In the name of God Amen I Anthony Collett of Slaughter in the County of Gloucester being in body feeble but of good and perfect remembrance I thank my God do make my last will and testament in form and manner following
First I bequeath my soul unto the hands of Almighty God my Creator by through the merits of Jesus Christ I hope to be saved my body I bequeath to be buried in the churchyard of Over Slaughter my worldly goods I direct and bequeath in manner and form following
First I bequeath unto Henry my son all my freehold and lease land at Naunton And all my free lands at Stowe (on-the-Wold) and all my free land at Over Slaughter forever
And do grant my free land at Bourton (on-the-Water) the term of Twelve years after my decease and then to remain to my son John forever
But my will is that my wife shall enjoy my house and two yard lands and a hall belonging unto it that I now dwell in during her life if she leave herself widow and will be contented to be my executrix of my will, but if she shall hereafter challenge or cheque any right or interest in any of my free land or doth or will refuse to be my executrix of this my will and testament then she shall gain but the chamber and three of my best .
Also I give to my son Henry two hundred pounds to be paid within the term of one year after my decease also the second best bed with the furniture belonging unto him also the second best coffer two .. one standing in the kitchen and the other in the house that shall now dwelleth in and one being with wheels and other furniture belonging to it, one pair of harrows one plough with .. to him and the Iron Barr, the sheep brand the toadstone .- and scales, and the table board in the hall ..
The .. , brass ..., horse manger, the furnace, malt mill, and two I give to my son Henry at the marriage of my wife or at her death which shall first happen or come to pass
Item to my son John I give fifty pounds to be paid within five years after my decease and the fourth best bed with the furniture belonging to him and the coffer which I now have to my private use and all the timber at Nether Slaughter and my free lands at Bourton conditionally that he makes no cheque to any or for any debts on would due to him in my lifetime of or for his living in Nether Slaughter If he doth make any challenge for any then my will is that my son Henry shall have the free lands at Bourton forever conditionally that he shall defend my executrix from any such -or debts
Item I give my daughter Anne Minchin five pounds and to her four children six pounds a piece to be paid within two years after my death
Item to my daughter Elizabeth one hundred and fifty pounds the third best bed with the furniture to him the .. and coffer and the fine pewter
Item to Henry Benfield the younger a good sheep
Item to the poor of Stowe forty shillings
Item to the poor of Over Slaughter four bushels of barley
Item to the poor of Nether Slaughter twenty shillings
Item to the poor of Bourton twenty shillings
Item to the poor of Naunton twenty shillings to be paid at the discretion of my Trustees
Item to my servants two shillings six pence a year
Item I
give to my brother-in-law William Hules,
Item my will is that my son Henry shall give to my brother William Collett forty shillings a year during his life
Item my will is that if my daughter Elizabeth shall die within or under the age of one and twenty years unmarried then her award to be equally divided amongst her two brothers and her sister
Item all the rest of my goods unbequeathed I give to my wife whom I make my executrix of this my will and testament conditionally that she keep my house in order and repair that I now dwell in and that she fell no timber trees in any of my free lands or lease lands afore named
Item I give to every one of my god children twelve pence a piece
In witness of this my Will and Testament I have put to my hand this eighth day of April in the year of our Lord God 1627 Anthony Collett (his mark)
Witnesses
to this Will are
His
children were Henry Collett (Ref. 14G2),
Anne Minchin nee Collett (Ref. 14G1) and Elizabeth Collett (Ref. 14G3)
The
relationship to