11-0240-118_JohnHicks_1653
In the name of God Amen; I John HICKS of the parish of St Dunstable in the West London being sick in body but of perfect memory do make this my last will and testament bearing date this seven and twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord 1653: first I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my creator, hoping by the merits of our blessed saviour Jesus Christ to have remission for all my sins, and my body to be buried at the discretion of my beloved wife Grace HICKS whom I make and ordain my full executrix of this my last will and testament revoking all former wills and for that personal estate wherewith God has blessed me with all, after my funeral expenses discharged, I give and bequeath to my loving wife Grace Hicks to be disposed of her to the discharge of some debts which are grown by my long and changeable sickness. And the residue of all my chattels, household goods and debts I absolutely bequeath unto her for her own proper use and behoof; yet my will and meaning is that if my wife shall be paid some debts due unto (me) from Mrs Katherine Killigrewe amounting to the sum of a hundred and fifty pounds or that she receive a fair composition for the said debt that then she would give my son Francis the sum of twenty shillings, and to my daughter Elizabeth the like sum of twenty shillings, and that she my executrix will at her discretion look to the placing out of my daughter Mary and give somewhat unto her for settling her in some good service, and of this my last will and testament as before said I make my loving wife Grace my full executrix. And I do likewise give unto my cousin Mr John Aldersey and to my cousin Mr John Avenant and to each of them a pair of gloves and make and ordain them overseers of this my last will and testament earnestly requesting them to be assistant to my executrix both in the probate of this my will but likewise in their advice and help for the recovering of such debts which were in my lifetime due unto me. In witness whereof I have caused this will to be made and have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written – John Hicks – sealed subscribed and delivered in the presence of William Gay, Nathaniel Bridge, Peter Aldersey
Proved by Grace Hicks 6th February 1653 (1654)