Will of John Janes of Granborough, yeoman, 1651 (proved 1658)

National Archives, PROB 11/285/236

In the name of God Amen I John Janes of Granborough in the county of Buckingham yeoman beinge weake of Body but in good and perfect memorie (Thankes bee unto Almighty God) doe in the presence of my well beloved friends, make and ordayne this my last will and Testament in manner and forme followinge (That is to say) First and above all I Commend my Soule unto the hands of Almighty God my Creator Trustinge and assuredly beleivinge through the merritts, death and passion of his deare sonne Jesus Christ my alone blessed Saviour and Redeemer, to bee made partaker of his heavenly Kingdome And my body to bee Interred in Christian buriall in Reverent sort accordinge to the discretion of mine Executrix hereafter named and others my good freinds. And for and concerneinge my worldly Estate and goods which by Gods mercy I enioy I doe hereby declare my minde and intent to dispose thereof as followeth, Inprimis I give and bequeath unto Mary Foddergale my sister Twelve pence of lawfull money of England Item I give and bequeath unto John Stevens my Godsonne Twelve pence of like english money Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Father in lawe Thomas Hale of Granborough aforesayd, the Summe of sixe pence of lawfull english money, whom I request and appoint to bee the Overseer of this my last will and Testament The rest of all my Goods, Cattell, Chattells, and personall Estate whatsoever not hereby given and bequeathed, I freely give and bequeath unto Anne Janes my well beloved wife, whom I make sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament. In witnes whereof I the said John Janes have hereunto set my hand and seale the sixth day of October in the yeare of our Lord God, (according to the computation used in England) One thousand six hundred fifty and one.

John Janes,
Signed, sealed published and declared to be the last Will and Testament of the above named John Janes the Testator In the presence of Ric(hard) Taylor and Richard Auger his marke, Robert Bouden

Proved in London 9th December 1658 by the oath of Anne Janes Relict and Executrix to whom Administration was granted.

Notes

John Janes was baptised at Winslow in 1624, son of Stephen Janes of Biggin (d.1638) and nephew of Martha Janes the owner of Biggin. He appears to have married Anne Hale at Steeple Claydon in 1640; she was baptised at Granborough in 1618. He made his will in 1651 when "weak of body" but was only buried at Granborough on 12 Nov 1658. He inherited his father's lease of Biggin but may have given it up due to bad health, as Martha Janes' daughter seems to have had a different tenant in 1654. After his death, his widow Anne married John Hogson of Winslow in 1660 (he died in 1679 - see his will).

Mary the sister, who is mentioned in Stephen Janes' will and was probably born at Thame before he came to Winslow, could be the Mary Janes who married John Pothergill at St Benet Paul's Wharf in 1640.

There were three John Stevens baptised at Granborough 1640-1, so it's not clear which one was the godson.