The Will of Christopher Franklin

In the name of God Amen I Christopher ffranklin of Arne in the Isle of Purbeck and County of Dorsett husbandman being sicke of body but of perfect memory thanks bee given to god for therefore Doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in writeing as followeth Imprimis I bequeath my soule into the hands of the Almighty trusting to be redeemed by the bloodshed and merritts only of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour And my body to be buried in the Church at Litchett Minster as neere unto my ffather as may be. Item I give towards the reparation of the Said Church tenn shillings Item I give unto the poore of the said parish of Litchett tenn shillings also Item I give unto Mary my wife two cowes The one of them a black tailed and the other a crumple horned I give also unto her my feather bedd and bedstead in the parlour with the boulster pillows and coverlet belonging to the same As also two paire of sheets two paire of blanquetts and three pillowtyes Item I give unto William Lanckney of Arne one shirt And to John ffurmage my servant I give and bequeath my best suit of apparel and one ewe and lamb Item I give unto Richard ffranklin my kinsman my worst suit of apparrell and my black coate Moreover I give unto my wife Mary halfe a dozen of pewter my two best potts and my two best pannes of brasse And to John Trenchfeild my Godsonne I give one black heifer of two yeares age And to my maide servant Margarett fflooke I give five shillings All and every of which Legacies shalbe paid and delivered within one moneth next after my decease And all the rest of my goods and chattells whatsoever not before by me bequeathed I give and bequeath unto Thomas ffranklin my sonne whom I make and appoint to be the sole Executor of this my last will and testament And I desire my ffather in Law Thomas Baker of Slepp and my Couzins James ffranklin of Litchett to be Overseers of this my will and to cause the same to be performed according to my desire In wittnes hereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the eight and twentieth day of Aprill Anno Dm 1649 the marke of Christopher ffranklin

Bartholomew Keyser#
Willm Barnes
Edward Vye

Proved at London 7 May 1650
PCC
Prob11/212