ITEM I give and bequeth
unto my loving wife Bridgett Mathews the use of the beds and all such other household
stuffe whatsoever as were her's at the time of our intermarriage, for her owne and proper
use during her natural life, and from after her decease I give and bequethe said bed and
household stuffe unto my daughters Joyce Mathews and Elizabeth Mathews to be equally
devided between them.
ITEM I give and bequeathe unto the said Bridgett my wife one
young red cow two sheates, one seame of Tick Beanes, one seame of wheate, and one
load of buring wood to be delivered to her by my said Executor at Michaelmas next
coming after my decease, And if the said Cow and sheates be living at the time of my
wifes death, and any of the said Beanes wheate and wood be then remaining, then I give
the same to my said daughters Joyce and Elizabeth to be equally devided between them
ITEM my mind and will is, that in consideration of the before mentioned bequethes given
to my said wife she shall freely keep my said daughter Elizabeth Mathews the terme of
two years next after my decease if my said wife shall soe long live.
Item I give and bequethe unto my sonne Nathaniel Mathews the sume of five and twenty
pounds of goods and lawfull money of England (more than what he hath had formerly of me) to be
paid unto him by my said executor in manner and form following (viz) five pounds ycell
thereof within one month next after my decease, tenn pounds other ycell thereof within
three months next after my decease and the final summe of ten pounds residue thereof
within two years next after my decease
ITEM I give and bequethe unto my daughter
Sarah mathews the full sume of five and thirty pounds of like money to be paid unto her
by my said executor att her full age of one and twenty years, And one wedding Ring of
Gold marked with these lettres S: m :S which was her owne Mothers Ring and shall be
delivered to her at the time aforesaid
ITEM I give and bequeth unto my said daughters
Joyce Mathews and Elizabeth Mathews and to each of them the like sume of five and
thirty poundsa peece to be paid unto them and each of them by my said executor att their
respective ages of one and twenty years and my will is that if anyone of my said
daughters happen to dye before their said respective ages then the portion or legacy of her
soe dyeing shall come and be paid unto my said soone Nathaniel and the said two
surviving sisters, to be equally devided between them three, and alsoe that my said
executor shall pay from the time of my decease unto his said three sisters, Sarah, Joyce
and Elizabeth mathews, and to each of them twenty shillings a peece for the Interest of
their said Legacyes till their said respective ages by halfe yearly payments
ITEM I give and bequeathe unto my son Stephen mathews my Lease Mortgage of a house and
land lyeing in the parish of Shepherdswould in the said County of Kent which I hold from my
Brother Israel Mathews and is now in the occupation of Abraham Hughson or his assigns
for the remainder of 4 terme of years mentoned in the said Lease Mortgage
ITEM I make and ordaine my said son Stephen Mathews sole executor of this my last will and
Testament
ITEM I give and bequeathe unto my said son Stephen Mathews, and to his
heirs and assigns, all that my Messuage or tenement with the barne stable orchard Lands
to the same belonging with the appurtences containing by estimaton three acres and an
half more or lesse with the appurtences lying and being the parish of Shepherdswould
aforesaid and now in the tennre or ocupation of John Low [?] or of his assigns To Have
and to hold the said last mentioned Mesuages Lands and premisses with the appurtences
unto my said sonne Stephen Mathews his heires and assignes forever
ITEM I give and devise unto my said sonne Stephen Mathews all that my Mesuage or tenament
outhouse Stable and Lands to the same belonging containing by estimaton one acre and thirty
peiches more or leste with the appurtences seituate lyeing and being in the Burrouw of
Hoth in the parishe of reculver in the County of Kent aforesaid and now in the tennre or
occupation of me the said Stephen mathews and Christian Mare widdower or of our or
one of our assigne or assignes To Have and To Hold all and singular the said last
mentoned Messuage or Lands premisses with the appurtences ( from the time of the death
of my said wife Bridgett Mathews unto my said sonne Stephen Mathews his heires and
assignes for ever, And I the said Stephen Mathews doe hereby charge the all and singular
the aforesaid Messuages Lands and premisses with their appertences with the payment of
my respective legacyes aforementioned, And my will is, that then my said sonne
Nathaniel and his Sisters to whom it shall be unpaid shall and may have full power to
enter unto the said Messuages and Lands and make distresse for ye saime or receive the
rents issues and profitts thereof till he or she shall by such means be fully paid the sume
as aforesaid
In witness whereof I the said Stephen Mathews have here unto sett my hand
and seale the day and yeare first above writeen Stephen Mathews Signed sealed
published and declared to be the last will and Testament of the said Stephen Mathews the
Testator in the presence of
William Sennocke Elizabeth Baker her marke Tho: Kidderson
Probated April 10 1682 to Stephen Mathews
Return to Kent GenealogyWill of Stephen Mathews