Will Summary Thomas Ponde of Great Marlow 1597

Transcribed from a will at the National Archives, Kew. Transcript ©Marlow Ancestors. You can quote from my transcription freely, with a link here so that the source information is not lost.

Thomas Ponde Yeoman, proved 1597.

Bequeaths soul to God and affirms faith in "my sweet saviour Jesus Christ".

Sole executor son John Ponde who gets any of his property left after other legacies, debts and funeral expenses paid. Will overseer John Brinkhurst of Lane End [possibly his brother in law].

Burial in Marlow church, where his father is buried.

Wife Mildred [nee Brinkhurst, M 1575 Bisham] an annuity of £13 6 shillings and 8p in quarterly installments if she lets son John use testator's copyhold land for three years [presumably the land is hers for life in dower or some other right]. If she does not want to let son use land then annuity reduced to £4 [as she would then have the land for rental or other source of income]. Mildred to have a chamber in her son's house and free access to it, the kitchen and the hall there for both her and her maid. 

All silver plate of his that his son [in law] "Philpott" has in his hands to be given up to his executor so it can be given to testator's granddaughter Elizabeth Philpott, along with 40 shillings when she reaches 21 or got married. If she dies before either happens son John Ponde can keep the plate. 

Sister Brinkhurst of Lane End 20 shillings to buy a ring in remembrance of him.

To his unnamed maid 10 shillings. To his servant Edward ? 20 shillings [Note: the word servant then referred to any employee not necessarily a domestic, and also often to an apprentice]. To his boy [a young employee not son] Richard ? 5 shillings.

10 shillings each to all the children of  William Priest, Hugh Priest and Alexander Chapman at ages 21 or upon their day of marriage.

40 shillings to the poor to be distributed at his burial at executor's discretion.

Transcribed by Charlotte Day.

To find every mention of a person on this blog use the Person Index option on the drop down menu.

Thomas and his wife were commemorated on a substantial bronze memorial in the previous Marlow All Saints church now rebuilt.