Transcript

Of

Draft Will of Thomas Harris of Ashburton

Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 11 (1920-21) pp. 49-50.

by

Hugh R. Watkin

Prepared by Michael Steer

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ASHBURTON, DRAFT WILL OF THOMAS HARRIS, OF. On the reverse of a long roll of paper marked M 37, which bears the records of courts held at Totnes in the year 1505, are a solicitor's rough notes, mostly in English. The following draft of a will dated the 26th June, 1619, may be of interest:-

I Thomas Harris the elder of Aishberton being old and stricken in years etc. bequeath to the poor people of Aishberton £10. To Barnard Harris my eldest son four of my lyme pitts within the parish of Aishberton, paying to my executors 2s yearly. To Thomas Harris my son all my estate etc., within the town of Aishberton which I hold by the demise and grant of John Cannter of Aishberton yeoman, on condition that he allow Johanna Harris my wife to dwell there during her life. To Nicholas Harris my son £100 when he attains 24 years. And whereas Nicholas Huryman late of Dartmouth gent. and John Codner, late of Aishberton, by their several deeds have granted me Thomas Harris that stable or cottage and a garden and one close of land called the Frensh (park?) and one other close of land in the occupation of Thomas Stanbury (?) for 99 years etc. etc. To Johanna Harris and Mary Harris my daughters £80- when they reach the age of 23 years. To my daughter Agnes, the wife of George Knollings, £4 within one year of my decease. The residue of all my goods etc.to my wife Johanna and Thomas my son whom I appoint my executors, and my son-in-law George Knollings and my friend Roger Yolland to be my overseers etc.

Had Frensh Park any connection with the wars of 1549, 1557-59, 1562-64, or was it a family name?