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Last Will and Testament of

Henry Burre – 1627 

In the name of God amen the fourteenth day of April 1627 I  Henry Burre of Bowers Gifford in the County of Essex yeoman at this present sick and weak in body but of good and perfect memory thanks to God and not knowing how soon my changing may come do therefore make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following first my soul I bequeath into the hands of Almighty God my creator, only trusting to the mercy and merits if Christ my redeemer to be saved, next my body I will and desire should be decently buried as shall seem fit to my executors hereafter named, my goods wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I bequeath in manner following 

First I give unto poor Edward ? of this Parish of Bowers three pounds to buy him a cow Also I give him my working day apparel viz. one leather doublet one old fustin doublet, one piece of cloth breeches, two pair of shoes one of them a high pair, a pair of old boots 

Item I give my Mistress in way of thankfulness for her love me twenty shillings, to buy her a ring

To my mistresses sister Mistress Langam I give five shillings to buy a pair of gloves

Item I give to Elizabeth Finch ten shillings

I give to Ann Rayment ten shillings and to Susan Rayment I give her ten shillings, and desire they would bestow it on a ring the better to remember me as willing to show my thankfulness for their love and kindness to me their fathers servant

And to Katherin Rayment my Master’s youngest daughter I give that ring which was my own mothers

Item I give to Dorcas Hall, and to Bridget Magot (Mayot?), my fellow servants to either of them ten shillings

Item I give unto brother Lawrence Burre all my houses and lands lying in Rayleigh by what names soever they be called

Item I give him my best breeches, a new jerkin, a hat, a pair of new shoes, a pair of new boots and two shirts and a little chest

Item I give unto my brother William Burre and to my sister Elizabeth the wife of Richard Spittie all the rest of my money lying by me, and owing me, equally to be divided between them, which will be forty pounds apiece and somewhat more

Item I give my brother William my colored? hat a pair of green breeches, two shirts, a pair of 3 soled? shoes, one russet lambe, my great chest and my bands? and handkerchiefs & ? to be equally divided between my two brothers, and my bible and testament I give to my sister aforenamed

Item I give to Francis Wheler five shillings

To Thomas Blackmore I give my sword and five shillings, to George at Goodman James? I give five shillings

Item I give to John Parson I give two shillings and forgive him the debt he oweth me

Lastly I will and appoint my kind and loving Master Mr Robert Rayment my sole executor and do give him my young bullock and desire him first to discharge my debts and funeral, and then for soon as conveniently he can to see and cause my Will to be performed, and I also appoint my loving cousin John Summer overseer thereunto, whom I intreat and desire to take care also to see this my Will performed and for a remembrance I give him ten shillings to buy a ring

In witness hereof I have thereunto set my hand and seal the day and year abovesaid
Henry Burre his mark

sealed signed and acknowledged in the presence of me
Peter Burnham Clerk Elizabeth Langam


Wills at the Essex Record Office Chelmsford :- Essex Record Office ref - D/ABW/49/342

Acknowledgment to the Essex Record Office
  


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