Will of Mary Brownejohn, (formerly Gwinnett, nee Newton, c.1600-c.1649)

In the name of God, Amen. I Mary Browne-John of the parish of Eastwoodhay in the county of Southampton, widow, being weak of body but of perfect memory, praised be God, do make and ordain this my last will and testament as followeth:

My soul I commend to God my maker and my body to the earth in assured hope of resurrection to life everlasting.   What estate God hath given me I dispose of as followeth:

First I give to my son John Gwinnett 100 pounds, to my son George Gwinnett 300 pounds, to my son Henry Browne-John 100 pounds, to my daughter Mary Gwinnett 300 pounds, to my daughter Sarah Browne-John 100 pounds; all which said several sums of money I give to my said children, John, George and Mary in full discharge and satisfaction of all legacies given or bequeathed to them or any of them by their father.  All which said several legacies above mentioned to be paid them when they shall respectively come to their several ages of twenty and one years. 

And I also give to my daughter, Mary, sixteen pounds yearly, to Henry, my son, twelve pounds yearly, and to my daughter, Sarah, twelve pounds yearly for their maintenance until they shall have received their several legacies or portions for the payment and discharge of which said several sums of money as aforesaid and of all other sums of money which I do owe and for which my lands stand charged, I will and demise all my manors and lands, tenements and hereditaments whatsoever with their appurtenances in the countries of Gloucester and Southampton or elsewhere, to my good friend and cousin George Townsend, gent, my brother-in-law, George Gwynnet, gent, William Dobbins the elder of Dumbleton in the county of Gloucester, gent and my son Richard Gwynnett and their heirs to the end and intent that they, out of the rents, issues and profits thereof or by any leases, grants or sale thereof or of any part thereof when and in what manner they shall think fit may discharge my said legacies, debts and  engagements and what part of my said manors, lands, tenements or hereditaments unsold or money left upon sale thereof after my sad debts, legacies and engagements paid and discharged, I will the same shall be, remain and come unto my eldest son Richard Gwynnett in discharge of all legacies given him by his father provided always and my will, meaning and desire is that my aforesaid executives together with my feoffees or trustees, Andrew Baber, gent.

And the aforesaid George Townsend, according to a deed or conveyance unto them made by me in trust for the satisfaction of my debts and legacies,shall first sell and dispose of it (if it conveniently may be) all my lands, tenements and hereditaments, in the county of Southampton as well, freehold or copyhold.  And if the monies thereof raised by the sale thereof or otherwise, will amount unto more than the said debts and legacies, then my will is that the surplusage of the monies so raised shall be equally divided betwixt my two younger children, Henry and Sarah, in lieu of their former legacies. 

But if the aforesaid lands, tenements and hereditaments in the said county of Southampton being sold will not amount unto such a sum of money as will pay and discharge all my debts and legacies (making the legacies of the said henry and Sarah) one hundred pounds apiece, then my will is that my manor, lands, tenements and hereditaments in Wormington in the county of Gloucester or some part thereof shall be granted, disposed or sold for the performance thereof according to the discretion of my said executors.

And I do give to my daughter Mary, my second best featherbed, two feather bolsters, two pillows, two pair of pillowbeers, three pair of flaxen sheets, my second best coverlid, and two pair of blankets.

Also, I give to my daughter Sarah, my third best featherbed, two feather bolsters, two pillows, two pair of pillowbeers, three pair of flaxen sheets, my third best coverlid, and two pair of blankets.

Item. I give to my daughter Mary a nut tipped with silver.  All the rest of my household stuff bequeathed I give to my son Richard.

Item. I give to the said Mr William Dobbins my little colt called Pippin.

Item. I give to my son Richard, my wedding ring that I had by his father and a gold ring with a diamond in it in the form of a hart.

Item. I give to my son Henry my wedding ring that I had by his father.

Item. I give to my daughter Mary my gold ring which was my mother’s wedding ring and a diamond ring.

Item. I give to my daughter Sarah one little gold ring.

Item. I give to my daughter Mry all my earring apparel. 

And I will that all the rest of my goods and chatells whatsoever shall and be employed and sold for the discharge of my funeral charges and debts.

And of this my last will and testament, I make and ordain my said son, Richard Gwinnett and my said friend George Townsend, George Gwinnett and William Dobbins executors, requesting their undertaking and discharge thereof.

Dated the eighteenth day of December, one thousand six hundred and forty eight.

Mary Brownejohn

Sealed, subscribed and published in the presence of Nicholas Young, Richard Gwinnett, John Phipps, the mark of Eleanor Warner.

Probatum.  12th October 1650(?)