Richard Wright

Contents

Will of Richard Wright

Transcription

In the Name of God, Amen.

This Four and twentieth daie of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand, six hundred Fiftie and three: 

I Richard Wright of Deopham in the County of Norfolk, Yeoman, Doe ordeyne and make this my last will and testament in manner and form followinge:

First I bequeath my Soul into the hands of Almighty God, my blessed Creator; and my body I Committ to the earth to be buried in Christian buriall;

Item – I will and demise that my piece of arrable land being freehold and containing by estimation five acres lying in the open feild of Deopham aforesaid, shall be sould by the Executrices of this my last will and testament hereafter named, or by one of them, so soone as with ??? it may be after my decease; for so much money as given for the same, and the money arising of the sale thereof I will shalbe for to pay my debts by me oweing, but the some which arise thereof more than the payeing of my said debts, I will shalbe divided amongst all my sevin sisters equally;

Item – all the residue of my Messuages, Lands, tenements, meddows, pastures, feedings and hereditaments whatsoever in myne owne other occupation in Deopham afforesaid, and in Morly and Wicklewood next adjoining, I give and devise unto all my seaven sisters equally to be divided as copartners at the Common Law or as Tenants in Common to them and their severall and respective heires & assignes for ever, in satisffaction and discharge of all and every such legacye and legacies or gifte whatsoever now given to them, or any of them, by my Father’s will and Testament;

And so as, if any of my said sisters shall at any time hereafter bring any action against, or trouble my Executrices hereafter named of either of them for any legacy given by my Father’s said will and testament, or shall not release such legacie upon demand by my said Executrices or either of them, That then the party so bringing action, or refuseing to release, shall forfeit her and their part in all the said premises to my said Executrices untill such release be made, and in due form of lawe deliver to my said Executrices, or to one of them;

Item – I give and devise my reversion, when it shall happen, after the Decease of Agnes Wright of Morly afforesaid Widdowe, of and in all those messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments situate, lying and being in the said towne of Morly, but more late of Richard Wright my uncle [?] deceased; unto all my seaven sisters, likewise to be divided as copartners at the Common law, or as tenants in Common to them, and their severall and respective heires and assigns for ever;

Item – I give to John Smith of Deopham, aforesaid farmer, Five pounds of lawfull English money to be paid within three monthes after my decease; And I give to the poore people of Deopham twenty shillings; And all the residue of my goods and chattels, and Corne on the ground whatsoever, I give unto Five of my said sisters being now single and unmarryed, with the Barne at my tenement to lay and thresh the said straw until the first and twentieth day of March next after my decease;

Item – I do ordeyne Mary Wright and  Frances Wright two of my said sisters Executrices jointly and severally of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have sett my hand and seale.
Richard Wright
These being witnesses, John ???? and  Anne Smith her mark.
This will was proved …. June 10th 1654 … Mary Wright being the surviving executrix

Source Document

© National Archives, Kew, their ref: PROB 11/238/142