Monthly Archives: August 2018

1689 Richard Winch

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In the name of God. Amen. I Richard WINCH of Newton in the County of Southampton, being of sound and perfect mind and in good health, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this present life, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.  First I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God my Creator, trusting to be saved by the merits of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  ITEM; I give unto my Aunt Ann Primmer wife of John Primmer of Sydmonton in the same county of Southampton, yeoman, the sum of one hundred pounds of lawful English money.  ITEM; I give unto Jane Dicks wife of Robert Dicks of Twyford in the county of Middlesex, yeoman, the like sum of one hundred pounds and to my aunt Joane formerly the wife of Peter Cleeves of Andover in the said county of Southampton, bricklayer, the like sum of one hundred pounds and to my Aunt Bridgett Eastwood, wife of (blank) Eastwood of the College Green in Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland the like sum of one hundred pounds, and to George Bryan of Sydminton aforesaid the like sum of one hundred pounds.  ITEM; I give unto John Wooffe of Sydmanton aforesaid one close of meadow lying in Newton aforesaid formerly the land of Thomas Parsons of Newton aforesaid.  All my household goods of what kind so ever I give and bequeath unto the above named George Bryan and Ann Primmer to be equally divided between them.  All the rest of my lands, tenements and hereditaments whatsoever I give and bequeath unto Francis Bryan of Ealing in the County of Middlesex, Gent., to have and to hold to him and his heirs forever chargeable nevertheless with payment of all my just debts and legacies aforesaid.  ITEM; I give unto Elizabeth the wife of  George Bryan my three gold rings, and I do hereby constitute and appoint the said Francis Bryan sole executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this one and twentieth day of November in the fourth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James the second of England etc. AD 1688 – Richard Winch – signed sealed and published in the presence of Francis Coles, Jonah Coles, () Downes, John Corn

Proved 28th August 1689

1688 Robert Pitt

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In the name of God. Amen. The one and thirtieth day of October in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand six hundred eighty eight, I Robert PITT of Blandford Forum in the County of Dorset, Gent., being weak and infirm, but of sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto Almighty God for the same yet minding my mortality do make my last will in manner following: my soul I commend to Almighty God assuredly hoping his acceptance through the merits of Christ my Saviour; and I direct that my body be buried in the parish church of Blandford Forum aforesaid as near my father as may be; the order and charges I leave to the discretion of my executor hereafter named; and as to the lands, houses and personal estate which it has pleased God to bless me with all, I dispose of in manner following: whereas I have lately given and settled to my son Robert PITT, Doctor of Physick and to his heirs forever the Inn called the Crown in the warnership of Pimperne and my lands called Broadmead and Bell grounds with all its members and appurtenances, as also all my messuage tenement and lands which I purchased of George Pitt Esquire, I now moreover give and devise unto him all the estate and term of years that I have yet to come in the common shore of Blandford Forum aforesaid called Gallers Ditch.  ITEM; I give unto my said son Robert the higher (ham) next to the March in Blandford Forum aforesaid to hold to him and his heirs forever.  ITEM; I give unto my Granddaughter Martha PITT daughter of my said son  Robert PITT the sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of England to be paid to my said son Robert for the use of his said daughter by my executor hereinafter named within half a year after my decease, and whereas I have lately given and settled upon my son Thomas PITT, Counsellor of Law the farm of Hemsworth and the house wherein Richard Lisle of Blandford Forum aforesaid, Goldsmith, now lives and the orchard thereunto belonging, I do now give and bequeath unto Robert PITT, son of my said son Thomas PITT the sum of one hundred pounds of lawful money of England, also I give and bequeath to Christopher PITT, son of my said son Thomas PITT the sum of one hundred pounds of like lawful money to be paid to my said son Thomas for the use and benefit of his said sons Robert and Christopher by my executor hereinafter named within half a year after my decease.  ITEM; I give and devise unto my loving friends George Rives of Rauston in the said county of Dorset Esquire and Robert Seymour of Hanford in the said county Esquire and their heirs forever, my house that I now dwell in and the gardens, orchards and appurtenances thereunto belonging in trust and for the use of my son John PITT during his life and from and after his decease to and for the use of my grandson John PITT son of my said son John Pitt and to the heirs of my said grandson John Pitt forever.  ITEM; I give and devise unto my said loving friends George Rives and Robert Seymour and their heirs forever my three messuages and tenements with the appurtenances now in the several possessions of William Bartlett, John Welsh and Robert Shelby, and situate in Blandford Forum aforesaid in trust and to and for the use of my said son John Pitt for and during the term of his life, and from and after his decease to and for the use and behoof of my grandson Robert PITT son of my said son John Pitt and to the heirs of my said grandson Robert Pitt forever.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Priscilla PITT, daughter of my said son John Pitt the sum of one hundred pounds of lawful money of England to be let out for her and with the profits thereof to be paid unto her when she shall attain the age of one and twenty years or on her day of marriage which shall first happen.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my son Christopher PITT the sum of one thousand pounds of lawful money of England.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my loving brother-in-law Mathew PAGE of Whatcombe in the County of Dorset, Gent., and his heirs the messuage or tenement now in the possession of Christopher Bernard and the messuage or tenement next adjoining, now in the possession of John Buffett and the moulting house or tenement now in the possession of John Elmes and the other two tenements lately built, wherein William Winter and George Gerard now live, and all outhouses, yards, gardens and appurtenances therewith or with any of them enjoyed or thereunto belonging, and also the two lower hams or islands opposite to the said messuages or tenements last mentioned and all situate in the parish of Blandford Forum aforesaid, to hold the same unto the said Mathew Page and his heirs in trust nevertheless and in confidence that he and his heirs shall and will suffer my said son a Christopher Pitt and his heirs to receive the rents issues and profits of the said tenements houses and hams hereby devised unto my said brother Mathew Page and his heirs, and upon further trust and confidence that my said brother Mathew Page and his heirs shall upon request unto him or them made by my said son Christopher or his heirs convey or assure the estate to them devised of and in the premises to my son Christopher and his heirs or upon default thereof on his death to his heir or heirs upon the like request made by the said heir or heirs.  ITEM; I give unto my daughter Margaret PITT the sum of one thousand pounds of lawful money of England.  ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my daughter Priscilla DENNETT the sum of three hundred pounds of lawful money of England to be paid to her within one year next after my decease or to such other person as she shall appoint.  ITEM; I give and bequeath to her son John DENNETT my grandson the sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of England to be let out for him as soon as conveniently may be and the principal and all interest thereof to be paid unto him my said grandson at his age of one and twenty years, and my will further is that in case my said grandson John Dennett shall die before the age of one and twenty years that then the said two hundred pounds and all interest raised by the loan thereof before the death of the said John Dennett shall be paid to his mother my daughter Priscilla Dennett or to such other person or persons as she whether she be sole or married shall nominate and appoint to my executor hereinafter named to receive  the same.  ITEM; I give to the poor of the parish of Blandford aforesaid the sum of five pounds to be distributed within one month after my decease.  ITEM; whereas I lately purchased in the name of my son John Pitt certain lands in Winterborne Kingston in the said County of Dorset, my will is and I do hereby give and devise the third part of the clear yearly profits arising out of the said lands to the bailiff and burgesses of Blandford Forum aforesaid for and towards the relief and maintenance of a poor person that the said bailiff and burgesses shall think fit to place and put in that room In the almshouse of Blandford Forum aforesaid for which no provision or allowance was before made.  ITEM; all my plate, linen, pewter and household goods whatsoever in my house in Blandford that I now live in I bequeath unto my said sons and daughters to be equally divided amongst them.  ITEM; I give unto my servant Elizabeth Hancock if she shall be living with me at the time of my death one year’s wages, and to the rest of my servants that shall be in my service at Blandford at the time of my death, to each of them one half year’s wages according to what that have covenanted for to be paid to them when they are to receive their next quarter’s wages.  ITEM; I do order and direct that my executor shall sell the lands conveyed to me by James South towards the payment of my legacies, and I do strictly charge and command all my children that if any difference do arise between them in relation to this my will that they refer themselves and do stand to and abide the judgement and determination of George Rives of Ranston Esquire and Robert Seymour of Hanford Esquire.  ITEM; all the rest of my goods chattels and personal estate whatsoever I give and devise unto my said son John Pitt whom I hereby constitute make and ordain sole executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former or other will or wills by me made.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written – Robt. Pitt – signed sealed published and declared in the presence of Thomas CRADOCK, Robert Ridout, Isaac Horlock , Edward Lawrence

Proved 11th March 1688/9

1687 William Pitt

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This is the last will and testament of me, William PITT of Dorchester in the county of Dorset, Gent., made and published this twenty sixth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty.  FIRST, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, trusting and believing by and through the merits death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer, to have full and free pardon of all my sins and to enjoy eternal happiness. My body I commit to the earth to be decently buried in expectation of a glorious resurrection. And as for and concerning my worldly estate which God has been pleased of his goodness to bestow upon me, I dispose thereof in manner following (that is to say): INPRIMIS; I give to my dearly beloved wife one thousand pounds.  ITEM; I give to my daughter CHAPPELL one hundred pounds to be paid her in three months after my decease.  ITEM; I will that my executrix shall pay to my overseers or such of them as will accept the trust five hundred nobles within six months after my decease, five hundred nobles more within twelve months after my decease and five hundred nobles more within eighteen months next after my decease which I desire may be put out at interest in their names or the names of such of them as will accept of the trust, and I will that the interest thereof shall be paid to my daughter DEANE during the life of her husband for her separate use and a receipt by her under her hand shall be a sufficient discharge for the same, and in case she shall outlive her husband, then the principal and interest to be paid to her, and if she shall die leaving her husband, then the principal and so much of the interest as shall be unpaid to her shall be disposed of for the benefit of such of her children as she shall appoint, and for want of such appointment, then for the benefit of such child or children of hers as she shall leave equally to be divided between them provided always and my will is, if my said daughter shall by any instrument in writing under her hand subscribed in the presence of four or more credible witnesses appoint or authorise my said overseers or either of them to pay all or any part of the principal money before her death to or for the benefit of any her child or children, or to any other use, that my said overseers or such of them as shall accept of the said trust, shall pay the same accordingly and shall be discharged of so much thereof as they shall pay by such her appointment, and that they nor either of them shall not suffer by the insolvency of any person to whom they shall dispose of the same at interest nor be answerable one for the acts or defaults of the other, and that they shall allow themselves all such costs and charges as they shall be at or put unto in the execution of the said trust.  ITEM; I give to my daughter GOULD four hundred pounds to be paid by three equal payments, that is to say, four hundred nobles within six months after my decease, four hundred nobles more within twelve months and four hundred nobles more within eighteen months after my decease.  ITEM; I give to my Grandson William CHAPPELL four hundred pounds to be paid within two years after my decease, which I will shall be disposed of by my overseers either at interest or otherwise for his benefit as they shall think fit and their receipt for the same shall be a discharge for my executrix.  ITEM; I give to the town of Blandford, the place of my nativity, fifty pounds to be paid within two years after my decease to their bailiff and his brethren to be put out at interest or laid out in land and that the yearly income thereof shall be disposed of for the putting out yearly at Easter one poor child of that town an apprentice, and my desire is that every year at Easter another poor child be pitched on to be bound out the next year, and that, if the parents cannot, that the town will cause such child to be taught to write and read if it be a boy, if a girl to read, sew or spin.  ITEM; ITEM; I give to the town of Dorchester fifty pounds to be paid within two years after my decease to their bailiff and his brethren to be put out at interest or laid out in land and that the yearly income thereof shall be disposed of for the putting out yearly at Easter one poor child of that town an apprentice, and my desire is that every year at Easter another poor child be pitched on to be bound out the next year, and that, if the parents cannot, that the town will cause such child to be taught to write and read if it be a boy, if a girl to read, sew knit or spin.  ITEM; I give to my three grandchildren John CHAPPELL, David and Jane DEANE each of them five pounds apiece to be paid in a year.  ITEM; I give to my old servant Elizabeth Maning twenty shillings and to the servant that lives with me at time of my decease ten shillings to each of the parishes of Dorchester to be distributed to the poor. And of this my last will I make my loving wife executrix and do desire my brother Mr Robert PITT, my kinsman Mr James GOULD, and my son in law Mr George GOULD to be overseers of this my will and to each of them do give twenty shillings apiece for a ring – Will. Pitt – signed sealed and published in the presence of us Joseph Pride, Daniel Arden, William Hayward

WHEREAS I have in this my will written on the other side given fifty pounds to the town of Dorchester for the putting out of a poor child yearly, I do hereby revoke the said legacy and will that the same be null and void.  Witness my hand this seventh day of May one thousand six hundred eighty one – Will Pitt – signed in the presence of us William Hayward, Jo’s: Pride, Daniel Arden

Proved 10th February 1687 by Jane PITT, relict.

Marginal note: 4th June 1691

1687 John Cradocke

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In the name of God. Amen. I John CRADOCKE of London, Gent., being sick and weak in body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in form following (viz.): I give and bequeath all that lease and term of years of and in the markets of the City of London whereof I am possessed for several years to come, and the whole benefit and advantage thereof unto my dear wife and her assigns to whom also I give all the rest and residue of my estate whatsoever, she out of my said lease and other estate paying all my just debts, my funeral charges and legacies hereby bequeathed (viz.): a legacy of one hundred pounds unto my loving friend Robert Bedingfield, whom, with my dear wife I make executors of this last will and testament. Also I give unto Peter Holland ten pounds besides my wages and mourning. And I hereby revoke all former wills and declare this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this three and twentieth day of April AD one thousand six hundred eighty five and in the first year of the reign of our sovereign lord king James the Second etc. – John Cradocke – sealed, signed and published in the presence of us: Anne Silvester; ( the mark of) Peter Holland; Richard Downing

Proved 29th August 1687 by Eliza Cradocke, the relict of John Cradock