William Fowell

In the name of God Amen the ffowerth of Januarie, 1632, I William ffowell of Dipford in the Countie of Devon revoking all former willes, and bequeathes whatsoever doe make, and ordaine this my testament conteyninge therein my last will in manner and forme followinge, And first, and principally I commend my soule to Almightie God my maker and Redeemer by whose death and passion I onely stand assured of salvation, Inprimis I give to the poore people of Dipford Huish Brent, and Ugborough, to every of these parishes ffower pounds to bee distributed amongst them by the descretion of the minister, and sidemen of everie parrishe. I give to the poore of Holsworthie five pounds to bee distributed as aforesaid. I give in like manner to the poore of Milton ffortie shillings. I give to Micaell Parnell my servante ffive pounds. I give to Micaell Cranburie my servant ffive pounds. I give to every one of my other men and woomen servants that shall bee with mee att the tyme of my death Twentie shillings. I doe farder charge my Executor to give to my old servant Peter Reede meate drinks, lodging and wages such as he shalbee able to deserve, and if hee dislike the same, then I charge my Executor to pay him fortie shillings every yeare by even porcons quarterly during his life. I give to my daughter in law Maria Boyes ffyve pounds. Whereas my Sonne in Lawe John Dingham did borrow of mee ffive pounds, As doth appeare by a specialtie, which I have for the same, I doe hereby give the same freely unto him And I do farder give to my daughter in law Ursula Dingham ffyve other pounds , and to everie one of her children twenty shillings. whereas I receiveth In the yeare, one Thousand six hundred twentie three one hundred pounds for the goode and benefitt of Grace Sheppard, and have ever sithence given her meat lodginge and apparrell, notwithstanding I charge my Executor to pay her when shee shall accomplishe the age of twenty, and one yeares, the full some of Two hundred pounds. I give my daughter Wood the somme of One hundred pounds to be imployed by her for the good of her children. I give to every of my sonne ffowelle children one hundred pounds, to bee imployed by direction of their ffather for their good. I give to my loving freinds Mr Walplate, Mr ffriende, and Mr Stidstone to each of them three pounds six shillings eightpence. whereas yt doth appear by a deed made (in that behalfe before marriage) that I should leave unto my lovinge wife ffower hundred pounds, to be disposed of by her, which I consented unto upon her earnest Entreatie and upon her faithfull promise that shee would never take any benefitt of the same. And that shee did then desire my consent thereto (onely to her freinds content for the present, to make them the better willinge to consent to that her marriage; And I make noe doubt, that shee will accordinge to that her promise faithfully performe the same. And if my said Lovinge wife doe make void the saide deede and Bonde within Twenty daies after my decease (whereof I make noe doubt) Then, and upon that condition I freelie give my said wife all such money and goods as I heere set downe, videlicet, ffiftie pounds of good, and lawfull money, six oxen for the ploughs suche as shee shall make choice of, one paire of wheeles, and other Tackell sett for the sayd oxen, Sixe Milk kine, suche shee shall make choice of, One hundred sheepe halfe ewes halfe weathers, sixe labour horses, my Riding Mare; All my corne in Barnes Mowhaies howses and feilds beinge, and growinge att the tyme of my death upon any part of my Tenement called Dipforddownes. I doe further give to my wife the use, and occupation of the one half of all my plate, Beddinge, pewter, Bras Timber vessel, Lynnen, and the moyety of all household goods els of what kind soever that shalbee in my now dwelling house called Dipfordownes att the tyme of my death, to be used by her, and to her onely use duringe her life; and after her decease, to leave the same to my Executor, or his assignes, The residue of my goods and chattels whatsoever, and wheresoever I give and bequeath to my lovinge sonne William ffowell, whom I make and ordaine to bee my whole Executor of this my last will, and Testament willing, and charginge him truelie to performe the same, according to the true meaninge of me the Testator I have written this with my owne hande, and have hereunto sett my name and seale the daie and yeare above written. William ffowell. I doe earnestlie intreate my worthie and lovinge freinds Sir ffranncis Glandfiele, Sir Edmond ffowell knighte, And my cosen Edmond ffowell Esquire to bee aydinge, and assistinge with their best helpes to the due performance of this my will, and to reconcile anie thinge that shalbee anie occastion of any Difference, And I doe give to each of them a gould ring of Twentie shillings price, which I charge my Executor to perform, Thomas Friende Robert Stidston Probatum fuit .....