Will of Charles Lovejoy 1648

 CHARLES LOVEJOY SHOEMAKER OF GREAT MARLOW. 

Will both written and proved in 1648.

Says he weak and ill in body but of sound mind and in good and perfect memory.

Commends soul to God. Body to be returned to the earth from whence it came.

Loving wife Abigail gets his messuage with appurtenances in Marlow. At some convenient time she is to sell it and pay his debts from the resulting money. The rest of the sale money to go to wife Abigail and dear daughter Elizabeth for their maintenance and livelihood.

All other goods, chattels and household goods after debts and funeral expenses paid to wife Abigail who is named sole executor.

Will witnessed by William FF..r (Farmer?), Robert Young, Robert Bennett.

Transcribed and then summarised here by Charlotte Day from a copy of the original P.C.C will held at the National Archives, Kew.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this summary for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

The graves of faithful Clayton servants - Trent, Bennett, Boyle, Robinson, Gray

 Above two, the substantial grave of Elizabeth Boyle erected by her emoloyer Sir William Robert Clayton. 

In memoriam of Elizabeth Boyle, d. Mar 29th 1844

Age 6? years. 

"Nearly 20 years ....proved herself a faithful and (attached?) housekeeper to Sir William Robert Clayton Bart, who enscribes this stone in memorial to the strict integrity and ....fidelity with which she ..  ably perform the duties of her situation"

Above, A faithful and honest servant, above, Ann Trent, 8 years in the service of General Sir William Robert Clayton, Bart. D. Monday, Feb 1? 1858 age 50 years. Stone erected in token of her "strict integrity." 

ABOVE, Sir William Robert Claytons faithful and honest servant Mrs Sarah Bennett, d June 24 18?? age 56. Stone also erected in honour of her "strict integrity"

Hard to decipher grave of Thomas Robinson, servant to Lieut. General Sir William Robert Clayton during military service.  In honour of a "brave soldier and good servant"

Above, grave of Sarah Gray Died May 17th 18(17?) At Harleyford for (25?) years. Erected by "her attached master"  Sir William Robert Clayton, Bart in honour of her exemplary fidelity and honesty  and excellent character. 

In 1827, the funeral of another Clayton servant was reported across the country. The unnamed servant had spent 45 years in service to the family and the funeral was attended by 14 male servants of Harleyford, with a combined 771 years of age between them (and a total of 461 years of service to the Clayton's between them)

One - J Beavor - aged 92 had spent 77 years there. 

More Information:

To find every mention of an individual or family here use the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu.

Grave/memorial image index here

Posts related to Harleyford here

Sources

John Ball 16 Apr 1827 - copy held in the British Library and accessed via the BNA

Lancaster Gazette, 21 Apr 1827, as above.

Bells Weekly Messenger, 16 Apr 1827, as above. 

Windsor and Eton Express  14 April 1827

©Marlow Ancestors. Reproduction welcome with credit.