In the name of God Amen. The first day of August in the fifth year in the Reigne of Our Sovereigne Lady Anne by the oath of God of England and Queen Defender of the Faith and I Henry Christmas of Stub in the Parish of Binsted in the County of Southampton Gent being very weake in body and afflicted with paines doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following revoking all former Wills by me made. First I give my soule into the hands of God my Creator alone trusting by the meritorious death and previous Bloodshedding of Jesus Christ my Redeemer to enjoy everlasting life with the Saints in Bliss and my body to be buried at the discretion of my only son Henry Christmas (my executor hereafter named beeing being present) Also I give and bequeath unto the poor people of the Parish of Binsted aforesaid five pound of lawfull English money to be distributed amongst them after soon after the Interment of my body according to a Note drawn up for that purpose (with my own hands). Also (whereas soon after the marriage of my said son Henry Christmas I then settled all my reall Estate in the said Binsted and Kingesley that I was then possessed of) I give and bequeath unto my said son Henry Christmas all that my Messuage and Lands called Woodhouse situate in Kingesley aforesaid for and during the terme of his naturall life. And immediately after his decease to remaine and be to the sole use Benefit and ?behalf of his only son Gainsford Christmas his heirs and Assignes forever. Also I give devise and bequeath unto my Grandson Gainsford Christmas aforesaid all those my Messuages Tenement and Lands with all and singular their Appurtenances called Cleys and Grantham situate in East Worldham in the said County of Southampton now in the possession of one Henry Beagley his Assingee or Asigns which I heretofore purchased of  Dame fflower Buckhouse To have and to hold to the said Gainsford Christmas his heirs and Assignes forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my said son Henry Christmas during his life two small Rent charges both one and twenty pence yearly due to me and to be paid from one Benjamin Smith for certaine Lands now in the possession of one William Eyre of Binsted aforesaid. And after his decease to be and remaine to the said Gainsford Christmas his heires and Assignes forever. Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Christmas the only daughter of my said son Henry Christmas one hundred pounds of lawfull English money to be paid unto her within Twelve months after she shall be married to be raised out of the above said Messuages and Lands now in the said Henry Beagly’s possession. Lastly all other my Goods Chattells Creditts and Personall Estate in Money or otherwise with all the Rents Issues and Profitts of the above bequeathed reall Estate (my Debts Legacies and funerall Expenses and all other Expenses being first paid and discharged I give and bequeath unto the said Gainsford Christmas whome I make and ordaine my full and whole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament. And I doe hereby impower my said son Henry Christmas until his said son Gainsford Christmas shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years or be married which shall first happen and then to give a just and true Account of the Receipts Rents and Interests of money as they or any parte thereof shall growe due and payable. And if it should happen that any parte of Mrs Woodgates Estate should be putt to sale I leave at the pleasure of my said son Henry Christmas to buy and pay for the same with the monies in Mr. Cheyney’s hands and the Rents Issues Interest and profitts of the other Lands and moneys due as the said to be purchased Lands be conveyed or asured to the said Gainsford Christmas his heires and Assignes forever and to be allowed upon the Account to be passed betweene them. And whatsoever reasonable charges my said son Henry Christmas shall be at the transacting of the Concernes of my said Executor it shall be lawfull to be deducted out of his Receipts due to be received by him. In witness whereof I the above mentioned Henry Christmas Senior the Testor have to the above written Lines (written with my own hand) sett to my hand and seale. And I doe publish and declare the same to be my last Will and Testament in the presence of those persons whose hands are hereunto subscribed // Henry Christmas Thomas Rowlands Henry Bridge? and the marke of Ann King //
 

Probate given in Latin in the presence of Robert Smith and John Cheyney

Gainsford Christmas still being a minor.

This Will was kindly  transcribed and sent in by Anne.

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