Description

1. Will dated 2 May 1593 .
'My bodie to be buried in the church of Rolston '.
Beneficiaries
To the Cathedral church of St 'Davyes,' 6d
To Rowleston Church, 12d.
To three sons, James Watkyne, Thomas Watkyne and Phillipp Watkyne, the sum of
£15 10 2d, 'which is upon the lands of Harry Thomas William' of Rowleston, to be divided equally between them. If this mortgage is not redeemed as laid down in the indenture then the 3 sons are to have the land 'to hold of the Chief Lord of the Fee by rent and service thereof due and accustomed.'
Also to the 3 sons the rent of 26/8d due from the said landsfor the period of the mortgage[Interest of approximately 8.5%]
To James, 3 kine and six lambs
To Thomas, 3 kine and six lambs
To Phillipp, 3 kine and six lambs on condition that testator's wife shall have the keeping of the cattle after his death, 'to sett them to increase for the most profit and benefite of my said sonnes.' Wife to deliver the lambes to the sons after midsummer next 'to set for the increase for their best benefit'
To son, John, one brass pan and one stone colt.
To son, William, an indenture of leasefor the remaining term of an estate from John Scudamore Esq. which lands were late in the tenure of Thomas Prosser. Also to William two 2year old heifers and the Vantage.[?].
To daughter Blanch Watkin, 3 score pounds with her chamber and 'a kaye' [key] fit for estate and degree. Half the money to be paid on the day after she marries and he remainder within 6 months. Wife Elinor directed to arrange and discharge.
To wife, Elinor, and to Son, John, the indenture of lease for the 'capital messuage or Mansion House of Rolston wherein I do nowe dwell' hel;d from John Scudamore Esq of Kenchurch for 3 lives. Elinor to be responsible for half the rent with john paying the other half. If Elinor dies or remarries then the lease in its entirety to pass to John.
To wife, Elinor and son Rees, all the farm lands called Caer Moneth which are held by lease from John Scudamore Esq except one meadow called Warlode Dane A Dre being parrell [parallel?] to the said premises and lying beneath the said capital messuage
Elinor and John are to have Warlode dan a Dree paying the 20/- rent a year at the Feasts specified in the indenture in equal portions. Again if Elinor remarries or dies John gets the land and pays the rent.
To Elinor and son, John, all the farm lands held from John Scudamore , for the remainder of the lease and which were in the occupation of John Thomas, John Price and Rees Watkins. Elinor and John each to pay half the rent. Again if Elinor dies or remarries her half passes to John who then takes over the payment of the full rent. 'Thomas John W shall have and occupy (if [?] he will) the house and land that nowe are in his occupation
for the terme of three yeares from the Feast of the purificacon of our blessed Ladye the Virgin last past'. Paying to Elinor and John, 3 score 8 shillings[£3 8 0d] in two half yearly payments.
All livestock, less that already bequeathed, of 'cattle, oxen, kine, young beasts, horses, mares, sheep, swine and goats are to remain as they do now for the stocking of the [undecipherable] ground' for 5 years to Elinor and John who are to keep house together and look after the three children James, Thomas and Phillipp. Elinor using the stock to pay the rents due; whilst John contributes by running the farm. If John refuses then he is to stock his half of the lands at his own expense and find his own half of the rents.
At the end of five years the stock is to be divided between Elinor and the three children
To Elinor, 'my six kine with the increase thereof that are in bargaine with one Phillipp William, to the use and breeding up of such children as are between me and my said wife'
To Elinor and son Rees a lease from John Scudamore for land called Ewys Laye.
All the rest of his goods and chattels to wife Elinor and three children James, Thomas and Phillipp to be equally divided between them.

Executors: Wife, Elinor, and son, John

Sign or Mark not recorded.
.
Witnesses: John ap John of Kilpeck, David ap David and John Williams.

Date of Probate: 27 June 1593

Observations

As this is taken from a copy of the will deposited at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury there are no supporting documents.
The will is followed by a list of:
'Debts owing unto the testator
In thehands of William Pitt John Phe Jenkin £8
In thehands of John James, son in law, £5
In thehands ofJohn ap John of Kilpeck £15
In thehands of Watkin W Pearse [no amount shown]
In thehands of Rees Harry Williams [no amount shown]
In thehands of John Phe Jenkin as surety for Mr Thomas Scudamore 50/-
In thehands of Phe Bevan due unto me the second fair day of Ross next 46/8[£2 6 8d]
In thehands of Phe Williams and John ap John as surety to be paid at Michaelmas next and at Allhallowtide next by equal portions £6'