John Smith of Holwell 1597 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/I/218/62

In the name of God Amen The xxvi daie of Maye in the yeare of our Lord God 1597 and the xxxixth yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Ladye Elizabeth by the grace of God of England Frannce & Ireland Queene Defendresse of the faith &c I John Smyth of Hollwell in the Countie of Leicester husbandman beinge of whole mynde & in good & perfecte remembrance praised be god therefore make & ordaine this my present Testament contayninge therein my last will in maner & fourme followinge

First I comend my soule into the hands of Almightie God maker of heaven & earth &c and my bodie to be buried in the Churchyard of Abkettlebye &c

Item I geve & bequeath unto my foure children namely to Thomas Smyth Alice Smyth Marye Smyth & Katherin Smyth all my yewes & lambes to be equally parted amongst them

Itm I will that whereas I have six kyne & one steare or young bullock my will is that Elizabeth my wife shall have three of the best kyne that can chuse for her self, & the other foure to be indifferentlye parted amongst my 4 children

All the rest of my goods unbequeathed I geve & bequeath them unto Elizabeth my wife whome I make the full & whole Executrix of this my last will and testament

These beinge witnesses Thomas Neale & John Hurste

Probate 21 June 1597