Will of John Thorpe the elder of Granborough, yeoman, 1654 (proved 1655)

National Archives, PROB 11/243/290

In the name of God Amen I John Thorpe the Elder of Greenborough in the Countie of Bucks yeoman being in reasonable good health of bodie of sounde and perfect memorie thankes be given to Almightie God for the same but calling to minde the uncertaintie of mans Continuance in this transitorie life and for the disposing of my temporal Estate which God in mercie hath bestowed upon me here on Earth doe make my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following my bodie to the Earth to be decentlie interred att the discretion of my Executor hereafter named Item I give and bequeath unto the poore of Greenborough the summe of tenne shillings to be distributed amongst them on the Day of my Funerall att the discretion of my Executor Item I give unto my sonne John Thorpe the summe of twentie shillings Item I give unto my daughter Alice Cheshire the summe of twentie pence I give unto my sonne Hugh Thorpe my best horse or mare att his Choyce whether he will Elect and my best Carte and Wheeles and fortie pounds of good and lawfull money of England to be paid him by Executor within three yeares next after my decease Item I give unto my daughter Margarett Spooner twelve pence Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne William Thorpe one horse or mare which he will Elect of them (after) Hugh hath chosen And all my Carts not alreadie bequeathed together with my ploughs and all other furniture and implements of Husbandrie and all my household stuffe and fortie poundes of good and Lawfull money of England to be paid him by my Executor within three yeares next after my decease upon Condition that my said sonne William and [sic] shall and doe take care and provide for my Wife all necessaries of meate drinke and Lodging soe long as she shall live Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandchild John Thorpe sonne of my sonne John Thorpe twentie shillings Item I give unto my Grandchild Thomas Cheshire three poundes Item I give to my Grandchild Henerie Thorpe sonne of my sonne Richard Thorpe twentie shillings Item I give unto my sonne Robert Thorpe one horse or mare which he shall Choose after his brother Hugh and William and fortie shillings in money to be paid by my Executor within three yeare after my decease Item I give and devise unto my sonne Edward Thorpe All the rest and residue of my goods and Chattells unbequeathed whome I make and Constitute the onlie Executor of this my last Will and testament and hereof I do make William Norman of Shipton and my Kinsman George Thorpe of Stukelie Overseers and doe give and devise to them twentie shillings In Witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this twentith day of October In the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred fiftie fower.

John Thorpe his marke

Sealed and published in the presence of Nathaniell Croocher  George Thorpe

Proved at London 27th January 1654 by the oath of Edward Thorpe son and Executor having been sworn to Administer.

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Notes

John Thorpe was buried at Granborough on 5 Jan 1654/5, and his widow Elizabeth was buried in 1659. Some of their children were baptised at Granborough, starting in 1617 with John. Margaret Thorpe married William Spooner at Winslow in 1653.