NRO Ref: 1st Series 1510-1636. Book P. 117.
Will dated 14th December 1565.
Proved 24th January 1565. [1565/66]

Testament of John ADKINS of Weston in the Parish of Weedon Pinckney, deceased 
anno domini1565.

In the name of god Amen anno domini 1565 14th day of December. I John ADKINS of 
Weston in the parish of Weedon Pinckney, yeomen of hole mind and perfect memory 
make my last will in form ensuing.

 First I bequeath my sole to god, to our Lady Saint Marie and to all the holy company of 
heaven and my body to be buried in the parish church of Weedon aforesaid so near my 
father as may be in Saint Catherine’s isle in the upper end of the same.

 Also I give and bequeath to the mother church of Peterborough 4d.

 Also I give to Henry ADKINS my son 6 silver spoons with Lions at the ends and all 
manner of stuff that came from Winchester shall be equally divided between my wife 
Agnes ADKINS and my son Henry ADKINS except a silver spoon and a maser which I 
give to William ADKINS my son.

And also all the rest of my spoons I give to my wife Agnes ADKINS to give where she 
will.

And I give to John ADKINS my son the mese lying in Weston Nicolas ADKINS on the 
north side and Thomas COCKES of Ringsted on the south side with all thereto 
belonging. 

Also I give to my wife Agnes ADKINS my orchard and she to bestow it after her death as 
she shall see cause.

Also I give to Thomas ADKINS my son the mese at Millthorpe that I bought of Sir 
Thomas ANDREWS with all thereto belonging.

Also I give to Richard ADKINS my son Eleven acres of lands that I bought of Sir Thomas 
ANDREWS and the mese I bought of Humphrey BAYNTON lying at Weedon.
 
Also I give to Amy ADKINS my daughter in money or money worth 10 pounds and I give 
to Agnes ADKINS my daughter in money or money worth 10 pounds and further at my 
wife Agnes discretion.

And I give to my daughter in law Anne ADKINS the best christening sheet.

 Also I give to every godchild that I have 4 pence.

 And my sons Richard ADKINS and John ADKINS shall enter both of lands and goods 
with all the profits both in town and fields at the age of 21 years And my wife Agnes 
ADKINS shall keep my sons Thomas ADKINS, Richard ADKINS and John ADKINS and 
their goods and lands until they come to the age of 21 years And if any of my said sons 
Thomas ADKINS, Richard ADKINS or John ADKINS depart the world before they come 
to the said age then any one of them shall be the others heir both of lands and goods 
equally among them And if it shall happen any of my said sons Thomas ADKINS, 
Richard ADKINS or John ADKINS to sett let or sell any of their said lands they shall sett 
them let thereof or sell thereof to the heirs of the said John ADKINS and to no other 
giving so much as any man will without sound caution or deceit at the discretion and 
conscience of 4 of the honestest men in Weston And Weedon.

 And when my son Richard ADKINS comes to the age of 21 years Henry ADKINS my 
son and my heir shall give to the said Richard ADKINS my son 10 pounds of good and 
lawful money of England for Eleven acres of lands that I bought of Sir Thomas 
ANDREWS with the mese lying in Weedon that I bought of Humphrey BAYNTON.

And I give to Henry ADKINS my son my best cart all manner of Lofts, Beast lairs, horse 
lairs and all racks, the steping fat, the lead, a grind iron, a mattress, the best cupboard, a 
table and a form at the departing of my wife Agnes ADKINS.

 Also I will that every of my overseers shall have for his pains taking 2 shillings apiece.

 All the rest of my goods not bequeathed my debts paid my burial done and my legacies 
performed I give the one half to my wife Agnes ADKINS and the other half I give to my 
sons to Thomas ADKINS to Richard ADKINS and to John ADKINS.

 And I make my executors my wife Agnes ADKINS and my son Henry ADKINS And my 
son Henry ADKINS being executor with my wife shall have for his pains taking 20 
shillings.

 And I make overseers of my will to see it performed George TAYLOUR of Weston 
Thomas HARRIS of Weston and Henry HORN of Moreton. 

Witnesses, Thomas FOX clerk vicar of Weedon Pinkney, William PERRIN, George 
TAYLOUR, Thomas WILLS and Robert GRAY.


Probate, 24th January 1565.