19th of October 1596 I William Margettes of Rushden, yeoman, being somewhat diseased in body and yet of very good memory dispose of my estate as follows.
To the church of Rushden 20 shillings. To Thomas Margetts my son and to his heirs all my freehold lands within the town fields, limits and bounds of Rushden except two swathes of meadow which I lately purchased off my brother William Hughes esquire And I will the said two swathes of meadow to Robert Margetts my son. I will that my son Thomas shall have an enjoy all my copyhold lands and tenements within the town fields except the copyhold lands and one bondhold which I lately purchased from Christopher Gobby and except a messuage or tenement and a close thereto belonging set and being in the north end of Rushden sometime William Manne’s And except also 30 acres of copyhold late being in the tenure of Thomas Page and now in the tenure of one John Butcher And I do further declare that my will is that my son Thomas shall likewise have the bondhold which is next adjoining to my now dwelling house in Rushden and all the lands and grounds thereto belonging.
And as to the messuage or tenements or closes before excepted late William Manne’s will intention is that Elizabeth Eyre my daughter late the wife of one Henry Eyre shall have the same during her natural life on condition that from time to time it is kept in good repair and after her decease it shall remain to my said son Thomas. And as to my said copyhold lands late of Christopher Gobbey and the said 30 acres late in the occupation of Thomas Page now in the occupation of John Butcher my will is that my son Robert shall have the same and that Robert shall have my bondhold in Rushden which late was the said Christopher Gobbey’s.
I will to my son Robert my best shod cart with all the furniture for three horse. And also three horses namely one darkle grey horse, one white grey horse and one bright bay horse with plough and plough gears necessary for the horses. I give to my son Thomas my crop of all my corn, grain and hay which shall remain at the time of my decease.
I give to my son Thomas all the residue of my horse carts and cart gears, ploughs and plough gears not before bequeathed to my son Robert. I give to my son Thomas all the bedding and other furniture of the upper chamber in the new building and all the brass, pewter, iron implements and tree_ or wooden vessels which be in daily use (except all bedsteads cupboards portals tables and formes my cistern of lead and all my hovels with the timber and rafters [continues].
I give to my son Robert all the bedding and curtains in the chamber where I myself do lodge And the residue of all my implements of household not before willed I give to sons Thomas and Robert and to my daughter Ellyn Peryn wife of Richard Peryn and Elizabeth Eyre widow to be equally divided between them. And whereas my late brother John Margetts in and by his last will appointed the sum of 10 pounds to have a … I now will that the said 10 pounds shall be made up again out of my own goods and that it shall be delivered to my son Thomas and put to the uses set out by my said brother.
I give to my son William Margetts 20 pounds and remit him 20 pounds more that he owes me. I give to my servants Alice Stott a cow bullock and to Robert Margetts my late servant a cow bullock. And to my late servant William Broome a ewe and a lamb.
And where I do owe to my brother William Hughes 100 pounds which was lent my son George Margetts I will that the same 100 pounds shall be paid to my said brother out of the value of my goods unbequeathed. I give to my said brother William Hughes 5 pounds. I give to my daughter Elizabeth Eare 15 pounds and two milk kyne and also one acre of barley yearly ready sown and brought home by my son Thomas or his hears so long as she continue widow.
I give to my daughter Ellyn Peryne 10 pounds the residue of my goods after all my debts paid etc I will to my sons Thomas and Robert by equal shares and I make them executors and my brother William Hughes my supervisor. Signed in the presence of William Hughes, Nicholas Harrisonne, Thomas Margetts, Robert Margetts, Daniell Clerke.
Probate granted 13th January 1596/7
