1651 Michaell Freeman

11-0217-148_MichaellFreeman_1651

IN the name of God Amen; the three and twentieth day of September in the fourteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith etc., I MICHAELL FREEMAN of Child Ockford in the County of Dorset yeoman weak in body but of sound and perfect memory do revoke all former wills and do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following:  Imprimis, I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my creator trusting through the merits of Christ Jesus my only Saviour to [  ] mercy and salvation; and my body to be buried in such decent manner as my co-executrixes hereafter mentioned shall think fit.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto JOHN FREEMAN my eldest son one estate of meadow called Little Millway containing by estimation three acres more or less and two [  ] lease in the common and two beasts lease in Neatmead all which are parcel of my tenement in Child Ockford aforesaid and which my said son has enjoyed diverse years last past according to my promise to his marriage to hold the same premises unto him the said John Freeman during all the term I have to come of in and to the same premises; and I do likewise give unto every one of the children of the said John Freeman a sheep.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto THOMAS FREEMAN my second son all the right interest term and time I have left to come of and in one close of arable in Child Ockford aforesaid called Southfield parcel of the tenement of Arthur Freeman there and also such monies as are due unto me from my son in law JOHN PAYLE of Mauston.  ITEM; I give unto ROBERT FREEMAN my youngest son such moneys as I have in the hands of William Duncombe.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my daughter ANN STEVENS and to every one of her children each of them a sheep.  ITEM; I give unto Cicilie the daughter of Christian Simonde of Iwelchester in the County of Somerset widow one sheep.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my two daughters ELIZABETH and PRUDENCE forty pounds which is in the hands of my cousin EDWARD HARRIS to be equally divided between them and my will is that if my daughter Elizabeth shall marry with John Nicholls of Ormard then the portion before bequeathed unto her shall wholly come to my said other daughter Prudence; and my will is that my wife should do something by way of provision for my son MICHAELL FREEMAN if he be obedient unto her; and I do entreat  my loving friends Benjamin Byles and William Freeman of Child Ockford aforesaid yeomen to be overseers of this my will and to be directive helping and assisting to my said executrixes in the performance of this my will; and in testimony of all the promises I have published and subscribed this my last will the day and year above written signed Michaell Freeman in presence of us Edm: Cole, Benjamin Byles.  ITEM; I further give to my son Michaell my ten sheep in my close called Monkfield – this last legacy was given by the testator before the publication and subscription of this will Edmond Cole, Benjamin Byles

 

Proved 18th June 1651 by Elizabeth and Prudence Freeman, daughters and executrixes

 

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