Will of Christian Merefeild or Merrifeild late of Cullompton, Widow
Proved 01 May 1657
© Crown Copyright
National Archives Catalogue Reference PROB 11/264/21 Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Ruthen Quire Numbers: 156 – 207
Transcribed by Art Ames
The fifteenth daie of October one thousand six hundred fifty six
In the name of God Amen I Christian Merefeild of Collompton widdowe doe make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following
First I commend my soule into the hands of Jesus Christ my onlie Saviour and Redeemer and my bodie to Christian buriall
Item I give unto the child which my daughter Joane Norman now goeth withall being yet unborn be it sonne or daughter eight pounds to be putt forth and imployed by my sonne in lawe William Norman for the benefit of the said child and to be paid unto such child when shall accomplish the age of eighteene yeares if it shall happen to live soe long but if the said child doe not live till the age of eighteene yeares then they said eight pounds shall remaine to such other child of the body of the said John which shall first happen to accomplish and live to the age of eighteene yeares
Item I give to Marie Lanes daughter of Agnes Lanes fortie shillings to be paid unto her within one yeare next after my death and to be imployed in the hands of my said sonne in law for her best benefit and advantage until her age of one and twentie and then the same to be paid over to the said Marie but if she shall happen to die before the age of one and twentie then the said fortie shillings and the profitt and increase thereof shall remaine to John Carpenter brother of the said Marie
Item I give to John Goulis and Thomas Andrewe the two apprentices now dwelling with my said sonne in law William Norman five shillings apiece to be paid unto each of them att the end of his apprenticeship
All the rest of my goods chattells debts and household stuff I doe give and bequeath unto my said sonne in law William Norman and Joane his wife and I do make and ordain the said William to be sole executor of this my last Will and Testament
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written the mark of Christian Merrifield
Signed sealed and published by the above named Christian Merrifield in the presence of John Gale the mark of Martin Norman
This Will was proved at London the first day of May in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fiftie and seaven before the Judges for Probate of Wills and granting Administrations lawfully authorized by the oath of William Norman the sonne in lawe and sole and only executor named in the above written Will to whome administration of all and singular the goods chattells and debts of the said deceased was granted and committed they being first legally sworne by virtue of a commission truly and faythfullie to administer the same