Porredge 1583 Will

Will of Margaret Porredge

of Canterbury, Kent


Source: Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury PRC17/45/58
Transcribed by Mike Cozens
In the name of God Amen the 7th day of May in the 25th year of the reign of our sovereign lady Elizabeth by the grace of god Queen of England, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, Imprimis. I Margaret Porredge widow of the parish of St Dunstan, being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance, god be praised therefore, do make my last will and testament in form as followeth. That is to say, first I bequeath my soul and body to Jesus Christ my only saviour and redeemer by whose merits I hope to be saved and by no others, to which Christ Jesus with god the father and god the holy ghost, three persons but one god be all honour and glory world without end amen.
And for my burial I will my body after my decease to be buried in the church of Saint Dunstan's near Canterbury near to my husband John Porredge.

And as concerning my temporal goods which god hath endowed me with all, I give and bequeath in form as followeth, that is to say, first I give and bequeath to Thomas Rucke my son, my second coverlet, one pillow, one blanket and a framed table, one carpet, one silver spoon and 7 pounds of good and lawfull money of England.

Item I give and bequeath to Matthew Rucke my son my best coverlet, a table cloth of Diaper, a drinking cloth of Damask, three silver spoons, one candlestick and 10 pounds of good and lawfull money of England.

Item I give and bequeath to Adam Rucke my son one feather bed, one bolster, one pillow, one silver spoon, one candlestick, one chest and 7 pounds of good and lawfull money of England.

Item I give and bequeath to Syracke Rucke my son one bedstead, one coverlet, one blanket, one caldron, one brass pan, one skimmer, one candlestick, one wine stool, one cushenet, one silver spoon and 7 pounds of good and lawfull money of England.

Item I give and bequeath to Richard Rucke my son one feather bed, one bolster and pillow, one brass pot, one kettle, one chafer with ring, one stupnett, one candlestick ( and he to give Arthur Rucke my son 5 shillings to buy a lesser brass pot ), one joined stool, one chest, one cushenet, one silver spoon and 5 pounds of good and lawfull money of England

Item I give and bequeath to Arthur Rucke my son one bolster, one pillow, one blanket, two kettles, my best stupnett, one chafing dish, one candlestick, one joined stool, one cushenet, a great chest, one silver spoon, my great gold ring? and 5 pounds of good and lawfull money of England.

I will that all my pewter shall equally divided amongst all my sons, Thomas, Matthew, Adam, Syracke, Richard and Arthur.
Item I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Porredge the drinking cloth I had at the division.
Item I will that all the rest of my linen shall be equally divided amongst my said sons, Thomas, Matthew, Adam, Syracke, Richard and Arthur.

Then I will that my best feather bed with the bolster shall be sold if I have not money enough to pay all my legacies. But if I have enough to discharge all my legacies then I will and bequeath the said feather bed with the bolster to Matthew Ruck my son.
Item I give and bequeath to Thomasin Rucke my daughter two cushenets and one coffer.
Item I will and bequeath to Susan Porredge the gold ring on my finger.
I will and bequeath to my sister Saukyn my best gown.
I will and bequeath to good wife Powell my gown of sheep's russet garded? with velvet.
I will and bequeath to Alice Rucke my daughter my gown of maccadoe?
I will and bequeath to Edward Rucke and Daniel Rucke the sons of Adam Rucke my son other of them 10 shillings

I will and bequeath to Thomazine Carter and Joane Carter daughters of my brother George Carter other of them half a crown, the one being a quarter of an angel and the other a half crown.
I will and bequeath to George Rucke and Anne and Susan Rucke, son and daughters of my son William Rucke my son , other of them 6 shillings.
I will and bequeath to my son Adam Rucke's wife and William Rucke's wife other of them a gold ring?

Item I will that my son Thomas Rucke shall be my sole executor of this my testament and last will and my brother George Carter and Bartholomew Powell my witnesses that this my will be fully performed. In Witness that this is my true last will and testament of the said Margaret Porredge have hereto set my seal. And I give and bequeath the house and garden with the appurtenances called the George in Westgate Street nigh unto the City of Canterbury in the occupation of Thomas Search unto Richard and Arthur my sons late purchased of Richard Purkon? with the garden now in the occupation of Nicholas Montpare?

Probate - 12th June 1583 - Witnesses George Carter and Bartholomew Powell

Cushenett - small cushion or pin cushion
Stupnett - Stewing pot
Maccadoe - ?


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Will of Margaret Porredge
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