Testamentum Willm Barnard de Rushden

In the name of god Amen the xxx th of December in the yeare of our
Lord god 1597 I William Barnard of Rushden in the county of Northampton husbandman being
sicke of body but of p[er]fect minde thankes be given to god for it doe make constitute and
ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge. First I bequeath
my soule into the hands of the Allmighty god and my body to the earth from whence it was
made. Item I give and bequeath unto Henry my eldest sonne one halfe yard land with all
(edefy)inges buildings with all other appurtenanses thereunto belonginge after the custome of the
manner and my executors shall have the use of said land until my said sonne come
to the adge of xxj yeares bringinge up my said sonne Henry as he ought to be until
that adge aforesaid and to bringe up alsoe my daughter Elizabeth Barnard sister unto
the said Henry Barnard bothe as the ought to be until the adge aforesaid with the p[ro]fitts and
comodities of the said land growinge and en__singe* thereof and my executors shall sowe the
said land reddy at theire owne chardge for my said sonne when he shall enter at the adge of xxj
yeares to his use and they shall keepe the said houses in sufficient repaire at their owne charge
Item I give unto Jhony** my wife xx li pounds in money or money worth accordinge unto
the discretion of foure indifferent men. Item I give unto Elizabeth my daughter x li pounds
of currant English money to be payed at the adge of xx yeares or at the day of
marriadge if she marry with her governours consent and if the said Elizabeth dep[ar]te
this naturall life before she come unto discretion then her brother Henry to be her
heyre the debts I owe be these unto John Rappite of Irchester xl s unto Robert Gobbye
of Langhame*** xx s unto my brother Even Barnard xx s and two shirtes lastely
I make my brother Even Barnard and Richard Bayfield my full executors and
give all the rest of my goods unbequeathed my debts payed and my funeral expenses
discharged unto them beinge my full executors of this my last will and my beloved
friends William Barnard of Higham Feris and Thomas Saunders of Rushden
I make my supervisors and all other wills I utterly revoke and will that this shall stand
and non other nor otherwise. Wittnesses unto the same William Boyfield Thomas Saunders
William Barnard John Punne with others the marke of the testator.

Probate granted 11th January 1597/8

Notes:
* this could be a form of ‘ensuing’ but I cannot make it out
**presumably a form of Joanna, possibly Jane.
*** The nearest Langham I can find is in Leicestershire but there are references to a Robert Goby in or near Langham (near Dedham) in Essex at this time.