Townsend, various: Slatter Son and More, solicitors, Stratford-upon-Avon

Description

Probate dated 25 February 1678/9 (old style) of the will (15 November 1678) of Thomas Townsend, Alveston, yeoman. - Appoints sons-in-law, William Sambach of Broadway, Worcs., yeoman and Thomas Halford, Halford, yeoman and friend John Higgins, Alveston, yeoman, as trustees and executors. - To trustees: 1/2 yard land recently bought of William Walton, late of Alveston, deceased, other lands purchased of said Walton by deed 14 October 1654 with terrier affixed, and enclosed ground called 'Dunstall, medow land, 'The Ham' and 1/2 yard land in open fields settled to uses by deed 14 January [???] to John Higgins to use of Townsend and heirs. Upon trust: when eldest son Edward is 21 to raise £150. Trusts: to be equally divided between son Mathias Townsend and daughter Elizabeth Townsend. - 'The Ham' and 'Dunstalls' are mortgaged to William Gibson, Shottery, gent., for £150: if debt paid from personal estate then Trustees to raise £100 from those lands equally for Mathias and Elizabeth, payable when son Edward is 21. - If Mathias or Elizabeth die unmarried, then £10 of their share of £150 stays with Edward, £10 each to daughters Dorothy Halford and Judith Sambach and residue to survivor of Mathias and Elizabeth. - If son Edward pays said legacies within six months of attaining 21, then Trustees to convey premises to him. - To son Mathias: goods in the parlour, viz: joined bedsted with green curtains and valance, a ring, 2 blankets, a feather bed, a flock bed, with bolsters and pillows, 2 joined chairs, a table board, 6 joined stools, a court cupboard etc., a pair of flax sheets, a pair of hemp sheets, 2 brass pots in the small beer buttery, a brass pan and the smallest brass kettle. - To daughter Elizabeth: white rug, a piece of white cloth to make curtains and valance for a bed, 6 cushions not made up; one pair flax sheets, one pair hemp sheets; all the hempen jersey and wool in the house. - To son Edward: residue of household goods (except corn, malt, bacon and cheese), and lands in trust (as above). Residue of personal estate including crops to Trustees to pay debts; to pay £20 to apprentice son Mathias; residue as marriage portion for Elizabeth but to be abated from her share of trust. - To daughters Dorothy Halford Judith Sambach: 20 shillings each. - To sons-in-law William Sambach and Thomas Halford: 6/8d for ring. - To grandchildren: William and Judith Sambach and Thomas and Dorothy Halford: 10 shillings each. Proved at Hampton Lucy.