William Shepheard

Prerogative Court of Canterbury will made: 10th May 1659
Probate Date: 16th June 1659
Proved by William Shepheard, son of the testator
National Archive Catalogue reference: PROB 11/294

The original document is in the custody of the National Archives

Transcript

In the name of God Amen The Tenth day of May in the yeare of our Lord according to the Accompt used in England One Thousand six hundred Fiftie and nyne I William Shepheard of Laighton Buzard in the County of Bed[for]d Butcher \being/ att this present weake of Bodie yet of sound and perfect memorie thankes and praise be given to Almightie God therefore Calling to minde the just and irrevocable Decree of Almightie God pronounced against man for sinn (viz) That everie man must once die and the tyme when and place where being of all other things least known unto man have thought good to make and ordaine this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following Inprimis I give and bequeath my Soule into the hands of Almightie God my Creatour trusting and assuredly beleiving that through the meritts of his sonne and my blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ I shall be made pertaker of his everlasting Kingdome in heaven And I bequeath my Bodie to the Earth to be decently buried according to the discretion of my Executor hereafter nominated And for the worldly Estate which it hath pleased God in his mercie to blesse mee with all I bequeath as followeth Inprimis I give and bequeath unto my eldest sonne William Shepheard and unto his heires for ever All and everie my houses Lands and Tenements and all and everie the profitts and appurtenances belonging to them and every of them Item I give and bequeath unto John Shepheard my sonne the summe of Tenn shillings to be paid within one moneth next after my decease by my Executor hereafter named Item I give and bequeath unto Tobias Shepheard my Sonne the summe of Tenn shillings to be paid within one Moneth next after my decease if it shall be lawfullie demanded Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann Shepheard the summe of Three score and Tenne pounds to be paid unto her within one whole yeare next after my decease by my Execut[or] hereafter nominated and appoynted Item I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Anne Shepheard the moyetie or one halfe of all my houshold Goods whatsoever All the rest of my Goods Chattells and Cattell debts and personall Estate I freely give and bequeath unto my eldest sonn William Shepheard aforesaid whome I hereby make sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In witnesse whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament interchangeablie sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written: And I doe hereby desire and request my loving freinds and Neighbours John Foster Gentleman and Ralph Doggett to be Overseers of this my last Will and Testam[en]t To each of whome I give and bequeath the summe of Two shillings and six pence - William Shepheard his marke: Signed sealed and published in the presence of Tobias Churchhill Edward Thorpe his marke Anne Churchhill