Will of William Deere, Clothier of Burlescombe

Proved 1 November 1670

© Crown Copyright

PROB 11/334/337, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

Transcribed by Wendy Lawday

[Son of William Deere of Rhoose
Wife: Elizabeth Hitchcocke
Brother In Law: Thomas Hitchcocke
Eldest Son: illiam Deere, Under 21
Youngest Son: Mathew Deere Under 21
Daughter: Cissell Deere Under 21
Brother: Robert Deere
Brother: Mathew Deere]

In the name of God Amen I William Deere the two and twentieth day of December Anno 1669 I William Deere of the Parish of Burliscom [Burlescombe] and County of Devon Clothier being sicke in body but of sound and perfect memory (thanks be to the Almighty God) doe make this my last will and testament in forme as followeth.

Imprimis I give and bequeath my soul to the hands of Almighty God trusting that by the Meritts of Christ to be redeemed and saved.

Item I give to St. Peters Church of ?Exeter one shilling.

Item I give to the poore of the Parish of Burliscom Tenn shillings .

Item I give to my wife Elizabeth twelve pounds tenn shillings yearly to be paid her by quarterly payments as long as she the said Elizabeth liveth a widdow. But if Thomas Hitchocke brother to the said Elizabeth doth pay up the whole portion promised in Marriage as by writing specified into the hands of my Trustees in this my will That then I give twelve pounds tenn shillings more to be paid to my wife. And both sums to be paid her yearly during her naturall life quarterly. And to be paid by the hands of my Executors which I shall hereafter nominate. And this money to be paid out of ?Bugham Tenement.

Item I give to my three children Sixteen Pounds which is Towards their maintenance to be paid by the hands of my Trustees will they be of the age of Twenty one years yearly to be paid by quartterly proportions.

Item I give to my daughter Cissell Deere one hundred pounds to be paid her when she is one and twenty years of age.

Item I give to my sonne Mathew Deere one hundred and twenty pounds to be paid him when he is one and twenty years of age.

I constitute and appoint my sonne William Deere to be my whole and sole executor of all my goods and Chattles.

Item I nominate my two brothers Mathew Deere and Robert Deere to be overseers of this my last will and testament.

In Witness whereof I sett my hand and seale the day and yeare ffirst above written

William Deere / sealed and delivered in the presence of James ?Robgaint?, the mark of Alice ?Thurly

Primo die ...................[Latin] Robert Deere ..........William Deere Minori fil et Exec in testo nominate ...... William Deere defunct

[A scribbled passage in the margin, Latin, regarding Mathew Deere, filis, possibly ref. his death. - He is known to have died young]