The Will of Robert Jenkins

 

Summary: Testator:                            Robert Jenkins (1), yeoman, of Bremhill, Wilts Son and grandson:             Robert Jenkins (2) and his son Robert Son and grandson:             Daniel Jenkins (3) and his son Robert Daughter and son-in-law:   Anne Trimnell (4), the wife of Edmond Trimnell Daughter and son-in-law:   Mary Blagden (4), the wife of Robert Blagden Sole executor:                   Robert Jenkins Overseers:                        Henry Platt and Robert Blagden Signed:                             13 August 1638 Witnesses:                        John Week and Henry Platt Probate:                           Granted at London 17 March 1639   Notes: Testator was born about 1555 and married Anne Batten (d 1627) of Chippenham, Wilts, in 1596; they had at least seven children, although only four are named in this will; Testator’s son and sole executor, Robert (1602-1670) was also of Bremhill;  he married twice and had at least eight children, his eldest son by his first wife being called Robert; Testator’s son Daniel (1605-1645) was of Stanton St Bernard, Wilts; Testator’s daughters Anne and Mary were baptized at Bremhill in 1597 and 1601 respectively.   Source: UK National Archives, Prob 11/182, Image 365   Text: Decimo tertio die Augusti Anno regni Domini Carolimine Regis Angliae etc decimo quarto Anno Domini 1638. In the name of God, Amen.  I, Robert Jenkins the elder of Bremhill in the county of Wilts, yeoman, being aged and weak in body but of good and perfect memory, praised by God, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following: First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God and my body to be sent from whence it came hoping of ?my ?full resurrection only through the death and passion of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ And for my worldly goods, I give and bequeath as followeth: Item, I give to the poor of Bremhill only twenty shillings Item, I give and bequeath unto my grandchild Robert Jenkins, the son of my son Robert Jenkins, two hundred pounds of lawful money of England to be put out for the best safe benefit and behoof of my said grandchild presently after my decease to be paid him together with the ?safe and interest thereof when he shall attain and be of the full age of twenty one years Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Daniel Jenkins forty pounds of like lawful money of England upon condition that my said son Daniel do put in his son Robert Jenkins, likewise my grandchild, or any other son who he the said Daniel may have hereafter into the copyhold with the said Daniel now ??? for the term of his life and his wife’s widow’s estate situate and being in Stanton in the said county of Wilts, so that he, the said Robert Jenkins, son of the said Daniel, or any other of the sons of the said Daniel may hold and enjoy the same for term of his life according to the custom of the manor of Stanton aforesaid immediately after the decease of the said Daniel and his wife’s widow’s estate who may survive the said Daniel and not otherwise, to be paid him, the said Daniel at the court when he doth purchase or buy any his sons into the said copyhold as aforesaid Item, I do forgive unto my said son Daniel Jenkins twenty pounds which he oweth me and also all other debts whatsoever he doth owe me Item, I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne Trimnell, the wife of Edmond Trimnell one ?silver spoon and one of my best cushions Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Blagden my bed whereupon my wife died together with one arras ?coverlet, one silver spoon and a cushion And further my will is that if my said grandchild Robert Jenkins, son of my son Robert Jenkins aforesaid, do die before he shall accomplish and be of the age of twenty one years as aforesaid, that then the said two hundred pounds bequeathed unto him as aforesaid together with the ?use and interest money for the same ?which shall or may arise or due for the same at the time of my said grandchild’s decease shall come redeemed and be to the use of such other son of my said son Robert Jenkins at the time of my said grandchild’s decease and if my said son Robert Jenkins hath no other son at the time of his son Robert’s decease then the said two hundred pounds together with the interest thereof to be and remain unto the children of my said son Robert Jenkins then surviving to be equally divided betwixt them to be paid them as they shall be and attain to their several ages of twenty one years, and if any of them happen to die before then that part of such child dying to remain to the rest surviving Item, all the rest of my goods, moveable and unmoveable and hereby unbequeathed, my debts being paid and funeral expenses discharged, I give and bequeath unto my said son Robert Jenkins, whom I make sole executor of this my last will and testament, revoking hereby all former wills and testaments by me made And I do entreat and appoint Henry Platt, gent, and Robert Blagden my son-in-law to be my overseers of this my last will and testament, and for their pains I do give unto each of them twelve pence apiece In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the day and year first above written // Robert Jenkins // Signed, sealed, published and delivered in the presence of // John Week // Henry Platt //   Probate:   (in Latin) was granted at London 17 March 1639 to Robert Jenkins, son of the deceased and the executor named in the will …