Will of Edward Cranch, Yeoman of South Huish, Devon

25 April 1651

© Crown Copyright

PROB 11/223, File Reference: 1006, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Bowyer Quire Numbers: 154 - 195

Transcribed by Kathryn Barnett

Note - Where a word is difficult to read, I have placed my best guess in square brackets, thus [ ]. Where a letter or letters within a word cannot be deciphered, I have placed a dash, thus -.

In N'ie domini Amen I Edward Cranch of Southuish in the County of Devon yeoman beinge of a Sickly and feeble body but of a Sound and perfect memory thanks bee to god by reason of the uncertenty of Death Doe make my last will and Testament in manner and forme and followinge In primis I doe bequeath my body to a Decent and Christian buriall And my Soul into the hands of Almighty god my Creator Item I give and bequeath unto John Follet my grandchild tenn pounds to be payd when hee Shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years or sooner if the Overseers of my will think fitt Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Follet another of my grandchildren Twenty pounds to be payd when shee Shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years or sooner if the Overseers of this my will think as aforesayd Item I give and bequeath unto Roger Gervas my kinsman Richard Gervas and Alice Rundall my Servants to each of them one EweSheepe to bee delivered within three months of my decease Item I give and bequeath unto to the poore of the Parish of Southuish tenn Shillings to be payd to the Overseers of the Poor for that year within two weekes of my decease Item I do give and bequeath unto my sister Joane Martyn widdow all the right which I have in foure fields Called [Barly]Fords Middle parks and water[Leafe] parsell of the Barton wherein Thomas Crispin of Southuish aforesayd now liveth And the Corne that Shallbe F-dinge or growinge thereon at the time of my death as also the barly that is now growinge in a Close of land Called John Gervas his park Conteyning seven acres or thereabouts which is to be in full Satisfaction of all Debts which I owe her provided that if Shee doe not release and discharge my Executors of the Sayd Debts Then my intent and meaninge is that She Shall receive noe benifitt by this my will Item I give and bequeath unto Edward Follitt one other of my grandchildren Fifty pounds to bee payd when hee Shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years or sooner if my Overseers by these [presents] named shall think fitt but if it happen that hee Dye before then I doe give and bequeath that Fifty pounds intended for him unto the sayd Mary Follet his Sister as an addition to her Legacie Item I doe give unto Ibbott Dymond my kinswoman Twenty pounds to bee payd within two yeares after my death provided that if shee or her husband take anie advantage of my former guift or pr--inse in marriage with her then my intent is that shee shall take no benifitt by this my will Item I doe give and bequeath to Mr Thomas Stephens of Thurlestone Mr Phillip Harris of Alston and Edward Jane of Southuish twenty Shillings a peace to buy each of them rings And of this my last will and Testament I doe nominate ordain and appointe Anthony Follett one other of my grandchildren and the abovenamed Edward Follett my Joynt Executors and the Survivor of them my sole Executor with this Condition that when both of them doe accomplish the age of one and twenty years If the sayd Anthony Follett doe pay unto the sayd Edward his brother Forty Shillings on or and above his legacie above specified that then the sayd Edward is to forbeare the intermedlinge with this my will or to receave any further benifitt by the same And Last of all I doe Constitute Authorize nominate ordaine and appointe the sayd Thomas Stephens Phillipp Harris and Edward Jane and the Survivor and Survivors of them to bee Overseers to bee Overseer of this my Last will and Testament To whom I Commit the Care of the mannaginge of all my goods and Chattles intended to my sayd Executors untill they shalbee one and twentie yeares a peace In Witness whereof I the abovesayd Edward Cranch have here unto sett my hand and seale -roren the eight day of May In the yeare of our Lord god one thousand six hundred and fifty 1650 Edward Cranch
Published and declared to bee the last will and Testament of the sayd Edward Cranch in presence of John Huntyn Owen Hingston

The five and twentith Day of Aprill in the yeare of our Lord god one thousand six hundred Fifty and one A Commission or Letters of Administration issued forth unto John Follett Merchant the natural and lawfull father of Edward and Anthony Follett the natural and lawfull nephews and Executors of the sayd Edward Cranch deceased To Administer all and singular the goods Chattles and Debts of the sayd deceased according to the tec--- and the effect of this last will and Testament of the sayd deceased For the sole use and benifitt and behoofe of the sayd Children the Executors and during the [p---ity] the sayd John Follett beinge first Sworne by vertue of a Commission well and truely to Administer the same.