WILL OF NICHOLAS FIELDEN DIED 1626

yeoman of Inchfield in Walsden

WILL/PROBATE: Spelling as written.

In the name of God, Amen.  24th November 1624.  I, Nicholas ffeilden of Inchfield in the parish of Rachedale in county of Lancaster, yeoman, in good and perfect health, etc. praised bee God, doe make this my last will, etc.

First, I commend my soule to the hand of Almightie God, my bodye to the earthe, trusting to be saved by the merits of Jesus Christ, etc.  My lands, tenement, etc., which I have by several conveyaunces for the advancement of my sonnes as set forth therein.  My will is that the same assurances shall stand.

The rest of my estate I give, first, to John ffeilden, my eldest son, a messuage, being part of my lands called the ffurther shore, being in Stansfield, which said lands were hertofore the inheritance of Edward Stansfield, deceased, and late in tenure of said John ffeilden, and now in occupation of George Buckley, together with all the houses, barns, land, etc., belonging thereto.

To hold after the death of me and Elizabeth, my wife, to said John ffeilden for ever, to be holden of the chief lord of the fee by the rent heretofore due, and paying unto Marie ffeilden and Martha ffeilden, two daughters of Bartholomew ffeilden, deceased, £40.

I give to Joshua ffeilden, my son, all those two messuages called the ffurther shore in Stansfield, late inheritance of Henrie Stansfield, to the said Joshua for ever, to hold of chief lord, paying to Samuel ffeilden, son of Bartholomew ffeilden, £20, when he shall be xxj years old.

To Joshua and Samuel aforesaid I give half such timber, saplings, oaks, and spriggs growing in or upon Mercerfield, as they be now devided, to cut down at convenient times within the space of fifty years.

The profitts and rents from Mercerfield during life of my wife I give to sons Joshua and John.

I give to Anthonie ffeilden, my son, that messuage in Stansfield called Mercerfield.  As to my goods, chattels, etc., to Elizabeth my wife, my best bedd and her chest, and a third part of all my goods.

To every child that I am godfather to xij?, remainder between Abraham ffeidlen, one part, Anthonie, the second part and third part to Samuel Eastwood, William Eastwood and Marie Eastwood, my grandchildren.

I appoint John Eastwood, their father, tutor of their goods.

John and Joshua, my sons, to be executors.

Proved 21 ffebruary 1626.