Will of Alice Dowse

Will of Alice Dowce, of Morecourte, Hampshire - 10th August 1571

In the name of God Amen. The tenth day of August in the xiiith yeare of the raigne of our sovereigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England France and Ireland Quene defender of the faith and in the yeare of our lord God 1571. I Alice Dowce, widowe late the wief of John Dowce of Moorecourt gent deceased, being in health of body and in perfect memory thanks be unto Allmighty God doe make this my last will and testament in manner and forme following first I bequeath my soule unto God the father through Jesus Christe our lord who hath redeemed me through the shedding of his most precious blood my body to he buried in the chauncell of the parish Church of Romesey. Item to the parishe churche of Romsey towards the repartations of the same six shillings eight pence. Item I give to my sonne Richard Dowce fortie shillings to buy
him a blacke garment. Item I give to my sonne Thomas Dowce fortie shillings to buy him blacke garment. Item I give to Alice Kechener my goddaughter one gown to he appointed by myne overseer. Item I give unto John Simpson his wife a smocke a nisett and one apron. Item I give until my maidservant that is with me at my decease one peticots iii aprons iii smocks iii nysetts and iii kercheffs to he appointed by myne overseer. Item I will that theare be bestowed of my goods about my funeral at The discretion of myne overseer foure pounds. The rest of all my goods moveable and unmoveable whatsoever they be unbequeathed I give and bequeath unto Thomas Dowce the younger and Alice Douce my goddaughter the naturall children of Thomas Dowce my sonne of the parishe of Bramshawe whom I do make and ordeine my whole executors joinctly. Also I doe make and ordeine Thomas Dowce of the parishe of Bramshawe my naturall sonne to be myne overseer to see this my last will and testament truly and justly performed according unto the true meaning hereof and he the said Thomas Dowse my sonne to have the custodye of all such goods as I have given and bequeathed unto the foresaid Thomas Dowse the younger and Alice Dowce my goddaughter and myne executors as is aforesaid untill they be of the age of sixtene yeares apece. In witnes thereof I the said Alice have sette my hand and .seall the day and yeare first above written in the presence of John Delucke Clarke curate of Bramshawe John Hillare Thomas Clayden Thomas Tailor. Also I the said Alice Dowce doeth give and bequeath unto the wife of Michaell Dowce my best gowne. Cessate grant 4 Nov 1588

NOTES on Transcription: We have not viewed the original of this document; This is a direct copy of a transcription available in the privately published book "Lawrence Dowse of Legbourne, England his Ancestors, Descendants and Connections in England, Massachusetts and Ireland" by William Bradford Homer Dowse (MDCCCCXXVI).