The will of John Hamond 1641
Prob 11/190 1641 National Archives Kew
In the name of God Amen the five and twentieth day of September Anno Domini 1641
and in the XVII the yeare of the raigne of our Soverayne Lord Charles by the grace of
God of England Scotland France and Ireland being defender of the faith.
I John Hamond of Pirton in the countie of Hertford Yeoman being weake in bodie but
sound and perfect remembrance for ———— I render thanks to Almightie God doe
make constitute appoint and ordaine this my last will and testament inmanner and forme
following first and principally considering with my self that all flesh is but as grasse and
the glory thereof as the flower of the field and that we have noe continuance or dwelling
—————– on the earth but that we must die when it please the God and finding that
through weakness of my bodie that death does at it were knock at my door to call me
out of this miserable world wherein my soule is kept as a prisoner in my natural bodie
with a most willing heart and minde I doe render and guide unto the hands of my Lord
God a heavenly father in Jesus Christ my soule which he of his fatherly mercie is
goodness gave unto me at such tyme as to fashioned me in my mothers wombe
assuring myself next for his great mercies safe and through the merrite of his dearly
beloved sonne Christ Jesus in my ——————— I stedfastly believe and trust and do
assure myself the merrite death and passion of Christ Jesus that all my sinnes be they
never soe many and shalfe washed away through his bloud and that I shal be made a
member of Christ the child of God and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven through
the comfort of the Holy Ghost the 3rd person in the Trinity yet one in Unity and that my
soule after this life ended shall be received and placed amonst the holy company of
heavenly angels there to be and remayne in joy and blessedness. Any my bodie I leave
to the earth to be buried in Christian burial in such ————— as shall seeme good to
my executor there to rest until the last day. Att which tyme of doe believe that yt shall
rise and enjoy with the soule the joys unspeakable through Christ Jesus my Lord and
Saviour. And as touching my worldly goodes and substances forasmuch as ————
are commanded to sett in order our houses and to dispose of them ———— they are
ours.
Item I give and bequeath unto Joan my loveling wife foure hundred pounds of lawfull
money of England to be paid to her by my executors hereafter named in liewe and
recompense of her third and dower of and all my messuages lands tenenments and
hereditaments whatsoever.
Item I give and bequeath unto the said Joan my wife all the household stuff which she
brought with her and soe much of my household stuff as she shall make thereof to
furnish her owne house and she much of my plate as shall ————– except all my
tables and bedstedes in my house which she shall not meddle with but my will and
meaning is that Thomas Hamond John Hamond his sonne shall pay unto the said falling
of any wood tymber or trees growing upon any of the said Joan my wife £10 of lawfull
money of England presently after my decease to buy bedstead to her owne.
Item I give unto the said Joan my wife two of my best cowes or beastes such as she
shall make choice of herself two of my best hogs and breadcorne and drinkcorne for
one twelve months next after my decease, strawe and stover for the cattell until her
owne cropp being fed and half my firewood and all my pullen and poultry with firewood
shall be carried to her house in Pirton by my executors at their owne charges presently
after my decease.
Item My will and meaning further is that Thomas Hamond or his assigns shall and will
yearly every yeare plough till and sow all the lande of Joan my wife lying in the fields
and parish of Pirton being her owne land and alsoe shall yearly and every yeare carry in
her crop and carry out her clunge for an during for long tyme as the said Thomas and
Joan shall live so and as the said Joan doe keep herself sole and unmarried provided
always and my will and meaning is that the said Thomas Hamond shall yearly and every
yeare have and enjoy to his owne use all the chaffe coming arriving and increasing of
all the croppes of the said Joan my wife for the giving of the same and ————- the
said Thomas Hamond and John Hamond his sonne shall and will yearly and every
yeare at their or one of their propier cost and charges deliver or cause to be delivered
unto the said Joan my wife at her house in Pirton one indifferent cartload of good hay
yearly and every yeare during her life so as the said Joan doe keep herself sole and
unmarried and so as the said Joan do ——————————– her land with provided
allwaies and my will and meaning is that Joan my wife shall and will upon reasonable
request within one month next after my decease remise and release unto the said
Thomas Hamond and John Hamond his sonne their heires and assignes all her estate
rights tythes thirds dower by the dower interest and demands whatsoever in due for —–
of —— which the said Joan shall then have or of right ought to have ——— unto or out
of all my messuages, lands tenaments meadows pastures, hereditaments whatsoever
with their appurtenances situate lying and being in the parishes and fields of Pirton
aforesaid and Shitlington in the countie of Bedford which if the said Joan shall refuse to
doe and then my will and meaning is that the said Thomas Hamond and John Hamond
his sonne shall have the said sume of £400 to their owne use which formerly given by
those present unto the said Joan.
Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Hammond the sonne of Robert Hamond by
brother deceased and to his sone Robert my college lease which I hold of the College of
Eaton and all my estate therein to have and to hold to them and to the survivors of them
and to their executors and assignes for and during such and soe long tyme and terme of
yeares as shall be unexpired and to come at the tyme of my decease provided alwaise
that they shall permit and suffer Thomas Hamond and John Hamond his sonne to have
take and —— all the rente proffite and comodities growing and being upon the said
premises or due for the same or any part thereof until the feast of St Michaell the
Archangel next after my decease and provided also that they the said Thomas Hamond
and John Hamond his sonne nor their assignes shall not meddle with the lopping
topping shredding nor falling of any wood tymber or trees growing upon any of the said
lease ground provided further that if it shall happen that any of the said College Land in
the tenure or occupacon of myself Thomas Hamond and William Sam shall be tilled and
made tythe at the tyme of my decease then the said Robert Hamond and Robert
Hamond his sonne shall not meddle with nor have anything to doe with the said land
that shall be made tilthe as aforesaid until the same be sowne and the cropp carried off
the said land.
And further my will and meaning is that if it shall please God to call me out of this world
betweene Michaelmas and the Annunciation of the blessed virgin Mary that then the
said Thomas Hamond and John Hamond his sonne shall receive the half yeares rent
due at our Lady day for the College lands and alsoe shall pay the rent to the College of
Eaton at the feast of the Annunciation of the blessed virgin Mary next after my decease.
And also at Michaelmas following according to the indenture of lease or within tweny
daies next after either of the said feasts.
Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Hammond the sonne of my brother Robert
Hamond deceased the sum of two hundred pounds of lawfull money of England to be
bestowed to the use of his two youngest children. And alsoe I give and bequeath unto
the said Robert Hamond two hundred pounds more of lawful money of England to be
payed unto him by my executors hereafter named.
Item I do hereby will and appoint that neither the said Robert Hammond nor Robert
Hamond his sonne nor either of their executors Administrators or Assignes shall
hereinafter take or receive any fine or fines of Michall Hamond deceased our kinsman
for his first admittance to any land tenements or hereditaments that shall be hereafter
given or surrendered by me or by Thomas Hamond his uncle belonging to the College
of Eaton but shall freely admit him Tiennant which if they refuse to doe then my will and
meaning is that the said Michaell Hamond the sonne shall have the two hundred
pounds which is formerly given to the late Robert Hamond.
Item I give and bequeath unto my cosen John Hamond the sonne of my brother Robert
Hamond deceased the sume of one hundred pounds of lawful money of England to be
paid unto him by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto John Campkin and Thomas Campkin sonnes of Beatrice Campkin
widow twenty pounds a piece and unto Elizabeth Campkin daughter of the said Beatrice
the sum of ten pounds to be payed unto them by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto my sister Cicely Thame widow twenty shillings to be payed unto her by
my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto the sister of Christopher Browen late of Hitchin deceased the sum of
twentie pounds to be payde by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto Joan Brocket the daughter of Edward Brocket the sume of one hundred
pounds to be payed unto her by my executors when she shall accomplish and be of the
age of one and twenty yeares or att her day of marriage which shall happen to come
first.
Item I give unto Thomas Man the sume of two hundred pounds to be paid by my
executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto James Man the elder the sume of one hundred and three score pounds
to be payed by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto James Man the younger ye sume of fortie pounds to be payed by my
executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto Joan Ashby the daughter of Thomas Ashby the sume of twenty
pounds to be payed at her age of one and twenty yeares.
Item I give unto the 2 sonnes of Thomas Ferrian that is to say John and William which
he had by Martha Hanscombe the severall sumes of 20 pounds a peece to be payed
unto them by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto William Hanscombe the sonne of my sister Alice the sume of fyftie
poundes to be payed by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto Frances the daughter of my sister Elizabeth late the wife of Lymiger
now the wife of John Henry Barnesham the sume of twenty pounds to be payed by
unter her at the descrecon of my executors and overseers or tow of them to her owne
use and with which her husband shall not meddle nor have any thing to do with.
Item I give unto the 2 sonnes of Henry Leyminger deceased the severall sumes of
twenty pounds a peece to be payed unto them by my executors hereafter named and
alsoe to the two daughters of Henry Lyminger the severall sumes of twentie pounds a
peece.
Item I give unto Anne Hamond the wife of Robert Penny the sume of fortie pounds to
be paied by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto Elizabeth Hamond the wife of Richard Adams deceased the sume of
fortie pounds to be payed by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto Agnes Brocket the daughter of Katherine Brockett widow the sume of
fortie pounds to be payed by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto Edward Sheppard the sume of two hundred pounds to be payed by my
executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto S——– Peeti the sume of twenty pounds to be paid by my executors
hereafter named.
Item I give unto Sara Smith my sister Mabelle daughter the wife of George Page the
sume of thirtie pounds to be payed by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto the 3 youngest children which she had by Nicholas Keepe the severall
sumes of twenty pounds a peece to be payed unto them by my executors as they come
to the several ages of one and twenty or their dayes of marriage which of them shall
happen to come first.
Item I give unto William Lewis my mothers sisters sonne the sume of thirtie pounds to
be payed unto him by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give and bequesth unto the 5 children of Luke Gaddesdent gent deceased that is
to say John, Luke, Edward, Anne and Mary the severall sumes of ten pounds a peece
to be payed unto them by my executors hereafter named.
Item I give and bequeth unto the use of the poore of the parrish of Pirton aforesaid the
sume of one hundred pounds in manner and forme following the said £100 to be put
forth by my executors with the consent of Robert Hamond and John Hamond his brother
their heires and successor and the churchwardens and overseers for the poore of Pirton
aforesaid for the tyme being or the greatest part of them for six pounds by ye year the
said £100 to remain so in stock for the poore of Pirton aforesaid forever with £6 yearly
shall be for the placing and finding of one apprentice or more out of the Towne of Pirton
aforesaid of the poorest sort to some honest trade with the consent of my executors the
said Robert Hamond and John Hamond their heires and successors and the
churchwardens and overseers for the poore for the tyme being or the greatest part of
them and further my will and meaning is that the said £100 shall be layed out in lande
as soon as conveniently may be the money to be putt forth within 18 moneths next after
my decease or sooner if money come in.
Item my will and meaning is that Thomas Hamond and John Hamond his sonne shall
permit and suffer the widow Smith to dwell rent free in her now dwelling house in Pirton
aforesaid during her life.
And also shall permit and suffer the widdow Arnold to dwell rent free in the next tenant
during her life
And my will and meaning is that the said Thomas Hamond and John Hamond his sonne
their heires and successors shall from tyme to tyme place other poore in the said
tenement to dwell there rent free forever and so to continue to the towne rent free
forever to place two poore people in.
Item my will and meaning is that Thomas Hamond and his heires shall and will within
two months next after my decease in due forme of lawe convey and ensure unto
Michael Hamond sonne of Michaell Hamond deceased and to the heires and assignes
of the said Michaell the sonne all that one dose called or knowne by the name of
Martens lyeing and being in Pirton aforesaid which I the said John Hamond and the said
Thomas Hamond had and purchase to us and our heyres of the gift and grant of George
Copcott with the appurtenances and alsoe that he the said Thomas Hamond and hir
heyres shall procure Joan now the wife of the said John Hamond within 2 moneths next
after my decease to convey and assignant the said Michael Hamond the sonnes his
heires and assignes forever in due forme of lawe one part of a close conteyning by
estimation one half acre which he the said Thomas did purchase of the said Joan in her
widowhood which if the said Joan shall refuse to doo then my will and meaning is that
the said Joan shall forfeit the sume of £XL to be rebated out of the £—- formerly given
by those presente to the said Joane which £XL I gave unto the said Michael the sonne.
Item my will and meaning further is that the said Thomas Hamond and his heires shall
surrender and assure unto the said Michael Hamond the sonne of Michael Hamond
deceased and to the heires and assignes of the said Michael the sonne forever all that
messuage or tenement with the appurtenances wherein the said Thomas nowe dwelleth
in Pirton aforesaid and all coppiehould land meadows and pastures belonging to the
Colledge of Eaton and which the said Thomas holdeth of the said Mannor – oone rood
of arable land with the appurtenances lying in Goldcrofte adjoining to the land belonging
to the Colledge of St John in Cambridge.
And also all that close called Martins conteyning by estimation one acre. And also one
close called Long Close which descended to him from his father with all other his
copyhold lands which the sayd Thomas houldeth of Mr Docwra as of his Mannor of
Pirton by a copie of Court rolls. All which premises my meaning is that the aforesaid
Thomas Hamond and his heires shall sufficiently surrender and convey unto him the
said Michaell the sonne and his heires within two months next after my decease except
before excepted provided that it shall and may be lawfull to and for the sayd Thomas
Hamond and his heires to take and receive the proffitts therof until Michaelmass next
after my decease, soe as he doth not comit or doe any waste strip or spoil upon any of
ye premises – lop top fell or ————— any of the trees growing upon the premises
during the tyme aforesaid.
Item my will and meaning is that the said Thomas Hamond and his heires shall leave al
his house where he now dwelleth ———————– after my decease to and for ———-
and benefit of the sayd Michaell Hamond the sonne and his heires all tables bedstedds
brewing vessels beriche borde and such thinge as standarde to the house and all tacke
and mangers with such things and hovels belonging to the house and yard.
Item I give to the 4 youngest children of Michael Hamond my kinsman deceased the
severall summes of fyftie pounds a peece to be payed unto them by my executors as
they come to their severall ages of one and twenty yeares or at their dayes of marriage
which shall come first provided that my executors shall putt forth their moneys aforesaid
to their uses within 2 yeares next after my decease.
Item I give unto Beatrice Ansell the daughter of Michaell Ansell ten pound to be paid by
my executors hereafter named.
Item I give unto Joan Ansell the daughter of the sayd Michaell Ansell ten pounds to be
paied at her age of one and twenty yeares or at her day of marriage which shall happen
to come first.
Item I give to the 3 youngest sonnes of the said Michaell Ansell the severall summes of
ten poundes a peece to be paid unto them at their severall ages of one and twenty
yeares or within 18 moneths next after my decease.
Item I give towards the reparacons of the parish Church of Pirton aforesaid the summe
of fortie shillings to be payed by my executors hereinafter named.
Item I give unto all and every of my household servantes which shall dwell with me at
the tyme of my decease 20 shillings a peece over and above their wages.
Item I give unto the kindred of Thomas Field deceased father in lawe of the said Joan
my wife the sum of 40 pounds to be paied by my executors hereinafter named at the
discrecon and appointment of the said Joan my wife and my said executors.
Item My will and meaning is that my executors hereinafter named shall within one
moneth next after my decease upon request to them or one of them to be made by any
of my legataries (except those whose legacies are hereby at a certaine tyme appointed
to be paied) and eiher assyne over sufficient bonde unto my said legatories or one of
them (except before excepted) by ———————— of Attorney irrevocable for their
said legacies hereby given and bequeathed or as shall within 13 moneths next after my
decease pay unto my sayd legatories and every of them (except before excepted) their
legacies hereby given and bequeathed and that my legatories either after such
assignment or payment to them so made as aforesaid they my said legatories shall give
and make unto my said executors a sufficient acquittence for their said legacies hereby
given and bequeathed.
Item My will and meaning is that all they that shall owe me any money upon bond at the
tyme of my decease shall hould the same sixe moneths next after my decease without
paying any interest or consideration for the same if they will sae as they pay interest for
the same after the rate of 20 nobles in the 100 by the yeare until the tyme of my
decease and soe as the said money be payed in to my executors or to any of my
legatories by the appointment and assignment of my said executors at the end of six
moneths next after my decease. But if they doe not pay it within Item 1 leave it to the
discrecon of my executors and legatories for any abatement of the interest provided
allwayes and my will and meaning further is that if any person or persons to whome my
legacie or legacies are hereby given and bequeathed doe or shall at any tyme or tymes
after my decease clayme or challenge any estate, tythe right or interest of into and out
of all or any of my messuages lands meadowes pastures goods chattels or heriditments
whatsoever other than such are hereby devised committed expressed and appointed;
And alsoe doe or shall refuse or deny to make seale and deliver an or acquittance or
acquittances for their legacie or legacies hereby given and bequeathed according to the
discrecon of my executors or two of them then my will and meaning is that they shall
loose their legacie or legacies as hereby given and bequeathed.
All the rest of my goods and chattels not hereby bequeathed my debts being payed and
my funerall charges deducted I give and bequeath unto the said Thomas Hamond and
John Hamond his sonne whome I make executors of this my last will and testament.
And if it shall happen that any controversie shall arise between my said executors and
any of my legatories then my will and meaning is that they shall be determined and
ended by Gravely Norton Esquire, John Skynner the younger gent and James
Hanscombe my loveling friend or any two of them whom I doe nominate appoint and
intreate to be overseers of this my last will and testament desiring them to see this my
will performed.
And further I do desire Mr Gravely Norton and Mr John Skynner to be ayding and
assisting to my said Executors concerning the true performance of this my last will and
testament And for their pains I give unto the said Mr Gravely Norton the sume of tenn
pounds and to the said Mr John Skynner the sume of ten poundes. In witness whereof I
the said John Hamond revoking all former wills to this my last will and testament have
sett my hande and seale the day and year first above written.
John Hamond sealed signed published and declared this to be my last will and
testament conteying six sheets of paper in the presence of Henry Denne, James
Hanscombe, J Waddesdon and John Potter

A Schedule to be annexed to my last Will and Testament Imprimis I bequeath to Mr
Denne our Minister tenn pounds of good and lawfull money.
Item to my wife fortie pounds of lawfull money
Item to Robert Hamond the elder one hundred pounds of lawfull money
Item Gawen Peete thirtie pounds of lawfull money
Item to Nicholas Keep fortie pounds of lawfull money
Item to the poore of the town five pounds
Item that Thomas Hamond shall pay foure pounds yearly unto Edward Sheppard for the
space of six years

Item that Thomas Hamond shall pay for Mr Denne half his house rent for as long as he
shall live in that house wherein he now dwelleth.

Probate 10 Aug 1642