(Note: where words are unclear they are shown in italics, where they are illegible they are illustrated with xxxxxx. Paragraphs have been inserted to improve readability)

In the name of God Amen the thirtieth day of October in the year of our Lord God one thousand four hundred and forty six I Roger Gayer of Minster in the county of Cornwall gentleman being infirm of body but in sound & perfect memory thanks be given to God. Therefore I make and ordain that my last will & Testament In manner and format following. Firstly I commend my soul almighty to God my maker and redeemer & my body to be buried in Christian burial in full hope of the resurrection thereof at the last day.  

Secondly  I give to the poor of the Tithe of Minster and Forrabury sixteen shillings also  for the poor of the Tithe of Whitstone ten shillings to be divided to those at my funeral on the Lord’s Day when next following.  Also whereas I am possessed of  two tenements* of land with appertunances in Thorne within the Tithe of Whitstone in the aforesaid county of Cornwall for many years of xxxxxx of and by the demise & grant of Walter Cottle of  Yeombridge  gent. Deceased and that already possess of one quarter of the said two tenements or thereabouts.  And also four other close called the xxxx south Xxxrone . And likewise I give & bequeath orchards gardens close & txxlls of  land unto Martin Gayer my son for xxxxx years &  xxx xxx xxxx xxxx his life by my deed Xxxxx xxxx my hand & seal.  Now I do give will & devise unto my son Martin Gayer all my rights to the  xxx of  xxx  xxx  xxx demand & interest of  in & to the said  four tenements and of in & to the said xxx  xxx thereof  with their & xxx of their appurtenances together with the deed performing the xxx within six months  xxx xxx for my death xxx paying out of the said two tenements xxx  of his children (Margarett only xxx ) twenty shillings a year and they shall accomplish the age of sixteen years  xxx  xxx paying the rent and other duties from  xxx during the said term in the said deed mentioned. 

Also I give & bequeath unto the said Martin Gayer my son all the xxx of  brass  and other household  goods with her half now of mine in his possession. And whereas I am possessed of  xxx houses orchards gardens &   xxx  of land being the xxxx  of two tenements of land with appurtenances in East  Balsdon within the xxx  of said  Tithe of Whitstone & county of Cornwall for …………………………………

by the demise & grant of Robert Xxxxxx  of Tauton  xxx  xxx  xxx . Now I do give will and devise all the xxxx I possess orchards gardens closes  &  of  land & meadow  with appurtenances unto my son William Gayer & all xxx xxx & terme of years that shall be some & xxxxxxx  of & in the same from & after the term of given from our Lady Day next after my death together with the deed xxxxxxx  the same, the said William Gayer then  paying  the rents  & other  duties for the  same  to be  due  from time to time during the said xxxxx paying into xxxx  one of his children which are now born Twenty Shillings a year as they shall accomplish the age of sixteen.  And also I do give will & devise all the xxx close of land xxxx the xxxx  xxx Hills & the Cust  within the appurtennaces in West Balsdon  in the fort  xxx Tithe of Whitstone  unto my son  William Gayer  from the xxth day of March next after my death for & during the whole month of  xxx then to xxxx  &  xxx, & all my right title estate term of years demand & xxxx of  Xxxx  in the  same  together with the deed possessing the same. The said William Gayer paying all the xxxxx  xxx  xxxx  for the same to be due from xxx  to xxxx during the xxxx…………………………………………………..

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Note:   Original will is torn in two at this point and some words are unreadable

hold the  xxxxxxx of xxxxx  xxxx  &  xxxx …………………………………………………………………….

the Tithe of Whitstone aforesaid wherein  I lately dwell.  I give & bequeath to  ……………………

Mr. Brightman in the works in the xxxxxx & xxxxxx of the  xxxxx of the  …  & ………………………………….

xxxxx. xxxx  I give and bequeath to Penelope Pearce my daughter ten  pounds to be paid within one year after my death & to xxxxx  of her children now borne twenty shillings a piece to xxxx each of them a heifer yearling  to be paid when they accomplish  the age of twelve years.  And I give unto Margarett Gayer the daughter of Martin Gayer forty five pounds to be paid her when she shall  accomplish the age of one and twenty years.  And my will is that my daughter shall maintain her  ………………………………….. apparrell  till she accomplish the age of one & twenty years her laboring & working at a good ………xxx to do.  Also I do give and bequeath unto John Gayer my son one paper   ……………………..   xxxx one brass xxxxx in his keeping & my xxx tin box that is at my house at East Balsdon.  Also I give and bequeath unto Samuell Gayer my son best xxx in my house at East Balsdon also I do give and bequeath unto Susan Gayer my son Samuell’s daughter  twenty shillings to be paid her within one year after my death to buy her a heifer yearling.  Also do I give and bequeath unto Mary Gayer my daughter all the debts xxxxx   xxx   xxx  whatsoever it be & possess more in money and lastly all the rest of my goods and chattels xxx what xxxx & not before given nor bequeathed my debts & legacies paid & my funeral discharged I do give & bequeath unto Benjamin Gayer my son whom I do make and ordain to be my whole Executor of this my last will & Testament.  In witness whereof I have herebefore put my hand & Seal and published this to be my last will and Testament in the xxx  of  xxxx

Xxxx   named

Definitions:

 - “tenement”  Property, such as land, rents, or franchises, held by one person leasing it from another.

- “close”  private property, usually enclosed by a fence, hedge, or wall

- “Tithe or Tythe” a rural division in England, originally regarded as one tenth of a hundred, descended from this [tything] system. It is also a term directly linked to a church where tythes were used to raise money to pay the rector.