I Stephne [Stephen] George of Beatryxden [Bethersden] (in the County of Kent) beyng sicke of bodye and of
good & ghostly (!) remembrannce doo make this my presente testamente and Laste will in maner and forme folowing
First I bequethe my soule to almightie God my maker and redemer And my bodye to (be) buryed in the
churche yearde of Beatryxden fore sayde [aforesaid]
Item I bequethe to Roger my son a lytle cheste a brasse potte my blacke cote a pewtar dishe and a Saucer?
Item I give to German my sonne my shorte table in the hall a Stuppyne of Brasse my other cote and my dublett
Item I give to Nycolas my son a lytle chest a square Cared ketle and a lytle skyllett to be delyvered to him at thage of xxij yeares And my wyf to have the kepeing of the sayde stuf in tyme the sayde Nicolas comyth to the foresaide age of xxij yeares Yf he decease before he comythe to the sayde age yf he so longe lyve yf she decease before the age, then I will the sayde stuf shall or remaygne to myne Executors and be had to the said Brothers of Nycolas
The Residue of my moveable goods not geven nor bequethed my debtes payde I give and bequethe to Agnes my wyf Uppon this condycon [condition] that she doo not strepe nor cary awaye fron my messuage shelfes bothe bords and other thins belonging to the sayde house
And I ordeigne to be myne Executor Stephine Snothe and Willim. Turnberell and I geve to eyther of them for their Labors. [Labours] xijd
This ys the Laste Will of me the foresayde Stephne George by me declared the daye and yeare above wrytten
Fyrste [first] I will that Agnes my wif shall occupye my messuage wt [with] thapptennces [the appurtenances] one hole yeare after my decease wtowte [without] Lette or interruptyon of my Children and after that yeare ended I will that German my sonne shall have my sayde messuage wt thapptennces to hyme and his heires for evr [ever] paying to Agnes my wif durying her naturall lif vs [5 shillings] half yearly to be payde and for Lacke of payment she to enter into the premisses to distraigne And after the decease of Agnes my Wyf I will the sayd German my son shall have to his other ij brothers eight yeares after her decease evry [every] yeare vs half yearly to be payde
yf yt fortune German my sonne to decease before my wyf or wthin [within] the sayde eighte yeares and wtowte heires I will that Roger my sonne shalhave my messuage and gardens to hime his heires and assignes for evr he paying to his other brother the saide vs evry [yeare] duryng the tearme before wrytten
Also I will that German and Roger my sonnes shalhave a dozen of Beae heves [Bee Hives] that I bought of Leatham fayre
I will that Roger my forsayde son shalhave fyve shillings and fower [4] pence of the money that Stephyne Smithe dothe owe me
Wytnes to this p’snt testamete and Laste Will
John Stycker - Willyam Tylman and George Pyllenden
Probatum fuit: 29th November 1549.
Notes:
This Will pre-dates the commencement of parish registers in Bethersden, which started in 1556.
Wife Agnes George was buried on 1st November 1566 at St. Margaret, Bethersden.
Son Roger George was buried on 7th February 1565 at St. Michael, Smarden.
Nothing is found of German / Jerman George.
Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 9th March 2020. All rights waived for personal use – BUT please quote source and reference.
Return to Kent GenealogyWill of Stephen George