EDWARD RAWES OF HAWKESHEAD

Will of Edward Rawes of Hawkeshead, Lancashire. Made 21st December 1587. Proved 1587 at Chester. Preston Record Office (Hawkeshead Line)

Image of the original document.
In the nayme of God Amen The 21ti Daie of December in the years of our lords God 1587, I Edwarde Rawes of the parishinge
of Hauxheade Secke of bodie yet nevere the Lesse of perfecte mynde and memorrie praised be God for the sayme maikes
This my Laste Will and Testament in manner and forrme followinge, Firste and principallie I commende my Soulle
into the mercifull handes of allmightie God my Creatoure and Redemer. And my bodie to be buriede within the
Church yearde of Hauxheade with all mortuaries therto belongings Accordinge unto the Lawes of this realme
nowe usede et cetera. And I will That my brother George Rawes shall have the Tennand Right of my tennement
and farmeholde paying unto his brother John Accordinge as it is sett downe in my fathers will. And
allso 10 shillings to William his brother which is undischarged of his portione. Trustinge that my said brother George
will not hinder nor Impaire my wife Agnes but that she maye have use occupie and Enjoys my holle
Tennement with it appurtenaunces Duringe her wedoweheade, and after her wedowheade it is my mynde
and will That my said brother George shall have my foresaide Tennement with it appurtennances accordinge
unto the Coustome of the mannor or lordeshipe ther usede. Item my Debtes paiede and all other funerall
Expenses Discharged I doe Constitute ordaine and maike Agnes my wiffe the holle Executrix off all my
gooddes moveable and unmoveable. Wittnesses of the sayme George Rigge and Symonde Rigge with others.

NOTES:
  • line 1, 21ti the one and twentieth day, in Latin viginti for 20.
  • parishinge = more commonly in the Midlands and here 'parish'. Could it imply that they were in a more isolated farmstead away from the village and parish centre? [They were living at Thrang, a hamlet in Hawkshead.]
  • line 5, 'all mortuaries accordinge to the lawes of this realm now used'. This seems to be a tone of regret for the old rites, though this is the 30th year of Queen Elizabeth's reign and these should have passed out of use a quarter of a century before. Do you know how old he was?
  • line 8, xs = 10s. Willm = William.
  • line 8, wchis = which is
  • line 10, wedoweheade, = widowhood.
  • line 10, aft = after
  • line 12, Coustome of the mannor = it was not a freehold property but held of the Lord of the Manor for the customary dues there normal. It was a Customary tenancy probably on a lease for so many yeers or perhaps for three lives. George would work the farm but Agnes must not be put out of the house. Have you an Inventory to go with this will?
Pedigree and information deduced from the Will. 
                                    ?     =
                              left a Will |        
                         ----------------------------------------
                         |                  |        |          |
                      EDWARD = Agnes      GEORGE    JOHN      WILLIAM
                       RAWES |
                of Hawkshead |
                died 1587    |
                Will         |
Other people mentioned in the Will.
  1. George Rigg.
  2. Symonde Rigg.

Transcribed from the original by G.L. Bishop of Cirencester, 1985