Will of Thomas Clieffe, Fuller, of Kingsbridge

Proved 1658

© Crown Copyright

PROB 11/288/367, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

Transcribed by Ronnie Munday

Thomas Cleife Kingsbridge - will proved 1658 - buried 11/11/1657

Wife: Joan or Johan (married Kingsbridge 24/8/1637)

Sons: Thomas with daughter Mary; William with sons John and Thomas

Daughter: Frances Cleife

Other Grandchildren: William Sheere ¹; Elizabeth Sheere; Susan Sheere

In the name of God Amen, the 4th day of May 1657, Thomas Cleife the elder of Kingsbridge in the County of Devon fuller ² being weak in body yet perfect of memory thanks be to God do make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and above all I commend my soul unto God my creator and my body to the earth in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life through the only merits of Jesus Christ xxx alone saviour and redeemer. Also I give and bequeath unto the poor of the parish of Kingsbridge aforesaid three shillings and four pence to be distributed unto them at the day of my burial. Also I give and bequeath unto Thomas Clieffe my son five shillings in lawful English money to be paid to him within one year after my decease. Also I give unto Mary Clieffe, my grandchild 12 pence. Also I give unto William Clieffe my son and Frances Clieffe my daughter twenty pairs of fullers Shayers which I have comen by in my shop and withal that belongeth to the said Shayers to be equally divided between them by means of judgement in the twede of fulling within one month after my decease, the said William my son paying then unto Johan ³ my wife 40 shillings lawful money of England. Also I give and bequeath unto the said William my son and Frances my daughter all my RacXX? equally between them. Also I give and bequeath unto John and Thomas Clieffe, sons of the said William Clieffe 5 shillings apiece to be paid to them within 12 months after my decease. Also I give unto Thomas Cleiffe my Grandchild one little brazen pan. Also I give and bequeath unto Johan Cleife, my wife the tenement with the appurtenances wherein I now dwell to have the same to the said Johan and her assigns immediately from and after my decease and during the full term of four score years from thenceforth next ensuring fully to be compleat and ended, if she the said Johan do or shall so long live by and under the rents, covenants and concurrent due or to be payable for the same during the term xxxx devised. And my will is that the said William Cleiffe my son and assigns shall have and enjoy the foresaid tenements with the appurtenances immediately from and after the decease of my said wife for and during all the time and term of years that shall then to come and unexpired of in and to the same by for and by virtue of a lease xriegnant to me and made of the same by the Lord Petre which said lease beareth date the se(ve)nteenth of November the year of our Lord 1655, the said William Cleiffe my son yielding the rents and xxxxxx due unto the said Lord Petre his heirs and assigns. And also then paying yearly unto the said Frances, my daughter, 30 shillings lawful money of England by equal and even portions quarterly to be paid during the said mentioned terms lastly therein expressed. If she the said Frances so for long live and the former estate by virtue of the said lease so long continue. Also I give and bequeath unto William Sheere, Elizabeth Sheere and Susan Sheere my grandchildren 3 shillings and 4 pence. All the rest of my goods and chattels not formerly given and bequeathed, I give and bequeath unto the said Johan Cleiffe, my wife and Frances Cleiffe my daughter whom I ordaine and make my joint executors. And I do appoint Owen Gillard of Marlborough and James Adams the younger of Stockingham, overseers to see this my will performed according to the true intent and meaning of the same. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal. Signed, sealed and published in the presence of Roger Birdwood, Owen Gillard and Nicholas White.

Probate 16.2.1658

¹ Probably children of Thomas Sheere and Honnor (formerly Cleife) married 16/7/1636 All Hallows, Goldsmith Street, Exeter.
² Fuller - dresser of cloth. Occupation of fuller was to scour and and thicken raw cloth by beating and trampling it in water.
³ Johan Cleiffe buried Kingsbridge 1/5/1676