Abstract
Richard Joslinge, yeoman, bequeaths the following:
To his son John Josling, a ten-acre piece of free land (called Stockly) in Stebbing, bought from John Byates;
To his son Henry Josling, a piece of free land (called Chandlers) in Stebbing; also £20 now in the hands of his uncle John Joslinge, to be paid when Henry reaches the age of 18;
To his son Richard Josling, all the rest of his remaining unbequeathed lands;
To his daughters Marie, Rose and Sara Joslinge, £20 each to be paid when they reach the age of 18.
All his remaining unbequeathed goods (after payment of debts) to be equally divided between all said children, namely Richard, John, Henry, Marie, Rose and Sara when each becomes 18.
To his servant Thomas Harbenger, 3 ewes;
To his servant Alice Walles 2 ewes and his wife's least good gown;
To the poor of West Mersea 6s 8d to be distributed after his death;

Executors: John Joslinge of Rayne (deceased's younger brother) and Richard Josling (his eldest son); Supervisor of will: Henry Joslinge of Braintree. All expenses of these three to be paid out of deceased's goods.

Sealed and signed with mark by Richard Joslinge;

Memorandum:
The inserted note of the gift of £20 to younger son Henry Joslinge was written on 7 July with the consent of the testator and witnessed by Timothy Hearne and William Turner

Probate:
Proved in the presence of Robert Whettell MA, Comissioner on 1 September 1600, on the oath of John Joslin, brother and executor. (Power of administration reserved to Richard Joslin, son of deceased.)

Transcription
In the name of God, Amen. On 6th July, in the 42nd year of the reign of our
sovereign Lady, Elizabeth, by the grace of God [Queen] of England, France & Ireland,
Defender of the Faith, A.D. 1600, I, Richard Joslinge of West
Mersea in the County of Essex, yeoman, though sick of body yet whole of mind and
perfect of remembrance, thanks be to God for the same, do constitute, ordain and make
this my last will & testament in manner & form following. First & principally I
bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my maker & Redeemer & my body
to be buried when & where it shall please God to appoint, and concerning all
my worldly goods, my debts being first paid & discharged, I dispose in manner and
form. Item [ Note 1 ], I give and bequeath unto [2 lines deleted]
            John Josling my son one piece of free [ Note 2 ] land which I
have, lying in Steb[b]ing in the county aforesaid, commonly known & called by
the name of Stockly or by any other name or names whatsoever, containing
by estimation ten acres be it more or less which I bought of John Byate which
I will shall remain unto my said son John & to his heirs for ever. Item, I give
& bequeath unto [words deleted] Henerie [Henry] Joslinge
my son one piece of free land called Chandlers, or by any other name or
names whatsoever, lying in Stebbing aforesaid, which I will shall remain to him
& to his heirs for ever. Item, all the rest of my lands whatsoever, which I have yet
unbequeathed, I will they shall remain wholly unto Richard Joslinge my son
and to his heirs for ever.

[Insertion: xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx]\ Item I give & bequeath unto Henry Joslinge, my younger son, xx li [£20] which is in the hands of John Joslinge my elder brother, which I will shall be paid unto him at his age of 18 years & if he die before the said age, then I will it shall be equally divided amonst all the rest of my children which shall be then living. /

        Item, I give and bequeath unto my three daughters,
Marie Joslinge, Rose Joslinge & Sara Joslinge, two every one of them twenty
pounds apiece to be paid unto every one of them at their several ages of
eighteen years, & if any of them happen to die before their said ages of
eighteen years, then the other that remain living to have the part & portion of
her or them so deceasing equally amongst them, to be divided at their several ages
aforesaid. Item, all the rest of my goods, my lease, my debts that are owing to me
and all my movable goods whatsoever unbequeathed, my debts being first
discharged, I will they shall be equally divided amongst all my said children,
videlicet [namely]: Richard Joslinge, John Joslinge, Henry Joslinge, Marie Joslinge, Rose
Joselinge & Sara Joslinge, when they shall come to their several ages of eighteen
years, and if any of them die before their said several ages then the part & parts
of him or them so deceasing to remain unto so many of them as shall be then living
& accomplish their said several ages of eighteen years. Item I give & bequeath unto
Thomas Harbenger my servant three ewes to be delivered unto him presently after
my decease. Item, I give & bequeath unto Alice Walles my servant two ewes and
my wife's worst [ Note 3 ] gown to be delivered unto her presently after my decease. Item,
I give unto the poor people of West Mersea aforesaid 6s 8d to be distributed
amongst them immediately after my decease. Item, I ordain & make my younger
brother, John Joslinge of Rayne in the county aforesaid & Richard Joslinge my
eldest son to be my executors to see the bringing up of my children & to see this
my last will & testament well & truly approved, fulfilled & discharged, & my body
decently brought to the ground. And I ordain and make my brother Henry
        Richard Joslinge, his mark

[page 2 of will]

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