Modern-English summary of the will of Vicar James Withington

The last will and testament of James Withington, vicar of Ilmer, 1556

The Will of James Withington, Vicar of Ilmer

Dated: February 15, 1556 (Old Style, equivalent to 1557) Probated: April 26, 1556

Opening and Burial

In the name of God, Amen. On the 15th day of February in the year of our Lord 1556, I, James Withington, Vicar of Ilmer, make my last will and testament in the following manner: First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, to the Virgin Mary, and to all the holy company of heaven. I direct that my body be buried in the church of Ilmer. I give 4 pence to the Mother Church of Lincoln [the cathedral] and 6 pence to the church of Ilmer.

Bequests of Household Goods and Livestock

To Andrew Dowell: My second-best featherbed, my second-best coverlet, two blankets, and a pair of sheets. Also, two cows, two great platters, two "potinger" [porridge] dishes, four saucers of the "metal sort" [pewter], two pots, a pan, a candlestick, and one silver spoon.
To Agnes (my maid): A featherbed, a coverlet, a pair of sheets, two pots, a pan, a tablecloth, and a silver spoon.
To Master Oliver Withington of Oxford: A featherbed, a coverlet, three pairs of sheets, a bolster, and a pillow. Also, my gown, my long fur-lined gowns, and my gowne lined with "fitches" [polecat fur]. Additionally, three large pewter dishes, four saucers, two silver spoons, my "diary" [daily] tablecloths, my napkins, and a canvas tablecloth.

Bequests of Grain and Land

To Richard Freye: Two quarters of barley, three pairs of sheets, a mattress, a coverlet, and two blankets. Also 12 pence in cash.
To James Hale (the elder) and James Hale (the younger): Half a quarter of wheat each.
To William Dowell of Longwick: One quarter of wheat, one quarter of barley, and three acres of wheat growing in "Lake Furlong" next to the Long Pike Way.
To Edmund Maide of Culverton: One quarter of wheat, one quarter of barley, and one mark [13 shillings and 4 pence].
To Robert Gobbe: One quarter and four bushels of wheat and one quarter of barley.
To Thomas Withington of Padvane: Two bushels of wheat and two bushels of malt.
To Richard Drakins: Two bushels of wheat and two bushels of malt.
To Richard White of Walridge: Two bushels of wheat and two bushels of malt.
To the sister of Sir John Freeman (Agnes): One bushel of wheat and one bushel of malt.

Charitable Bequests to the Poor

I give the following sums to be divided among the poor people of these parishes:

Bledlow: [Amount unspecified, to be divided].
Monks Risborough: 12 pence.
Wycombe: 12 pence.
Great Hampden: 12 pence.
Owlswick: 3 shillings and 4 pence.
Aston Sandford: 3 shillings and 4 pence.
Kingsey: 3 shillings and 4 pence.
Towersey: 3 shillings and 4 pence.

Cash Bequests and Servants

To Ellis Hache: 5 marks [£3, 6s, 8d].
To Master Oliver Withington: 40 shillings, plus the 6 shillings and 8 pence he previously borrowed.
To my servants (William Clarke, John Clarke, Thomas Kupper, John Trippe, William Payne, William Maide, James Ferrer, and James Goodwin): 4 pence each.
To various others: William Foster (6s 8d), John Fisher (3s 4d), Anne Stevens (3s 4d), Rowland Clarke (my godson, 3s 4d), John Crooke (8s 4d), John Dowell (3s 4d), and Edmund Goodwin (12d).

Special Provision for the Vicarage

I stipulate that if Master Oliver Withington of Oxford becomes a priest and takes over the "benefice" [the job and income] of the Vicar of Ilmer, he shall receive extra wood, two quarters of wheat, five quarters of malt, and all the "glebe land" [church-owned farmland] not already given away.

Executors and Witnesses

Overseers: Thomas Hale and Master Clarke of Halton (who is given 13s 4d for his trouble).
Executors: Master Oliver Withington, William Withington of Bledlow, and Edmund Maide of Culverton.
Witnesses: John Crooke, Edmund Goodwin, and John Fisher.