This will was written on 4 Sep 1665 and executed November 1667:
In the name of God amen. I Edward England of Marshfield in the county of Gloucester the elder being weake in body but of good and perfect memory, thankse go to Allmighty God doth make and offer in this my last will and testament this fourth day of September the year of our lord one thousand six hundred sixty five, in manner and fourme following, that is to say first and pricipally, I commend my soule into the hands of allmighty God my maker and redeemer and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the satisfaction of my executours hereafter named, as touching my temporall goods. I give and dispose thereof as followeth.First I give unto William Robbins my son in law five shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto the three children of William Robbins aforsaid which he had by my daughter, threescore pounds equally to be divided amongst them twenty pounds to his son John, twenty to his daughter Mary and twenty to his son William, to be paid when they are one and twenty years old or at their day of marriage if they marry before it. Fortye five pounds of this sixty is allready in occupation of the said William Robbins their father and by him to be paid unto his children at that time appoynted. The other fifteen pounds I charge upon my executour hereafter named and not more.
Item I give unto my son Edward England twenty shillings. Item I give unto my son Edwards five children threescore pounds twelve pounds I give to his son Edward twelve to his daughter Mary twelve to William his son twelve to Elizabeth his daughter and twelve to his son John.
Item I give to my son Josephs 4 children which he hath at the writing hereof foure score pounds twenty pounds I give unto his daughter Mary twenty pounds apiece to his sons Joseph John and Samuel. I will that these legacies together with my son Edwards childrens legacies be paid when they are one and twenty years old or at their day of marriage if they marry before but if any of all the children above named be one and twenty years old allready they are to receive their legacy within six months after my decease. I will and desire also that some considerable satisfaction be given by my executour to my son Edwards children for (?tho?) him he keepes their positions that are not of age only six months are allowed to my executour for which he is not to be charged for keeping their legacies provided that my grandchild Edward England though he be of years shall not have his portion (?) (?) executour and (?) please not withstanding any (?) also to (?) (?) in his writing.
Item I give unto my son Thomas threescore pounds to give to his children when he haves them if he please to be paid within six months after my decease also I give unto my said son Thomas my best cloake. I will and require further that if any of my forenamed grandchildren decease before they accomplish before said ages, and before that time be not married that then I bequeath how each fair part of them so dividing (equally in parts) to the other of his owne brothers or sisters surviving named in this writing to be delivered unto them when they shall accomplish their said ages or also be married but if it fall out that all ye brothers and sisters of any of my sons mentioned in this writng (which God forbid) shall dy before they accomplish their said ages or art married I give and bequeath their parts to their parents.
It(em) I give and bequeath Mary daughter of William Robbins my son in law my best geese feather bed and my best bolster and my red rugge.
It(em) I give unto the poorest unto the towne of Marshfield five pounds to be paid presently after my decease to be distributed among them.
It(em) I give and bequeath my best suit to Gabraell Eldridge ye elder that is to say my best cloth coat (best doublet and cassock)
All the rest and residue of my goods and chattells whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph whom I constitute and ordain my ful and sole executour of this my last will and testament and I doo revoke and disanull and make voyd all fourmer will and testaments by me heretoforth made.
And of the execution of this present will and testament I make and ordain mr John Fox and Gabriall Eldgridge the elder overseers. In witness whereof I the said Edward England to this my last will and testament have (?) my hand and goals in this day and (?) about written.
Witnesses
George Seele
Gabriell Eldridge Junior
Edward England
Ye mark of
H
Hannah Eldridge