Will of Phillip Drake, Widow

Proved 5 October 1655

© Crown Copyright

PROB 11/250/258, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

Transcribed by Kathleen Noye

[Will of Phillip Denys, Widow of William Drake of Wiscombe, Southleigh, Devon]

[Note: the first part is an attempted transcription from a very poor image.]

In the name of God: Amen: The Sixteenth Day of July Anno D[omini] 1647 and in the xxijth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God of of England Scotland ffrance & Ireland…defender of the faith Etc I Phillip Drake of Wiscombe in the Countie of Devon widow late wife of William Drake Esquier deceased being weake of bodie but perfecte of minde and memorie (thank[es] be to Almightie God) doe make and ordaine these presentes declaring the same to be my last will & Testamente and hereby revokinge all former willes by me made in in manner and forme followinge……………my Soule into the handes of Almightie God my…………….Jesus Christe my onlie Saviour and………….whose mercie and death and passion and my bodie to be buryed in the Churche………of South[leigh] where my deceased [husband]…………… Item I giue to the poore people of the parish of [Southleigh] thirtie [?] shillinges to be distributed by………..of my Executrix hereafter named

Item I giue vnto my deare and welbeloved sonne Thomas Drake my diamond Ringe which my brother Sr Thomas Denys knight deceased by his last will and Testament gaue vnto me which ringe I desire my said Sonne to weare and vse the same in token of my love towards him wishing it were better and that I were better able to advance him as his estate Item I giue to my sonne Acton Drake and William Drake, and to my daughter Johane nowe the wife of Robert Collyns gent and to eache of them a Ringe of gould with Deathes head each of the value of xxvjs viijd [26 shillings 8 pence] in token and remembrance of my love towardes them Item I giue vnto my grandchild and godsonne William Drake a silver Cup or bowle of the value of ffive poundes to be within thirtie dayes of my death bought by my Executrix for him and my Armes and name to bee ingraven thereon, and soe to be delivered him by my said Executrix, Which I desire may remaine vnto him and to his vse And all the rest and residue of my estate Jewells, goodes and chattles of what nature or kinde soever my funerall expences performed & borne I wholie giue and bequeath vnto my beloved Daughter Amye Drake whome I make and ordaine to be my whole and Sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament But my intent and meaninge herein is that shee shall intermeddle with or take away any the ornaments of the house or housholde stuffe in the house nor of the ploughestuffe nor any other necessaries of dead goods without Doores, but shall leave the same to my said Sonne Thomas Drake as I receaued [received] them after the death of my deceased husband In wittnes whereof I haue herevnto sett my seale & subscribed my name the day and yeare aboue written The marke of the Testatrix Sealed subscribed acknowledged and declared in the presence of Edm: Blode, Henry Starr

This will was proved at London before the Judges for probate of wills and graunting administrations the fifthe Day of October in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand Sixe hundred fiftie and five by the oath of Amye drake the Daughter and Executrix named in the last will and Testament of the said Deceased To whome administration was com[m]itted shee being sworne by Commission trulie to administer . /