In the name of God Amen the twentieth day of December in the fortieth and two year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth I George Sanderson of Rushden in the County of Northampton yeoman being sick in body by the visitation of God but yet in good and perfect memory God be praised therefore do make and ordain this my testament wherein is contained my last will in manner and form following. First I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God. Item I give and bequeath unto the church three shillings four pence to be paid within one year after my decease by mine Executrix. Item I give to the poor mans court three shillings four pence to be paid in like manner Item I give towards the repair of the cawsye in the north end of this town three shillings four pence to be paid as before at the disposing of my son Robert Item I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Sanderson two bonds of Thomas Sanderson the one retaining twenty pounds the other nineteen pounds six shillings eight pence Item I give the bond of Robert Hackneys which cometh to forty pounds to my said son Robert Item I give the bond of Robert Stevens with others contained in the same bond which cometh to two and twenty pounds to my son Robert aforesaid Item I give the bond of Thomas Bill and Thomas Harryson containing eight pounds and six shillings to my son Robert also I give to the same Robert Sanderson the bond of Thomas Harryson and Thomas Bill containing three pounds eight shillings in like manner I give unto my son Robert Sanderson the bond of Thomas Harryson and Thomas Bill containing ten pounds and ten shillings. Item I give to my son Robert the bond of Mr. Henry Weekeley containing eleven pounds a piece The bond of Thomas Hill containing six pounds and ten shillings and the bond of Thomas Harryson and Thomas Bill containing five pounds and the bond of Thomas Maxey and Edward James containing eleven pounds and the bond of Edward Greye containing ten shillings and the bond of Robert Selby and Henry Clarke containing four pounds eight shillings and the bond of Robert Porter containing five pounds ten shillings the bond of Richard Elande containing forty shillings The bond of Robert Reade and Robert Selby containing eleven pounds the bond of Thomas Goodwyne and Richard Surrey containing five pounds and fifteen shillings the bond of William Selby containing three pounds six shillings and the bond of Thomas Harrison and Thomas Bill containing twenty two pounds the bond of William Crowe containing four pounds eight shillings and the bond of Henry Clarke and Robert Selby containing forty four shillings and the bond of Richard Lambe and Thomas Surrey containing five pounds ten shillings and after I give to my said son Robert the two bonds which land bound unto me for the payment of twenty seven pounds provided always that I the said George Sanderson do not depart this world before these two bonds be out to be paid then the gift of the said two bonds shall be void and of none effect with all the rest Item I give and bequeath to the same Robert Sanderson my son my lease of Dytchforde Millhomes which cometh to fifty pounds Also I give to the same Robert all my plough chains and irons belonging both to plough and cart with my best crow of iron and all my plough timber and cart timber and all my harrows and one salting trough standing in Thomas Barnes his house to enter of the same immediately after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto my son Robert my Cestorne [cistern] which I have framed with wood to be covered with lead towards the covering of it I do give him my horse trough covered with lead all my lead and lead weights all my scales beams both iron and wood Also I give to the said Robert my two gold rings to wear for my sake And also my evidence which belongeth to all those his grounds at Higham Ferrers and also my sheep hovel my cart hovel to enter of these immediately after my decease also I give to my son Robert and to his heirs forever my house at Higham Ferrers called Tootehill to enter of the same after the decease of Alice my wife I give and bequeath to the same Robert my son my two leyes that I bought of Weeden to enter of them after the decease of Alice my wife I also give unto my said son Robert my farm which I now dwell in excepting those gifts which I have given out of the same farm before to him and to his heirs forever after the custom of the manor And thereupon I have given surrender into the hands of two of the customary Tenants that is to say Richard Boyfield and Oliver Latymer Item I give and bequeath unto Robert my son my two best beds and all the best furniture belonging to both of them my long table standing in the hall and form belonging to the same all my buffet stools my two best chests one cupboard standing in the hall my two best spits and cobirons and the seeling and the two portals and furniture to them belonging standing in the chamber but my meaning is that he shall enter of none of these parcels before the decease of Alice my wife Item I give and bequeath unto Alice my wife the lease of Higham Ferrers Mill leys and the lease of Gorepiece now in the occupation of Widow Wingrave and the willows growing upon the same lease for term of her life and after her decease to Robert Sanderson my son and his heirs and assigns Item I give unto Joan Barwicke the wife of Thomas Barwicke four pounds forty shillings to be paid immediately after my decease and the other half a year after to be paid by my son Robert Item I give and bequeath unto Nicholas Sanderson my son half a quarter of barley and half a quarter of beans peas and fetches to be paid within twelve months after my decease to be paid by my Executrix Item all the rest of my goods and chattels now bequeathed I give and bequeath unto Alice my wife whom I make my sole Executrix to see my debts paid and all other expenses discharged and for my same wife I do appoint Richard Boyfield and Oliver Latymer and I do give to either of them ten shillings Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Barnes the wife of Thomas Barnes half a quarter of barley and half a quarter of peas beans and fetches to be paid by mine Executrix within one year after my departure also I give to Robert my son a malt quern and all the stable chains to enter of them immediately after my decease Item my will is that Alice my wife shall give full power and authority to my said son Robert and shall be devised or advised by his learned counsel for the obtaining of all these lands and debts above mentioned by letter of Attorney or any other ways or means whatsoever at the cost and charges of my said son Robert by George Sanderson witnesses Richard Boyfield Oliver Latymer Jacob Latymer.

Probate granted 09 Feb 1599