Will dated 20th September 1622.
Probate 7th April 1626.

In the name of God Amen, the twentieth day of the month of September Anno Domini 1622 
Wittnesseth that I John ASTILL late of Weston in the parish of Loys Weedon in the county of 
Northampton, yeoman, whole in body and mind, and of good and perfect memory thanks be 
given unto god, Do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First I do give and bequeath my soul unto Almighty God my maker and redeemer and my body to 
buried whereas god shall appoint.

Item, I do give and bequeath unto ten of the poorest householders inhabiting within the parish of 
Weedon aforesaid four pence the whole to be distributed at the discretion of my Executor within 
two months next after my decease.

Item, I do give and bequeath unto Joyce SWANUELL one hundred pounds of good and lawful 
monie of England to be paid unto her the said Joyce at two severall payments, that is to say fifty 
pounds to be paid within six months next after my decease And the other fifty pounds being part 
of the aforesaid one hundred pounds I will shall be paid unto her with six months next after the 
payment of the first fifty pounds.

Item, I do give and bequeath unto Edmund SHORTLAND son of Vincent SHORTLAND of 
Helmden in the county aforesaid, yeoman all that my house and tenement in Weston aforesaid 
wherein I late dwelt with all manner of houses, edifices, buildings, gardens, orchards, back sides 
and ? there unto adjoining And also two yard land and a half with meadows, commons, pastures, 
feed, pigs, profits, commodities and advantages whatsoever there unto belonging or in any way 
appertaining, and also two cottage houses, one in the tenure or occupation of John ALLIBONDE, 
and the other in the occupation of Edward OXEN with all manner of profits unto either of them 
belonging or appertaining, to him the said Edmund SHORTLAND and his heirs for ever in 
consideration of the which gift and bequeathing of two yard land and a half before expressed the 
said Edmund SHORTLAND or his assigns shall pay unto the aforesaid Joyce SWANUELL that 
hundred pounds before given and bequeathed unto her at such times and days as is before in this 
my present will and testament specified and expressed Provided always and my will also is that it 
shall and may be lawful for the above named Vincent SHORTLAND his heirs and assigns to 
have hold occupy possesse and enjoy all the profits commodities and advantages what so ever of 
all the lands and tenements within this my present will 7 and bequeathed for and during and until 
such time and times as the said Edward SHORTLAND shall discharge and sett free his said 
father Vincent SHORTLAND his heirs, Executors and assigns and every of them from certain 
obligations or written obligations wherein the said Vincent SHORTLAND his heirs and assigns 
stand bound for the payment of one hundred pounds unto Joyce SWANUELL as aforesaid. ~

Item, I do further give and bequeath unto the aforesaid Edward SHORTLAND one feather bed 
with a mattress, two pair of sheets and one pillow, one blanket, one bolster and one pillow, one 
brass pot, one kettle, one posnett, one tub, one boulting hutch, one trough, one questem, one spice 
morter with the pestall there unto belonging, one iron bar, one malt arck, two platters, two pewter 
dishes, a lead, one cupboard, the seeling in the hall, one table and frame e form and benches in 
the hall Provided further my will is that if the said Edward SHORTLAND shall fortune to marry 
without the lawful consent of me the said John ASTILL during my natural life or of Vincent 
SHORTLAND his father or contrary to our good liking, then all these moveable household goods 
before bequeathed to the aforesaid Edmund shall be disposed of at the discretion of my Executor.

Item, I do give and bequeath unto Elizabeth SHORTLAND daughter of Vincent SHORTLAND 
one silver spoon and one Ked [Red] coffer standing over the kitchen.

Item, I do give and bequeath unto Millicent SHORTLAND one silver spoon and one coffer to be 
delivered her at the discretion of my Executor.

Item, I do give and bequeath unto six of Thomas SMALBONE his youngest children to each of 
them twelve pence to be paid unto them within two months next after my decease.

Item, I do give and bequeath unto each of my godchildren four pounds, the rest of all my goods 
and chattelles unbequeathed, my debts paid and funeral discharged I do give and bequeath unto 
Vincent SHORTLAND whom I do make my whole Executor in Witness whereof I have here 
unto set my hand and seal the twentieth day of September in the year of the reign of our 
Sovereign Lord James by the grace of god of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the 
faith the twentieth and of Scotland the sixth, 1622, John ASTILL his mark sealed and published 
in the presence of John TAYLOR, Thomas SHORTLAND: memorand that those ten households 
above mentioned are these viz: Edward OXEN, Shirley MAYOE, Randoll BULL, William 
PAVIOR, John ALLIBONDE, Nicholas CAPILL, John WARCOUST, Nicholas 
CHAMBERLAINE, Emma TIPPINGE.

Probate granted to Vincent SHORTLAND 7th April 1626
Inventory 26 pounds 15 shillings 2 pence.


John ASTILL was buried at Helmdon 9th February 1625.





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