Chelsfield - Parish Information
Abstract of will from
Chelsfield proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Geoffrey Copus.2005
John Smale of
Chelsfield dated 5 December 1645
Abstract of the will of John Smale of Greenstreete
Greene in Chelsfield yeoman dated 5 December 1645.
To be buried at the discretion of my Executors.
I give to the poor of the parish of Chelsfield 10s.
I give to my loving wife Joane Smale all my lands during
her life.
I give to my brother Richard Smale and to his heirs Alloes
Wood and Deans bottom after my wife’s death if she hath no issue by
me.
I give to my said brother Richard Smale and to his heirs
all my lands after my wife’s death, he paying to my brother Percivall
Smale’s children six score pounds to be "equally shifted amongst
them" within one year after the lands shall come to his hands. If
he shall delay or deny to pay the said six score pounds then my brother
Percivall " shall shift with my brother Richard and George
Wyburne’s Tenement with the appurtenances thereto belonging and
Squires Croft with the appurtenances and Den barne." I give out of
the said lands to John Dolton, son of Robert Dolton, £10 one year after
the lands shall come to his or their hands.
I give to my loving wife Joane Small [sic] all my goods for
one whole year if she have issue by me either son or daughter, to which
child I give £16 out of my said goods etc.
I my wife have no issue by me I give to my brother
Percivall Smale £25 out of the said goods etc.
I give to my brother William Waller’s four children £30
by £7.10s.0.d the year. I give to my sister Joane Whiffen £10, to my
nephew William Masters £3, to my god-daughter Margaret Whiffen £3.
I give to my sister Marie Bathe £8, and to my said sister
Marie Bathe’s two children Richard Dolton and Amy Dolton £8 apiece.
I give to my sister Amy Godman £10 and to her children
Marie and Amye £10 each.
I give to John Bathe son of my sister Marie Bathe £3.
If my wife Joane have issue by me than all the legacies of
my goods etc. above bequeathed shall be utterly void and of none effect.
I make my lovong wife Joane Smale Executrix and my loving
father in law John Phillipps overseer of this will and give him 3s. for
his labour to buy him a pair of gloves.
John X Smale witnesses John Bathe Abraham X Dolton John
Gilman clerk
Probate 10 September 1647 to Joane Small [sic] widow the relict.
[PCC will PROB11/201]
Transcribed by Geoffrey
Copus