| Will of Edward Rawes of Hawkeshead, Lancashire. Made 21st December 1587. Proved 1587 at Chester. Preston Record Office (Hawkeshead Line) |
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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:-
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?
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? Transcribed from the original by G.L. Bishop of Cirencester, 1985 |