The Will of James Alcock of Bosbury, carpenter, 1614
In the name of God Amen the 16th day of November in the year of our lord 1614. I James Alcock of the parish of Bosbury in the county of Hereford, carpenter, being sick in body yet none the less of good and perfect memory, thanks be given to almighty God, therefore do make and ordain this my testament containing therein my last will in manner and form as followeth. First I yield, give and bequeath my soul to almighty God, my Creator and Maker, trusting to be saved by the merits of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer. And I commend my body to the earth to be buried in Christian burial near unto the church porch of Bosbury aforesaid where my ancestors were interred. And I do give unto the said church the sum of six shillings 8d to be paid by my executor hereafter named.
Item I give and bequeath unto my three daughters Alice the oldest, Anne the older and Anne the younger, £20 apiece. And my will it is that John, my son, shall pay and discharge the said several sums of £20 apiece to my said three daughters out of my lands and tenements situate in Bosbury aforesaid in manner and form followeth, that is to wit £6 13s. 4d. yearly unto Alice, my oldest daughter, within three years next after my decease. And £6 13s. 4d. unto Anne, my second daughter, within six years after my decease. And £6 13s. 4d. unto Anne, my youngest daughter, within nine years after my decease until the said several sums of £20 apiece out of my said lands and tenements be fully satisfied, contented and paid unto my said three daughters. Provided always that if any or either of my said three daughters shall happen to decease before the days of payment shall happen to come that then the legacy or portion of the party or parties decedent herein by me bequeathed shall be paid to the survivor or survivors of my said daughters by said executor.
Item in recompense and satisfaction of a cow that was given heretofore unto James, my son, by James Woodyatt, my brother-in-law, I do give and bequeath unto the said James, my son, my black cow called Silke and her calf. And my will it is that John Alcock, my son, shall keep the said calf for the said James, my son, until the said calf be three years old and then deliver the said three year old beast unto the said James my son. Item I do by these presents will, devise, give and bequeath unto John Alcock, my son, this my house, messuage or tenement wherein I now dwell called the Merrins together with all houses, lands and tenements thereunto belonging or to or with the same now or at any time heretofore used occupied or enjoyed together with all woods, underwoods and appurtenances whatsoever and all my estate, right, title and interest in and to the same as well fee as custom excepted allows and reserves out of and from the afore mentioned premises a cottage, house or tenement situate and being in a hill called Stanley Hill and three acres of land lying in the said hill called Stanley Hill, of late demised and granted by me unto one Thomas Price to have and to hold the said house messuage or tenement together with all houses lands and tenements thereunto belonging or to or with the same now or at any time heretofore used occupied or enjoyed together with all woods, underwoods and appurtenances whatsoever (except before excepted) unto the said John Alcock his heirs and assigns for ever of the chief Lord of the fee by rent and service thereof due and of right accustomed. Item I do will, devise, give and bequeath the foresaid cottage house or tenement and three acres of land therewith demised and before excepted situate and being in Stanley Hill aforesaid together with the appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging and all my estate, right, title and interest in and to the same, to Roger my son to have and to hold the said cottage or tenement three acres of land with the appurtenances to the said Roger his heirs and assigns for ever of the chief lord of the fee by rent and service thereof due and of right accustomed.
Item in consideration and upon condition that James, my son, nor any person or persons in his name or by his means or with his consent or procurement shall not at any time thereafter molest sue declare or implead the said John and Roger, my sons, or either of them, their heirs or assigns or any of them for or concerning any the afore given houses lands or tenements. My will is that the said John shall pay unto the said James, my son, out of the said lands and tenements yearly during the natural life of him, the said James, my son, the sum of ten shillings of good and lawful money of England at the Feast of the Annunciation of our lady St. Mary the Virgin and St. Michael the Archangel by even portions upon demand thereof made at my mansion house. Provided always and my will intent and true meaning is, that if the said James, my son, or any person or persons in his name or by his means or with his consent or procurement shall at any time thereafter molest sue declare or implead the said John and Roger or either of them their heirs or assigns or any of them for or concerning any of the afore given houses, lands or tenements that then the said John shall not pay the said yearly annuity of 10s. or any part thereof unto the said James my son but that the payment thereof shall upon commencement of any suit as aforesaid determine and cease.
Item my will is that John, my son, shall pay all my debts and legacies and discharge all my funeral expenses. And after my debts paid and my funeral expenses discharged and performed, I do give and bequeath all my goods, cattle and chattels, movable and unmovable, whatsoever unbequeathed unto John my son whom I do make and ordain the sole executor of this my last will and testament. And I do utterly revoke and annul all and any former will and wills legacies bequests and executors by me in any wise before this time made, willed, bequeathed and appointed.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto put my hand and seal in the presence of the parties undernamed
Read sealed and witnessed in the presence of George Wall, William Alcocke, Anthony Wooding and John Baylie
And now sealed and confirmed in the presence of Francis Cowell clerk, Francis [Cave], John Woodyatt, William Allcocke, John Hill and Richard Tiler
Probate granted 9 October 1619
