Will of Richard Luther of Kelvedon, 21 Jun 1687

In the Name of God Amen

I Richard Luther of Kelvedon in the County of Essex, Esquire being in good health and of a disposing mind (Thanks be to God) do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament as followeth

Whereas all that my Manor of Thomols Hall in Moorell Roothing in the said county of Essex And all that my Farms Messuages Lands and Commons commonly called Walkoro in Moorell Roothing aforesaid are settled and assured unto or to the use of Rebecca my now wife for the term of her life for her Joynture and in lieu and satisfaction of her dower I do hereby ratify and confirm the same settlement And I do hereby for an Increase of and augmentation into the said Joynture of my said wife Give and devise unto the said Rebecca my wife All that my Farms Messuages Lands and Tenements in Moorell Roothing aforesaid now or late in the former or occupation of Richard Perryn his assigns or tenants And the Roborton and Robortono Remainder and Remainders Rents Issues and Profitts thereof To have and to hold the same unto the said Rebecca my wife and her assigns for and during the form of her natural life

Item I give and bequeath unto my son Edward Luther and his heirs to the use of him and his heirs forever all and every my Manors Messuages Lands Tenements Tythes ___ Avowsons and Hereditaments in the counties of Lincoln and Essex or in either of them or in any other county or place within the Realm of England with their and every of their Rights members and appurtenances Chargeable nevertheless by way of Supplement to and in aid of my personal estate with the payment of all the debts which I shall owe at the time of my decease and with the payment of all the many Legacyes by me given in and by this will

Item I give and bequeath unto my said wife All my Rings ____ and all my plate and vessels of silver and Gold and my three best bedds and bedstodds with the curtains balance Counterpanes pillowes bolsters coverings blanketts and other appurtenances to the same with three pairs of my best sheets and pillowcases to each of the same And also my coach and __ two coach horses as I shall have at the time of my decease And also the sum hundred pounds of lawfull mony of England to be paid uto or retained by my said wife immediately after my decease

Item I give to me son in law John Luther and my Daughter Jane his wife the sum of twenty pounds sterling and no more having lately advanced her in marriage and given three thousand pounds as her Marriage portion

Item I give and bequeath the sum of tenn pounds apiece to my Brother in Law Edward Rudge and my dear Sister his wife to buy them mourning

Item I give unto each of the men and maid servants that I shall have at the time of my decease the sum of forty shillings apiece

Item I give unto the poor of the parish of Kelvedon aforesaid to be distributed by the Churchwardens and Overseers of the poor of the same parish the sum of forty shillings

Item I give all the Rest and Residue of my personall estate my debts funeral and Legacyes being first paid and discharged unto my said son Edward Luther And do hereby commit and appoint the Guardianship tuition and custody of my said Son Edward and of his said Estate both Reall and personal until he shall attain his age of one and twenty years unto the said Rebecca my wife and Thomas Luther Esquire and the said Edward Rudge and the survivors and survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of the Survivor of them

And I do hereby make constitute and appoint the said Rebecca my wife Thomas Luther and Edward Rudge Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills by me at any time made

In witness whereof the said Richard Luther have hereunto sett my hand and seal the twenty first day of June in the year of our Lord Christ One thousand six hundred and eighty seven

Richard Luther

The writing above contained was by the above named Richard Luther Signed and Sealed and by him published and declared as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunder written our names as witnesses in the presence of the said

Will Hitchcock
**Gregory ___**
George Hitchcock
Darrell Cox