The Last will and Testament of Francis Barry of North Gorely, Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Proven 1680


The sixteenth day of March in the three and thirtieth yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the Second By the Grace of God of England , King Defender of the Faith, Anno Dei 1680. I Francis Barry of North Gorely in the Parish of Fordingbridge and County of Southton yeoman Being sicke and weake of Body But in perfect memory and sense (Thanks be to God) Do make and Declare this to be my last will and Testament in manner and forme following.

First I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God my Maker assuredly believing that he will accept of it through the meritt and satisfaction of Jesus Christ alone my holy Saviour and Redeemeer. And my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken To be buried in the Chancell of the Parish Church of Fordingbridge according as my Executrix hereafter in this will nominated shall think fit And as to my Corporall Estate of Goods and Chattels which it has pleased Almighty God to Bestow upon me farr above my defects. I give and bequeath them in manner and forme following

Inprimis: I give to the parish Church of Fordingbridge twenty shillings to be paid within Six months next after the day of my decease.

Item: I give and bequeath to the poore of the parish of Fordingbridge the sum of three pounds to be paid in Six months after my decease And to be distributed amongst them as my overseers herein nominated shall think fit.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Grandson Daniell Blachford Ten Guinees to be paid him att Mid Somer next And to be put fourth to his best advantage by my overseers till he attain the age of One and Twenty yeares or is married. And if he dye before he attain either of it my will is that the ten Guinees shall be and descend between my sonne in Law Mr Daniell Blachford and my daughter Christable his now wife or the longest liver of them.

Item: I give devise and bequeath to my sonne Walter Barry my Coppyhold tenement called Bamptons during his life after the determination of Clare my now wifes widdowhood. And Whereas My daughter Elizabeth Barry her life is in the said Coppyhold Tenement called Bamptons. My will is that my daughter Elizabeth And my sonne Francis Barry and Either of them Surrender their title and Right in the said Coppyhold Tenement called Bamptons so that my sonne Walter Barry his life might be first in the said Coppyhold tenement And my sonne Francis Barry his life after him And whereas my daughter Elizabeth her life is left in my coppyhold tenement lying att Hide My will is that my daughter Elizabeth should surrender that tenement also when she attain the age of one and twenty yeares to the life of my sonne Walter and his life to be put in her Rooms And if she shall refuse for to do whereas my will is to give her two hundred pounds I give her then but one hundred pounds.

Item: I give devise and bequeath to my sonne Walter Barry and to tthe issue of his body Lawfully to be gotten my lease of two acres and a half of meadow ground lying in Broad Meade formerly Farmer Perkins land when he attain the age of one and twenty yeares. And if he happen to dye before he attain to the age of One and Twenty yeares And without issue of his Body Lawfully to be begotten That then I give and bequeath the said lease of the two acres and a halfe of meadow ground to my sonne Francis Barry and to the issue of his body lawfully to be begotten for and during the terme of the leasse. And if it shall happen that my sonne Francis Barry shall dye without issue of his body lawfully to be begotten then I give devise and bequeath the said lease of the said Twos acres and a halfe of meadow ground between my children then Living.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my three younger daughters Elizabeth Barry, Clare Barry and Deborah Barry two hundred pounds a piece to be paid by my executrix when they shall severally attain to the age of one and twenty yeares And if it shall happen that either of my daughters Elizabeth Clare or Deborah or any of them to dye before they or either of them attain the age of One and Twenty yeares that this my will is that the said sum or portion of two hundred pounds given them as aforesiad shall be dispursed and distributed according to the discretion of my Executors and overseers amongst the surviving daughters and surviving sonnes.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Christable the now wife of Daniell Blachford Five pounds to be paid her the twenty fourth day of June next surving the day of my death by my Executors hereafter nominated. All the residue of my goods and Chattells moviable and unmoviable within dore and without after my debts and legacies and funerall expenses are satisfied and paid I give and bequeath to Clare Barry my now wife and my sonne Francis Barry whom I make my sole and only Executrix of this my last will and testament Also my will is that my wife shall have the first choyce of all my houshold good And my will is that my executors shall have and enjoy all of my estate for the Boarding of my younger Children till they attain the age of One and Twenty yeares.

And lastly I do herby nominate constitute and appoint my trusty and wellbeloved friends my brother Henry Barry my brother Gilbert Pope my cousin Nicholas Dymott and Richard Hall the younger of Fordingbridge my overseers of this my last will and testament

Witnes my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written Francis Barry his mark

Signed sealed and published in the presence of us John Hall, Will Rooke, Robert Light, Daniel Blachford