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Will of Frances Symons, Widow of Sherwill, Devon

Proved 14 August 1652

© Crown Copyright

National Archives Catalogue Reference: PROB 11/224

Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Bowyer Quire Numbers: 196 - 244

Transcribed by Sheila Howard


In the name of God Amen. The sixth day of July in the yeare of our Lord God

One thousand six hundred and fifty I Frances Symons of Sherwill in the County of Devon widow calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and the certainty of death being (praise be to God) of perfect memory do make this my testament containing herein my last will in manner following, First I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my maker and Creator and my body to Christian burial in the Churchyard of Sherwill. Item I give to the poor of the parish of Sherwill twenty shillings to be distributed amongst them at the day of by burial or within a week after Item I give to John Symons my Grandchild my but and wheels with all that belongs with it and also my best stone Jugg [......] and footed with silver, Item I give to Frances Symons my Grandchild my Great bedsted pain and a bedsted which and now in Robert Tamlin's house at Blafwill[?] Item I give to Joane Symons and Thomazin my Grandchildren to each of them forty shillings apiece to remain in the hands of my overseers named to be imployed by them for the best advantage of the children Item I give to William Ratenbury[?] my Grandchild my other Stone Jugg [......] and footed with Silver Item I give and bequeath to Frances Orchard[?] another of my Grandchildren five pounds to remain in the hands of my overseers to be imployed for her best advantage Item I give and bequeath to Prudence Hugh and Frances Hugh my Grandchildren to each of them five pounds apiece to remain in the hands of my overseers to be trustee and imployed by them for the childrens best profit and advantage Item I give to every one of my Godchildren five pence apiece Item my will is that John Orchard[?] and Richard Hugh my sons in law shall give sufficient bonds to my overseers within one month after my decease that they shall not sell away from their wives and children any of my Goods which I shall give their wives by this my will or shall defraud one another of my Goods which I shall give them, then all the rest of my goods and chattels I give and bequeath to my daughters Joane Orchard[?] and Frances Hugh above mentioned whom I make Executrixes of this my last will and testament to discharge my debts and funeral expenses but if any one of them does refuse to give such a bond then I do hereby make my grandson John Symons executor in his stead and further my will is that if either of Richard Hugh's children die before they accomplish the age of sixteen years then her portion shall remain to the other sister And likewise if Thomazine or Joane Symons die before they be of that age then the other sister shall have her portion Lastly I do appoint my very good friend Robert Tamlin of Blafewill[?] and my cousin John Sloley Cordener of Barnstaple overseers of this my last will and testament desiring them to see this my will duly and [....] fully performed according to my interest and ordaining herein and for their pains I give them five shillings apiece These bearing witness Sealed Signed and published in the presence of Walter Lawins Signem Robert Thomlin Signem Joanna Cashe/

Item I do give unto Suzanne Hue daughter of Richard Hue my Grandchild four of my best siver spoons which is not mentioned in this will. Item I do give unto my cousin John Sloly's two children of Barnstaple Cordwinder forty shillings apiece though not mentioned in my will Item I do give unto William Rattonbury my son in law the three weeks rent that was due now since Christmas, witness to it the signe of Richard Hugh and the signe of Robert Tamblin.

This will was proved at London the fourteenth day of August in the year of Our Lord One thousand six hundred fifty two before the Right worshipfull Mr Nathaniel Brent [........] Doctor of Law and Master of [......] of the Perogative Court by the oaths of Joane Orchard and Frances Hugh daughters of the Said deceased and Joint Executors named in the said will. To whom was committed Administration of all and singular the goods chattels and debts of the said deceased they being first legally found to be by [..........] well and truly the daughters of the said.