the yeare of our Lord God 1656. The marke of Frances Honor the wife of William Honor. The marke of Sarah Studds the wife of George Studds./