FILM 92227 PCC 1657 FOL 149

WILL OF JOHN FOX OF SULGRAVE 1657

First I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Maker, Redeemer and my Saviour and my body I commit to the ground in the churchyard of Sulgrave aforesaid

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Frances Fox all that cottage house which I purchased of Edward Buckerfield of Sulgrave aforesaid and so much of the close next adjoining to the said cottage as is already mounded and set out from a certain ash tree there lately sawed up which said Cottage house and part of the close so set out as aforesaid, she the said Frances shall have and enjoy at the day of her marriage: and the other part of the said close and all and singular the profits and commodities thereunto belonging I bequeath unto my said daughter Frances, to her and her heirs forever after the decease of my wife Mercy Fox

But if it shall happen that my said daughter Frances shall decease without issue before the death of my said wife, that then my said wife shall hold and enjoy the same during her natural life and after her decease to be equally divided betwixt my other children John and Mary.

Further my will is that my wife Mercy Fox shall have during her natural life free egress and regress with cart and horses into that part of the close which she is to enjoy during her life without out any let or molestation, provided it be at seasonable times.

Item I give and bequeath unto my other daughter Mary Fox fifty pounds, twenty pounds when she shall attain unto the age of one and twenty years, and thirty pounds more shall be paid unto her at her mother's decease, by my son John Fox if he shall survive his said mother.

But in case my said son John Fox shall decease without issue before the death of my wife Mercy then I give and bequeath my homestall and one yardland together with all and singular the profits and commodities thereunto belonging to my two daughters Frances and Mary to be equally divided betwixt them

But my will is that my wife Mercy shall hold the said homestall and one yardland lying in Sulgrave fields during her natural life

And my will is that my said two daughters or the survivor of them shall (in case of my son John his death without issue as aforesaid ) pay unto whom my wife Mercy shall appoint in her lifetime, the sum of fifty pounds, which said fifty pounds shall be equally raised betwixt them and paid within a year after the decease of my wife Mercy.

But in case my daughter Mary shall decease before her age of one and twenty years then the said twenty pounds to be at the disposing of my wife Mercy

Item I give unto my son John Fox twenty pounds to be paid unto him when he shall attain unto the age of one and twenty years by my wife Mercy Fox

And after the decease of my wife Mercy Fox I give and bequeath unto my said son all that my homestall where I now inhabit with all and singular the close, orchard, gardens, barns, stable and other edifices thereunto belonging together with one yardland, paying the said thirty pounds unto my daughter Mary as aforesaid and fifty pounds unto whom my wife shall appoint to be paid within a twelve month after her decease.

Lastly I give and bequeath unto my wife Mercy Fox all my personal estate not before bequeathed, whom I make my sole Executrix and all my goods moveable and unmoveable, paying unto my son John and daughter Mary such sums as aforesaid, and she to see my body decently brought to the ground, and my will performed, and my debts paid.

And further I most heartily pray and entreat my good friends John Rye, gentleman, and Abell Makepeace to be my overseers and to help and assist my wife and children if it please God they can by their good counsel and advice.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year above written

The mark of John Fox in the presence of Abell Makepeace, Richard Walker, Thomas Heacock.

This will was proved at London the sixth day of May in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fifty and seven before the Judges for Probate of wills and granting administrations lawfully authorised by the oath of Mercy Fox the relict of the said deceased and sole Executrix named in the said will to whom administration of all and singular the goods chattles and debts of the said deceased was committed she being first by commission sworn truly to administer the same.