In the name of God Amen the tenth day of November 1687 and in the third year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King James the second. I John Smith alias Caves of Aldrington in the county of Northampton yeoman being of perfect memory and remembrance praised be to God first do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my maker hoping that through the meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer to receive free pardon for all my sins past present and to come and as for my body to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of my executor hereafter nominated.
I do give and bequeath to my son John Caves all my land in Yardley Gubbin in the county of Northampton and all other elsewhere excepting his mother's third if she demands it to be in his present possession so soon as it shall please God to take me out of this life And my desire is that he shall continue with his mother during the term of this lease which is four years and for his pains and service she shall allow him time and her term and all things necessary for the dressing of and tilling of the land aforesaid and at the end of four years his mother is to give him four horses with their gears that they draw in and also six beast.
Item I do give to my daughter Mary Baldwin the wife of Hugh Baldwin the sum of five shillings.
Item I do give to my daughter Elizabeth Foster widow the sum of thirty pounds to be paid her within half a year after my decease.
Item I do give to my daughter Ann Caves the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid to her at her marriage if she pleases her mother in her marriage but if she doth not then she is to stand to her mothers courtesy. Excepting the sum of 5 shillings and I do allow her mother to dispose of her portion as she please.
Also I do nominate and appoint my loving wife Mary Caves to be my full and whole executrix of this my last Will and Testament and she to pay and discharge all [illeg] debts and funeral charges.
In witness whereof I have set to my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of.