Will of John Tozer, Yeoman, of Moretonhampstead

Proved 29 June 1659

© Crown Copyright

PROB 11/294/242, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

Transcribed by Ros Dunning

In the Name of God Amen I John Tozer of Moretonhampstead in the Countie of Devon Yeoman in the time of health and perfect memorie thankes be to Almightie God Doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following Imprimis I give and bequeath my Soule into the hands of Almighty God and my Bodie to decent Christian burial hoping for salvation in and by Jesus Christ my onlie Saviour and Redeemer Item I give and bequeath Unto the poore of the parish of Moretonhampstead aforesaid the summe of Twentie shillings Item I give and bequeath unto Mary my wife the use of one horse or Mare fitt for her riding to be kept att the sole Cost or Charge of my Executor and to be left unto him my said Executor after the decease of the said Mary Alsoe I give and bequeath unto the aforesaid Mary Tozer my wife three milch kine and Twentie Yeowes with the increase and benefitt which may come of him to be kept att the sole Cost and charge of the said Mary my wife ffreely to make use of all my Goods within doore for her own propper use and after the said Marye's decease to leave it wholie to my Executor further alsoe I give and bequeath to Mary my wife after my decease the use and benefitt of all my rents of the houses which I have within the Towne and burrough of Moretonhampstead to be gathered upp by Joseph Tozer my eldest sonne and heire and to be paid by his the said Joseph his heires Executors and Assignes quarterly unto the said Marye during the Terme and time of her natural life Item I give and bequeath unto Jacob my sonne one Tenement in Moretonhampstead aforesaid called or Knowne by the name of Longhill with all and singular The appurtenances unto him the said Jacob Tozer his Executors Administrators and assignes immediately by and from and after the end and expiration of ffower yeares of an Estate formerly granted by mee the said John Tozer for and during the full and whole Terme of fourscore and nineteene yeares from thenceforth fully to be complete and ended if the said Jacob Tozer and his wife if he happen to marry and one child of his if he happen to have anie or one or either of them shall soe long happen to live yeilding and paying for the same yearely unto the right heire and his assignes the yearely rent of one shilling and fower pence of lawfull monie of England during the said terme after the commencement of the same Alsoe I give and bequeath unto Jacob my sonne one Tableboard and forme in the parlour Chamber and househeaded bedstead in the hall Chamber and one peice of Blanketts to be delivered to him by my Executor after the decease of the aforesaid Mary Tozer my wife Item I give and bequeath unto Andrew Tozer my son his Executors or assignes the summe of ffiftie pounds of lawfull monie of England to be paid by my lawfull Executor his Executors Administrators or assignes att the end or within the Terme and time of two yeares next after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto my sonne Andrewe his Executors or Assignes another ffiftie pounds of like lawfull monie of England to be paid unto the said Andrew my sonne by Joseph my sonne and heire his heires Executors or assignes att the end or within one yeare next after the decease of the aforesaid Mary my wife And further alsoe I give and bequeath and my meaning is that if my sonne Jacob happen to die before he shall come to have and enjoy the possession occupation and benefitt of the said Tenement of Longhill with The appurtenances thereunto belonging and soe dying shall leave noe wife nor Child of his to have and enjoy the same according to the true intent and purpose of this my last Will and Testament as is aforesaid Then my will and meaning is that my said sonne Andrew Tozer his Executors Administrators and assignes shall alsoe have And enjoy of the said Tenement called Longhill with all and singular The appurtenances immediately after the state formerly granted by mee the said John Tozer for and during the full and whole terme of ffourscore and nineteen yeares from thenceforth to be compleate and ended if the said Andrewe Tozer and his wife if he happen to marry and one child of his if he happen to have anie or one or either of them shall soe long happen to live yeilding and paying for the same unto the right heire and his assignes the yearely rent of one shilling and fower pence of lawfull monie of England during the said Terme after the Commencement Item I give and bequeath to Mary Tozer daughter of my sonne Joseph Tozer the summe of fortie shillings to be paid unto her when she shall accomplish the age of one and Twentie Item I give and bequeath unto Sidwell Ayyett which was my Apprentice Twentie shillings Lastly all the rest of my Goods Chattels and debts not before given and bequeathed as aforesaid I give and bequeath unto my sonne Benjamin Tozer whome I make and ordaine hereby to be my whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament willing and ordaining shall pay all my aforesaid legacies soe by mee respectively given excepted one of the ffifty pounds given unto Andrew Tozer my Sonne which I have appointed Joseph my sonne and heire to pay And that he the said Benjamin Tozer my sole Executor shall pay all such debts as I the said John Tozer shall owe att the tyme of my death In witnesse whereof I the said John Tozer have hereunto Sett my hand and seale this sixt day of Januarie in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred ffiftie and fower according to the Computation of the Church of England the marke of John Tozer

(Attestation Clause)

Alex: Whitway _ Degory Walden _ Edward Meardon

Proved at London 29 June 1659