Will of Robert Chappell, of Northam, Devon

Written 1613, proved 1614

National Archives PCC will ref: PROB 11/123

Transcribed by David Carter 2017

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Will:

In the name of God Amen.

I [John crossed out] Robert Chappell of Northam in the countie of Devon beying at this present in perfect health and good remembrance thankes be to Almightie god, Do make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner following:

First I commend and bequeath my soule to Almighty god my maker and to Jesus Christe my redemer and to the holie ghost by whome I hope to be samtified(sic) three persone one god everlasting, Amen, fullie assuring my hope in Jesue Christe my Savyour to be saved by his precious deathe and passion and throughe hyme to have free remission of my synnes in this worlde and to be a partaker with hym in his heavenlie kingdome in life everlasting, Amen.

My body I bequeathe to the earthe whence yt came at the pleasure of Almightie god, hoping that bothe soule and body shalbe partaker of the faithfull daye of resurrection.

Now concerning my worldlie goods which god hathe endowed me withal I do give them as foloweth, viz:

I give to the poore people of Northam ffyve poundes to be distributed according to the discretion of my overseers of this my will.

I give to eache of my godchildren one shillinge a peece.

I give unto my mother Emme Chappell twentie poundes.

I give unto my wife Susan Chappell fiftie poundes with this condition that yf she doe suffer and permitt my mother Emme Chappell to hould and enioye the house and grounde therunto belonging wherein she nowe dwelleth called Westwood quietlie there to dwell my mother paying my wife twentie shillinges a yere during her life provided allwayes that it ys my will that yf my wife do not suffer my mother quietly to enioye the houses and groundes my mother paying my wife the foresayed twentie shillings a yere, then I give unto my mother the aforesayed fiftie poundes which my wife should have.

My will is further that my mother during her life shall have the use and occupation of all my household stuffe or goodes belonging to my house during her life and after her death that my wife likewise shall have the use and occupation of the aforesayed goodes during her life. And after theire deathes and deceases then I give and bequeath all and singular the aforesayed goodes and landes yf my wife be now with childe beying a man chiilde unto hym but yf it be a woman childe then my will is that all my goodes and landes aforesayed shall whollie remayne and come unto my cosin John Chappell my brother John Chappell sonne.

Further my will is that yf my wife be nowe with childe and that yt be a woman childe I give unto her threescore poundes to be put out at some good use for her till she be one and twentie yeres of age.

In consideration that my landes shall remayne in my name that all the foresayed lande shall whollie remayne and be to the use of my cosin John Chappell my brother John Chappell sonne and to the heires males of his bodye lawfullie begotten, and for defaulte of yssue of the bodye of my cosin John Chappell lawfullie begotten then to the yssue of my brother John Chappell and to the heires males of his body lawfullie begotten. And for defaulte of suche yssue then to the righte heires of me the foresayed Robert Chappell for ever.

I give unto my cosin Elizabeth Chappell my brother William Chappells daughter fiftie poundes with this condition that yf my wife be not with childe but yf she be with childe then I give unto her but thirtie poundes to be payed her at her daye of marriage.

I give allso to my foresayed cosin my close of lande called the Bushe Parke after the decease of my mother for tearme of her life or forty shillinges a yere to be payed her during her life at the coise of my heire. The which close or forty shillinges a yere to be payed her presentlye after my mothers deceasse.

I give unto my cosin Samuell Chappell tenne poundes to be payed hym within tenne monthes after my decease.

I give unto my cosin Thomas Harrys fiftie shillinges to be payed hym when he commeth out of prentise.

I give unto my cosin Johane Harrys sixe poundes to be payed her at her daye of marriage.

I give unto my cosin Katherine Haryes fower poundes to be payed her at her daye of marriage.

I give unto my cosin Johane Colles to be payed her at her daye of mariage tweltie poundes.

I give unto my cosin Johane Cooke to be payed her at her daye of mariage three poundes.

I give unto my cosin Mary Coke to be payed her at her daye of mariage sixe poundes.

I give unto my cosin Arthur Coke twentie shillings.

I give unto my cosin William Coke twentie shillinges.

I give unto my cosin Joseph Coke twentie shillinges.

I give unto my cosin Willm Chappell my brother John Chappell sonne tenne poundes.

I give unto my cosin John Chappell my brother John Chappell sonne tenne poundes with this condition that yf my wife be nowe with childe.

I give to eache of my sister lawes to be payed then at theire daye of mariage twentie shillinges a peece.

I give unto eache of my brother lawes tenne shillinges a peece.

I give unto my cosin Johane Whitson six poundes to be payed her at her daye of mariage.

I give unto eache of my prentises tenne shillinges a peece.

I give unto my cosin Philip Kynge which nowe dwelleth with me fortie shillinges.

My debts and legaceys beying payed I give and bequeathe all the rest of my goodes moveable and unmoveable chattells debts and whatsoever that is due unto me unto my wellbeloved brother John Chappell whome I make my full and whole executor of this my last will and testament.

And I hartelie praye my cosin William Leighe and my brother in lawe Pathericke Coll to be my overseers of this my testament.

And for witnesse that this is truthe as my deede I have put hereunto my hande and seale in witnesse of those underwritten.

Dated the eight daye of Maye & in the eleventh yere of the raigne of oure soveraigne Lorde Kinge James [ie: 1613].

[Signed] Robert Chappell.

Witnesses hereunto: William Leighe, Bartholmewe Shapton.

Probate:

Probate granted 16th March 1613 [ie: 1613/14] to Johannis Chappell brother.

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Parish register entries referring to the people mentioned in this will:

Northam - Parish Baptisms

No apparent entry for Robert Chappell

Northam - Parish Burials

No apparent entry for Robert Chappell

1616 Jan 27 – Eme Chapell, widow

There is no obvious sign of a Baptism for Robert Chapple, his marriage to Susan, or a burial for him in 1613 or 1614. The will has the appearance of a young husband preparing for a sea voyage. It is therefore likely that Robert was buried or lost at sea.

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