Richardson Will 1650

Will of Thomas Richardson

of Canterbury, Kent

Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury PROB 11/212/782
Submitted by Shelagh Mason

In nomine patris et Fily et Spiritus Sancti [In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit] Amen
I Thomas Richardson of the Cittie of Canterburie Notary Publique and one of the Proctors there being (I humblie thancke God) of reassonable good health, but subject to desperate feavere and malignant infremities [infirmities] thereby the more in danger of sudden death doe nowe therefore whilest I yet hath health call to minde the inevitable necescitie of death; and the uncertaine manner of it doe nowe for the avoydeinge of frivalous cases of this mortall world the better to fixe my Soule on immortalitie make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and forme followeing
Imprimis I most humblie yeild and resigne my soule into the handes and mercifull protection of the holy and undevided Creator? and my currupt bodie I give to the corruptible earth whereof it was made to be buried as neare to my late deceased deare wife Elizabeth (mother of my children) as now bee in Saint Mildred Churchyard neere whome now lye buried my grandfather Richardson my Sonne Thomas, my wives uncle Mr. John Fishe, my Aunt Fishe and other of our kindred
And I trust for salvacon of my Soule by the bitter death and passion of my alone and allsufficient Saviour Jesus Christ in the ...? of his holy Catholique and Apostolique Church

Next I give to my most deare and right vertuous wife Katherine twentie poundes to make her mourninge with or otherwise dispose of as shee pleases and thirtie poundes more I give her presently and one hundred poundes more within six monethes after my decease
I give her six of my Englishe bookes at her charge and all her rings and golde which I accompte hers soe as the golde be not above tenn pounds
and my will is that my wife if shee please shall take out her aforesaid legacie of thirtie pound, or as much of it as shee shall please, out of anie of my goodes and chattells and plate to be apprized by two indifferent men to be chosen betweene her and my Sonne, whome with his Sisters I enjoyne to bee dutiefull to their mother and to love her as long as they live
I doubt not of my wives affection to them for shee is of a gallant and sweete disposition I would have given my wife the house next mine to dwell in dureing (her) life But I conceive the monie will please her better

I give to St. Georges poore and of this parish twentie shillings to be equally devided by my Sonne, whome I make Executor of this my will To whome (my will herein performed) I give the residue

Item I give to my two daughters Elizabeth and Martha being verie dutifull children foure hundred pounds a peece to be paid to them severally within sixe monethes after my decease, and use in the interim at eight pound per Cent towards their maintenance, of which foure hundred pound apeece I have of theirs in my hand Fiftie pounds a peece as comeinge from Mr. Bigg? which I intend shalbe parte of their Legacies

I give to my grandchildren five pounds I appointe my Sonne to paie five pounds as I have directed him
I forgive my brothers All they now owe mee and I give them twentie shillings a peece,
More to my Sister Susan five pounds presently, if shee dye before mee, then to her two daughters
I give to my Sister Elizabeth her two daughters fiftie shilling a peece at fourteene yeares of age if they severally live soe longe

My will is that if it please God my Wife to die before six monethes expire in which time I have given the one hundred pound to be paid, then I give of it tenn poundes a peece to M...? Peytons children and the rest to my executor

I give to my Sister Sanderson and my Sister Paramore my brother Mr. Edward Nicols and Tom Nicols, my Mother Nicols, Dicke Birket, Len: Browne and honest Mr. Alderman Harris tenne shillings a peece in remembrance of mee

And soe I comend myselfe and all my afore mencoyned freindes to Gods gracious protection, humbly desireinge his divine Maiestie [Majesty] to pdon [pardon] my Sinnes and receive us all to mercie, even soe same? Lord Jesu; come quickely Amen

In Witnes whereof I have hereto set my hand and seale this 25 of December being Christmas day Anno Domini 1648 Anno qr? Caroli &c. the 24

I give to my deere wife her dwelling in my house wherein I nowe live for a yeare after my decease
I meane the commannd of it fullie and whollie, my sonne maie refuse it, but if hee permitt her not quietlie to enoiy it, then in Lieu thereof att the White Hart in Canterbury I give my Wife eleaven pounds

Tho: Richardson

Sealed subscribed published and declared by him for his last will and testament 25 January 1648 in the presence of
Paul Countery? - Edward Denne - Nicholas Burges?

Probatum fuit: 25th June 1650 to son John

Notes:
Notary Public: A notary public is a qualified lawyer, tasked with authenticating documents and transactions for recognition by other jurisdictions. The Archbishop of Canterbury appointed notary publics on the papal authority. After the UK distanced itself from Rome, the Archbishop of Canterbury continued to make appointments, but on the Crown’s authority.
Proctor: A Proctor was a legal practitioner in the ecclesiastical and admiralty courts in England. These courts were distinguished from the common law courts and courts of equity because they applied “civil law” derived from Roman law, instead of English common law and equity. Historically, proctors were licensed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to undertake the duties that were performed in common law courts by attorneys and in the courts of equity by solicitors. Proctors were attached to the Doctors’ Commons, which performed a similar function for civil law or “civilian” advocates (the doctors) to that of the Inns of Court for barristers.
White Hart: This pub. still exists on the corner of Castle Row and Worthgate Place.

Transcribed by Shelagh Mason 9th August 2020

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Will of Thomas Richardson
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