The Will of Richard Waters
Proved
1617, Swaffham Prior
Consistory Court of Ely
Transcript Kindly Provided by Avril Symonds
In the name of God Amen the twentieth day of July 1617 I Richard Waters of Swaffham Prior senior in the County of Cambridge yeoman being of good and perfect remembrance thanks be given to the heavenly Lord therefore do make and ordain this my last will and testament revoking all other wills heretofore by me made in manner and form following.
First I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty god who first gave it me hoping assuredly to have remission and forgiveness of all my sins through the only merits of my ?????? saviour Jesus Christ and to ????? a blessed place in his heavenly kingdom. And my body to the earth from whence it came.
Item I give unto my son Richard my copyhold with their appurtenances the house in Reach wherein one Gregory Royston now dwells to have and enjoy the same to him and his heirs. Also I give unto my said son Richard six acres of free land lying in the general fields of Swaffham aforesaid which I purchased off Mr. John Edwardes to him and his heirs forever. Also I give unto my said son Richard four acres of copyhold land lying in the said fields which were left me by my father to him and his heirs forever. And I give moreover unto my said son Richard ???? half of my further ground lying the fens and parish of Wicken, containing by ????? ????? ????? to him and his heirs forever. Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth threescore pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto her within six months next after my decease. Also I give unto my said daughter one feather bed, one bolster, two pillows with beenes, one coverlet two blankets, and two pairs of sheets. Item I give unto my daughter Susan threescore pounds of lawful English money to be paid to her at Christmas twelve months next after my decease if she be married. And if she be not married then they are to pay her six pounds a year consideration unto ???? or her assignees until she shall accomplish her full age of one and twenty years or day of marriage ?????? ????? ????? at which time they shall pay unto her the said sum of threescore pounds. Also I give unto my daughter Susan one feather bed, one bolster, two pillows with beenes, one coverlet, two blankets, and two pairs of sheets. Item My executives are to choose two pairs, and they are to make choice of the rest.
Item I give unto Elizabeth my daughter forty pounds more to be paid unto her or her assignees the second February 1619.
Item I give unto my daughter Susan forty pounds more to be paid unto her or her assignees the second of February 1621.
Item I give unto the poor people of Swaffham Prior and Reach the sum of five pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto the Churchwardens of the said churches within one year next after my decease. And the same to be put out for the best ?????? by the churchwardens for the time being, with comfort of two of the ?????? inhabitants forever.
Item All the rest of my lands, tenancies, and herediments unbequeathed I give unto my son John. I make my sons John and Richard my executors unto whom I bequeath all my goods and chattels whatsoever to be equally divided between them, my pewter only excepted which my four children shall equally divide amongst them, my two sons paying my debts, legacies and bring my body honestly to the ground entrusting my brothers John Holmes and George Waters to be ???????????? my will, entrusting them to be aiding ??????? my sons executives ??????. Both advisers and for their pains I give ????? each of them ten shillings gratuities ??????? to this my last will I have set my hand and seal in the presence of John Chambers.