Christopher Hoddesdon

Prerogative Court of Canterbury will made: 26th April 1609
Probate Date: 19th February 1610/1
Proved by Elizabeth Hoddesdon, widow of the testator
National Archive Catalogue reference: PROB 11/117 Image Reference 183 & 184

The original document is in the custody of the National Archives. Additionally the National Archives hold a sentence relating to this will, which is written in Latin dated 4th November 1612 and reference PROB 11/120

See also: Biography, Leighton or Grovebury Manor, Prebendal Manor, First Will

Transcript

In the name of god amen. The Sixe and twentith day of Aprill in the yere of oure Lord god one thowsand sixe hundred and nyne and in the yeres of the reigne of oure most gracious soviraigne Lord James by the grace of god of England France and Ireland king defender of the faithe &c. the seaventh and of Scotland the two and fortith I S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddeson of Layton Bussard in the Countie of Bedford knighte beyng of good & perfect heath and sounde memorye (the Lord be praysed) and knowing that nothing is more certayne deathe and nothing more uncertayne then the tyme therof and therfore preparing my selfe ready to set a godlie and quiet order of suche temporall blessinges as yt hath pleased Almightie god to blesse me withall To the intent that I may be the more readye to departe out of this worlde whensoever yt shall please god to call me do make and ordayne this my present testament concerning herein my last will in manner and forme folowing that ys to saye First I bequeathe my soule to Almightie god my maker and to Jesus Christe my onelie Savyoure and Redemer trusting by the mercy of the Almightie to be saved and not by any other meanes and my bodye to be buryed in the Churche of Laighton Bussard aforesayed in the place therfore by me prepared (yf it please god yt may soe be) I give and bequeathe unto Ellen Smithe Alice Smithe and Johane Smithe the daughters of Johane Smithe my neece to either of them twentie poundes a peece which said severall sommes of money I will shalbe payed to them by my wife her Executors Administrators or assignes when and so soone as they shall accomplishe and come unto their severall ages of fifteene yeres a peece or at theire marriages w[hi]ch of them shall first severallie happen. Item I give and bequeathe unto [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon of Staple Inne gentleman my Neiphue one hundred poundes to be payed to hym within one yere next after my decease. And whereas I the sayed [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon did latelie receyve of Richard Wilkes of Stratham in the Countie of of Surrey gent[leman] Sixe score poundes of lawfull money of England to the only use and behoofe of Bridget Hoddesdon Elizabeth Hoddesdon and Anne Hoddesdon the daughters of John Hoddesdon late of Stretham aforesayed gent[leman] my Neiphue deceased. Which sayed Six score poundes as allso twelve poundes more for the use benefitt therof for one whole yere I did deliver unto Edward Hoddesdon one other of my Neiphues uppon the twentith day of November in Anno Domini 160[0] to the use of the sayed Bridget Elizabeth and Anne Hoddesdon: yf the saied Edward Hoddesdon do fullie cleerelie and absolutely acquite and discharge the said Elizabeth my wife and the aforesaid [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon my neiphue theire heires executors Administrators and assignes and every of them from and against the sayed Bridgett Elizabeth and Anne and Every of them for and concerning the sayed sixe score poundes and the use benefitt and profit therof Then I will that my sayed wife her Executors Administrators or assignes shall paye or cause to be payed to the sayed Edward Hoddesdon one hundred poundes within sixe monthes next after that my sayed wife and the sayed [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon my neiphue theire heires excutors and Administrators shalbe so dischardged of the sayed sixe score poundes and all the use benefitt and profitt therof as is aforesayed Item I will that my messuage or tenement wherein John Doggatt dothe dwell in Leeke end of Layton Bussard aforesayed with all the howses Edifices buildinges Orchardes gardens Closes Landes meadowes and pasturres therunto belonging with all and singular thappurten[a]nces shall ymmeadiatlie after my deathe or deceasse goe and remayne to the Bayliffe and Churchwardens of the Towne of Layton Bussard aforesayed for the tyme beyng and to theire Successors for ever uppon condicion hereafter following that is to saye they or some or one of them shall procure a godlye learned preacher or preachers from tyme to tyme viz. a Master of Arte after my decease to make in the Churche of Laighton aforesayed twoe godlye and learned Sermons that is to saye every halfe yere one. To which sayed preacher the sayed Bayliffe and Churchwardens for the tyme beyng presently after every Sermon ended shall paye to the said Preacher Tenne shillinges parcell of the profitt of the Rent of the sayed Messuage or Tenement and other the premisses for and towardes his paynes. And the overplus of the Rent of the saied Messuage or tenement and other the premisses shalbe by the saied Bayliffe and churchwardens for the tyme beyng distributed in the sayed Churche amongest the porrest and ympotent widowes inhabitanntes of the sayed Towne of Layton aforesayed at the discretion of the saied Bayliffe and Churchwardens for the tyme beyng Item I give and bequeathe to my Neiphue Henry Hoddesdon preacher all the money that S[i]r Will[ia]m Leighe knighte dothe owe me with the Rent encrease and benefitt therof And allso all suche wrightinges as were made betwene hym and me testifying the sayed debt that he doth owe me. Item I do forgive and discharge the executors of my late Brother Nicholas Hoddesdon deceased all the debtes which he did owe at the tyme of his decease or at any tyme after Item I forgive my Sister in lawe M[ist]r[es]s Carlyhill the hundred and fortie poundes which her late husband Mr. Carlyhill did owe me at the tyme of his deceasse with all the profittes arising therby whatsoever. Item I give unto Edmond Bouldesworth my servannte tenne poundes. Item I give unto John Edwardes and Timothye Mathewe my servanntes to either of them fyve poundes a peece. Item I forgive my Neice late the wife of John Hoddesdon all the debt which her saied husband did owe me at the tyme of his decease. Item I do forgive Henry Webb all the debtes which he dothe owe me. And further my will is that Thomas Benet my servannt and his wife shall have theire dwelling in the house wherein they do dwell in Laighton aforesayed during theire naturall lives and the longer liver of them without any Rent paying for the same. Item I give and bequeathe all my Landes ten[emen]tes and hereditamentes whatsoever that I nowe stand seised of in Fee simple and not assured uppon the marriage of my late daughter Ursula lying and beyng within the townes feildes or parishe of Leyton Bussard aforesayed Except the aforesayed Messuage wherein the aforesayed John Doggat doth dwell in Laighton Bussard aforesayed and disposed as aforesayed unto the aforesayed Elizabeth my wife for the terme of her weall life. And after the decease of my sayed wife then to the heires of the bodye of me the sayed S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon and of the sayed Elizabeth begotten or to be begotten betweene us. And for defaulte of suche yssue then to such use and uses intentes and purposes as in and by certayne severall Conveyannces therof heretofore made of the premisses by me the sayed S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hodddesdon in the waye of Feoffment of some parte therof to S[i]r Thomas Pope Blunt knight and of some other parte therof to John Edwardes and William Turney (as in and by the sayed recited severall Conveyannces do more playnelie appeare) Allso I do give unto my saied wife the Rectory of Whitenashe and all my Landes and tenementes within the Countie of Warwicke with all and singular the appurten[a]nces unto the sayed Elizabeth my wife for the tearme of her naturall life. And after her decease then to Thomas Lighe Esquire my granndchilde late sonne of S[i]r John Leighe knighte deceased. And after his decease to the heires of his bodye lawfully begotten or to be begotten. And for defaulte of suche yssue then to the aforesayed [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon my Neiphue and his heires for ever Provided allwayes and my will and true meaninge ys and I do further ordayne by this my present testament that yf S[i]r Thomas Leighe knighte granndfather of the sayed Thomas Lighe Esquire my granndchilde or the saied Thomas Leighe Esquire my granndchilde or any of them or the heires or assign[es] of them or any of them do not from tyme to tyme and at all tymes hereafter permitt and suffer my foresayed wife and her assignes peaceablie and quietlye to have hould use occupie and enjoye all suche Landes tenementes and heriditamentes whatsoever which I the saied S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon by my Deed Conveyannce Surrender or any other writing whatsoever or by this my present testament have before this tyme given conveyed Surrendered or bequeathed unto my saied wife or to any other to her use according to the true intent and meaninge of these presentes or of the sayed deedes Conveyannces Surrenders or wrytinges whatsoever. Then I do give will & bequeathe the sayed Rectory of Whitnashe and all my sayed Landes and tenementes within the sayed Countie of Warwicke with all and singular the appurten[a]nces unto the sayed Elizabeth my wife her heires and assignes for ever. And moreover I will that my sayed wife shall have and enioye for the tearme of her saied naturall life all those parcells of meadowe or swerd ground lying at Billington within the parishe of Laighton Bussard aforesayed commonly called Beane Meade. And after the decease of my saied wife my will is that the sayed parcells of meadowe and Sweard ground with the appurten[a]nces shall goe and remayne unto the aforesayed Christofer Hoddesdon of Staple Inns gentl[eman] and to his heires for ever according to the former assurannces therof from me the saied S[i]r [Christ]ofer made unto my saied wife for the terme of her life and after her decease to the saied [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon and to his heires. All the Residue of my Landes tenementes and hereditamentes whatsoever which I nowe stand seised of or shall have at the tyme of my decease within the Counties of Bed[for]d and Warwicke or any of them not before given or bequeathed with all and singular thappurten[a]nces I give and bequeathe to the heires of the bodye of me the sayed S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon and of the saied Elizabeth my wife lawfullie begotten or to be begotten betwene us. And for default of such yssue then to remayne to the aforesayed Thomas Leighe my granndchilde. And after his decease to the heires of his bodie lawfullie to be begotten. And for defaulte of such yssue then to remayne to the aforesayed [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon my Neiphue and to the heires of his bodie lawfullie begotten. And for defaulte of suche yssue then to Edward Hoddesdon one of the bretheren of the saied [Christ]ofer Hoddesdonn and to the heires of his bodye lawfully begotten. And for defaulte of suche yssue then to Henry Hoddesdon one of the Bretheren of the saied Edward and to the heires of his bodye lawfullie begotten. And for defaulte of suche yssue Then to the next heires of me the sayed S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon for ever Item I give and bequeathe unto the aforesayed Brigett Elizabeth and Anne Hoddesdon the children of John Hoddesdon my neiphue deceased to either of them twentie poundes a peece to be payed to my Neiphue [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon of Staple Inne gent[leman] to the use of the aforesayed Briget Elizabeth and Anne Hoddesdon within three yeres next after my decease. Item I give and bequeathe unto Anne Saunders and Elizabeth Saunders my daughters in lawe to either of them fyve hundred poundes a peece to be payed to them when they shall accomplishe theire severall ages of Sixteene yeres or at theire severall dayes of marriage which of them shall first happen to come provided allwayes that yf the sayed Anne or Elizabeth or any of them do marrye without the Consent and good liking of my foresayed wife theire mother (yf she be then living) yf she be then deceased then without the consent of S[i]r Thomas Pope Blunt knighte theire uncle That then any of them so marrying without the Consent and good liking of theire sayed mother as is aforesayed shall loose the benefitt of the saied fyve hundred poundes to them before in theise presentes given or bequeathed as is aforesayed. Item I give and bequeathe unto the aforesaied [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon my Neiphue One hundred poundes uppon Condition wherof my will is that the sayed Christopher Hoddesdon his heires executors administrators or assignes shall well and trulie paie or cause to be payed to the sayed Johane Smythe his Sister tenne poundes every yere during her naturall life. And further I will that yf it fortune that George Smithe her husband do departe this life at any tyme (she then living) That then he the saied Christopher Hoddesdon shall paye the saied hundred poundes unto the said Johane Smythe within sixe monthes next after the deceasse of the said George Smythe provided allwayes and my will and true meaninge ys and I do further ordayne by this my present testament that yf the aforesayed S[i]r Thomas Leighe knighte or the sayed Thomas Leighe esquire my granndchilde or any of them or the heires or assignes of them or any of them do not from tyme to tyme and at all tymes hereafter permitt and suffer my foresayed wife and her assignes peaceablie and quietlie to hould occupye and enioye all suche Landes tenementes and hereditamentes whatsoever which I the sayed S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon by any deede Conveyannce Surrender or writing whatsoever or by theise presentes have before this tyme given conveyed Surrendered or bequeathed unto my saied wife and others according to the true intent and meaning of theise presentes or of the saied deedes Conveyances Surrenders and wrytinges whatsoever. That then and from thensforthe all the saied Landes Tenementes and hereditamentes before given as is aforesayed and every parte and parcell therof with all and singular thappurten[a]nces Except the sayed Rectory of Whitenashe and all my Landes & Tenementes aforesayed within the Countie of Warwicke before given as ys aforsaid shall goe and remayne unto the sayed [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon my neiphue ymediatelie after the deathe or decease of my saied wife and to the heires of his bodye lawfullie begotten. And for defaulte of suche yssue then to the saied Edward Hoddesdon and to the heires of his body lawfullie begotten. And for defaulte of suche yssue Then to the saied Henry Hoddesdon and to the heires of his bodye lawfullie begotten. And for defaulte of suche yssue then to the next heires of me the saied S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon for ever (any thinge in the saied deedes or wrightinges or in theise presentes or in any of them whatsoever before mentioned to the contrary therof in any wise notwithstandinge The Residue of all my goodes Chattells debtes bondes wrightinges whatsoever aswell moveable as unmoveable I give will and bequeathe unto the aforesayed Elizabeth Hoddesdon my welbeloved wife whome I doe make and ordayne my sole Executrix of this my present testament, to paye my debtes and to receyve them and to bringe me honestlie uppon the earthe. In wittnesse wherof to this my present Testament I the saied S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon have subscribed my name and put my Seale dated the daye and yere first abovewritten theise beyng wittnesses Anne Leighe Richard Elliott John Tappyng John Holliman and Edmond Bollesworth. M[emoran]d[u]m that theise wordes Timothie Mathewe was raised by the Consent and direction of the abovenamed S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon in the presence of Richard Ellyott John Edwardes S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon. Memorandum that I S[i]r [Christ]ofer Hoddessdon knighte do ordayne and appoynt by theise presentes that my last will and testament hereunto annexed shall stand remayne and be in full strength force and effect in all thinges according to the true meaning therof saving that whereas in the same my last will and testament I have given and bequeathed unto Anne Saunders one of the daughters of Elizabeth Hoddesdon my nowe wife fyve hundred poundes to be payed to her at suche dayes and tymes as in the saied my last is expressed Nowe by reason that the sayed Anne Saunders ys marryed unto S[i]r Robert Lovet knighte to whome I the same S[i]r [Christ]ofer have given in marriage with the saied S[i]r Robert Lovett above one thowsand poundes And therfore nowe my will is and I do ordayne by theise presentes that the sayed Anne nor his assignes shall not have the sayed fyve hundred poundes given unto her as is aforesayed nor any parte therof. And wheras in the same my last will and testament I did give unto Johane Smythe my Neece one hundred poundes to remayne in the handes of Christofer Hoddedon of Staple Inne gent[leman] her brother unto her use untill that George Smithe her then husband were departed out of this worlde which saied George Smythe is nowe deceased. And therfore I do give the saied hundred poundes unto her the same Johane Smythe and that she shall have the receipt thereof to her owne and only use. In witnesse wherof to this my present Codicill I the said Sir Christopher Hoddesdon have subscribed my name and putt to my seale dated the tenthe daye of November one thowsand sixe hundred and tenne, and in the yere of the raigne of oure most gracious soveraigne Lorde James by the grace of god of England France and Ireland kinge defender of the faithe &c the Eight and of Scotland the fower and fortithe theise beynge wittnesses Timothie Mathewe, Thomas Mytton and Edward Bowlsworth : [Christ]ofer Hoddesdon