Richard Atkins (abt 1580-abt 1637)

Notes:

1. The LW&T of Richard Atkins is dated 20 June 1636. The Probate (in Latin) does not seem to have a date; however, Ancestry has ‘about 1637’ and National Archives gives it a date of 12 February 1638. For convenience, I assume the year of death as 1637.

2. This is probably the same Richard Atkins who was the appraiser of the Inventory of John Atkins (1629). Richard and John were probably brothers, born about 1560, sons of a Leonard who is mentioned in one Deed from the late 1500s.

3. An attempt has been made to transcribe the document, by Stephen Smith, but not totally successfully. It has 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.

4. Spelling has been updated to modern usage where appropriate; similarly, punctuation and paragraph breaks have been added for ease of understanding.

5. Footnotes have been added to provide context or emphasis.

6. It is clear from the reference to 'the furniture belonging in the chapel chamber' that the family lived in Manor Farm.

LW&T of Richard Atkins; 20 June 1636

Last Will & Testament

In the Name of God Amen, the twentieth day of June, Anno Dom [ ? ] one thousand six hundred thirty six, and in the twelfth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King Charles, over England

I, Richard Atkins of Sutton Benger in the County of Wilts, being sick in body but of good and perfect memory, I praise God, therefore do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

That is to say, first I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping only by the death and passion of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to enjoy life everlasting, while God of his infinite goodness and mercy grant it, Amen.

And for my worldly estate I dispose thereof as followeth.

Imprimis. I give and bequeath to the Cathedral Church of Sarum [ … ? … ? ].

Item. I give to the poor of Sutton Benger twenty shillings.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Joane Atkins the sum of seven hundred pounds in money, to be paid unto her at her age of one and twenty years, or at her day of marriage [ which … ? ] shall first happen…

Item. Any monies after any of these sums be as made [ … ? … ?... ] of her mother and my overseers but if she shall happen to die before she marry that then my mind is that one hundred pounds to be given to the four daughters of my son Robert Atkins that are now living and one other hundred pounds to the two children of my daughter Elizabeth Jaques.

And I give to my daughter Joane Atkins one posterbed [ ? ] bolster [ ? ] [ ? ] the furniture belonging in the chapel chamber.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Atkins the cupboard board [ ? ] standing in my chamber with a [ ? … ] standing the bedstead [ ? … ] the great press in the great chamber the table boards in the hall the great ….[ … ? … ?... ]

Item. I give to Bridget Atkins and to Katherine Atkins and to Anne Atkins and Jane Atkins, the daughters of Robert Atkins, five pounds apiece.

Item. I give to Richard Jaques and to Bridget Jaques the children of Elizabeth Jaques, my daughter, five pounds apiece.

All the rest and residue of my goods and chattels moveable and immoveable, my debts and legacies and [ ? … ] discharged, not having before bequeathed, I give and bequeath to Bridget my wellbeloved wife, whom I make my sole executrix of this my last will and Testament.

And I do appoint my son in law Anthony Neate and my son in law George Jaques to be overseers of this my last will. And for their payment I give them twenty shillings apiece.

And I do hereby revoke and annul all former wills by me herebefore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written [ 20 June 1636 ]

Richard Atkins [signed]

[witnesses]

Probatum

[In Latin; there is no clear date, and the only name appears to be that of Bridget Atkins, his wife and executrix.)