Held at:	The National Archives, Kew
Reference:	PROB 11/104/381
Source:	Original document
Title:	Will of Jenkyn Madye, Yeoman: Transcription
Place name:	Michaelchurch Escley
Date:	1604

 

Description:

 

This transcription was made from the original by Dewi Bowen Williams B.A., and is reproduced here with his kind permission.

It is an unusual and important document in that it recites in detail the testator’s land holdings [including field names], husbandry equipment, livestock and domestic possessions and encompasses a wide range of named beneficiaries. It thus provides a snapshot of the land ownership, farming practices and family names of people in and around the Upper Escley Valley at the beginning of the C17th. The domestic inventory also gives a rare insight into the lifestyle of a well to do yeoman farmer in the area at that time, occupying a substantial property that became the modern day Pikes Farm.

 

Ewyas Lacy Study Group

 

Will of Jenkin Madye,

Michaelchurch Escley,

4^th July 1604.

 

 

In the name of God amen: The fourthe daye of Julie in the yeare of the Reigne of oure sovereigne Lorde James by the grace of god kinge of Englande, Scotlande, Fraunce & Irelande deffender of the faithe etc. (to witte) of his Reigne in Englande Fraunce and Irelande the seconde yeare and of his reigne in Scotlande the seaven and thirtithe. I Jenkyn Madye of the parishe of Michaell churche Eskly and within the diocess of St Davyes yeoman beinge sicke in bodye but whole in mynde and of a perfect remembraunce thanks be to almightie god doe make this my testament conteyninge therein my last will in manner and fourme followinge. First I bequeathe my sowle to almightie god my maker and redeemer and my bodie to be buried in christian buriall. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Margerie ap Thomas my mother th moyetie or one half of my messuage tenement and landes with all their appurtenances for and duringe hir naturall lief knowne and called by the names of Kay yr ffylo, Kay Gerrelde, Kay Garrow, Kay yr Lloweddroge, Kay Lloyde, Kay Kiddrigh, Kay Croone, arysinge. Item I geve to Margerie my said mother the moyetie or one half of all suche tythes as I have and holde by the graunte and demyse of John Arnolde Esquire for certeine yeres yett induringe and unexpired. Item I geve to the said Margerie my mother fower kyne, three swyne (viz. somme of the best one amblinge mare coloured graie, tenn mother ewes, twoe geese and one gander. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Elizabeth my wief the other moyetie or one half of the foresaid messuadge tenement and landes with their appurtenances duringe hir naturall life knowne  and called by the names of Kay yr Ffylo, Kay yr Gerrelde,Kay Garrowe, Kay Lloyde, Kay Kiddrigh, Kay Cronn, and the moyetie or one half of my myll with the proffitts & commodities thereof arisinge. And my will is that yf yt happen that my saide mother Margerie ap Thomas (in margin  to dye & my said wife Elizabeth ap Thomas) to owtelive or overlive hir that then the moyetie or one half of my messuage tenement and landeswith their appurtenances aforesaid given and bequeathed to my said mother to be and remayne unto my said wief duringe hir widdowhood estate. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Elizabeth my wief aforesaid the moyetie or one half of all suche tythes before mencioned as I have and holde by the graunte & demise of John Anolde Esquire for certeine yeares yet enduringe. And my will is that yf yt happen yt my saide wief doe survive and owtelive my sayde mother that then the said graunte and leasse with the proffitts and comodities thereof demysed and graunted unto me the testator (of the aforesaid tythes) by John Arnolde Esquire to be and remaine fullie and whollie unto Elizabeth my sayde wief duringe y^e terme of the sayde leasse and graunte. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Elizabeth my sayde wief twelve of my best kyne and fower weaned calves the best that shee cann electe and choose twoe oxen, twoe bullocks of twoe yeare oulde and the vauntage twoe mares, one amblinge mare coloured brocked and one other coloured white graye, fourtie mother ewes, twentie lambes and all the rest of my swyne beinge at my nowe dwellige howse and unbequeathed with all the rest of my pultrye unbequeathed. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Margerie my said mother and to Elizabeth my sayde wief one bull (viz.) my best bull to make them a larder and to be equallie divided betwene them. Item I give and bequeathe unto Elizabeth my sayde wief my howshold stuff moveable and unmoveable excepte the bedsteed wherein I nowe lye with my best brazen pann ad brazen pott and all table boordes, benches and fourmes and one fetherbedde with the appurtenances one brasen pott and one brasse panne. Item I geve the use of the saide brasen panne and brasen potte before exceptyd unto Elizabeth my sayde wief duringe hir widdowhood estate not alteringe the propertie or ympeachinge of the same. Item I geve and bequeathe to Elizabeth my sayde wief one wayne, one payre of harrowes with all the tyndes in them and one wayne yoake and three other drawinge yoakes with their yron toules, rawles, topralles and carrbrydles with all other instruments or implements belonginge to husbandrie. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Sara my base daughter begotten of the bodye of Elizabeth Diovall, tenn kyne twenty ewes and tenn lambes, one fetherbedd with the appurtenances, one brasen pott and one brasen pann unbequeathed one mare colte of fower yeeres olde coloured dunn. Item I geve to Elinor ap Ievan my neece, one cowe and one heyfer three yeere olde. Item I geve and bequeathe unto the sixe children of William William Price Griffith, sixe kyne betwene them (viz.) to everie one, one cowe a peece. Item I geve to John the sonne of Harrie Watkin, twoe kyne twentie sheepe some ewes and some yeerlings and one yeerlinge mare colte. Item I geve betwene the daughters of Estaunce John ap John foure heyfers of twoe yeere olde (viz.  one heyfeer a peece and twoe sheepe a peece. Item I geve to the fower youngest children of Harry Watkin betwene them fower yeerlinge heyfers videlicet one a peece. Item I geve and bequeathe unto the three youngest sonnes of Howell my brother all my horses, mares and coltes beinge and depasturinge in a forest called Heerthowell (? Teer Howell). Item I geve and bequeathe untoThomas Powell my nephewe to his heyres and assignes forever all my landes and tenements with their appurtenances excepte one tenement commonlie knowne and called by the name of Lloyne y Wayne after the decease of Margerie my said mother and Elizabeth my sayde wief and the survivor of them. Item I geve and bequeathe unto the sayde Thomas Powell is heyres and assignes all the messuages landes and tenements with their appurtenances sett lyinge and beinge in the towneshippe of Crasshould and late in the tenure and occupacion of William William Price Griffith by the demise and graunte of Nicholas Havard gent. for many yeeres yett induringe. Item my will is that yf the sayde William William Price Griffith his heyres executors or assignes doe well and trulie contente satisfie and paye or cause to be payde unto the sayde Thomas Powell his heyres and assignes the nisce some of eightescore and eighte pounds of currant Englishe money at the feaste of the Purificacion of oure blessed Ladie the virgin Marye next commynge in or at the nowe dwellinge howse of me the testator That then and at all tymes after suche payment made and done the sayde Thomas Powell his heyres executors & administrators shall assure assigne and sett over all the state righte title and interest as by the councell learned in the lawe of the said William William Price Griffith or his assignes shalbe devised and advised at the reste and charges in the lawe of the sayde William William Price Gryffyth or his assignes. Item my will is that yf the sayde William William Price Griffith his heyres or assignes doe not paye or make defaulte of payment of the foresaid some of eight score and eighte poundsas aforesaid, That then the sayde Thomas Powell doe sell the premisses towardes the payment of the foresaid some to save the creditors harmeles and to paye  the debtors of the said testator and whatsoever more then the said eightscore and eight poundes for the said lands by any manner of waye or meanes maie be made, had and received that the said residue or overplus of the said eight score and eighte poundes to be and remaine unto the said William William Price Griffith and to his heyres or assignes. Item I geve and bequeathe to Margerie my mother and Elizabeth my said wief all my corne and graine uppon my grounde in my howse and barne with my cheese and butter within my sayde howse and with all other my provisions within my howse. Item I geve and bequeathe to Margery my said mother and Elizabeth my said wief all my haye, strawe and fodder. Item I geve and bequeathe to Sara my said base daughter, twentie pounds of currant Englishe moneyto be payde hir by my executor within three yeares after my decease. And yf yt happen the sayde Sara to dye or to marrie or be married withouttte the assent and consent of William Phillippe and William Powell, that then the sayde William Phillippe and William Powell to give and devide the said twentie poundes amongst and betwene suche nephewes and neeces of me the said testator as they by their widome and discretion shall thincke to be moste needefull and moste conveniente. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Phillippe Powell, Davyd Powell and Watkyn Powell, tenn pounds of currant Englishe money to be equallie devided betwene them and to be payde unto them within fower yeeres after my deceasse. And yf it please god to calle aie of them that the whole porcions shall and doe remayne unto the survivors of them and to his assignes. Item I geve and bequeathe unto William William Price Griffyth daughters Jane and Sybbyll the some of tenne pounds of currant Englishe monie to be paide them within three yeares after my deceasse. Item I geve and bequeathe to Custaunce the daughter of John Thomas twoe kyne, the one whereof beinge in the handes of Mabell Gitto and the hyer of the said cowe I geve and bequeathe unto the said Mabell Gitto. Item I geve and bequeathe unto the saide Custaunce the daughter of John Thomas one heifer of twoe yeares oulde and tenn sheep. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Thomas the soone of John Thomas one mare colte coloured dunne of twoe yeares oulde. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Phillippe George one cowe in the custodie of William ap John and one of the twoe coltes in the Werne. Item I geve unto the said William ap Johnthe hyer of the aforesaid cowe. Item I geve and bequeathe unto William Phillippe and William Howell one mare fyve yeare oulde of truste to be delyvered as they knowe and one other mare coloured blacke. Item I geve and bequeathe unto the fower youngest children of Harrie Watkyn, eighte sheepe videlicet – twoe a peece. Item I geve untoMichael Eustaunce one yron greye mare mare, with one yeerlinge colte with hir. Item I geve to Jenkyn ap John twoe yearelinge heifers and fowre lambes. Item I geve to the three children of David Lewes twoe lambes a peece. Item I geve to the wief of David Lewes one cowe unbequeathed and one weaned calf. Item I geve toRichard Estaunce one mare coloured blacke with one white hoofe. Item I geve and bequeathe to Jenkin the sonne of Thomas Clercke twoe yearlinge bullockes. Item I geve to William Bivan fower weaned calves and one blacke mare with a colte of fower yeere oulde and one cowe with Phillippe Nicholl. Item I geve to Elizabeth Rogers twoe weaned calves Item I geve to Jenkin William one lambe. Item I geve to Jenkyn Myles one lambe. Item I geve and bequeathe to Chatheringe David one mare colte of twoe yeere oulde coloured blacke and twoe lambes. Item I geve to Jenkin William William Price one graye mare and a colte. Item I geve to Margerie my mother one bull and one other bull to Elizabeth my wief. Item I geve to Elizabeth my said wief one fatte cowe to be killed in the howse. Item I geve to Margerye my said mother and to Elizabeth my said wief seaven poundes and thirtene sillinges in the handes of John William Jenkin yf the said john shall have and holde the sayde landes & kyne untill the ativitie of oure lorde orells to paie accordinge t the tyme that he dothe holde and occupie the same. Item I geve and bequeathe to the daughter of Thomas Clercke twoe yearlinge heifers. Item I geve to William Phillippe one bullock twoe yeare oulde and the vauntage. Item I give to Jenkin John Watkin twoe lambes yf he live orells to Oliver his brother. Item I give to Elenor Richard Thomas Tailors daughter twoe lambes. Item I geve to Charles, James Harrie Powells sonne one lambe. Item I give to Robert the sonne of Simon Abrell one lambe. Item I give to Gwenllyan William a base daughter of my fathers one coweand fower lambes. Item I give to Thomas Gunter and to John Gunter his brother fower lambes videlicet – twoe a peece. Item I give to John Watkin David the miller twoe lambes. Item I give to David William Price fower lambesand one yeerlinge mare colt. Item I give to Alice my sister one cowe. Item I geve to William Phillippe and William and William Howell three salte kyne towardes the payment of five poundes and tenn shillings of currant Englishe money to Thomas Morgan and fifteene shillinges  and nyne pence to Rowlande Vaughan Esquire. Item I give to Johane vergh Thomas twoe lambes. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Margerie my mother and to Elizabeth my wief the revercion of a certeine leasse whereby I houlde and occupie certeine landes with a messuage and the appurtenances knowne and called by the name of Lloyne y Wayne, to have and to holde the said landes and tenementes with the appurtenances to my mother and wief aforesaid and to the survivor of them duringe the terme of the said leasse. And yf yt happen my saod mother and my wief to die before the expiracion of the said leasse that then the said leasse with the proffitts and commodities thereof to be and remaine fullie and whollie withoute any ympechement unto Thomas Powell my executor duringe the terme of the said leasse. And my will is that my said mother and my said wief shall and doe paye unto the chief lorde of the mannor thereof the some of sixe poundes yearelie at twoe severall payments (to witt) at the feaste of the Annunciacion of oure blessed Ladie the virgin Marie and at the Feaste of St Michaell the Archangell by even porcions and fourtie shillings more unto John Harrye Watkin and David William William Price by even porcions to be devided betwene them duringe the terme of the said leasse, but if it happen any one of them to dye that then the  whole some of fourtie shillings aforesaid to be and remaine unto the survivor of them bothe And yf it happen that they bothe doe die that then my said mother and my said wief shall keepe and reteyne in their owne handes the said yearlie rent of fourtie shillings duringe the terme of the said leasse.And yf it happen that either my mother or my wief to die that then the survivor of them shall and doe keepe and reteine the sayde yearlie rentof fortie shillings in hir owne hande And yf it happen that bothe my mother and my wief doe die that then the said yearelie rent of fourtie shillinges to be and remaine to my saide executor Thomas Powell and to his assignes duringe the terme of the sayde leasse And myy will is that my sayde mother and my said wief and my saide executor (yf ever it happen to come into his handes and possession) doe paye or cause to be payde unto the sayde John Harrye Watkin and David William William Price y^e sayde yearelie rent of fourtie shillings at the same tyme and dayes of payment before mencioned (to witte) at the feaste of the Annunciacion of oure blessed Ladie the virgin Marie and at the Feaste of St Michaell the Archangell yeerelie duringe the terme of the saide leasse. Item I geve and bequeathe unto Thommas Powell my said executor seaven and thirtie weathers for and towardes the discharginge and payenge of eleven pounds of currant Englishe money which I owe and am to paie to Elenor ap Ievan And my will ys that my said executorThomas Powell shall doe paie or cause to be payde the saide somme odf eleven poundes at or before the Feaste of All Saints next ensuinge. Item I geve and bequeathe to Chatheringe my sister tenne lambes . Item I geve and bequeathe for and towardes the reparacion of the parrishe churche of Michaell Eskley twoe lambes. Item I geve and bequeathe for and towardes the mainteyninge of divine service in the chappell of Crassould twoe lambes. Item I have one cowe with five shillings hyer with Johane ap Thomas of fowminde and one other cowe with sixe shillings hyer with Phillippe Nicholl and one other cowe with Phillippe Jones the hyer whereof I give to the saaid Phillippe Jones.Item I have one cowe more with twoe shillings five pence hyer with Richard ap Powell. Item I have twoe kyne more with Reece Jones and sixxe shillings hyre a peece to be payed me of him for them. Item I doe nominate ordeine constitute and appointe Thomas Powell my nephewe aforesaid to be sole executor of this my last will and testament and to see my debts and funerall expenses payde accordinge to the true intent & meaninge of this my last will and testament. In witnes whereof I have putt to my marke and sealle  in the presence of the persons undernamed.

Memorandum that the testator callinge to mynde ageine certeine woole within his howse he dothe give and bequeathe the said woole to Elizabeth his said wief with tenne sheepe yf there be soe many unbequeathed. Item he dothe give and bequeathe to Thomas Powell my sayde nephewe tenn sheepe more yf ther be soe many unbequeathed. Item he hathe geven his liverie cloake to Walter George the harper.

 

Debtes due uppon the Testator

Inprimis to James Price Parry gent. threescore and sixe poundes at the Feast of the Purificacion of oure Blessed Ladie the Virgin Marie next. Item to Phillippe John Lewes twoe and twentye poundes at the Feaste aforesaid. Item to Roger Powell twoe and twentye poundes at the Feaste aforesaid.Item to Thomas ap Powell my nephewe fourtie and fower poundes at the Feaste aforesaid. Item to George Phillipps clerke thirtene poundes & fower shillings at the Feaste aforesaid. Item to John ap John Kilbard twelve poundes with the interest. Item to Thomas Morgan five poundes and tenn shillinges to be payde him at All Saincts daye next. Item to Howell Thomas Powell three poundessand tenn shillings at the Feaste of St John the baptist last. Item to Thomas John Goghe sixe poundes and tenn shillinges at the Feaste of the Epiphany come twelvemonthe. Item to Harry William Nicholl three poundes due at this present. Item to Thomas Prosser twentie shillings. Item to Rowlande Vaughan Esquire fiftene shillinges nyne pence. Debts due to the Testator  Inprimis  uppon John Seburne, Thomas Seburne and William Seburne the somme of seaventene poundes sixe shillings and eighte pence due by specialtie at All Sainctes daie next.  The testators marke.  Witnesses at the sealinge hereof and the settinge hereto his marke  George Pittes clerke William John John Watkins William Powell Thomas Phillippe Jenkin ap John Margarett verghe Howell with others Thomas Morris clericus. Item uppon Watkin Harrie Richard the somme of thirtie three shillinges and fower pence due St Phillippe and Jacob last. Item uppon Thomas Lane and Simon Williams fourtie shillinges by their specialtie at Pentecost last. Item uppon William Watkin ap Ievan and Miles Whitney fower poundes due at St Phillippe and Jacob nexte. Item uppon Roger Turner five shillinges. Item uppon Richard Pierce and John Pierce eighte poundes. Item uppon Roger Ball, Thomas Ball and James Ball five poundes by specialtie to deliver thirtie bushells of sufficient rye accordinge to the condicion, the which corne my will is to be divided equallie betwene my mother  and my wief aforesaide. Item upon Meredith Reece David Gettin, thitene shillinges sixe pence due to be payde at the Feaste of St Michaell the Archangell last past And for three bushells of barlie malte at twoe shillinges eighte pence the bushell And one bushell of wheate price fower shillinges and twoe bushells of rye, price twoe shillinges tenn pence delyvered from Mistres Walweyn And the rest beinge the barley mault and wheate from Mistres Rogers. Item uppon William John William, fortie shillinges lente unto him for a shorte tyme. Item uppon Thomas John William eleaven shillinges seaven pence.

 

robatum fuit Testamentum suprascriptum apud London, coram magistro Johanne Lone legum doctore surrogato venerabilis viri domini Johannis Benett militis legum etia doctoris Curie Prerogative Cantuariensis magistri custodis sive commissario legitime constituti, vicesimo septimo die mensis Augusti, Anno Domini millesimo, sexcentesimo quarto, Juramento Francisci Wallys Notarii Publicii procuris Thome Powell nepotis dicti defuncti et executris in huiusmodi testamento nominati, Cui commissa fuit Administratio omnium et singulorum bonorum Jurium, et creditorum eiusdem defuncti, de bene et fideliter Administranda eadem Ad Sancta dei Evangelia  Jurat  Exr.

(7^th August, 1604)