Church Will 1568

Will of James Churche

of Herne, Kent

Source: Consistory Court of Canterbury, Canterbury Cathedral Archives PRC 32/30/529
Submitted by Margaret Glenn

In the name of God Amen The xjth daye of Aprill in the yeare of our Lorde God A Thousand fyve hundryth threescore and eyght [1568] and in the tenthe yeare of the Re[i]gne of our Soverayne Ladye Quene Elyzabeth, by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland defender of the faythe etc.
I James Churche of the parryshe of Herne in the Countye of Kent beinge of hole mynde and in good memory (Lawde be to god) make and ordeyne thys my present Testament conteyninge therein my Laste wyll in manner and forme that followyth,
Fyrste I bequeth my Soull to Almyghtye God, and my bodye to be buryed in the Churche yeard of Herne aforsayd

Item I wyll and bequethe unto my brother Mychaell Churche all my Lands that came by my father Lyinge and beinge wythin the parryshe of Herne to hym and to hys heyres for ever,
Condycionaly that he doo delyver a deade [deed] and state of a Tenement and twoo acres of Lande binge more or lesse, Lyinge and beinge wythin the parryshe of Swarle [Swale] : to my brother John Aleyne and my brother John Churche, for the behofe and p[re]snte of George Churche my Sonne wthin one monythe after my deceas(e) yf yt bee demaunded

And also condyconaly that my brother Mychaell Churche hys Executors or assignes shall paye or cause to be payed unto my brother John Aleyne of Swarle and my brother John Churche to theyre Executors or assignes fyftene pounds of good and Lawfull Englyshe monye wythin fower yeares after my deceas(e) And the monye thereof commmiynge [coming], I wyll yt unto my three daughters Isabell Churche, Margaryt Churche and Mary Churche equaly betwene (them), and one to be anothers heyer

And I wyll the monye shalbe put forthe unto theyre behofe and profate [profit] tyll they commme to thage of twentye yeares or ells at the daye or maryage
And yf the monye bee not payed wythin fower yeares after my deceas(e), Then I wyll that the same Landes unto my three daughters in fee symple and equaly to be devyded betwene them
And I wyll that my brother John Aleyne and my brother John Churche shall enter upon the same lands for the behofe and profutte [profit] of my three daughters Isabell Churche Margaret Churche and Mary Churche tyll they come to thage of twentye yeares or ells at the daye of maryage

Item I gyve and bequethe all the reste of my Landes wythin the parryshe of Herne and Swarle or ells where wythin the Countye of Kent unto George Churche my sonne in fee symple after the deceas(e) of Alyce my wyfe And I wyll that Alyce my wyfe shall have the profutes of my Landes (for the) tearme of hyr naturall lyfe, Soo that shee doo nether strypp nor waste of frome the grownd but keepe yt suffyciently repracioned wynd tythe and water tythe [sufficiently repaired, wind tight and water tight], and payinge the lorde of the fee
And yf yt not so done Then I wyll that George Churche my Sonne shall enter into that same landes

Item I gyve unto George Churche my sonne halfe a score of good Ewes and two hayfers greate wyth calfe to be delyvered ymedyatly after my deceas(e), and I wyll they shall be putforth unto hys behofe and profute [his behoof and profit]

Item I gyve unto the poore wythin the parryshe of Herne wheare most neede ys vj [6] busshells of wheate yo be gyven the daye after my buryall
Item I gyve unto Edmond Lucoke my new Russet Jerkyn and a payer of hose
Iem I gyve unto my Syster Katheryn Lucoke one Ewe and a Lambe
Item I gyve unto my wyfes daughter Mary Nottingham one Ewe and a Lambe
Item I gyve unto John Etell my s[er]vant one Ewe and a Lambe
Althes [all these] I wyll to be delyvered the Mychelmas next after my deceas(e)

All the resydew of my moveable goods, I gyve unto Alyce my wyfe whome I make whole Executor of thys my laste wyll and Testament; shee fulfyllinge my Wyll and payine my debtes and bequests
And my Brother John Alyne of Swarle and my brother John Churche Oversears and they to have for theyre paynes taking forty pence apeace

Wytness to thys my wyll: John Chappinge; John Jervys; Steephen Crumpe with others

Probatum fuit: 29th May 1568

Note: James Church was buried on 17th April 1568 at St. Martin, Herne, Kent.

Transcribed by Mrs. Shelagh Mason 12th March 2022

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Will of James Churche
Created by Maureen Rawson