Precis of the Wills of Takeley Residents. E to L

Precis of the wills of Takeley residents. E to L

This document includes précis of the wills of Takeley people.

Wills marked E.R.O. are included by kind permission of Essex Records Office.

Wills marked New College are included by kind permission of the Warden and Fellows on New College, Oxford

Wills marked P.C.C are from the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and are included by kind permission National Archives

Notes by the compiler.

BR references are on microfiche from Essex Records Office.

BW references are on microfilm, or available in the original from Essex Records Office.

The E.R.O. is continually updating the access to wills, so some wills with a reference of D/ABR may now have a D/ABW reference.

“ ” indicates a direct quotation.

[ ] indicates a note by the compiler

….indicates that words have been left out, either because they are unreadable, or because there is a gap or hole in the original document.

Some punctuation has been added to make the text easier to read.

? indicates that the compiler is uncertain of the reading.

A nuncupative will is one that was made by word of mouth only, and before credible witnesses who later made sworn statements before the Probate Court.

The words God, Saviour, Redeemer etc. in the preamble have been given capital letters throughout, even where they are not given in the original. As these are standard in most early wills they are noted only when it is felt to be particularly significant.

1/- and other money values have been given as 1s. etc.

Probate dates are given where they occur in the original. Not all wills have a probate date.

All lands and people are in Takeley unless otherwise specified.

All personal names and place names have been given capital letters, even where they are not given in the original.

The spelling has not been modernised. Proper names are as in the original. Abbreviations have been extended.

“ by estimation” and “more or less” have been omitted as they are standard usage.

I am grateful to Pat Salmon for the additional material from the Takeley parish registers, Marilyn Sayers for helping to check the references and to Phyllis Altham for proof reading the work.

Eave, Harry, husbandman, 08/03/1609, E.R.O. D/ABW 13/207.

Wife, Elizabeth Eave:= all his goods and moveables not previously bequeathed.

Daughter, Elizabeth Eave:= £5 to be paid to her by her grandfather William Eave at the age of twenty one years or on the day of her marriage. Until she is twelve years old the money is to be paid to William Eave “for her uses”.

Daughter, Anne Eave:= £5 to be given as above.

Daughter, Ellen Eave:= £5 to be given as above.

Possible unborn child “wherewith my wife goeth”:= £5 to be given as above.

If any child dies before reaching the age of twenty one years then their portion to be divided amongst the living children. If all the children are dead then it goes to his wife Elizabeth Eave.

Executrix:= wife Elizabeth Eave.

Witnesses:= Antony Handsaker, William Williams, John Laver, Edward Dod.

[the writing suggests that Dod wrote the will]

Probate 1614.

Elliet, Robert, husbandman, 13/01/1626, E.R.O. D/ABW 48/126.

Sick in body.

Wife, Jone Elliet:= his tenement and dwelling house with the orchard, outhouses and one little pightle of land called Mellfield, lately bought of Edward Eve of Elsenham, so long as she stays unmarried.

Also all the moveable goods in his house for her life, but not to sell or waste.

Son, George Elliet,:= the above after the death of Jone Elliet.

Son, Simon Elliet:= the above if George Elliet dies without heirs, on condition that he pays £5 to Agnes, wife of George Elliet after the death of George Elliet.

He gets Mellfield for one year after the death of Jone Elliet.

Daughter in law, Agnes Elliet:= if Simon Ellet does not fulfil the above conditions then Agnes inherits the whole.

Daughter, Anne Elliet:= £6 to be paid to her by his sons George and Simon Elliet. Also £3 in one year after the death of Jone Elliet.

Anne is to have the household goods after the death of Jone Elliet Also the ? next to the house of Michaell Brewer, with liberty of ingress and egress to the hall and fire if she stays unmarried. Otherwise this condition is void. He gives “more” to daughter Anne to Dower, but wife Jone is to farm them for one year paying 14s. and 4d. and making good the cattle at the end of the year.

Sons, George and Simon Elliet:= all the residue of his goods and chattles to be divided equally after paying his funeral expenses.

Executors:= sons, George and Simon Elliet.

Overseers:= Edwin Casse, William Parcely, allowing them 12d. each.

Witnesses:= Henry Langley, Edwin Casse, William Parsley.

Robert Elliet died at Stortford on 20/02/1626.

English, John, 1703 E.R.O. E.R.O. D/ABW 82/43.

The poor of Takeley:= £10 to be paid by his executor within six months after his death, and to be distributed by the minister and churchwardens.

The poor of Great Birch:= £6 to be distributed as above.

The poor of Much Canfield:= 40s.

The poor of Little Canfield:= 40s.

His poor neighbours at Hatfield that live near Takeley Vicarage:= 30s.

John Kendall, esq. of Bassingbourne Hall:= £10. He is also to get the £700 which Lady Anne Franklen owes to English and which she has solemnly sworn to pay.

William, second brother to the above John Kendall:= the parcel of land called the Slipe bounded by Parsonage Lane on the East, in Takeley.

All his books except his writings. If William should die before reaching the age of twenty one years then the bequest goes to his elder brother John Kendall.

William is also to get the £20 owed to English by a legacy from Mistress Anne Beckford which he hopes her Executors will pay honestly without trouble.

Also the £90 English is owed when Mr. Barrington’s book debts are paid off.

Mr. George Ray of Thremhall Priory:= £100.

Mr. George Shelin, Vicar of Matching:= £50.

Mr.William Leader of Broxted:= £10.

Mr. Samuel Smith, Vicar of Henham:= £10.

Thomas his godson, son of George Ray:= ………

Anna Maria, his god daughter, daughter to Dr.Huntington:=……

Samuel, his godson, son of Samuel Smith:=……

William, his god son, son of William Marriott:=…….

John his godson, son of Mr.Leader of Little Easton:=……

William his godson, son of Mr.Rogars of London, bookseller:=…………

[the probable figure for the above marked with….is £10].

Dr. Dane of Copford:= £30.

Jeane, wife of Dr. Dane:= £10

Mr. David Kinnear:= £8.

Godson, son of David Kinnear:= 40s.

Mr.John Reynolds of Stansted:= £10.

Charles Robson:= £3.

Thomas Cannon:= £30.

Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Cannon:= 40s.

Thomas Wittan and his wife:= £8.

John Constable:= £5 if he is still his servant at the time of testator’s death. All his wearing apparel apart from his priestly habits.

Francis , his church clerk and his wife := £3.

All the legacies are to be paid within one and a half years after the death of the testator.

Executor:= Mr. Francis Peversane, Clerk, of Great Canfield.

Witnesses:= William Clarke, Edward Ennyver, John Constable.

Probate:= 24/05/1716.

[John English, M.A. was Vicar of Takeley from 1663 to 1716. His wife Mary died in 1695]

Eve, Adam, yeoman, 20/01/1726, E.R.O. D/ABW 87/1/148.

Wife, Mary Eve:= messuage or tenement with orchard belonging to it, in the occupation of Henry Burles for her life. All his goods, chattels and personal estate after paying his debts and legacies.

Daughter, Mary Eve:= the above messuage after the death of her mother. Also the customary messuage or tenement with house, outhouses, lands and grounds in Much Canfield, in the occupation of widow Clarke, with the land in his own occupation

Also his customary messuage or tenement with outhouses and lands containing by estimation two acres now or late in the occupation of John Burles

Executrix:= wife, Mary Eve.

Witnesses:= John Tucker makes a mark, Phillip Judd ,makes a mark, Henry Staines makes a mark.

Probate:= 02/20/1728.

Eve, Jane, widow, 29/11/1805, National Archives Prob. 11/1436.

Sister, Ann wife of William Cockett of Much Hadham, farmer:= all the two freehold messuages, cottages or tenements.with buildings, lands, grounds and appurtenances now in her own occupation and that of William Marshall.

Nephews and nieces, the children of her late brother Robert Beard:= Robert Beard, Benjamin Beard, John Beard, Mary Halden, widow, Jane, wife of Nathaniel Simmons. They are to share the £200 which Robert Garret owes her in mortgage and which is to be called in and shared amongst them.

She expressly directs that Jane Simmons’ share is to be paid to her only and be exempt from the control of her husband who is not to meddle therewith.

Niece, Ann wife of William Gorsuet Hines of Much Hadham, gentleman:= one half of all the rest of her monies, securities, public fund money, goods, chattels, effects and personal estate.

Niece, Susannah wife of William Frances of Bishop’s Stortford, draper:= the other half of the above.

Both nieces are the children of her sister Ann Cockett.

Executor:= William Cockett.

Mark of Jane Eve.

Witnesses:= Thomas Flack, James Willey, Joseph Cockett.

Probate:= 03/01/1806.

Eve, John, farmer, 01/08/1791, E.R.O. D/ABW 111/1/68.

The poor of Takeley:= 20s. to be distributed in bread at the discretion of the churchwardens and overseers.

Wife, Jane Eve:= residue of all monies, notes, orders, cattle, stock in trade, goods, chattels, and personal effects.

Brother, Richard Eve:= £4 to be paid within six months after the death of the testator.

William Marshall:= £4 to be paid as above.

Elizabeth, wife of William Patmore of Bishop’s Stortford:= £3.

Ann, wife of Matthew Hammond of Little Laver, farmer:= £3.

Mary, wife of Adam Waterman, victualler, of Hatfield Broad Oak:= £3.

David Bingham, junior, of Woodrow in Hatfield:=£3.

Executrix:= wife, Mary Eve.

Witnesses:= Richard Eve, John Barker, William Lens.

Probate:= 1791.

[ John Eve and Jane Beard were married at Takeley, 20/04/1758.

John Eve was buried at Takeley 01/12/1790.

Jane Eve died in 1805.

Baptised:=

Richard, son of Richard Eve:= 04/08/1709.

May, daughter of Aaron Eve:= 22/07/1714.

Elizabeth, daughter of John Ives:= 25/05/1733.

Married:=

John Barnard to Mary Eve:= 31/12/1728.

James Bingham to Anne Eve := 24/12/1732] .

Eve, Joseph, yeoman, 11/04/1750, E.R.O.D/ABW 96/3/37

Late of Takeley, but now of Tilty

Friend, Francis Skinner of Great Easton, gentleman:= all his messuage or tenement and farm with barns, stables, outhouses, yards, gardens, orchards, lands, grounds and tenements, both freehold and copyhold now or late in his own occupation, and that of Mr.Thomas Wyatt, to be held in trust.

Skinner is to sell the above for the best available price to pay debts etc. and to settle the mortgage.

Skinner with testator’s friend Mascall Bayford of Thaxted receive £80 in trust to be put out to interest and this paid to his widow Mary.

After the death of Mary Eve it is to be paid to William Eve, the son of the testator for his education and maintenance, until he is twenty one years old.

Wife, Mary Eve:= all monies, creditors, household stuff, goods, chattels, and personal estate, after paying debts and funeral and probate charges.

Executors:= Francis Skinner, Mascall Bayford.

Witnesses:= William Jagon, Thomas Frankham, James Smith.

Probate:= 07/05/1750.

Ewen, Agnes, 11/01/1571 E.R.O. M.R. 3/1/31.

Buried in the churchyard of Chawreth or Broxted.

The poor man’s box:= 12d.

Son, Peter Ewen:= all her goods not otherwise bequeathed. Two crofts of land called Brownings in Takeley containing eight acres..

Son, Henry Ewen:= her messuage in Takeley with twenty six acres of land on condition he pays his brother Peter 20s.

Son, John Ewen:= one seam of barley on condition that he allows his brother Peter to quietly take away all such goods in the house where Agnes Ewen now lives.

John Bearman:= two sheep.

Alice Bearman:= two sheep.

Agnes Bearman:= one ewe sheep.

Margaret Speller:= one pair of sheets.

Executor:= son, Peter Ewen.

Witnesses:= John Collyn, John White, William Rose, Robert Phillips, James Clarke.

Probate:= 11/02/1571.

[see also the will of Hugh Bearman dated 1559]

Ewen, Henry, yeoman, 10/01/1613, E.R.O. D/ABW 13/241.`

The poor people of Takeley:= 20s.

Wife, Elizabeth Ewen:= £6 8s. 4d. for her life issuing from his freehold land and tenements and to be paid quarterly at the feast of the nativity of our Lord God, Thunnuncacon of the Blessed Virgin Marie, the Nativity of St John Baptist and Saint Michael Tharchangell in 33s. 3s. by even portions.

Also the second best bedstead, second feather bed, and all the furniture belonging to it such as coverlet, blankets, sheets, bolster, pillow and mattress.

However if his wife challenges the acceptance of the above money as being in full satisfaction of her jointure etc. then the above bequest becomes void.

Son, Henry Ewen:= all lands, tenements, and hereditaments both free and copyhold .In default of heirs to son Henry, then to be divided equally between his four daughters, Margarett, Agnes, Alice and Francis.

All the rest of his goods, chattels, money, debts after paying his debts and funeral charges..

Daughter, Francis Ewen:= £6 to be paid at eighteen years or the day of her marriage. If she died before then her three sisters inherit equally.

Grandson, George Holgate, son of daughter Agnes:= £3 to be paid at the age of eighteen years.

Every child which she had with John Clarke 20s.to be paid at the age of twenty one years.

Four children of daughter Margarett:= 20s. to be paid at the age of twenty one years.

Grandson, William Chapman, son of daughter Alice:= £14 to be paid at twenty one years, or the day of his marriage.

Executor:= loving friend William Collin of Broxted Hall and he is to have £6 for his pains.

Overseer:= good and loving friend Jeffrie Poole his son in law and he is to have 20s. for his pains.

Witnesses:= John Collin, M. Harbeck.

Probate:= 23/09/1614.

Ewen, Peter, husbandman, 17//04/1612, E.R.O. D/ABW 13/227.

Buried in Takeley church yard.

Wife, Fraunces:= the house where he now lives, with all lands, meadow, pasture, yards, buildings for her life. Residue of all goods, chattels, moveables and unmoveable, with debts paid.

Friend, Lawrence Sanfuin?, gentleman, and nephew, Jeffrie Poole:= they are to sell his copyhold lands held of the Manor of Colchester Hall, and the money is to be given to his three daughters.

Daughter, Aliyce who is betrothed to John Smythe of Grenestrete in Elsenham:= £20. Smyth is to enfeoff Alyce with his house and all his lands for her life.

If Smyth refuses to enfeoff Alyce, then the gift is void and the money and the money from the sale of lands is to equally divided by Mr. Samflin and Geoffire Poole amongst the three daughters.

Margaret Ewen:= half the above money.

Fraunces Ewen:= money as above.

Executrix:= wife, Fraunces Ewen.

Overseers:= well beloved friends, Lawrence Samflin, Jefferey Poole, John Marden the elder, Thomas Saunder.

Signed by Peter Ewen.

Probate:= 24/04/1612.

Flask, John, butcher, 31/07/1805, National Archives Prob. 11/1431.

All debts and funeral expenses to be paid.

Wife, Elizabeth Flask, with sons John and Thomas Flask and daughter Alice Flask, are to carry on his business as a butcher, his wife paying the children a proper compensation for their time.

His wife or his executor is to sell his freehold and copyhold estate, live and dead stock, household furniture, china, plate and other effects by public auction. The money from this sale together with all book debts to him, securities, etc. to be shared equally amongst his children.

They are also to set aside such sum or sums as shall be suitable for his wife, to be paid every half year.

Executor:= John Butterside of Orsitt Hall.

Witnesses:= Joseph Raven, John Potter, John Bentley.

Probate:= 27/09/1805.

[John Flask operated his business from the house now called “The Old Bakery” in Takeley Street].

Flude, Johanne, widow, 06/08/1634, E.R.O. D/ABW 52/177.

Buried in Takeley churchyard.

Grandchild, Thomas Wryght:= £5.

Johanne Wryhte, the daughter of her son:= £5 and all the implements of household.

Grandchild, Richard Wryght:= £5.

Grandchild, John Wryght:= £5.

Grandchild, Mary Wryght, daughter of son Thomas Wryght:= £5.

Grandchild, Margeret Wryght:= 2s.

Godson, Mychyll Burlynge:= 2s.

Sister, Myldrede Burlynge:= 12d.

Daughter in law, Jhone Wryght:= all the rest of her goods and chattels not already bequeathed.

Executrix:= daughter in law, Jhone Wryght.

The mark of Johane Flude.

Overseers:= Sammuelle Gaynfforde and Edwyn Lukyn.

Witnesses:= Edwin Lukin, Robert Browne, Myhyll Woode.

Probate:= 22/03/1639

Freshwater, William, labourer, 05/08/1568, E.R.O. D/ABW 14/162.

Wife, Joan Freshwater:= messuage called Arnoldes for her life, and all the rest of his goods.

Son, John Freshwater:= messuage called Arnoldes after the death of his mother, paying 13s. 4d. to son Thomas Freshwater at the age of twenty.