Yeovil's Virtual Museum

1652 will of Susan Dennis

Widow of High Street

 

In the name of God Amen I Susan Dennis of Yevell in the County of Somersett Widdowe beinge sick of body but of perfect memory doth make this my last will and Testam[en]t in manner and forme Followinge First I Commend my body to Christian buriall And my Soule to god that gave it mee hopeinge to bee Saved through the merritts and passion of my Savio[u]r Jesus Christ Item I give unto the Church of Yevell Twelve pence And unto the poore of the Same [word illegible] Twentie Shillings Item I give and bequeath unto Joseph Curtis Sonne of Nicholas Curtis my kinsman Three pounds To bee payd by my Execut[o]r hereafter named in one yeare after my decease To be payd unto the Sayd Nicholas Curtis his Father puttinge in Security for my Executor To repay it unto the Sayd Joseph when he Shall attaine unto the age of one and twentie yeares Item I give unto my Sister Pridle Forty Shillings To be payd also in one yeare after my decease my best hatt my white Apron And my halfe Silke Apron And unto her Three Children Henry William and Mary Tenn Shillings apeece To be payd as aforesayd Item I give unto my Sister Sarah Forty Shillings To be payd as aforesayd And my best petticoate Item I give unto my Cosen Abigall Witherington now Livinge in Weymouth Foure pounds To bee payd within one yeare after my decease And one paire of Sheetes And my best gowne Item I give unto my Cosen John Hurford Twenty Shillings And halfe a dozen of my Shopp Cloathes And one of the washing [Busons?] And unto Edmond Hurford his Sonne Twenty Shillings To bee payd in one yeare after my decease Item I give unto Joane [Forthe?] Sister unto the abovesayd John Hurford Twenty Shillings To bee payd as abovesayd Item I give unto my Cosen Mary Harisson Twenty Shillings To bee payd as abovesayd Item I give unto my Cosen Mary Curtis Forty Shillings bee payd as aforesayd And the bed boulsters bedloathes Coverlet blanketts and the Lynnen I now Lye uppon in my Chamber my white Whittle And my best Watcoate And one paire of Sheetes Item I give unto my Sister Anne the bed and beddinge that now Lyeth in the Cock Loft And one payre of Sheetes And to have and to hold the Cock Lofte and to enjoy the Same with free passage to and from tjhe Same duringe her Life And I give her alsoe my Searge petticoate And [Stowell?] whittle one white Apron And my greene Apron Item I give unto my Cosen {Isatt?] Holway Tenn Shillings To bee payd after my decease And unto Katherine George my Servant Tenn Shillings To bee payd as afore Sayd Item I give and devise unto my Cosen Joseph Masters my Dwellinge house in the high street within the Burrough of yevell aforesayd which now I Live in to him and his heires Forever to hold to him and his heires forever more uppon this Speciall trust and Confidence That he shall pay my debts Accordinge to a Schedule hereunto annexed And to discharge my Legacies Soe given as afore Says And my Funerall expences Whom I make my whole and Sole Executor of this my Last will and testament Delivering Walter Henry Starr And my Cosen John Hayne To bee my Overseers of this my Will Whereunto I have Sett my hand and Seale And published the Same Fifth Day of May in the yeare of our Lord one thousand Six hundred Fifty and two And in the presence of Witnesses that this was published

Henry Starr     John [Hasted?]     Samuell Hayne

 

This Will was proved as Westminst[er] The Third Day of March in the yeare of our Lord god Accordinge to the Computation of the Church of England one thousand Six hundred Fifty and three Before the Judges for Probate of Wills and grantinge Administrations Lawfully Authorized by the oath of Joseph Masters the kinsman of the Syd Deceased And Sole Executor named in this Last will and Testament of the Sayd Deceased To whom was Committed Administration of all and Singular the goods Chattles and Debts of the s[ai]d Deceased Hee the sayd Joseph Masters beinge first Sworne by vertue of a Commission well and truely to Administer the Same

 

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn