Will of William Griffin, Yeoman of Avebury, Wiltshire. 1606

In the name of God, Amen

I William Griffin of Beckhampton within the parish of Avebury within the county of Wiltshire, yeoman, being sick in body but of a perfect memory, his name be praised therefore, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, viz:

First, I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of god my saviour and my body to be buried in the in the church or churchyard of Avebury

Item, I give unto John Griffin my son the elder twenty pounds

Item, I give unto him two mares and one carte furnished

Item, my will is that my son Richard whom I have made my heir of my land in Marlborough called the Kingshead shall pay unto my said son ten pounds which shall be the first years rent of my said lands after my decease

Item, I give unto Christopher the son of my son John five chilver sheep

Item, I give unto Thomas my son twenty pounds

Item, I give unto him more ten pounds which my son Richard shall pay out of my said land in Marlborough the second year after my decease

Item, I give unto my son Thomas his children to every one of them five chilver sheep which shall be presently put forth to their sole use

Item, I give to Robert my son twenty pounds

Item, my will is that my son Richard shall pay unto his brother Robert the third year after my decease ten pounds, which is the third years rent of my said land in Marlborough

Item, I give to every one of my son Robert his children five chilver sheep to be also presently employed to their sole use.

Item, I give to my son Robert one cow

Item, I give to my son John the younger forty pounds

Item, my will is that my son Richard shall pay unto his brother John the younger the fouth year after my decease ten pounds which is the fourth years rent of my said land

Also I give more unto him my lease of the parish land in Avebury

Item, I give to every one of my son Dowle his children which he had by my daughter that are now livinge five pounds apiece whereof there is ten pound already delivered to the said Thomas Dowle to their use

All other debts which I have security for I freely forgive them

Item, I give to my son in law John Pope to every one of his children a chilver sheep apiece to be presently imployed to their use

Item, I give to John Hatharell my servant two chilver sheep

Item, I give to my servant William Plumer two chilver sheep

Item, I give to Robert Westfield two chilver sheep

Item, I give to Rowland Stocten two chilver sheep

Item, I give to Elizabeth Andrewes two chilver sheep

Item, I give to Alice Plaine two chilver sheep

Item, I give to Robert Kinsman my godson one yearling bullock and two lambes

Item, I give to every one of my god children one chilver sheep apiece

Item, I give to the parish church of Avebury 6 shillings and 8 pence

Item, I give to my daughter Jone one hundred pounds to be delivered at the day of her marriage or at the age of eighteen years, which of them first shall happen

Item, my will is that the legacies which I have here bequeathed excepting only such legacies which my son Richard is to pay unto his brothers shall be delivered within one year after my decease

Item, I give unto my brother Thomas Griffin one acre of wheate and one acre of barley

Item, I give unto my brother John Griffin 10 shillings

Item, I give unto my brother Robert Griffen 10 shillings

Item, all the rest of my goods unbequeathed and not given I give to my wife Joane Griffin, whom I make my Executor of this my last Will and Testament

Item, my will is that my son Richard shall pay unto my daughter Joane ten poundes the first and second yeare next after the last payment by me bequeathed unto my sons as aforesaid viz every year five pounds

Also I do appoint John Pearle, Richard Kingsman, John Spencer, John Motyn and Robert Kingsman to be overseers to see this my last will and testament performed, to whom I give to each of them 5 shillings

Signed

William Griffin

Signed and delivered in the presence of

Thomas Mortimer

Rowlande Stocten

William Plumer

and of Thomas Earle

Probate in London 10 April 1606