The Document Chest

1639 Will of John French

Mercer

 

In the name of God Amen I John French Jun[io]r of yeavell in the Countie of Som[er]set Mercer being sicke and weake of bodie but of perfect memorie thanks bee to Almightie God Doe make this my Last will and testament the Fower and twentith daie of Aprill In the Fifteenth yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne Lord Charles the grace of God King of England [word illegible] one thousand six hundred thirty Nine in manner and forme following Imprimis I bequeath my soule to Almighty God my maker that gave it me being fully persuaded through the Merritts of his sonne Christ Jesus my Saviour to live in [joyes ?] everlastinge and my bodie to be buried in Christian buriall Item I give and bequeath unto my Child bee it man Child or woman Child one hundred Pounde of lawfull money of England to bee paid by my Executrix when the Child Comes to age if the child happen to die before it Comes to Age Then I give and bequeath unto my brother William French Twenty pounds of lawfull money to bee paid him within three moneths next after the decease of the said Child Item I give and bequeath unto the poore of yeavell aforesaid Tenn shillings Item I give and bequeath unto the poore of Halstoke Tenn shillings Item I give and bequeath unto my owne mother Twenty shillings Item I give and bequeath unto my brothers and Sisters to each of them Twelve pence Item I give and bequeath unto my godsonne John [Pynney ?] Ten shillings Item I give and bequeath unto my Sister in lawe Elizabeth Hacker Twelve pence Item I give and bequeath unto my kinsman Gregory Ryall Twelve pence Item I give and bequeath unto my [sonne ?] John Ryall Twelve pence And for all the rest of my goods and chattles my debts paid and Legacies discharged Item I give and bequeath unto my wife Joane French And doe make her the sole and only Executrixe of this my last will and Testament And to this my Will I desire my Father William French and Mr Christopher Abbott to bee my Overseers and Speciall Friends in trust to see all thinges [reformed ?] According to this my will And doe give to each of them Five shillings of lawfull money In Witnes whereof I have hereunto sett my hande and seale the daie and yeare first above written

John French Test[ator]   

John Withell     Gregory Riall signed John Newman Jun

Item I give unto [word illegible] Harding it was forgotten of mee to sett it above

 


Transcribed by Bob Osborn