1549 Robert Grombredge of Tunbredge

In the name of god amen the thirde day of January in the yeare of our Lorde god 1549 and in the third year of our severeign Lord edward the sixth by the grace of god Kynge of Inglande france and Irelande, defender of the fayth and of the church of Ingland and also of Ireland in earth the supreme head. I Robert Grombredge of Culverden in the parish of Tunbryge in the county of Kent being in good and perfect mynde and remembrance do make my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First I bequeath my soule to almighty god and to all the holy company in heaven and my body to be buried with in christian buriall.

Item I will that my executrix shall bestow at Spelhurst to the refreshynge of the pore people and in othere dede of charity at the day of my buriall whether she can obtaine lysence to burye my body there or not 8 shillings.

Item I will that Jone my wyfe shall have my tenement at Rusthall with all the appertenences during her life keeping the … of the chynge if she do not marry and if she do marry I will that Thomas my son shall have at paying unto Jone my wife 6s 8d and beside her dowry yearly during her life And after the decease of Jone my wife I will that Thomas my son shall have all my land and tenements with all the appertenences with in the parish of Spelhurst to him and to his heirs for over paying to Rafe his brother four marks of good and lawful money of Ingland that is to say he shall pay the first year after my decease 20 shilling and the next year lykewise 20 shilling and the third year 13s 4d and after that the said Four marks be payde I will that my said son then shall pay yearly 20s a year to his brother John the space of 5 years untyll the sum of 5 pounds be fully payde.

Item I will that Thomas and Rafe my sons shall have all forge woodl (?) as I have (text damaged) watter (?) paying to Jone my wife 40s atte (text damaged) … I will that Thomas and Rafe (text damaged) Rafe my sonne that I (text damaged) paying to Margaret their sister 40s when she cometh to the age of 21 years and also keeping 2 calve for their brother tyll they be three(?) yeare olde and furthermore each of them shall give to their brother Laurence a twelvemonting bullock within the space of 4 years next after my decease.

Item I will that Jone my wife shall have sustently (?) … to dwell whose she is … and to keep 4 kine within the said ground until whytsontyde next coming and also she shall have 2 acres of ground to sow with oats and 2 acres of whete already sowyn, the residue od my wheate upon the ground I will that it be divided betwyxt Thomas John and Rafe my sonnes.

Item I will that Rafe my son shall have 2 of my best oxen and 2 soure (?) and Thomas his brother shall have the other three.

Item I will my waynes and plowe with all manner of harness belonging to them shall be equallye shyfte betwixt Thomas my sonne and rafe his brother .

Item I will that Thomas and Rafe my sonnes shall have my 2 youngest … giving each of them to their brother John 5s a piece.

Item I will that the said Thomas and Rafe shall have my horse and my mare so that they shall lend them unto Jone my wife att convenient tyme of need (?).

Item I will that Laurence my son shall have 2 twelmonting bullock.

Item I will that Rafe my sone shall have oats sufficient for to sow 2 acres of ground.

Item I will that in the latter end of the summer my bulle shall be fatted with rowry and then growing at Rusthall against Christmas … and my wife shall have the hyde and half the body and John and Thomas my sons shall have the other half.

Item I wyll that Thomas my son shall have my great cauldron and John my son (text damaged) my little cauldron.

Item I will that Rafe my son shall have (text damaged) I will that Margaret my daughter shall have all my pewter(?) the which I hadl before I married with Jone my wife.

The residue of all my goods I give unto Jone my wife to the payment of my debts and the cherishing of my children and the performance of this my last will whereof I make her my executrix and Harry Relfe my overseer and he to have over and above his costs and charges 20d, Nicholas Wytting Saxpees priest John grombrdge the elder of Spelhurst and Humfrey Longe of the same parish and Harry Relfe of Thonbryge with othere …

I will that Thomsa and Rafe shall pay this halfe year … at the anniversary of our Lady next coming.

Item I will that all such catell (cattle?) as my children shall have shall be kept this winter with such stuffe as is … upon the ground for the same.