A messy will with heavy crossings out, notes squeezed into margins and some hard to read parts. I've done my level best with it!
William Hollis, wheelwright of Great Marlow. Will written 1650. Proved 1651.
Weak of body but of good and perfect memory, thanks to God. Commends soul to Almighty God and the Holy Ghost.
Burial to be in a Christian manner as is seen fit by the will's executor.
To son Jerome and his heirs all the free land testator has had of late by agreement with John Hammond. These are part of the lands purchased by the testator and John Hammond from Daniel Bankys. Also to him and his heirs all testator's free lands anywhere in the realm and all his leased lands ditto.
Beloved wife Joan instead of her dowry (which seems to be linked to some of those free lands) £30 to be paid in two £15 installments. The first installment to be within six months of his decease. Then Joan should leave son Jerome house. Six months after she does so the rest of the £15 to be paid. Also to Joan three pairs of sheets, two green ..., a high joined stool and two joined stools, a kettle which is next in size to the great kettle and also a small kettle, 2 pewter dishes and the pewter that was hers before marriage, the kitchen table, the trunk in the room where he lies, all her wearing apparel whether woollen or linen and her hats, stockings and shoes, three diaper napkins, half a dozen ?course? napkins, one pewter flagon.
Daughter Margaret £10 at marriage if she marries with the consent and liking of he older brother. Plus £5 forty days after such a marriage.
Daughter Mary £5 to be paid to her in weekly installments from the week after testator dies.
Son Thomas, son in law William Raunce and son in law William Langley £... each.
Residue of goods after debts and expenses paid to son Jerome who is the executor.
Will witnessed by John Langley and Elizabeth Sherley. Elizabeth made her mark rather than sign.
Summarized from a transcription I made from a will held at the National Archives, Kew.
Other wills on this blog can be found by looking at the Wills option on the menu. To find every mention of a person on the blog look for them in the Person Index. Look under Ollis too as people in this period did not routinely pronounce the letter h and so Hollis would be spoken "Ollis".
©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this transcription for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.
