Cooke Will 1639

Will of Christopher Cocke

of Godmersham, Kent


Source: Consistory Court of Canterbury PRC 31/111 C/1
Submitted by Shelagh Mason
In the Name of God Amen the fyteenth day of Aprill in the Fyteenth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lorde Charles by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Anno. Dom. 1639.
I Christopher Cocke of Godmersham in the countie of Kent Husbandman, being sicke in body but sound in memory, Thanks be to God, do make this my last will and Testament in such manner and forme as followeth
First I bequeathe my soule unto Almighty God my Saviour and Redeemer, and my body to be Decently buryed in the Churchyard of Godmersham aforesaid

As touching my messuages and lands in Godmersham aforesaid with their appurtenances I give the same unto Martha my now wife for and during the term of her nauturall life keeping the same well repayred
And after her decease my will is that my sonne Chrstopher shall have that Tenement wherein I now live, and also that peece or parcell of land to the said messuage adioyning so farr up or the lower corner of the kitchin and so height between the Aple trees unto the hedge towards the North to be had and holden to him and his heyres for ever

And as concerning the kitchin to the said messuage belonging I give the same unto my sonne William Cocke and to his heyres for ever And also I give more unto my said sonne William and his heyres the loweste field by estemacon one Acre and half be there more or lesse and also all that land lying from the said lower corner of the said Kitchin in Upward unto the Streete and to the said kitchin adioyning

And further my will is that my said Sonne William And his heyres and assignes shall have free libertie egresse ingresse and regresse into and from the Close betweene the said Messuages and likewise to draw and fetch water at the well belonging to the messuage aforesaid by meeke and convenient wayes and passages for ever

Provided all wayes and my will is, that if any of my said two sonnes Christopher or William shall or do intend to sell his parte of that lands and messuage to him bequeathed to any person or persons accept it be either to other of them, Then my will and meaning is, that hee so doeing shall lose all the benefitt of this my will, and his said parte to be and remaine unto his brother so refusing

And as concerning my goods and Cattells first I give my said sonne Christopher that bedstedle upon which I now ly with the fetherbed boulster, two pillowes two blanketts and the coverlett to the same belonging and also the greatest brasse pott, which said goods my said sonne Christopher shall have presently after the decease of my said wife but not before

Item I give unto my daughters Elizabeth and Edith Cocke to each of them five poundes of lawfull money of England to be paid unto them by my said sonne Christopher after fower yeres next after my decease

Item I give unto my said daughter Mary Cocke the some of five poundes of like money to be paid unto her by my said sonne William Cocke when she shall accomplish and come unto the age of one and twentie yeares or daye of mariage which shall first happen

And if any of my said sonnes shall neglect or refuse to make payment of my said Daughters portions at such times as and above limitted then my will is that my said Daughter or Daughters or her assignes shall enter upon his parte of the said messuage and lands to him bequeathed so refusing to make payment And there to distraine And the Distresses so taken to retaine and keep untill payment be made, and all charges thereby suffered, fully satisfied

Item I give unto my sonne William Cocke that Joyned Presse standinge in the haule to be delivered immediately after my decease

The Residue of all my goods and Cattells of what kinde soever, I give unto Martha my said Wife whome I doe nominate and apoynt to be Sole executrix of this my said will paying my Debts legacies and funerall expenses

In Witnes whereof I have here unto set my handes and seal the day and yeare aforesaid
Sealed and for my last will declared and delivered and ye performed
Christopher C Cooke is mark

Probatum fuit: 25th September 1639


Return to Kent Genealogy

Will of Christopher Cocke/Cooke
Created by Maureen Rawson