Belke Will 1597

Will of Christopher Belke

of Throwley, Kent

Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury PROB11/90/27
Submitted by Mary Connaughton

In the name of god Amen The fouerth daie of Maie One thousand five hundred ninetie seaven
I Christofer Belke of Throwley in the countie of Kent beinge sicke in bodie but of perfect and sounde remembrance thankes be unto Almighty God doe ordaine make and declare this my last will and Testament in manner and forme followeinge viz
First I bequeath my soule into the hands of god my creator whose mercie through the death & passion of his sonne Jesus Christ suffered for my sinnes I hope to be saved in the world to come.
And my bodie to the earth to be buried where it shall please God to call me out of this wretched life.

I give unto the poore people of the parishe of Sheldwiche where I was borne fortie shillinges to be paide within one moneth next after my decease.
Item I will give and bequeath unto my brother John Belke and to his heires and assignes for ever all that my messuage or tenement scituate in Sheldwiche in the countie of Kent, and all the barnes, stables, edifices, buildinges, landes, woodes, proffittes and hereditaments thereunto belonginge with their appurtenances scituate lyinge and beinge in the parishes of Sheldwiche, Throwley and Sellinge in the countie of Kent or in anie of them and now in the severall teanures or occupations of my brother John Belke, Thomas Oliver, Lauwrence Michell, William Scott and Henrie Wolton
In consideration of which guifte I will that my said brother John Belke shall paie unto Gabriel Belke and Michael Belke two other of my brothers fiftie poundes a peece within two yeeres next after my decease.

Item I will give and bequeath unto my brother George Belke and to his heirs all that parte and purparte of landes, tenements and hereditaments which descended and fell unto me by the death of my late deceased brother Thomas Belke, scituate lyine and beinge in the parishes of Ashe and Windesborowe in the countie of Kent or in either of them.

Item I give unto my sister Elizabeth Belke thirtie poundes to be paiede unto her by my brother John Belke out of the proffittes of my landes within three monethes next after the daie of her marriage.

Item I give unto my mother for a remembrance the best ringe I have.
Item I give unto Mres Margarett Vowell fortie shillinges to be paide within one moneth next after my decease.
Item to Frances Lewknor tenne shillinges.
To Susan Rigden tenne shillinges.
To Elizabeth Pettenden tenne shillinges.
To Thomas Pennant twentie shillinges.
To John Cooke a fustian doublet and a paire of cloth hose new made.

Item I ordaine and make my brother John Belke my sole Executor of this my last will and Testament chargeinge him to see the same performed accordinge to my good meaninge.

In witnes whereof I have hereunto sett my marke ye daie and yeare abovesaide
The marke of Christofer Belke
Reade, declared and signed in the presence of
Thomas Pennant, John Turner, John Tadwaies marke, Annes Conwey, Isabell Chichey (?), Anne Pennie

Probate 8 June 1597

Return to Kent Genealogy

Will of Christopher Belke
Created by Maureen Rawson