John Alchorne of Boughton Monchelsea – 1617

In the name of God amen the twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord God 1617 I John Alchorne of Boughton Monchelsea in the Diocese of Canterbury in the County of Kent Gent being of good health and perfect memory thanks be to God Do make this my present testament and last will in manner and form following That is to say first I bequeath my soul to Almighty God my maker and redeemer hoping to be saved by the merits of Christs death and passion Item I give to a sufficient preacher to make a sermon at my burial ten shillings Item I give to the poor people of the parish where I shall be buried forty shillings and to the poor of the parish of Brenchley forty shillings to be distributed by the discretion of my Executors Item I give to Anne my wife my lease of those lands in Romney Marsh which some time were Mr Henry Crispes …………… by me her husband Item I give to William Young the Elder of the parish of Loose three pounds and to his son Ralph Young twenty shillings Item I give to Edward Alchorne and Robert Alchorne to each of them a cloak Item I give to every of my three daughters a gown Item I give to Edward Alchorne a chest standing in my chamber where I lie with all his writings in it Also I give to Robert Alchorne my son my chest standing by my bedside in my chamber where I lie with all the writings in it which chest was my son in law Michael …………… All the residue of my goods and chattels moveables and unmaoveables whatsoever I give to John Alchorne my eldest son except my ring and my plate which I give to John Alchorne my godson which said John Alchorne my eldest son I make my sole executor paying my debts and legacies and seeing my funeral discharged.

This is the last will of me the said John Alchonr emade the day and year abovesaid concerning the disposition of all my lands tenements and hereditaments Item I give and bequeath unto Agnes Balsar (?) my daughter all those my lands and tenements which I bought of Thomas …….. one of the ……….of the town of Maidstone in the county of Kent aforesaid to have and to hold to her during the whole term of her natural life And after her decease I will it to remain to Agnes Balsar her daughter and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten And for lack of such issue I will it to remain to John Balsar her brother and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and for lack of such issue I will it to remain to Agnes Balsar my daughter and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten Item  I give and bequeath to Robert Alchorne my son all my houses messuages lands and tenements in Maidstone which I bought of John Alchorne my son to have and to hold to him the said Robert and to his heirs paying to John Balsar son of Ralph Balsar the sum of twenty pounds of lawful English money within two years after my decease And also paying unto Agnes Balsar ten pounds of like money within one year after my decease which said Agnes is his sister Item I give and bequeath more to the said Robert my son all my landas and woodlands in the parish of East Farley to have to him and to his heirs for ever All the residue of my manors messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever I will and bequeath to my eldest son John Alchorne and to his heirs and assigns for ever In witness whereof I have subscribed my name and set my seal by me John Alchorne senior published in the presence of John Kemp his mark John Martin his mark Thomas Woodman his mark

Proved at London by John Hayward

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