The Will of John Shakespeare, 'De la Hill' (Rowington), Yeoman

In the Name of God Amen John Shakespeare De la hill in the parish of Rowington in the County of Warwick Yeoman beinge some what weake in body but of goode and perfect memorie (thanks be therefore rendered to my [-] [-] Jesus). Revokement hereby all former wills and Testaments [-] [-] [-] my soule I surrender the same unto the hands of [-] [-] reposinge my trust and alliance in the mercye of God and meritte of Jesus Christ, In and by whom I wayte for the salvation of my soule, And as [-] my body I commend the same from whome it came to be buried in decent and fitting manner at the discretion of my Executrix and Overseers. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne William all those my goods in the parlor (viz) All the Waynscoat the table boards with the frame formes Combes, the Greate Presse the Court Cubboard the Joyne Bedsted with the bed thereon and the blanketts, one coverlett one pillowe one boulster belonging to the bed and one paire of flaxen sheetes. Item I likewise give unto him the table with the frame, benches one forme and waynscoate in the in the hall. Item I give unto him all those my goods in the kitchen (viz) one Tableboard with the frame the forme the benches and the [hand] Irons, the longest sortt and the greate stone cisterne. Item I likewise give unto him my greate brasse pott and my furnace. Item I give unto him my Cheese presse pounding tubb, [-] Tubb the [-] which and the boards and benches all standinge and being [my] Dayrie house and alsoe the two beddsteads that are in the Little Chamber and the Chamber over it where in he useth to lye. And my Will is that all the above mentioned goods shall remaine and safely be kept in their severall roomes and places for the severall use of my said sonne William and my lovinge wife Mary duringe her Widdowhood. And if the said Mary doe marrie then all the said goods whole be to the said William and his for ever. Item I give and bequeath to my sonne John his heires and Assignes for ever All that my house wherein William Ebrall dwelleth and the lands and grounds thereunto belonginge with their and every of their appurtenances All which premisses are situate lyinge and beinge in Rowington aforesaid and are in the occupation of the said William Ebrall or of his Assignees To have and to hold the said premisses with th'appurtenances unto the said John his heirs and Assignes for ever. And after I give unto him the square table in the Chamber over the hall. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary the some of two hundred pounds of lawfull money of England and to be paid by my Executrix within two yeares next after the day of her marriage. Item I give unto my daughter Margarett Vernon the some of Twenty Shillings. Item all the residue of my goods and chattles unbequeathed I give unto my said wife Mary (my debts and legacies paid and funerall expenses discharged). Item I give unto my said sonne William all my chattles realle (viz) the leases of the groundes called the Harveys to him and his Executors Administrators and Assignes. Item I doe hereby make constitute ordayne and appoynt my welbeloved wife Mary sole executrix of this my last will and Testament. And alsoe I doe hereby entreate my welbeloved friends Thomas Shakespear and Francis Grissold Overseers of this my last will and Testament and to each of them I give two shillings a peece for their paines to be taken in and about the performance of this my last will and Yestament. In witness whereof I the said John Shakespeare have hereunto sett my hand and seale the Eight and Twentieth day of January Ann Dmi One Thousand Six hundred fifty and two. Sign: John Shakespeare. Signed Sealed published and declared in the psence of John Hunt Thomas Bryres Sign: John Grissold.

This Will was proven att Westminster the Tenth Day of September in the yeare of our Lorde God one thousand six hundred fifty three before the Judge for pbate of Wills and grantinge of Administrations appointed by Act of Parliament entitled an Act for probate of Wills and grantinge of Administrations by the oath of Mary the relict and Administrator of all and singular the goods chattles and debts of the said deceased she beinge first legally sworne to Administer the same.