Will of William Seede

of Rainham, Kent

Item I will at my buriall a sermon to be preached if a Learned man maie be convenyentlie [conveniently] hadd, but if suche one cannot then be gotten I will that one shalbe provided wthin [within] one moneth after my death Upon one of them Sabbath daies when the most poore of the people be assembled togither havinge for his Labour tenne shillings

Item I will that Alice my wife or hir assignes shall give amonge the poore inhabitants of the parrishe of Raineham at my buriall in money fourtie shillings
Item I will to the poore inhabitants of Sittingbourne twentie shillings
Item I will to the poore inhabitants of Newington [next Sittingbourne] a xxs [twenty shillings]
Item I will the poore inhabitants of the parrishe of Upchurche a xs [ten shillings]
Item I will the poore inhabitants of the parrishe of Howstowe a xs [ten shillings]

Item I will that Alice my wife shall delyver to Willm. M'chante and Ralfe Thaier of Raineham presentlie after my buriall all the aforesaide money for the poore and that they forthwith do goe to everie of the saied parrishes and to understand of the mynister and churchewardens what they be that have most nede within their saied parrishes and accordinglie to make distribucon of the same

Item I will that Alis my wife shall during her lif if she contynue a wydowe provyde a lerned man to make a sermond in the churche of Rayneham yerlie upon the first Sondaie [Sunday] in Lent and that the saied preacher maie be rectified before hand that it was my mynde that he shoulde entreat upon the Epistle or gospell that is redd [read] in the churhe of England upon Ashowednsdaie to thend that the people may be admonished to repent of their former lyves and to turne againe unto the Lord owre God knowinge that he is a gracious and mercifull God and redie to pardon owre wickednes and to have for his Labours yerlie a vjs viijd [6 shillings 8 pence]

Item I will that Alis my wief shall during hir lief if she contynue yerlie wydowe give yerlie upon good Frydaie [Good Friday] xijs iiijd [12 shillings 4 pence] unto iiij of the poorest househoulders or more at hir discrecon enhabyting [inhabiting] within the parrishe of Raineham, and that she and hir assignes shall make distribucon of the same at the churche of Raineham, the same daie after the forenoone Service before the mynister or requiring him to exhort the saied poore panentlie? to take their pentalie as Legacies did allwaies calling upon God with fervent praier [prayer], and so they maie be assured to obteyne that great ryches that he nowe hath which is lief everlasting

Item I will to Elizabeth my Daughter nowe the wief of Robert Lifford a cuppe Sylver all gilte the which my wief shall delyver unto her presentlie after my death

Item I will to Dorothey my daughter nowe the wief of John Tatnam [Tottenham] one other cuppe of Sylver all gilte the which my wief shall also delyver presentlie after my death

Item I will unto Marie Seede my Daughter Twoe hundreth pounds of Lawfull money of England to be paied unto hir when shee shalbe of the age of twentie yeres Item I will unto Marcie Seede my Daughter Twoe hundreth pounds of Lawfull money of England to be paied unto hir when shee shalbe of the age of twentie yeres

the which fouer hundred pounds I will that Alis my Wief hir executors administrators or assignes or some one of them shall paie unto them at their age and ages aforesaied, provided allwaies that if Alice my wief shall happen to die or to marrie before my twoe Daughters Marye and Marcie shalbe come to the saied age and aged before expressed, Then I will that ymediatlie [immediately] after heir death or marage aforesaied she her exors [executors] administrators or assignes or some one of them shall delyver unto the saied Robert Lyfford twoe hundred pounds the which he shall have the use and custodie of untill Marie Seede my daughter shalbe of the age of Twentie yeres and at that age he the saied Robert Lyfford his executors administrators or assignes shall paie unto the sayed Marie the saied twoe hundreth pounds
Also I will that Alis my wief imediatlie after hir death or mariage aforesaied she hir executors administrators or assignes shall paie unto ye saied Marie the saied twoe hundreth pounds

Also I will that Alis my wief imediatlie after hir death or mariage aforesaied she hir executors administrators or some one of them shall delyver unto William Marchant of Rayneham aforesaied twoe hundreth pounds the which he shall have the use and custodie of untill Marcie Seed my daughter shalbe of the age of twentie yeres, And at that age he the saied William Marchant his executors administrators or assignes shall paie unto the saied Marcie Seede ye saied twoe hundreth pounds

Further I will that if anye of my saied twoe daughters Marie or Marcie shall happen to die before theire severall ages of twentie yeres the survivor to have the fouer hundreth pounds to be paied unto hir in suche forme ad order as hir syster shoulde have hadd the same if she had Lyved as before is expressed

And for the suer [sure?] paymen of the saied severall somes of twoe hundred pounds to be paied unto my saied daughters Marye and Marcie in manner and forme before expressed accordinge to the true intent and meaninge of this my Last will and testament I will that the said Robert Lifford and Willm. Marchant shall upon the receipt of the saied somes to them before apointed enter in sufficent bonde severallie to John Tottenham and Raphe Thayer my sonnes in laew in the some of Foure hundreth pounds for the true payment thereof

And if bothe my saied daughters that is to saie Marye & Marcie shall happen to die before they shall come to the saied ages of twentie yeres and Alis my wief beinge later remarrying shee a widdowe then I will the saied foure hundreth pounds unto the saied Alis to use and give at hir discrecon but if she happen to be then married or dead and my twoe daughters to be dead as before is expressed Then I will the twoe hundreth pounds that Marie should have had if she had lyved unto Elizabeth my daughter or to hir assignes
Also I will the twoe hundreth pounds that Marcye shoulde have had if she had lyved unto Dorothey my daughter or to hir assignes

Item I will to Seethe [Seth] Lifford my daughters sonne one hundreth marks when he shall accomplish the age of twentie and one yeres the which hundreth marks I will that Alis my wief shall deliver to Robert Lifford his father when the saied Seeth Lifford shalbe of the age of tenne yeres An if the saied Seeth shall happen to die before he accomplishe the saied age of twentie and one yeres the I will the same unto his next brother of them be any suche And yf it happen he shall have no brother Then I will the same unto his Syster or Systers to be equallie devided betwene them when they or ether of them shall accomplishe the age or ages of twentie yeres

The use of all my goods and chattells aswell moveable as unmoveable my debts and Legacies paied I will to Alice my wife whome I ordeine and make my sole executrix of my Last will and testament,
and Robert Lifford of Newington John Totnam of London, Raffe Thaier? and Willm. Merchant of Raineham to be my overseers charging them as they will answer before god at the dreadfull daie of judgement to see my Legacies and bequests trulie and faithfullie fulfilled and paied And I give unto either of them for their paines xls / the wch [which] Alice my wief shall paie unto them at the probate of this my will

By me Willm. Seede per me Johanmen Tottenham

This is the Last will of me the saied Willm. Seede made the daie and yere first abovewritten touching the devise and disposicn [disposition] of all my lands and tenements and all other whatsoever my hereditaments wth [with] all and singuler thappurtents [the appurtenances] in Raineham aforesaied or ells where wthin [within] the before mencioned countie of Kent

First I will and my true will is that Alice my wief shall have holde and enioye [enjoy] all my Lands tenements housinge messuages barnes crofts dovehouse and buildings Orchard gardens pastures marshes meadows fishinge feadings rents and services and all other what so ever my hereditaments with all and singuler their appurtenances together and sentrallie [centrally] sett lyeing and being within the severall parisshes of Raineham aforesaied Upchurche and Halstowe [now Lower Halstow] or ells where wthin the before menconed Countie of Kent duringe and by all the whole terme of hir naturall lief, upon this condicon

that she doe and shall kepe hir selfe sole and unmarried and also that she doe and shall from tyme to tyme and at all tymes duringe hir natural lief as is aforesaied mayntaine repaire and kepe all my saied messuages tenements housinges barnes dovehouse and buildings and everie of them and everie parte and parrcell of them with their appurtents [appurtenances] with sufficient and new reparacons [repairs] in all points and in all things against wynde and wether onlie

And also that she or everye other for hir within hir name doe and shall not at enye [any] tyme sell or cutt downe anye tymber or tymber trees growing in or upon anye of my saied Lands or anye parte or parrcell of them wth their apptences [appurtenances] to be bestowed or emploied [employed] to anye whatsoever use or uses, other wise than for the more faire reparacons of my saied housings and buildings to be maintayned made and kept yerlie as is aforesaied provided against

that if my saied wief Alice at anye tyme after my saied decease shall happen to marrie or otherwise shall fortune to die That then I will and my true will is that all my lands tents. [tenements] and messuages and hereditaments aforesaied and everie parte and parrcell of them wth their appurtenances in Raineham Upchurche and Howstowe aforesaied ymediatlie as well after the daie of the marriage as also after the daie of the death of my saied wief Alice shall fullie and whollie remaine unto Elizabeth Lifford my eldest daughter during her naturall lief and after hir decease to the heires males of hir bodie Lawfullie Begotten for ever

And that the saied Elizabeth Lyford and hir heires males of hir bodie lawfullie begotten and her asignes or some one of them shall content & paie or cause to be contented and paied to Dorothey Tottenham my saied daughter one Annuitie or yerlie rent of xlt of lawfull money of England duringe her naturall lief and after hir decease to the heires males of ye bodie of the saied Dorothey Tottenham Lawfullie begotten for ever The saied Annnuitie or yerelie rent to be perriyind * Levied and paied yerlie owte of all my saied Lands tenemts. and my hereditaments aforesaied within the saied severall parrishes of Rayneham Upchurche and Howstowe wth [with] their appurtences [appurtenances] at twoe usuall feasts or termes in the yere that is to say At the feaste of the Annunicacon of owre Ladie the Virgin and St Michaell thacrhangell [the archangel] by even porcons yerlie to be paied by the saied Elizabeth Lyford and her heires males unto the saied Dorothey Tottenham & (hir) heires males for ever
And the first payment thereof to be made and to beginne at that feast of the before menconed Feasts the which shall fortune to come and be the first and the next after that the saied Elizabeth or her heires males of hir bodie lawfully begotten shall come unto the possession and occupacon of all my saied Lands tenements and hereditaments aforesaied wth their appurtenances * perreyned, perriyind � meaning not found, but is contained in the Bible.

Ad if it shall happen the saied Annuitie or yerlie rent of xlt or anye parte or parcell of the same to be behinde and not pd [paid] after anye feast of the before menconed feasts in the which it ought to be pd. by the space of xiij daies That then and at all tymes after suche defaulte of payment made & to be made in manner and forme abovesaied it shall and maie be Lawfull unto the & for the saied Dorothey Tottenham and the heries males of hir bodie Lawfullie begotten, and to the assignes of them or any anye of them into all my saied Lands tenements and hereditaments aforesaied and everie parte and parrcell of them wth their appurtences (sic) to enter and distraine & the distres & distresses their so taken lawfullie to Lead dryve movye beare carrie and carrie awaie & them to wthholde meplegiable ** untill suche tyme as the said Annuytie or yerlie rent of xlt or everie parte and parcell of the same so being behinde forthwth [forthwith] the costs and expence if anye be by the same occasion had be and shalbe unto the saied Dorothey Tottenham or to the heires males of hir bodie Lawfullie begotten or to the Assignes of them or evrye of hem well and trulie contented satisfied and paied accordinge to the true intent and meaninge of this my Last will and testament
** actually Irreplevisable � e.g. irretrievable.

And if it shall fortune the saied Elizabeth Lifford to die wthoute [without] anye heires males of her bodie Lawfullie begotten Then I will that all my saied Lands tents. (sic) Messuages and hereditaments aforesaied and everie parte and parcell of them wth their appurtenances in Raineham Upchurche and Hawstowe [Halstow] aforesaied ymediatlie after the daie of the death of the saied Elizabeth Liford so dieng [dying] wthout heires shall fullie and whollie remaine unto Dorothey Tottenhm my saied daughter And to the heires males of hir bodie Lawfullie begotten for ever

And that the saied Dorothey Tottenhm or her heires males hevinge and enioying the possession and occupacon of all and singuler my Lands Tenements and hereditaments aforesaied shall content and paie or caused to be paied unto Marie Seede my third daughter the saied annuitie or yerlie rent of xl li [�40] of Lawfull money of England duringe her naturall lief and after hir decease to the heires males of hir bodie Lawfullie begotten for ever

The saied Annuitye or yerlie rent of xl li to be perreyned* Levied and paied yerlie oute of all my saied Lands tents. (sic) and my hereditaments aforesaied within the saied severall parrishes of Raineham Upchurche and Howestowe (Lower Halstow) wth their appurtences (sic) at twoe usuall feaste or termes in the yere, That is to saie, At the feasts of Thannunciacon of oure Ladie the Virgin and St. Michaell tharchangell by then porcons yerelie to be paied by the saied Dorothey or the heires males of her bodie Lawfullie begotten unto the saied Marye Seade and to the heires males of hir bodie Lawfullie begotten for ever
And the fist payment thereof to be made and to beginne at that feast of the before menconed Feasts the which shall fortune or to come and be the first and the next after the saied Dorothey Tottenhm or the heires males of her bodie Laufullie begotten shall come to the possession and occupacon of all my saied Lands tents. & hereditaments aforesaied wth their appurtenances

And if it shall happen the saied Annuitie of yerlie rent of xl li or anye parte and parcell of the same to be behinde and not paied after anye feast of the before menconed Feasts in the which it ought to be paide by the space of xiiij daies, that then at all tymes after suche defaulte of payment made & to be made in manner and forme abovesaied it shall & maie be Lawfull to & for the saied Marie Seede & the heries males of hir bodie Laufullie begotten, & to the assignes of them or any anye of them unto all my Lands tents. and hereditaments aforesaied & everie pte & pcell [part and parcel] of them wth their appurtences (sic) to enter and distraine & the distres & distresses their so taken lawfullie to Lead dryve awaie beare awaie & carrie awaie and them to wthholde Irreplegiable [Irrepleviable] untill suche tyme as the said Annuytie or yerlie rent of xlt or everie parte and parcell of the same so being behinde forthwth [forthwith] the costs and expence if anye be by the same occasion had be and shalbe unto the saied Marie Seed or to the heires males of her bodie Lawfullie begotten or to the Assignes of them or evrye of hem well and trulie contented satisfied and paied accordinge to ye intent and true meaninge of this my Last will and testament

And if it shall fortune the said Dorothe to die without anye heires males of her bodie Laufullie begotten, Then I will yt [it] all my said lands tents. messuage and hereditaments aforesaid and everie parte and prcll [parcel] of them wth their appurtenances in Raynam Upchurche and Hansteed Mills aforesaid imediatlie after the daie of the death of the said Dorothey & her heires shall fullie and whollie remaine unto Marie Seed my daughter duringe hir naturall lief and after hir decease unto the heires males of hir bodie Laufullie begotten for ever

And that the said Marie Seede or hir assignes or the heires males of hir bodie Laufullie begotten or the assignes or anye of them having and enioyeng the possession & occupacon of all my lands tenements & hereditaments aforesaid shall content & paie or cause to be contented and paied unto Marcie Seede my iiijth daughter the said Annuitie or yerlie rent of xl li of laufull money of England duringe her naturall lief And after hir decease to the heires males of hir bodie laufullie begotten for ever

The saied Annuitye or yerlie rent of xlt to be perreyned* Levied and paied yerlie oute of all my saied Lands tents. (sic) and my hereditaments aforesaied within the saied severall parrishes of Raineham Upchurche and Howestowe (Lower Halstow) wth their appurtences (sic) at twoe usuall feaste or termes in the yere, That is to saie, At the feasts of Thannunciacon of oure Ladie the Virgin and St. Michaell tharchangell by then porcons yerelie to be paied by the saied Marie Seede or the heires males of her bodie Lawfullie begotten unto the saied Marcie Seede and to the heires males of hir bodie Lawfullie begotten for ever
And the fist payment thereof to be made and to beginne at that feast of the before menconed Feasts the which shall fortune or to come and be the first and the next after the saied Marie Seede or the heires males of her bodie Laufullie begotten shall come to the possession and occupacon of all my saied Lands tents. & hereditaments aforesaied wth their appurtenances

And if it shall happen the saied Annuitie of yerlie rent of xl li or anye parte and parcell of the same to be behinde and not paied after anye feast of the before menconed Feasts in the which it ought to be paide by the space of xiiij daies, that then at all tymes after suche defaulte of payment made & to be made in manner and forme abovesaied it shall & maie be Lawfull to & for the saied Marcie Seede & the heries males of hir bodie Laufullie begotten, & to the assignes of them or any anye of them unto all my Lands tents. and hereditaments aforesaied & everie pte & pcell [part and parcel] of them wth their appurtences (sic) to enter and distraine & the distres & distresses their so taken lawfullie to Lead dryve awaie beare awaie & carrie awaie and them to wthholde Irreplegiable untill suche tyme as the said Annuytie or yerlie rent of xl li or everie parte and parcell of the same so being behinde forthwth [forthwith] the costs and expence if anye be by the same occasion had be and shalbe unto the saied Marcie Seed or to the heires males of her bodie Lawfullie begotten or to the Assignes of them or evrye of hem well and trulie contented satisfied and paied accordinge to ye intent and true meaninge of this my Last will and testament

And if it shall fortune the said Marie Seede to die without heires males of her bodie laufullie begotten Then I will that all my said Lands Tents. Messuages and hereditaments aforesaid and everie parte and parcell of them wth their appurtenances in Raynham Upchurche and Haustoe [Halstow] aforesaid ymediatelie after the death of the said Marie Seade shall fullie and whollie remaine unto Marcye Sead my youngest daughter and to the heires of hir bodie laufullie begotten for ever

Provided allwaies that if the said Elizabeth Liford my Daughter or the heires males of hir bodie Laufullie begotten or anye my other Daughters or the heires males of their bodies laufullie begotten or anye of them havinge the use possession and occupacon of my foresaid land tents. and Annutie grannted owte of the same shall soe alien sell exchange or give the said Lands and tenements or anye parte or parrcell of them or the said Anuitie or anye parte or parcell thereof to anye person or persons whatsoever either by Feoffament release Indenture of bargaine and sale Deed of gift fyne or recoverie or by anye other Devise or Devises Conveyance or Conveyances whatsoever seking thereby to cutt of the remainders contrarie to the true meaninge of this my last will
That then my will and verie? will is that suche person or persons so goinge aboute to alien sell exchange or give the said lands & tents. or any pte. or prcll. of them or the said annuitie or anye parte or parcell thereof shall presentlie upon suche intencon of alienacon sale exchange or gift had made or intended & upon laufull & manifest proofe thereof Lase & forfitt all suche right interest & title as he or they had or by anye meanes might or ought to have in & to ye said Annuitie or yerlie rent of xlt grannted owte of ye same or any pte thereof by vertue of anye grannte or gifte made conteyned & specified in this my present last will & ye suche pson or psons [person or persons] yt so goeth about to Alien sell or give ye same containe to ye meaninge before menconed notwithstandinge anye gift before made & granted unto suche pson or psons & to the heires males of their or either of their bodies laufullie begotten as well of all my said Lands tents. & hereidts. [hereditaments] aforesaid & of everie pte & pcell of them wth their apptencs. [appurtenances]

As also of ye said annuitye or yerlie rent of xl li shall cease & be utterlie frustrated voide & of none effect to him or them yt so doth goe aboute to alien sell or give ye same to all intents construccons & purposes Leavye clause article gifte or grannte before wthin this my last will menconed or expressed in anye wise to ye contarie notwithstandinge but yf ye next daughters in remainder or ye heires males of hir bodie laufullie begotten shall have hold occupie & enioye ye hole either lands or annuitie before expressed to hir & to ye heires males of hir bodie laufullie begotten in as large & ample maner as if the other ptie whoe went aboute to alien sell or give ye same wer .....? dead wthout anye heires males of his or their bodies laufullie begotten by me
Willm Sede & me Johan Tottenham

provided allwaies and my verie will is y't if it shall fortune my said wief Alice to die at anye tyme within the space of twoe yeres next after my decease & that hir Cattel goods moveables unmoveables being praised to ye uttermost value will not stretch nor extend to ye full payment of ye some of CCCCl [�400] bequethed to my twoe youngest daughters Marye & Marcie in manner & forme aforesaid
Then I will that so muche as shall want of the said some of CCCCl shalbe made up of xll given & bequeathed unto my daughters Dorothey Tottenham & hir heires onlie duringe the said twoe yeres next after the decease of my said wief Alice & then ymediatlie after the said ij yeres the said Elizabeth and hir heires males to be charged wth payment of the said Annuitie to ye said Dorothey Tottenham & to hir heires males for ever accordinge to the true intents & meaninge of this my last will and testament

Memorandum that ye said Willm. Sede caused this last promise to be written by my John Tottenham in the presence of Willm. Merchant & Raffe Thaier after the said Willm. Seade had put his hand to the said will at wch tyme he likewise caused them to sett their marke to ye same will and caused ye same to be wedd unto them and willed them to be witnesses thereunto

Probatum fuit: 28th September 1574.

Notes: I cannot find any reference to a William Seede in Kent. Possibly Steede? There is no mention of an Alice (sic) Seede, either.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 28th July 2019. All rights waived for personal use � BUT please quote source and reference.

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