Will of John Radcliff late of Cullompton, Merchant
Proved 29 October 1584
© Crown Copyright
National Archives Catalogue Reference PROB 11/67/389 Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Watson Register
Transcribed by Art Ames
In the name of God Amen I John Radcliff of Colompton in the countie of Devon merchant being of good and perfect memory (praysed be Allmighty God) but diseased of body doe make this my last will and testament in manner and forme following
First I bequeathe my soule into the handes of allmightie god my maker and redeemer and my bodye to be buried in the parish church of Colompton aforsaid
Item I gyve and bequeathe unto the church of Colompton sixe shillings eight pence
Item I give and bequeathe unto the poore of the towne and pish of Colompton aforesaid fourty shillings to be distributed by the discretion of myne overseers
Item I give and bequeath unto Mary myne eldest daughter all my landes hereditaments reversions & rents whatsoever situate lying and being in the parishes of Marytavie Petertavye and Tavistock within the countie of Devon to have and to houlde all the foursayde landes hereditaments and rentes whatsoever to her and her heires forever and to her proper use and behoofe for all
Item I gyve and bequeath to Prudence Radcliff my seconde daughter the inherytannce and fee simple landes with the reversions and rents of all such landes within the towne and parish of Colompton within the countie of Devon as I have late purchased by the grant and conveyannce of Thomas Risdonne esquire and Henry Skynner as by a pair of indentures bearing date the two and twentieth yeare of the reigne of our sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland Defender of the faith etc and sixe daye of February in the year afoursayd doth more playnly appear
Item I give and bequeath to Mary Skynner afoursaide myne eldest daughter twenty pounds
Item I give and bequeath to George Skynner sonne of James Skynner and of the afoursaide Marye the sum of twentye shillings
Item I give and bequeath to Edithe and Winifred daughters of the aforesiade James and Mary to every of them the summe of tenne shillings
Item I give and bequeath to my godchildren (as they come and demand it) to every of them twelve pence
Item I give and bequeathe to Mary Hammond daughter of Blanche Hammond the summe of tenne pounds
Item I give and bequeathe to my brother Walter Radcliff my russett gowne
Moreover the will of me the said John Radcliff is that all my goods moveable and unmoveable and chattells whatsoever (not already bequeathed) my debtes legacies and funerall discharged and fourty shillings which I give to my executor paide shall be prysed valued and soulde by Humfrey Parris Phillippe Cockeram and Symon Kelway to the best advantage and the money coming and arrising of the same to be equally divided among my foure daughters (to wytt) Prudence Radcliff Johane Radcliff Rebecca Radcliff and Susanna Radcliff by the discretions of the said Humfrey Parris Phillippe Cockeram and Symonde Kellwaye
Item myne executor to see this my last will and testament performed I constitute and appointe my well beloved in Christ Humfrey Parris and Symond Killway myne overseers to for this my last will and testament truly performed and kept and they to have for their paynes every of them twenty shillings
In witness of this to be my last will and testament I have sett my hande and seale the fyftenth daye of October in the sixth and twentith year of the reigne of our sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England France and Ireland Queen defender of the faith etc. Anno Domini one thousand fyve hundred eightie foure Witness hereunto (die et anno impuradit) William Fennynge Richard Chapley ordeynt and appoynte my trusty and deare friende Philip Cockeram and he to have for his paines also as is before mentioned
Item I constitute Mr. William Woodleigh grocer Chappell William Chaplen that at the sealing hereof of the aforeside John Radcliff suffereth himself to over unto his daughter Susanna Radcliffe the summe of eigt pounds thirteen shillings foure pence which was given her by Devante Walguabe widow and it to be paid her over and above her part of the goods and legacies given by this will
witness William Chapley William Roodleight Humfrey Parris and William Fennynge
Probate in Latin