The will of Joan Brynde, 1557 [PROB11/39]:
In the name of God Amen the XXVIth {26th} day of May in the year of our Lord God a thousand five hundred fifty and five (1555) I Johane Brynde of Marston in the county of wiltshire widow weak of body but perfect of remembrance do ordain and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following first I bequeath my soul unto Almighty God and my body to be buried in the church yard of Marston aforesaid To the which church I give and bequeath IIIs {3s} in money and two sheep item I give and bequeath to the Cathedral church of Sarum IIIId {4d} Item I give and bequeath ten shillings of moneys to be distributed by my executor amongst the poor people inhabiting within the town of Highworth Item I give and bequeath to John Brynd my son two steers of three year old Three kine and a pan Item I give and bequeath to Edmunde Brynd the eldest son of the said John Brynd a hundred sheep four steers two heifers two kine an iron bound cart the second feather bed the bolster two blankets a coverlet the second tester of Dornex(?) in the best chamber and half agarnyshe(?) of pewter vessel Item I give and bequeath to every other child of my said son John's children as well women children as men children one bullock and one sheep apiece to be delivered by my executor when they or any of them shall fortune to marry or to be marriageable and if it so do fortune {as God forbid} that any of them do die before they be married or marriageable and the said stock not delivered that then I will give every such part so remaining undelivered to William Brynd my son and if it fortune that the foresaid Edmunde Brynd son of the said John Brynd to decease and die (as God forbid) before he come to the age of xxi {21} years and have discretion to occupy and use his own stock that then I will the said stock and bequest and every part and parcel of it be unto my two sons John and William equally to be divided between them Item I give and bequeath to Edmunde Burgys one bullock of a year old and four sheep Item I give and bequeath to John Colley one bullock of the same age and two sheep Item I give and bequeath to Agnes Colley one bullock of the same age and one sheep Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Rykertts two sons every of them a sheep Item I give and bequeath to Margery Rykertts Alice Rykerts Byrgett Rykertts and Johane Rykertts my daughter Rykertts children every of them one bullock and one sheep Item I give and bequeath to Besse Ricketts one other of my daughters children XIs (11s) in money one bullock and one sheep Item I give and bequeath to every of my daughter Machames children as well men children as women children one sheep apiece Item I give and bequeath to every Coxe my daughter Coxes son one bullock and four sheep Item I give and bequeath to every other child of my daughter Coxes children as well men children as women children one bullock or calf as it will sterche {stretch?) and one sheep apiece Item I give and bequeath to every of my daughter Stychealls children as well men and women one bullock & one sheep apiece Item I give and bequeath to Agnes Cowley my daughter a brass pan Item I give and bequeath to Johane Rykertts a brass pan Item I give and bequeath to every of my son Wylliam Brynds children one bullock and five sheep apiece Item I give and bequeath to every of my god children VIIId (8d) in money All which said former gifts and bequests concerning the bullocks I will that my executor do pay them some one year and some another as he may conveniently and as it shall be thought best by the advice of my overseers The residue of all my goods and chattels after my debts paid my funeral expenses performed and these my gifts & legacies contained in this my present testament and last will fulfilled I wholly give and bequeath them to my son Willyam Brind whom I constitute ordain and make my full and whole executor and of the execution of the same I make constitute and ordain the right Worshipful Sir Anthony Hungerforde knight and John Hungerforde his son and heir to be my overseers of this my last will and testament witness to the same John Hungerford Thomas Erylsman Lawrence Crosse Richard Burges
Proved 13th May 1557 by William Brynd