The Will of Thomas Lede
 

In the name of God Amen the 24th day of December in the year from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ a thousand 500 47 I Thomas Lede of Benenden being whole of mind and perfect memory handed by God make my testament and last will in this manner following. First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God our Lady Saint Mary and to all the holy company of heaven and my body to be buried in the churchyard of the parish church of St.George the Martyr of Benenden aforesaid. Item I bequeath to the high alter there for tithes and offerings forgotten 4d. Item I will and bequeath to Anne my wife all my movable goods and chattels for and to the paying of my debts and bequests, which Anne I make and ordain to be my sole executrix of this present testament and last will and as touching all my lands and tenements with their appurtenances I will the said Anne my wife shall take the profit of them during all the term of her life and after her decease I will all the said lands and tenements with their appurtenances to Alice my daughter and to her heirs and assigns forever. Provided always that if the said Anne my wife be with child whichever it be a son or a daughter then the said lands and tenements shall equally remain between the said Alice and the said child if it should fortune my said wife to be with child. Item I will the said Anne my wife or her assigns shall pay unto Gregory Lede my brother at Midsummer next coming after the date hereof £10 pound of lawful money of England which I have in my hands of my mother’s money the which was ordained to her the profit thereof during her life. Item I will that the charges of my burial shall ne done at the discretion of the said Anne my wife.   Witnessed  Gregory Lede and Edward Lede   PRC17/25f192r