John Sherman, 1504

Abstract of the Will of
JOHN SHERMAN
of Yaxley, County Suffolk, ENGLAND

I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, our Lady Saint Mary and to all ye holy company of heaven. To be buired in the parish yard of our lady of Yaxle aforesaid.

To the high alter of said church for tithes forgotten or too little paid, three shillings four pence. To the reporacion of said church, one comb of malt and three bushels of wheat. To the gilde of St. Thomas in Yaxly aforesaid a cow. To the reporacion of ye church of Dysse eight bushels of malte and four bushels of wheat.

To Agnes my wife for her life, my tenements in Yaxley called Hobbes, with all the land, both free and bond thereto appertaining, and a close called Tilers close. Also to Agnes my wife for her life my tenements in Yaxley wherein I now dwell with all the land, both free and bond other appurtenances thereto belonging, or else my tenement in Dysse with appurtenances thereto belonging, (except a close called Elmswell) at her choice. The other tenements to be let by my executors to Aynde wt my children" and pay my debts, and then to my son Thomas at the age of twenty two.

If my wife dies before my son Thomas becomes twenty two then said tenements and lands which she held for life to be let by my executors until my son Thomas becomes twenty two and then Thomas to have them, he paying to his sister Margery when she comes to the age of twenty two ten pounds.

If my said daughter Margery decease within the age of twenty two years, then I will the said Thomas shall provide a priest a year to sing for my soul, and my friends souls, and another priest another year at his most ease.

If my son Thomas decease within the age of twenty two years then all of the above named tenements and lands shall be sold by my execcutors, and Margery my daughter, if she live, shall have to her marriage twnety poounds, and the residue to be disposed by the discretion of my executors.

Also I will that if Thomas my son and Margery my daughter at the age of sixteen years will not be content and ruled by my executors for their "fyndyngs" then Thomas my son to have towards his said findings of my executors every year twenty six shillings eight pence, and the said Margery yearly thirteen shillings four pence, untill they come to the age of twenty two years.

And I will that a close called Elmswell in Dysse afore excepted be sold by my executors to the performance of this my testament.

To my son Thomas at twenty two years, four quaters of barley and a cow.

To Margery my daughter at the said age of twenty two years, eight comb of barley and a cow.

To Robert my servant, eight bushels of barley.

To each of my godchildren, twelve pence.

Moreover I desire and require Mr. Thomas Jermyn of Rushbrook and others being feoffees of trust to my use in all above named tenements and lands, as well free as bond with all their premises, make estate and surrender of the same when they shall be required, according to this my testament and last will.

The residue of all my goods and chattels before not bequeathed I give to my executors to dispose for my soul and my friends as shall to them best and most pleasure to Almighty God and profit of my soul.

My said wife and Thomas Fuller, my father-in-law to be my executors.

Proved at Norwich, 12 Dec. 1504 and commission issued to executors named. Dated August 10, 1504; proved December 12, 1504. Norwich Consistory Court. (42 Rix) F.D.S. 10, 11.


The above Will can be found in Some of the Descendants of Phillip Sherman, The First Secretary of Rhode Island by Roy V. Sherman, pp. 2, 3.

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