Will of Thomas Dowse

Will of Thomas Dowce, of Collingbourne Ducis - 18th October 1562

The 18th of October in the fourth yere of Elizabeth by the Grace of God of England, France and Ireland Quene 1562. I Thomas Dowce of Collingbourne Ducis within the Countie of Wiltshire sick in body but of perfect mind and remembrance doe ordaine and make this my laste will and testament in manner and form following: First I bequeath my soul unto the hands of Almighty God and will my boddie to be buried within the parish Church of Collingborne. Item I give to our Ladie Church of Sarum xijd . Item I give to the church of Collingbourne Ducis xxs Item I give to Thomas Dowse my brothers son ii parts of all my lands and tenements with all and singular theire appertainances sett lieing and being within the parish of Rumsey in the Countie of Southampton to have and to hold to the said Thomas Dowse and his heirs. And for the lack of heirs of Thomas Dowse to Richard Dowce his brother and heirs. Item I give to Michael Dowce of Buttermere all my landes and tenements with theire appertenances sett lying and being within the parish of Hurisborne in the Countie of Southampton to have and to hold to the said Michael Dowse and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to Richard Reynolde half my lease and farm of Eberly farme during my wife's life (and after her decease I will give hym the whole ). I will my cosen Thomas Dowce to have the occupation of the other half. And alos I give to the saide Richard Raynolde seven score shepe going and being at Downtonas they shall come at the leate. Item I give and bequethe to Robt. Geywerk fortie wetters as they shall run at the leate. Item I give to Christian Chaffyn twentie wethers as they runne at leate. Item I give to every one of my Godchildren xijd. Then I give to Michael Dowce six score wethers shepe going in his fold as they shall run at leate. Item I give to Thomas Dowce of Fostebury my cosen half a score of sheep. Item I will and assigne to my cosen Thomas Dowce my brothers sonne my whole lease estate and terme of yeres that I have in and of my farme of Colingbourne wherein I doe now dwell willing the saide Thomas Dowce to permit and suffer Christian my wife and also willing my wife to have and to holde with my cosen Thomas and his assigns halfe the farm house and domaynes and to take all manner of commodities and Proffite and that may cum rise to growe of the same halfe farme house and domaynes and their appertinences so long as the saide Christian doth contynew in her widowhood and after to remayne wholly to the saide Thomas Dowce. Item I give on and about the half of the farme afore given to Christian Dowce my wife the chamber and the goods wholly where I do now lye called the parlour. Item I will be bestowed at my burial to the poore vli. Xiijs. And iiijd. And so much more money at the month. And for the performance of this my last will and testamente I doe ordane and make Christian Dowce my wife and Thomas Dowce my cosen and brothers sonne aforesaid my executors. And I doe make John Andrews of Colingborne Robert Williams of Combe and John Tutt of Epenwood my overseers of this my last will and testamente. And I give to each of them for their paines fortie shillings in money. They men and women being witnesses Richard Dowse of Collingbourne, Edward Merch, John Tutt, Elinor Bowerman and others.

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).