In the name of God Amen I William Hanscombe the elder of Shillington in the County of Bedford gent being at this present time in good and perfect health mind and memory praised be Almighty God for the same and calling to mind the mortality of all mankind the certainty of death and the uncertain time thereof and that to have my house set in order and that more particularly by reason of my age and these many children which God hath given me, I do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following And first and principally I commit and commend my soul into the hands of the Almighty God my creator and maker hoping and steadfastly believing by and through the alone merits death and passion of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer that all my sins are pardoned and forgiven and that I shall be made partaker of life everlasting in the Kingdom of Heaven, And for my body I commit to the earth whereof it was made to be buried in such decent and Christian like manner as my executor hereinafter named shall think fit and convenient, And for that worldly estate which God of his mercy hath bestowed upon me I dispose of the same as followeth that is to say

I do hereby give and bequeath unto the poor people of Shillington aforesaid the sum of five pounds to be paid and distributed amongst them at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named within one week after my decease

Item I give and devise unto my eldest son James Hanscombe and to his heirs all that my capital messuage and farm with the appurtenances in Shillington aforesaid commonly called the Moate or by whatever other name or names the same is called or known being now in my own occupation and all the houses buildings cottages lands meadows pastures grounds tenements and hereditaments with their and every of their appurtenances thereunto belonging (except such cottages lands and grounds parcel thereof as hereafter in this my Will and otherwise devised given or disposed of or hereby meant mentioned or intended to be otherwise devised or disposed of) to have and to hold the said capital messuage and farm lands meadows pastures tenements and premises aforesaid with their appurtenances (except before excepted) unto my said son James Hanscombe and unto his heirs and assigns forever

Item I give and devise unto my said son James Hanscombe and to his heirs all those eight acres by estimation of arable land with the appurtenances lying in Pirton Windmill fields in the County of Hertford heretofore purchased of one Thomas Arnold, and also all those three acres by estimation of arable lands with their appurtenances lying and being in Shillington Windmill fields in the said County of Bedford to have and to hold unto my said son James Hanscombe and to his heirs and assigns forever

Item I give and bequeath unto my son William Hanscombe all the household stuff remaining in the house in Shillington aforesaid wherein my Uncle James Hanscombe lately dwelt

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my son Robert Hanscombe and his heirs all that messuage or farm with their appurtenances situate and being in Over Gravenhurst in the County of Bedford aforesaid now or late in the occupation of Jeremie Cooch and Henry Cooch or one of them their or one of their assigns or undertenants and all lands meadows pastures tenements and hereditaments with their appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining or therewith now or lately used occupied or enjoyed or reputed taken or known as part parcel or member thereof and all those three cottages with their appurtenances in Over Gravenhurst aforesaid now in the several tenures or occupations of Henry Hind the widow Earle and the widow Hodge or some of them or their or some of their assigns or undertenants and also all other my freehold houses lands meadows pastures tenements and hereditaments with their appurtenances situate and being in Over Gravenhurst aforesaid to have and to hold unto my said son Robert Hanscombe and unto his heirs and assigns forever

Item I give devise and bequeath unto John Hanscombe my son and his heirs all my freehold lands meadows pastures tenements and hereditaments whatsoever with their appurtenances hereunto belonging or appertaining or therewith now or lately used occupied or enjoyed or reputed taken or known as part parcel or member thereof situate and being in Ion in the Parishes of Over Gravenhurst and Nether Gravenhurst or one of them in the said County of Bedford to have and to hold unto the said John Hanscombe and unto his heirs and assigns forever upon the condition notwithstanding that the said John Hanscombe his heirs and assigns do and shall within one month after my decease or before at the request costs and charges of my said son Robert Hanscombe his heirs and assigns by surrender or surrenders or other good assurance and conveyance in the law surrender assure and convey unto him the said Robert Hanscombe his heirs and assigns all those customary or copyhold lands meadows pastures woods tenements and hereditaments with their and every of their appurtenances lying and being in Over Gravenhurst aforesaid which were lately purchased of John Rumball and are holden of the Manor of Apsleybury cum Ion et al and also of the Manor of the Rectory of Shillington or one of them in the said County of Bedford or copies of the Court Roll of the said Manor or one of them and also all that those of ground commonly called coppy close with all the hedges ditches commons profits commodities and appurtenances to the said premises belonging or in any wise appertaining to the custom or customs of the Manor or Manors of which the same are holden in such manner and form as by the said Robert Hanscombe his heirs or assigns or his or their counsel learned in the laws of this Realm shall be reasonably devised or advised and required

And in case my said son John Hanscombe his heirs or assigns shall deny refuse or neglect to make such surrender or surrenders assurance and conveyance in the law of the same lands meadows pastures woods those tenements and hereditaments with their appurtenances unto my said son Robert Hanscombe his heirs and assigns as aforesaid then my will and meaning is and in such case I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my said son Robert Hanscombe his heirs and assigns all my said freehold lands meadows pastures tenements and hereditaments whatsoever with their and every of their appurtenances situate and being in Ion aforesaid to have and to hold unto my said son Robert Hanscombe and unto his heirs and assigns forever

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my said son Robert Hanscombe and his heirs all that cottage or tenements with their appurtenances situate and being in Over Gravenhurst aforesaid now in the possession or occupation of William Jones or his assigns to have and to hold unto my said son Robert Hanscombe his heirs and assigns forever

Item I having made a surrender to the use of my will of my customary or copyhold lands and tenements holden of the Manor of Shillington aforesaid now I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my said son John Hanscombe and his heirs all those arable lands with their appurtenances in Shillington aforesaid which were heretofore purchased of Joseph Barber Esq. to have and to hold unto my said son John Hanscombe and unto his heirs and assigns forever Provided always and my will and meaning is that if my eldest son James Hanscombe or his heirs do and shall within three months after my decease well and sufficiently surrender convey and assure unto the said John Hanscombe his heirs and assigns all that my messuage or farm with their appurtenances situate and being in Streatly in the said County of Bedford and all lands meadows pastures woods tenements and hereditaments with their appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining or thereon now or lately used occupied or enjoyed and also do and shall next and immediately from and after my decease and until such surrender conveyance and assurance shall be made executors and perfected permit and suffer my said son John Hanscombe and his heirs and assigns to have hold possess and enjoy the same messuage farm land meadows pastures woods tenements and hereditaments with their appurtenances in Streatley aforesaid or to receive the rents issues and profits thereof to his and their own proper use and uses without the let or interruption of him my said son James Hanscombe and his heirs or any other person or persons lawfully claiming from by or under him Then the said devise to the said John Hanscombe and his heirs touching the said lands in Shillington aforesaid late purchased of the said Joseph Barber be void and of none effect and then in such case and after such surrender conveyance and assurance so made to the said John Hanscombe and his heirs as aforesaid I do hereby devise give and bequeath the said lands with their appurtenances in Shillington aforesaid lately purchased of the said Joseph Barber unto my said son James Hanscombe and unto his heirs and assigns forever

Item I do hereby give and devise unto my said son John Hanscombe and his heirs all that close of pasture ground with their appurtenances in Shillington aforesaid called Water Close containing by estimation five acres more or less And all that cottage and pightle¹ with their appurtenances to the said cottage belonging or appertaining or therewith used or occupied containing by estimation three roods more or less now or late in the occupation of Nicholas Rowbottome or his assigns And all cottage with their appurtenances in the occupation of Jonathan Crouch And also all those five acres and one rood more or less of arable land with their appurtenances in Shillington aforesaid in a field there called Hanscombe End Field And also all those three roods by estimation more or less of meadow ground with their appurtenances lying and being in a moade called Morley in the Parish of Shillington aforesaid theretofore purchased of the said Joseph Barber and one Thomas Parratt deceased by several purchases to have and to hold unto my said son John Hanscombe and to his heirs and assigns forever Provided always and my will and meaning is that if my said son James Hanscombe his heirs or assigns do and shall within three months next after my decease well and truly pay and cause to be paid unto the said John Hanscombe his heirs executors and administrators the full sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of England at or within the now dwelling house of the said John Hanscombe in Streatly aforesaid And also do and shall in the meantime pay unto ma and my executors ten pounds a year of like money and so in proportion for a less time then a year for the interest of the said two hundred pounds That then and from thenceforth this my present wife last mentioned shall cease and be void or else stand in full force and virtue And then and in such case upon one payment made as aforesaid I do hereby give and devise the said close called Water Close the said cottage and pightle now or late in the occupation of Nicholas Rowbottome the said cottage in the occupation of Jonathan Crouch the said five acres and rood of land in Hanscombe End Fields and the last mentioned three roods of meadow with their and every of their appurtenances unto my said son James Hanscombe and to his heirs and assigns forever

Item I do give and devise unto my said son Robert Hanscombe and his heirs all that messuage or farm house and all the barns stables outhouses orchards yards gardens and backsides thereunto belonging and thirty acres of arable land more or less which I purchased of William Burrow and also thirty acres more or less of arable land meadow and pasture ground which was given me by the last will and testament of my Uncle James Hanscombe with their and every of their appurtenances all which said premises now and or late in the tenure possession or occupation of Joseph Thorneton his assignee or assigns and are situate lying and being in Henlow in the County of Bedford aforesaid And also all that close of pasture ground with their appurtenances containing by estimation four acres more or less which said close last mentioned is situate and being in Henlow aforesaid and now is or late was in the tenure possession or occupation of Thomas Browne his assignee or assigns and also all other my lands tenements meadows pastures feedings and hereditaments with their and every of their appurtenances in Henlow aforesaid and now in the several tenures or occupations of the said Joseph Thorneton and Thomas Browne or one of them or one of their assigns to have and to hold unto my said son Robert Hanscombe and to his heirs and assigns forever for the better devising assuring and disposing of which last mentioned premises I have made several surrenders thereof to the use of my will into the hands of the several Lord or Lords of whom the said are holden

And I do straightly charge and command my said son James Hanscombe upon my blessing that if any defect shall be in this my Will of the several messuages and lands to any of my younger children either for want or surrender to the use of my will or otherwise howsoever that he take no advantage thereof but that he convey and settle the same if he be thereto required according to the true intent and meaning of this my Will

Item I give and bequeath unto Grace my eldest daughter five shillings to be paid unto her within one year next after my decease in full discharge of all sum and sums of money which I did at any time heretofore give or promise her or her husband

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Alice fifty pounds to be paid unto her by my executors hereinafter named within one year after my decease

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary one large table cloth marked with the letters W:M:H:

And my will and meaning is that if any of my said daughters shall die or depart this life before their respective legacies hereby given or bequeathed unto them shall be respectively due and payable this is my will that then the respective legacy or legacies of her them or any of them so dying shall be equally divided and paid unto my said sons John and Robert if they shall be then living or to the survivor of them in case one of them shall be then dead or to the executors or administrators of them survivor of them my said two sons

And whereas I have taken several securities or put forth at interest several sums of money in the several names of my two daughters Sarah and Elizabeth now my will and meaning is that in case the several sums of money so secured or put forth at interest in their respective names as aforesaid with the interest that shall be due for the same at the time of my decease shall then fall short and not amount to the sum of six hundred pounds apiece for each of my said two daughters then and in such case I do hereby give and bequeath unto each of my same two daughters Sarah and Elizabeth so much money to be raised and paid to them at their respective age or ages of one and twenty years or the day of their respective marriages which shall first happen after my decease out of my personal estate by my executors hereinafter named as will make up their respective portions with the said sums of money so secured or put forth at interest as aforesaid the sum of six hundred pounds apiece

Item my will and meaning is that in case my said son James Hanscombe and his heirs executors and assigns shall to the good liking of the executor of this my Will leave and yield my said messuage and farm in Streatly aforesaid with the hovels thereto belonging in good plight according to the true meaning of this my Will immediately after my decease unto my said son John Hanscombe his heirs and assigns then and in such case I give and bequeath unto my said son James Hanscombe his heirs executors and assigns all those two hovels² now belonging to my said farm called the Moate in Shillington aforesaid together with my great mashing fat (vat?) thereto also belonging or there now remaining otherwise I give the same two hovels last mentioned with the said mashing fat unto my said son John Hanscombe his heirs executors and assigns to be taken away and disposed of at his and their wills and pleasures

Item I give and bequeath unto Mary my loving wife all such household stuff as she bought with her or was possessed of at the time of her intermarriage with me to be delivered unto her by my executors immediately after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto her my said wife twenty pounds of current English money to be paid unto her by my said executors within three months after my decease

Item whereas my said son James Hanscombe hath heretofore made a mortgage or lease of certain lands and tenements for a long term of years unto my said son John Hanscombe for the security of the payment of the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds to my said son John Hanscombe And whereas I did heretofore enter into a bond or obligation of the penalty of two thousand pounds or three thousand pounds or such great sum of money unto William Field late of Ion aforesaid since deceased or to some others conditioned for my devising giving and settling or conveying of certain lands and tenements in Shillington aforesaid unto or upon my said son James Hanscombe now my will and meaning is that in case my said son James Hanscombe or his heirs shall within two months after my decease actually deliver up or cause to be delivered up the said bond or obligation to be canceled and made void to my executor hereinafter named without any trouble suite or suites in law or equity then and in such case and not otherwise I do hereby give bequeath and order the sum of two hundred pounds of current money to be paid by my said executor into the hands of my said son John Hanscombe his executors or administrators in lieu/lien? and in full discharge and satisfaction of the debt which shall be then due upon or by virtue of the said mortgage or lease and the overplus thereof if any shall be to be paid into the hands of my said son James Hanscombe his heirs executors or assigns the better to enable him and them to pay and satisfy the sum of two hundred pounds to my said son John his heirs executors and administrators according to a certain proviso condition or devise in this my Will before mentioned and expressed

Item I give and bequeath unto my said son James Hanscombe ten silver spoons and one silver cup marked with the letters I:H: my old double gilded saltcellar and my biggest pottage pot to be delivered to him by my said executor within two months after my decease

Item all the rest of my money debts securities plate jewels goods chattels cattle household stuff corn grain utensils of husbandry and all other my personal estate whatsoever after my debts legacies and funeral expenses shall be discharged and paid I do hereby give and bequeath unto my said son Robert Hanscombe whom I do make and appoint sole executor of this my Last Will and Testament

In witness whereof I the said William Hanscombe have to this my Last Will and Testament in writing contained in eight sheets of paper set my hand and seal the fourteenth day of November in the three and thirtieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the second by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the faith 1681
William Hanscombe

Signed sealed published and declared to be the Last Will and Testament of the said William Hanscombe the testator and these words (his heirs and assigns forever) in the third sheet were first interlined in the presence of
Geo Draper, John Shepheard, Willm Hanscombe, John Crouch

Probate granted July 1700 to Robert Hanscombe.

Archdeaconry of Bedfordshire Wills - Hanscombe, Wm sen., Shillington, gent, ABP/W 1700/107
Acknowledgment to Beds & Luton Archives Service

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1 - pightle :- small enclosure; a croft.

2 - hovel :- Open shed, out-house; miserable dwelling; conical building enclosing kiln (15th cent of unknown origin.). Concise Oxford.
The first two or last descriptions are most likely to apply in this case rather than a miserable dwelling, possibly the kiln as this would explain the mashing vat.

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