Will of Thomas Abington of Stoke Abbott Dorset - 1657
NOTE: Punctuation added to facilitate reading by John Abington December 2007.
This will is probably a copy, as the signatures on it of Thomas Abington and the witnesses are not the originals.
In the name of God Amen
The foure and twentieth day of November one thousand six hundred fifty and four. I Thomas Abington of Brembley in the Parish of Abbott Stoake in the County of Dorsett gent, being weake of body, but of good and perfect memory, (Thanks be given to Allmighty god) doe ordaine and make this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following.
Ffirst of all I give and bequeath my soule to Allmighty god, And my body to the earth. Alsoe I give to the maintenance of my parish Church, five shillings. And to the poore people of the same, other five shillings to be disbursed among them indifferently by the discretion of my overseers to be named.
Alsoe I give and bequeath unto Thomas Abington my sonne, my ffurnace, pann, brewinge fate and siltinge trough, my wife Alice havinge the use of it duringe her life.
Also I give and bequeath unto Andrew Abington and Alice Abington my sonne and daughter, all my goods moveable and immovable, also meate, drinke and clothinge at the cost and charges of my wife Alice, I reserveinge to her use all the goods duringe her life, shee makinge them as good as I shall leave them upon to her, unto Andrew and Alice my sonne and daughter unprovided for.
Also I give and bequeath unto Alice my wife my goods, my funerall, debts, and legacies performed. I ordaine and make her my whole executor of this my last will and testament.
Finally I doe desire my trustie and well beloved friends John Abington Esquire and William Calley the elder overseers of this my will and testament. Alsoe I give and bequeath to my wife Alice my leasehold during her life as the lease expresseth.
Tho: Abington Sr. Witnesses William Lorraine William Roper
This will was proved at London the eighteenth day of the moneth of Ffebruarie in the year of our Lord God, accordinge to the computation of the Church of England, one thousand six hundred fifty and sixe, before the Judges for probate of wills and grantinge Administrations lawfully authorized by the oath of Alice Abington, the relict of the said deceased and sole executrix named in this his last will and testament, to whom was committed Administration of all and singular the goods, chattels and debts of the said deceased, shee beinge first sworne by vertue of a Commission well and truely to administer the same./