The Last Will & Testament of Richard Messiter / Messeter; 1607

Richard Messiter (abt 1550-1607)

Notes:

• 1. — This is the LW&T of Richard Messiter, dated 20 October 1607.
• 2. — The document uses the spelling ‘Messeter’ and is archived as ‘Messeter’. However, I have opted to keep to the ‘standard’ spelling of ‘Messiter’ as he is almost certainly from the same family as others of that surname in Sutton Benger in the later 1600s – 1800s.
• 3. — The document is difficult to read, and is slightly damaged; there is a missing section at the top right. As noted in the WSHC Catalogue, there is no Probate document; also, Richard Messiter does not seem to have signed his Will.
• 4. — Richard makes a number of bequests to the sons of daughters of other families, without making it clear why he was making these bequests. It is possible that these were nephews and nieces. For example, he makes a bequest of twenty nobles ‘to Alice Boxe, daughter of John Boxe of Sutton.’ It is possible that John Boxe was married to one of several sisters of Richard; but this is only speculation.
• 5. — The documents have been transcribed, but have not been cross-checked or reviewed. Square brackets – eg [ ? ] – are used where a word is too difficult to decipher or where there is some doubt.
• 6. — Spelling has been updated to modern usage where appropriate; similarly, punctuation and paragraph breaks have been added for ease of understanding.

LW&T of Richard Messiter, Yeoman

In the name of God, Amen, the twentieth day of the month of October in the yere of our lord god 1607, I, Richard Messiter { damaged } Benger in the countie of Wilts, yeoman, being sick of bodie but laude and thankes be given unto god, of good and perfect memorie doe { damaged } this my present last will and testament in manner and forme following, that is to saie

First, I commend and bequeath my soule into the [ hands of almighty ?] god my Heavenly father [Purchassed ? ] by the death of Jesus Christ my onely saviour and Redeemer, and my bodye to be buried in the church or churchyard of Sutton Benger aforesaid.

Item. I give and bequeath unto the cathedral church of Sarum vj d [six pence]. Item. I give and bequeath unto the church of Sutton Benger iij s iiij d [3 shillings and 4 pence]. I give and bequeath unto the poore people of Sutton aforesaid ten shillings.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my kinsman [ Richard? ] Messeter, son of James Messeter, one bedstead with a half head & one newe teake fether bed, the best, & the best coverlet, the best boulster and [the ?] best pair of sheets, and two pillowes, two of the best platters, two of the best pottengers, two of the [ .sassens.. ? ].

And I do give unto him the { said Richard Messeter ? } all my fee land lyinge and being in Cosham [=Corsham ?] be it ten acres of ground, more or less. And I give him one yoke of oxen, one oxe called [ Domeni ? ] { ? } called [ Caxtayme ? ].

And I give him two [red steeres ?], one I bought of Roberte Boxe and the other I bought of Henry Adye of Dracote. and I give him my plough harness after my wife’s decease. and I give him a yoking double, with a white [ ? ] face which I bought of William Dale.

And I give him one [ stone ?] of my best [ sheepe ?].

Ite. I give him unto Alice Boxe, daughter of John Boxe of Sutton aforesaid twenty nobles to bee [dehind ?] [= behind ?] unto him [use abt ? ] the Feast of St Michaell Archangel next following after my decease.

I give unto Richard Messiter, son of Thomas Messiter, 20 shillings.

I give unto Edward Barnard, son of Ralph Barnard, 20 shillings. I give unto Joane Barnard, his sister, 20 shillings.

I give unto Elizabeth Russ, daughter of John Russ, 20 shillings, and all the rest of my goods and chattell moveable and immoveable.

I give unto Alice Messiter, my wife, whome I ordayne and make to be my whole Executrix.

and to this my last will and testament I appoint to be my overseers my true and wellbeloved friends John Russ and Leonard Ferris, and to them I give for their pains taking in this behalf 12 pence a peece.

[ signed by ]

Witnesses to this will

Leonard Ferris and

Richard Messiter, son of James Messiter

For More Information

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