Will of John Meaks of Addington, 1701 (proved 1703)

Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies, D/A/Wf/61/2

In the Name of God Amen I John Meaks of Addington in the County of Bucks being very weak and ill but of sound mind and memory my thanks I render to Almighty God do make and Constitute this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First I Bequeath my Body to the ground to be buried in that decent manner as my Executrix here after named shall think fit and \my/ soul I resine into the hands of God my Creatour hoping for Eternall salvation through the merits of my Redeemer Christ Jesus: As to my goods and Chattles I dispose thereof as follows and first of all my minde and Will is, that my sister Elizabeth Meakes shall \have/ and Enjoy all the Crop of corn in the Barn to wit Barly and Beans and likewise all the Hey about the yard and I hereby declare that I give her ye Cow w(hi)ch belonges to me, and the Hog in the yard and Eight of the Best sheep w(hi)ch I desire my Brother Francis Meakes to Chose out for her and I likewise give her all the wood in the yard and all the Goods and mony about the house but my minde is that if my sister Elizabeth should marry that then Hall the Household goods should be taken from her, and the other\?s/ Equally devided amongst my two Brothers Joseph and Thomas his children, But if she continues unmaryed I give all my goods and Chattles before mentioned to her and her Heires for ever I give likewise my other twelve sheepe being the remaining part of my liveing Cattle to my three sisters in law and theire Children that is to say to Each of my sisters to sheepe a piece \& to my Brothers Thomas & Josephs Sons two sheep a piece/ and farther my minde and Desire is that my sister Elizabeth Meakes shall so long as she continues unmaryed be under the sole management of my Brother Francis Meakes whome I doe hereby make and Constitute her Gardian, to govern and manage \her/ according to the best of his skill and Knowledge, and to make the best of every thing for her use and Advantage so long as she lives A single life; and of this my last Will and Testament I make my sister Elizabeth Meakes sole Executrix in Wittness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this Twenty first day of [?]April Anno Dom(ini) 1701

The marke of John Meakes [seal]

In the presence of
[signatures] Will Wallinger
Jos' Downing
Francis Winton

[Probate 30 April 1703 before Oliver [?]Garkler clerk MA surrogate of the Venerable Thomas Ayloffe LLD commissary and official in the Archdeaconry of Bucks. The burden of execution and administration of all the goods and chattels was granted to Elizabeth Meakes natural sister and executrix.]

Notes

For the family, see the will of John's mother Frances Meakes (d.1699). Presumably John, Frances and Elizabeth lived together. John was buried on 7 Oct 1701.