Ludwicke Kempe of Harby 1620 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/I/242

In the name of god Amen The three and twentithe daye of September in the yeare of the Raigne of our moste gracious lord James by the grace of god kinge of England Scotland France and Ireland viz of England France and Ireland the eighteenthe and of Scotland the fiftieth and foure defender of the faithe &c I Ludwicke Kempe of Harbye in the Countye of Leicester husbandman being sicke in bodye but of sound and perfect memorye thanks be given to Allmightye God doe make constitute and ordayne this my present testament concerning leaving my laste Will in manner and forme following viz

First I commende my soule to allmighty god my maker assuredly hopinge to be saved by merits of Jesus Christe my Saviour and redeemer and my body to be buried in the Church yarde of Harbye aforesayd

Item I give to the pore of Harby twente shillings

Item I give unto Thomas Bate the sonne of John Bate my sonne in lawe 3l to be payd unto him when he shall come unto the age of xxi years

Item I give unto Richard Bate and John Bate to each of them three pounds apeece to be payd to them when they shall come to the age of xxi yeares and if any of the foresaid Children shall dye before they come to the age of xxi years then the foresayd mony to remayne to my sonne Mathew Kempe

Item I give unto Remy [?] Worthe the sonne of Thomas Worthe three pounds to be payd to him at the age of xxi years

Item I give and bequeathe unto Mathew Kempe the sonne of Mathew Kempe twentye and foure pounds unto him when he shall come to the age of foureteene years

Item I give unto Jane Kempe the daughter of Mathew Kempe three pounds to be payd to her at the age of seven years

Furthermore I give and bequeathe unto my trewe and welbeloved wife Dannisonn Kempe halfe of all my goods during her naturall life And when she shall departe this life then to returne to my sonne Mathew Kempe

Allso my will is that my foresaid sonne Mathew shall find unto my foresaid wife Dannisonn meate drinke lodging and Clothinge fitting for her during her naturall life

Moreover my Will is that Elizabeth White shall have the house she now dwelleth in during her naturall life paying therefore yearly xiid at the feast of Saint … … unto my sayd sonne Mathewe or his assignes and also usinge herselfe …

Item I make constitute Authorise and apoynte my foresaid sonne Mathew the Sole and full Executor of this my presente will and laste testament to see my bodye buried my funerall expences discharged and my debts and legaces payd and discharged according to my trewe Intente and meaninge

In Wittnesse whereof I have sette my hand to this my last will and testamente the daye and yeare above written

No witnesses

Probate 31 January 1620