Transcription of the Last Will and Testament of Richard Abbs of Aylmerton, dated 28 March 1654
In the name of God Amen, the eight and twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord 1654 I Richard Abbs the Elder of Aylmerton in the County of Norfolk yeoman being weak and feeble of body but of good and perfect remembering thanks be given to Almighty God do make and ____ this my last will and testament in manner and forme following remitting my soule into the merciful hands of God my maker and Jesus Christ my redeemer and only Saviour by whose _______________________________ . I hope _______ to be paid and my body to be buryed in the Church or Church yard of Aylmerton aforesaid or else where it shall please God to __________ possession of my Executor hereafter named. I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my daughter ten pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto her or her lawfully ordained attorney her executors or administrators within one whole year next after my decease at or within the soule parish of the Church of Aylmerton aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto Peter my son ten pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto him or to his ordained Attorney his executors or administrators within five whole years next after my decease at the place aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto William my son fifteen pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto him or his ordained attorney his executors or administrators within three whole years next after my decease in the place aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto Providence my daughter ten pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto her or to her or ordained Attorney her executors or administrators within five whole years next after my decease in the place aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto Thomas my son fifteen pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto him or his ordained attorney his executors or administrators ____________within five whole year's next after my decease. I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my daughter aforesaid ten pounds of lawful English money to be paid on to her or her ordained Attorney her executors or administrators within six whole year's next after my decease at or within the place aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto William my son the aforesaid fifteen pounds of lawful English money or his ordained attorney his executor or administrators in eight years next after my decease at or within the lord aforesaid. [IN MARGIN: I give and bequeath unto Peter my son aforesaid ______ lawful English money to be paid unto him his attorney his executors or administrators in 7 whole years next at or within the place aforesaid.] I give and bequeath unto Providence my daughter aforesaid ten pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto her or her ordained attorney her executor's or administrators within nine years next after my decease at or within the lord aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto Thomas my son aforesaid fifteen pounds of lawful English money to be paid unto him or to his ordained attorney his executors or administrators within ten years next after my decease at or within the Lord aforesaid. I give and bequeath unto Richard Abbs my son all my houses lands and ________ situated lying and being in Aylmerton aforesaid the Michaelmas next after my decease to have and to hold to him and his heirs forever upon condition that he the said Richard Abbs my son his heirs executors or administrators do pay or cause to be paid unto Elizabeth my daughter Peter Abbs my son William my son Providence my daughter Thomas my son all and every one of them ___________all legacy and legacies I have given and bequeathed unto them in this my last will and testament and in such amounts and forms as is aforesaid. And if the said Richard Abbs my son his heirs executors or administrators refuse and do not pay or cause to be paid all and every one of them __________________forward legacy or bequests in such amounts and forms as is aforesaid according to the full meaning of this my last will and testament my will and mind is that then all my children aforesaid shall _______ and have all my said houses lands and tenements aforesaid to be equally divided amongst them and their heirs forever. All the rest of my movable goods whatsoever I leave and bequeath them wholly onto Agnes my wife whom I do make and ordain executrix of this my last will and testament she to ______ my debts and to pay my debts and to bury my body _______ to the ____.
In witness whereof to this my last will and testament I have set to my hand and seal the day and year above written. Richard Abbs his mark. Sealed and delivered in the presence of Thomas Abbs and John Boswell his mark