In the name of God Amen I John Ekins of Rushden in the County of Northampton gent being in health and perfect memory of considering the uncertainty of my life do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I commend my spirit into the hands of Almighty God my maker hoping to enjoy everlasting life by the mercies of God through the merits of my dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrixes hereafter named and for my temporal goods and estate which God hath in mercy bestowed upon me I dispose of them as followeth. Imprimis I give and bequeath to my dear and loving wife Elizabeth Ekins fifty pounds of lawful English money to be paid her within three months after my decease Item I give to my son Thomas Ekins and my daughters Elizabeth Johnson and Susanna Taylor five pounds a piece in gold to be delivered to them within three months after my decease by my Executrixes Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Johnson one hundred pounds of like lawful money as an acknowledgement of that duty and kindness which she hath always performed to me to be paid her within twelve months after my decease. Item I give to the present Minister of Rushden forty shillings Item I give and bequeath to the poor of Rushden forty pounds to be paid within two years after my decease and to be employed and disposed of for their best benefit and advantage in such manner as my son Ekins and my son in law Mr. Johnson shall think fit order and appoint. Item I give and bequeath to the poor of Irchester and Stanwick forty shillings a piece to be distributed amongst them by my Executrixes Item I give and bequeath to the several persons hereafter named the sum of twenty shillings a piece to buy them rings to wit my son Johnson, my son Taylor, my brother Taylor, my six grandchildren, my wifes five sons and two daughters, my brother Ekins, my brother Mason, my sister Riseley, Mr Archdeacon Palmer. Mr Francis Grey, Mr Edward Gerrard, Mr Matthew Johnson, Mr John Bold, Mr Christopher Coles and Mr Robert Lamb of Newton. Item I give and bequeath to each of my servants that shall be living with me at the time of my death ten shillings. All the rest of my goods and chattels securities for money and personal estate unbequeathed (my just debts being thereon paid) I give and bequeath to my daughters Mercy Ekins and Patience Ekins whom I also make sole Executrixes of this my last will and testament and do hereby revoke all former wills by me made and do earnestly desire my son Thomas Ekins my son John Johnson and my good friend Mr Christopher Coles to be assistant to my Executrixes in the execution of this my will and do also desire and charge my son Thomas Ekins and his four sisters to live in the feare of God and in love and charity each with other and with all persons Witness my hand and seal the five and twentieth day of September Anno Domini one thousand six hundred seventy six.

John Ekins

signed sealed and published in the presence of

George Wakeford
Alexander Lambe 

Proved 14^th December 1677