Yeovil's Virtual Museum

1698 will of George Prowse

Gentleman of Kingston

 

George Prowse was the son of gentleman Robert Prowse (1598-1673) of Kingston and Bridget née Harbin (1612-1663) of Newton Surmaville. Bridget was the daughter of John Harbin (d1638) and Bridget née Drewry.

George Prowse was Warden (1660, 1662, 1663, 1665, 1672 and 1692) and Custos (1680 and 1693) of Woborn's Almshouse - as his father had been before him and his son John would be. It was John Prowse who, in 1710, purchased the Manor of Kingston and advowson of Kingston Pitney from Lord Stourton.

 

 

The last Will and Testament of me George Prowse of Yeovill in the County of Somersett gent: made this Twenty Ninth day of November in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety and Eight in manner and forme following that is to say First of all I give unto my daughter Temperance the sume of Eight Hundred pounds I doe hereby appointe the interest of the said Eight Hundred pounds to be paid unto the said Temperance Prowse after the rate of Five pounds per Centum per annum untill the aforesaid Legacy be paid and satisfyed Fifty pounds of which said Legacy is to but her wedding Cloathes Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Freke wife of Phillip Freke the sume of Fifty pounds to be paid within three months after my decease Item I give unto my maid Servant Mary Hebditch the sume of Fifty pounds Item I give to and for the use of the parish Church of Yeovill one Black Hearse Cloath and the sume of Tenn shillings of lawfull money of England Item I doe appoint my Executor hereafter named to distribute the sume of Five pounds amongst such poore people of the parish of Yeovill aforesaid as he shall thinke fitt And lastly all the rest of my goods and chattells reall and personall whatsoever not herein before devised I give and devise unto my Sonn John Prowse whome I make my full and whole Executor of this my last Will and Testam[en]t hereby revoking all former and other Will by me made In Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written

Geo. Prowse

Signed Sealed published and declared by the above named George Prowse to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us

Sam[ue]ll Prowse Amos Prowse

Transcribed by Bob Osborn