11-0081-4_WilliamPitte-Clothier_1592
The last will and testament of WILLIAM PITTE of the Parish of Temple clothier written by me Richard Martin minister of the said parish as followeth:
In the name of God Amen. The thirtieth day of October in the year of our Lord God a thousand five hundred ninety two [30/10/1592] and in the four and thirtieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith etc. I WILLIAM PITTE of the Parish of Temple within the City of Bristol clothier being of good and sound memory, laud and praise I give to Almighty God, do make my testament concerning herein my last will in manner and form following. First I commend my soul to God my maker redeemer and sanctifier and my body to be buried in the church of Temple. Secondly I give and bequeath unto the poor people of the said parish forty shillings; that is to say twenty shillings at the day of my funeral and twenty shillings within six months next following to be distributed among them. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto WILLIAM my eldest son my house wherein I now dwell with all furniture thereunto belonging; that is to say one standing bed with a [truckle] bed under it with a further bed in the one and a [flock] bed in the other two pair of sheets and a pair of blankets and the best coverlet which I bought of Lynzey the wayte player. Provided that ANNES my wife shall have and hold the said house and furniture till William my son come to the age of twenty and one years. And if it be so that Agnes my wife remain widow till my son William come to the age of twenty and one year then it is my will and by virtue of this my present testament I do ordain that Agnes my wife shall pay unto William my son twenty shillings yearly from twenty years and one forwards so long as she shall remain a widow for the rent of the said house and furniture. And moreover I do ordain that Agnes my wife shall deliver up the said house and furniture unto William my son at the age of twenty and one years if she shall happen then or before to marry or at what time she is married if it be that she marry after the time of his age of one and twenty years before limited. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my said son William Piits the lease of the house wherein my mother now inhabits the same to hold immediately after the decease of my said mother during the years in the said lease specified. ITEM; I give and bequeath to my said son William Pittes the house park and garden which is now in the tenure and occupation of John Higgens the said house park and garden to hold and enjoy from the age of one and twenty years forwards during the years therein specified. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto William Pitts my son [LXl] I say three score pounds of current money of England to be delivered unto him at the age of one and twenty years; provided always and it is my intent and meaning that if it shall please God to take away William my son out of this life before he come to the age of one and twenty years that then all the bequests and legacies aforesaid which I have herein given and bequeathed unto my said son shall descend and come to the next of his brethren in age which shall live to be delivered unto him at the age of one and twenty years. And if it be the will of God that the next of his brethren decease in like sort as is abovesaid it is my will that the said legacies aforesaid shall remain to the next in age, the same to be delivered to him in such sort as is aforesaid. ITEM; I give and bequeath to ROBERT my son the sum and value of twenty pounds of current money of England to be delivered unto him at the age of twenty and one years; and if it shall please God that Robert my son depart this life before he come to the age aforesaid then it is my will and purpose that the said twenty pounds descend and come to his brother THOMAS and he to have the said twenty pounds at the age of one and twenty years; and if he decease before he come to the age of twenty and one years then the said twenty pounds to come and descend to JOHN my son to be delivered unto him at the age of twenty and one years. ITEM; I give and bequeath to Thomas my son the sum and value of twenty pounds of current money of England to be delivered unto him at the age of one and twenty years; and if it be the will of God to take unto himself the said Thomas then it is my will that the said twenty pounds descend unto the eldest of his brethren then remaining alive to be delivered unto him at the age of one and twenty years. ITEM; I give and bequeath to John my son the sum and value of twenty pounds of current money of England to be delivered unto him at the age of one and twenty years; and if it be the will of God that it should so come to pass that my said children shall be taken away by death before they come to lawful age then it is my will that the said legacies remain to the next of my name and kin in such sort as is expressed for my sons. ITEM; I give and bequeath to Elizabeth my daughter thirty pounds I say of [XXXL] of good and lawful money of England to be delivered to her at the age of one and twenty years; and if it be the will of God that my said daughter Elizabeth decease before she come to the age of one and twenty years then it is my will and meaning that the said thirty pounds shall descend to my brother RICHARD PITTs two daughters equally to be divided among them. ITEM; I give and bequeath to Elizabeth my daughter one standing bed one feather bed one bolster one pair of sheets and one coverlet four pewter [chardgers] four pewter platters four saucers and one brass [crocke] all which to be delivered to her at the age of one and twenty years. ITEM; I give and bequeath to George my apprentice ten shillings to be delivered unto him when he hath ended his [years]. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto Annes my servant ten shillings to be delivered to her at the end of her [years]. ITEM; I give and bequeath to Sir Richard Martyn of Temple ten shillings. ITEM; I do ordain and appoint Mr John Prikes and Thomas Heywarde overseers to this my last will and testament unto whom I give a [piece]. All the residue of my goods and chattels moveable and unmoveable which are not herein given or bequeathed I give unto Agnes my wife whom I do make my sole executrix by virtue of this my last will and testament. As for any former wills testaments legacies and bequests before this time by me had made named or devised I utterly revoke disannul and annihilate those present. Signed William Pitts per me William Barnes
Proved 3rd January 1592/3 by Agnes (relict and executrix)
Comments or questions are welcome.