In the name of God Amen …. of November in the year of Our Lord …. Francis Bland of Aldrington in the County of Northampton Yeoman …. in body …. of perfect memory …. thanks to Almighty God do ….in manner & form following that is to say first I bequeath my soul to Almighty God hoping to be saved by the … merits of his Son …. and I desire to be buried in the churchyard of Aldrington near to the bodies of my former wives; deceased. And ….. (heretofore considering the faults of my life). I have made former wills all which what … I do for those before utterly disclaim dis..all and make frustrate and this only to stand and be my last Will and Testament. And now therefore vouching good and chattels several as well personal.
I bequeath to my son Richard Bland the messuage ten..d wherein I now dwell with all edifices, orchards, gardens, lands, meadows pastures with other hereditaments and appurtenances thereto belonging. And with the same used then occupied by me and my assign or assigns. And to either upon the same present after my decease.
I give and bequeath unto Edward Bland my son Richard's son my cupboard now standing in the parlour with all the things in the hall except the cupboard there. And also I give & bequeath unto said Edward my bed in the parlour wherein I now lie with all the furniture and bedding belonging to the said bed.
Item I give & bequeath to John Bland my son Richard's son the cupboard now standing in the hall, and I do likewise give to him the said John my bed in the loft over the parlour with all the bedding and furniture belonging to the same bed together with the table and form there.
Item I give and bequeath to the daughter of my said son Richard all my brass & pewter to be equally divided amongst them, and that all my bedding linen and api.. not before bequeathed shall be equally divided amongst all of the children both sons & daughters of the said Richard my son.
Item I give and bequeath to all the rest of my children, two shillings apiece to be paid to them within three months next after my decease.
Item I give & bequeath to so many of the children as well sons as daughters of John Snoxall of Wicken which he had by my daughter which he married twelve pence a piece to be paid to them with in six months next after my decease. And my Will is that Amie my now wife shall have … which of my goods and household stuff bequeathed for and during her natural life she keeping herself a widow as Cuthbert Ogell of B… and my brother Richard Bland I shall appoint her to furnish her a room with all, provided that the same be approved by her executors … or assigns left as good and valuable as there shall be esteemed by them at the … her entry there upon. And that she shall have one half of the fruit growing in the orchard during the said term. All the rest of my goods and chattels my debts legacies and funeral expenses being paid and discharged I give and bequeath to Richard Bland my son whom I constitute and make executor of this my last Will and Testament desiring my cousins William Bland of Towcester and Richard Bland of Blisworth to be overseers of this my last Will and Testament and to endeavor to see the same truly performed.
Witness whereof to this my said last Will and Testament I have set my hand and seal … the day and year first above written.
Signed sealed and confirmed in the presence of these witnesses … persons under named.
Michael Lemme, clerk
Edward Holeman his mark
Thomas Saunders
Proved 21st. April 1626
Inventory value £230 19s 9d
