PERIOR Joshua, Gentleman of Godalming
Will written 10 November 1647
PRO Ref: PROB 11/208
 
In the name of God Amen
The tenth day of November in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred forty and 
seven and in the three and twentieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord of England 
Scotland France and Ireland King and Defender of the Faith etc I Joshua PERIOR the elder of 
Godalming in the county of Surrey Gent being in good health of body and of mind and perfect 
memory thanks and praise be attributed and given to Almighty God calling to mind the frailty 
of our life here on earth (utterly revoking all former wills by me heretofore made) do make 
and ordain this my present Testament containing herein my last Will in manner and form 
following that is to say First and principally I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty 
God who gave it me … And my body I will to be decently buried within the parish church of 
Godalming aforesaid at the discretion of my executrix and overseers hereunder named. Item – 
I give and bequeath unto the poor people of the parish of Godalming aforesaid the sum of 
three pounds of lawfull English money to be distributed amongst them upon the day of my 
burial and the like discretion of my Executrix and overseer hereunder named. Item – My Will 
and meaning is that my overseers hereunder named or the survivor of them shall have full 
administration and authority (by force and virtue of this my last Will and Testament) 
immediately after my decease, not only to enter into and upon all my Messuages Land 
Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever with their appurtenances, and to have receive and 
take all the rents ---- and profits thereof and of every part and parcel thereof But also to carry 
receive and take into their custody all my goods chattels cattoll? and ---, plate jewellery, 
household stuff, utensils and debts to me owing and all other my personal estate whatsoever 
Upon special trust and confidence nevertheless and to the uses intent and purposes following 
That is to say that they or the survivor of them or the Executors or Administrators of them 
shall and will satisfy and discharge and pay or cause to be paid all my debts and funeral 
expenses and all the several legacies herein --- mentioned to be by me given or bequeathed at 
the funeral and respective times hereby limited? for payment thereof And with and to this 
further trust intent and purpose that from and after payment and satisfaction had and made by 
my said overseers hereunder named of my said funeral expenses debts and legacies according 
to their several limitations hereafter expressed that then they or the survivor of them shall and 
will within one month then next insuing well and surely give yield --- surrender and deliver a 
time ------ and ------ Attempt in writing as well of all the paid good chattels, cattolls? and 
personal Estate whatsoever together with any surplus thereof (if any be) unto my Executrix 
hereunder named and also as aforesaid Rent and profit of all and singular the said Messuages 
Land and Tenements (so by them inscribed?) together with the --- possession of the same 
Messuages Lands and premises  (and the surplus of the paid rent thereof if any be) unto my 
several children unto whom the same shall be severally and respectively devised and given by 
force and virtue of this my said last Will and Testament and to no other use or intent or 
purposes whatsoever. Item – I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lydia PERIOR the sum of 
one hundred and fourscore pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto her the said 
Lydia by my overseers hereunder named in two years next after my decease. Item – I give and 
bequeath unto my daughter Margarett PERIOR the sum of one hundred pounds of lawfull 
money of England to be paid unto her the said Margarett at her age of twenty and one years: 
Which paid sum of one hundred pounds last mentioned given and bequeathed to my said 
daughter Margarett my will and meaning is that William PERIOR my eldest son his executors 
or assigns or such other person or persons as shall have the Estate and Inheritance of my lands 
tenements and hereditaments called ----land lying and being in the parish of Wisborough 
Green in the county of Sussex by force and virtue of my said last Will and Testament shall 
not well and truly satisfy discharge and pay unto my said daughter Margarett PERIOR at her 
said age of twenty and one years the said sum of one hundred pounds of lawful English 
money that it shall and may be good and lawfull to and for my said Daughter Margarett 
PERIOR her heirs and assigns by force and virtue of this my said last Will and Testament to 
enter into and upon all my said lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever with the 
appurtenances named lying and being in Wisborough Green aforesaid And to have hold and 
enjoy? all the same lands tenaments and hereditaments and the rents ----- and profits thereof 
and of every part thereof ---- and ---- up to and for her and their own proper use and ---- until 
the said William PERIOR my son or such other person or persons which shall have the said 
Estate and Inheritance of the said lands tenements and hereditaments called ----land by force 
and virtue of this my said last Will and Testament shall pay and satisfy unto my said Daughter 
Margarett PERIOR her Executors or assigns the said sum of one hundred pounds and the ---- 
thereof (if there be). Item – I give and bequeath unto the said Margarett my daughter the sum 
of forty pounds more of lawfull money of England to be paid unto her the said Margarett by 
my overseers hereunder named immediately after such time as she shall accomplish her full 
age of twenty and one years Item – I give will and devise unto my son George PERIOR and 
the heirs of his body for ever all that my lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever 
which I lately bought and purchased of Joshua SMYTH and Johan his wife lying and being in 
Eshinge in the parish of Godalming aforesaid Provided always And my will and meaning is if 
it shall happen my said son George to die and depart this life without heirs of his body 
lawfully begotten then all the said lands and tenements (so unto him mentioned to be given 
and devised aforesaid) shall be and remain the right hand of me Joshua PERIOR Item – I give 
and bequeath unto my said son George PERIOR the sum of twenty pounds of lawfull English 
money to be paid unto him the said George by my overseers hereunder named within one year 
next after my decease Item – I give and devise unto my son Phillipp PERIOR and the heirs of 
his body for ever all my Messuages Lands and Tenements and hereditaments whatsoever with 
the appurtenances I recently bought and purchased of John Morely Thomas CHAMPION and 
John SMALPEACE situate lying and being in the tything of Farncombe and in Cathull?? 
meade? in the parish of Godalming aforesaid in the said county of Surrey And my will and 
meaning is that if it shall happen my said son Phillipp to die and depart this life without heirs 
of his body lawfully begotten then all the said Messuages Lands tenements and hereditaments 
(so as aforesaid mentioned to be given and devised to him the said Phillipp) shall be and 
remain unto my son John PERIOR and the heirs of his body for ever. And my further will 
intent and meaning is that if it shall happen my said son John PERIOR to die and depart this 
life without heirs of his body lawfully begotten then all the said Messuages Lands Tenements 
and hereditaments for as aforesaid mentioned to be situate lying and being in the parish of 
Farncombe and Cathull? meade aforesaid shall be and remain unto the right hand of me the 
said Joshua PERIOR forever. Item – I give and bequeath unto the said Phillipp PERIOR my 
son the sum of threescore and ten pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto him 
the said Phillipp by my overseers hereunder named immediately after such time as he shall 
accomplish his full age of twenty and three years Item – I give and devise unto my said son 
John PERIOR and the heirs of his body for ever all those two Closes? of land with their 
appurtenances which I purchased of Henry PURCHIS gentleman deceased lying and being in 
the parish of Godalming aforesaid adjoining or lying near a certain lane then called 
Greenelane. Item – I give and devise unto my said son John PERIOR and the heirs of his 
body for ever all that Close of land with appurtenances which I purchased of William 
PERIOR deceased and Anne his wife called by the name of Shortlands lying and being in 
Godalming field within the parish of Godalming aforesaid in the said county of Surrey  And 
my will and meaning is that if it should happen my said son John PERIOR to die and depart 
this life without heirs of his body lawfully begotten then the said three Closes of land with 
their appurtenances so as aforesaid mentioned to be given and devised unto him the said John 
PERIOR and the heirs of his body shall be and remain unto my said son Phillipp PERIOR and 
the heirs of his body for ever and if it shall happen my said son Phillipp PERIOR to die and 
depart this life also without heirs of his body lawfully begotten then my will and meaning is 
the aforesaid three several Closes of land so as aforesaid mentioned to be purchased of and 
from the aforenamed Henry PURCHIS William PERIOR and Anne his wife adjoining to the 
said lane called Greenelane aforesaid and called by the name of Shortlands aforesaid shall be 
and remain unto the right hand of me the said Joshua PERIOR for ever. Item – I give and 
bequeath unto my said son John PERIOR the sum of forty pounds of lawfull money of 
England to be paid unto the said John by my overseers hereunder named at such time as he 
shall accomplish his full age of twenty and three years. Item – I give and devise unto the said 
William PERIOR (my son) and the heirs of his body for ever all my aforementioned lands 
tenements and hereditaments with the appurtenances called ….land lying and being in the 
parish of Wisborough Green aforesaid in the county of Sussex Paying satisfying and 
discharging unto my said daughter Margarett PERIOR the aforesaid sum of one hundred 
pounds of lawful English hereinbefore mentioned to be given and bequeathed unto her the 
said Margarett PERIOR my daughter. Item – I give and devise unto the said William my son 
and the heirs of his body for ever all my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments 
whatsoever and the appurtenances situate lying and being in Bramley in the parish of Shalford 
in the said county of Surrey. Item – I give and devise unto my said son William PERIOR and 
the heirs of his body for ever all that my Messuage or Tenament …. garden and orchard with 
the appurtenances situate lying and being in the Town of Godalming aforesaid in the said 
county of Surrey which I had of the gift and grant of my late father William PERIOR 
deceased And my will and meaning is that if it should happen that my said son William 
PERIOR shall die and depart this life without heirs of his body legally begotten then the said 
lands tenements and hereditaments called ----lands lying and being in Wisborough Green 
aforesaid and the said messuage tenement garden and orchard situate lying and being in 
Shalford aforesaid and the said mesuage tenement garden and orchard situate lying and being 
in Godalming town aforesaid with their and every of their appurtenances shall be and remain 
unto the several and respective uses intents and purposes after in and by this my last Will and 
Testament severally and respectively limited expressed and declared That is to say As 
concerning the said lands and tenements called ----land the same shall be and remain unto my 
said son George PERIOR and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for ever And for want of 
such issue the same shall be and remain unto the right hand of me the said Joshua PERIOR 
for ever And as concerning the said messuages lands and tenements in Shalford aforesaid the 
same shall be and remain unto my son Joshua PERIOR and the heirs of his body lawfully 
begotten or to be begotten for ever And for want of such issue the same shall be and remain 
unto the right hand of me the said Joshua PERIOR for ever And as concerning the said 
messuage garden and orchard in Godalming Town aforesaid the same shall be and remain 
unto my said son John PERIOR and the heirs of his body lawfully to be begotten for ever And 
for want of such issue the same shall be and remain unto the right hand of me the said Joshua 
PERIOR for ever And to and for none other  the uses intent and purposes whatsoever. Item – I 
give and bequeath unto my said son William PERIOR one dozen of ---- silver spoons called 
Apostle spoons and one ---- dish tipped with silver. Item – I give and bequeath unto my said 
son Joshua the sum of twenty pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto him the 
said Joshua by my overseers hereunder named within one year next after my decease. Item – I 
give and bequeath unto my said son Phillipp PERIOR all my part and portion of all the Tithes 
and Tenthes of all and all manner of corn, grain, grass and hay which I hold enjoy and yearly? 
sale? of within those tithings territories lands and grounds of Godalming aforesaid by force 
and virtue of one Indenture of Lease thereof formerly made unto my late father in law* 
Phillipp WESTE deceased whereof diverse? leases and yet to come and unexpired. And all 
my right tithe and interest in and to the same Tithes and Indenture and unto all and every part 
and parcel thereof. To have and to hold the same my aforesaid part and portion of Tithes unto 
my said son Phillip, hes Executors and Assigns to his and their own use from and 
immediately after the decease of Margarett my wife (and not before) for and during all the all 
the rest and residue of the same of leases in and by the before mentioned Indenture of Lease 
granted as aforesaid as each be them to come and unexpired holdings and paying …. and 
therefore yearly and every year during and by all the said residue of the before mentioned 
sum of leases? unto my said son John PERIOR his Executors or assigns the sum of ten 
pounds of lawful money of England at and upon the two most …. Feasts ………… (that is to 
say) the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel and the Annunciation of Marie the Blessed Virgin 
or within thirty days next after either of the same feasts by even and equal portions? yearly to 
be paid The first payment thereof to begin and be made at and upon the Feast of St. Michael 
the Archangel shall next and immediately happen after the decease of the said Margarett my 
wife. Provided always and my intent will and meaning is that if the said Phillipp PERIOR my 
son his Executors or Administrators shall not well and truly satisfy content and pay or cause 
to be contented and paid unto my said son John PERIOR his executors or assigns the 
aforesaid yearly rent or sum of ten pounds during and until the end and expiration of the said 
Lease at the Feast before lymitted? for payment thereof in manner and forms aforesaid 
according to the purpose and fair meaning of this my said last Will and Testament, that then it 
shall and may be good and lawful to and for my said son John PERIOR his Executors and 
Assigns by form and virtue of this my said last Will and Testament to enter into and upon all 
my aforesaid part and portion of Tithes before mentioned And the same to have hold enjoy 
and yearly take …. to his and their share? … during all the residue of the terms of years as 
shall be then to come and unexpired in as full large and ample manner and form in every 
respect as the same and before mentioned to be hereby given and bequeathed to the said 
Phillipp PERIOR my son. The said John PERIOR then holding and paying thereon and 
therefore yearly and every year until the end and expiration of the said Lease unto the said 
Phillipp PERIOR his brother his executors or assigns the sum of Ten Pounds of lawful money 
of England at the respective Feasts aforesaid or within thirty days next after either of the same 
feasts in manner and form respectively to all intents and purposes on that behalf so as before 
in and by this my said last Will and Testament lymitted expressed and declared. Provided also 
and it is my full intent will and meaning that if it shall fortune any or either of my aforesaid 
several children to die and depart this life before his her or their portion or portions shall 
become due and payable in part or in all by virtue of ….. (having no child? of his her of their 
body or bodies lawfully begotten then living that the several and …. portion or portions of 
him her or them so dying or such part thereof as shall not be due to be paid according to the 
intent and several limitations of this my said last will to remain and to be equally divided to 
and amongst all and every my then surviving children without frauds or guile. Item. I give 
and bequeath unto Joshua PURCHIS the sum of four? pounds of lawfull money of England to 
be paid unto him the said Joshua PURCHIS by my Overseers hereunder named within four 
years next after my decease. Item. I give and bequeath unto Sisley PURCHASE the sum of 
three pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto her the said Sisley by my Overseers 
hereunder named within four years next after my decease. All the rest and residue of my 
goods cattolls chattels household effects utensils and implements of household …? within 
doors as without hereby before not bequeathed (after my debts and legacies paid and my 
funeral expenses discharged) I give and bequeath unto the aforesaid Margarett my loving wife 
whom I make nominate and appoint sole Executrix of this my said last Will and Testament 
and I ordain make and appoint my two sons Joshua PERIOR and George PERIOR Overseers 
of this my said last Will and Testament not doubting their faithful performance and fine 
execution of all things on their parts hereby …. to be performed and executed desiring them 
further to be or cause the same my said last Will in all other things (to their benefit … and 
best ….) to be well and fairly executed and performed according to my true meaning hereby 
declare and according to the special trust and confidence I repose in them. And I give to each 
of them for their pains and care herein to be taken and bestowed …. over and above their 
reasonable charges and expenses by them to be disbursed and laid out in or concerning the 
premises?. And third the Lord have mercy on me. In witness whereof to every written sheet of 
paper of this my last Will and Testament I the said Joshua PERIOR have subscribed my name 
and fixed my seal at the top thereof the day and year first above written. Anno Domini one 
thousand six hundred forty seven (Signed: Joshua PERIOR) Sealed signed published and 
declared by the above named Joshua PERIOR the elder for his last Will and Testament in the 
presence of Richard RAPSILLION Joshua BADGER John TOLEFIELD.

MEMORANDUM That upon the sixteenth day of October Anno Domini one thousand six 
hundred forty eight the within named Joshua PERIOR the elder did declare his intent will and 
meaning to be that in case the within named Margarett his wife shall …. receive or take the 
Third of his land before his debts and legacies be discharged by virtue of her ….. happening 
therein after his decease except the several lands settled by Deed upon the within named 
Joshua PERIOR the younger, That then the within named Joshua PERIOR the younger and 
George PERIOR his son shall immediately after her taking and leavying? the same third have 
full power and authority to leavy and take all the tithes within mentioned for and towards the 
… speedy satisfaction and payment of the several legacies within bequeathed anything within 
contained not withstanding to the contrary. And the said Joshua PERIOR the elder doth 
further declare his full intent and meaning to be that the within named Joshua PERIOR and 
George PERIOR his sons, shall have full power and authority immediately after his decease 
to fell cut down and carry away all Trees of Oak (except young Tillors) standing growing and 
being upon all or any part of his lands lying in Bramley …. in written for and towards the 
most speedy payment and satisfaction of the several legacies before herein bequeathed And 
that they the said Joshua and George shall have five years apiece? for avoiding? the same 
Woods? In witness whereof the said Joshua PERIOR the elder hath subscribed his name the 
day and year aforesaid. Signed and declared by the said Joshua PERIOR the elder for part of 
his last Will and Testament in the presence of John TOLEFIELD and Joshua BADGER. And 
the further will and meaning of the said Joshua PERIOR the elder is that the said Margarett 
his wife shall leavie and take the Third of all his land after his debts and legacies shall be 
discharged and that she shall then also enjoy? the Tithes before mentioned during her life as is 
within expressed without interruption Witnessed hereunto John TOLEFIELD; George 
PERYOR; Joshua PERYOR

*(note: Joshua married Margaret Weste in Godalming 9 Feb 1618)