Will of Thomas Beavill late of Cullompton, Husbandman
Proved 21 May 1656
© Crown Copyright
National Archives Catalogue Reference PROB 11/254/564 Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Berkeley Quire Numbers: 105 – 154
Transcribed by Art Ames
In the name of God Amen the fourth day of September in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fiftie and two I Thomas Beavill of Collompton in the countie of Devon husbandman being weake in bodie but of perfect minde and memorie thankes be given to Almighty God doe make this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following revoking all former Wills whatsoever
Imprimis I bequeath my soule to Almighty God my creatour hopeing by the meritts of the bitter death and passion of my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ to obtaine the forgiveness of my sinns and my bodie to Christian burial decently to be interred
Item I give and bequeath to my mother Joane Beavill the milke of two kine and the calves which shall come thereof during her life she keeping them sufficient during the said time and also to leave the same two kine or two other kine so good att her decease to my Rulers hereafter named for the benefit of my daughter Joahne
Item I give and bequeath to my said mother Joane Beavill fouer acres of wheate two acres of barley and one acre of oates growen this yeare upon Whiteheathfields tenement and new houses there for her owne use
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Joane Beavill three score pounds lawfull monieof England to be imployed for my said daughter by my Rulers in trust in this my Will mentioned and to be paid to my said rulers by my executrix herein named within one yeare next after my decease for the benefit of my said daughter
And further my will is that my Rulers shall have power to dispose thereof for the benefit of my said daughter as they shall think most convenient
Item all the residue of my goods and chattells not formerly given nor bequeathed my debts and legacies payd and funerall expenses discharged I give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth Beavill whome I make my sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament
Item I ordaine appoynte and desire my loving friends Henry Hue of Broadclist and Richard Gill of Collompton to be my Rulers in Trust and Overseers of this my last Will and Testament desiring them to be carefull concerning the same and to be accountable to my said daughter when she shall accomplish the age of twentie yeares and for their paines therein I give unto each of them twentie shillings apiece
And further my will is that five poundes shall be bestowed for my funerall and also I give to the poore people of Collompton six shillings eight pence and to the poor people of Bradninch six shillings and eight pence to be distributed at my funerall
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written The mark of Thomas Beavill
Sealed signed and published in the presence of us John Low Richard Gill the mark of Henry Hue
This Will was proved at London the one and twentith day of May in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fiftie and six before the Judges for probate of Wills and granting Administration lawfully authorized by the oath of Elizabeth Beavill the relict and sole and onlie executrix named in the above written Will to whome administration of all and singular the goods chattells and debts of the said deceased was committed she being first legallie sworn by virtue of a Commission truly and faythfully to administer the same