Top Section: Contains a modernised English version of the Will set out in a way that makes it easier to follow and understand the intentions of the testator without losing the original sentence structure. I have added some punctuation and genealogical notes and links where appropriate. Second Section: Shows the original transcription, where to aid researchers with identification, I have deliberately retained the original line structure, paging, spelling, abbreviation and superscript used in the Will. It is a good example of the changeover between Court Hand and Secretary Hand. Probate as always is written in Latin. My Latin leaves more than a bit to be desired but I have attempted a rough translation. I am happy to be corrected by anybody who can transcribe it properly. In the Name of God Amen: The 25th day of March in the year of Our Lord Christ one thousand six hundred and twenty eight I Christopher DAVIDGE of Hazelbury Bryan in the County of Dorset clergyman, being sick in body but of good and perfect memory, god be praised, do make my last will and testament in manner and form following In the First Place: I bequeath my soul into the hands of God my creator and only redeemer,
Item: I give to the parish church of Hazelbury Bryan aforesaid six shillings eight pence of lawful money of England Item: to the poor of the said parish I give six shillings and eight pence of like lawful money,
Item: I give to Katherine DAVIDGE and Susan DAVIDGE my daughters, to each of them, one hundred and sixty pounds of like lawful money of England to be paid unto my said daughters within the space of one whole year next ensuing after my decease, Item: to Luce STREET my daughter, the wife of John STREET I give ten pounds of like lawful money of England to be paid within one whole year after my decease Item: to every one of the children of the said Luce STREET I give twenty shillings of like lawful money, Item: to Christopher DAVIDGE my nephew and godson I give ten pounds of that money which my brother John DAVIDGE his father owes me
All the rest of my goods chattels and cattle, moveable and unmovable, whatsoever remaining after my debts and legacies are paid and my funeral expenses discharged I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Katherine DAVIDGE whom I ordain and make whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament,
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written signed Christopher DAVIDGE: Sealed signed and delivered in the Rough Translation only:- Proved has been this Testament (will) at London before Henry Marten Doctor of Law keeper of commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 16th May in the year of our lord 1628--- given to Catherine DAVIDGE relict of the deceased ---- twentieth daie of March in the yeare of ourlord Christ Incarnation one thousand six hundred twenty and eight I Christopher DAVIDGE of Haselburie Brian in the - countie of Dorset Clerke being sicke in bodie but of good and perfect in memorie god be praised doe make my last will and testament in manner and forme following Impremis I bequeath my sowle into the handes of god my Creator and sole redeemer and my bodie to the earth in sure and certain hope of resurrection to life Item I give to ye parishchurch of Haselburie Bryan aforesaid sixe shillings eight pence lawfull money of England Item to the poore of the said parishe I give sixe shillinges and eight pence of like lawfull money both the said sumes to be bestowed and distributed at the discretion of my overseers and my loving wife. Item I give to Katherine DAVIDGE and Susan DAVIDGE my daughters to each of them one hundred and fowerscore pounds of like lawfull money of England to be paid unto my said daughters within the space of one whole year next ensuing after my decease, Item to Luce STREET my daughter the wife of John STREET I give Tenn pounds of like lawfull money of England to be paid within one whole yeare after my decease Item to everie of the children of the said Luce STREET I give twentie shillings a peece of like lawfull money, Item to Christopher DAVIDGE my nephewe and godsonne I give tenn poundes of that money which my brother John DAVIDGE his father oweth me And all the rest of the money which my said brother oweth me I remitt and forgive unto him forever. All the rest of my goodes chattalls and cattell moveable and unmoveable whatsoever remaineing after my debts and legacies paid and my funerall expenses dishcharged I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Katherine DAVIDGE whom I ordaine and make whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament, And I doe ordaine and constitute my trusties welbeloved friends Thomas CLARKE parson of Hasellburie Bryan abovesaid and my cosen Michaell HICKS overseers to this my last will and testament desiringe them to afford their best Counsaile and assistance to my wife and daughters for ye Will p'serving and disposeing of themselves and those portions of goodes which shalbe left unto them as aforesaid In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the daie and yeare first above written: perme Christopher DAVIDGE: Sealed signed and delivered in the p'sence of Thomas CLARKE Clerke: Thomas COOCKE Genealogical Notes:- (1). I cannot trace a university record for Christopher Davidge but the 'Clergy of the Church of England' database shows that he was appointed curate of Oborne in Dorset in 1593 and there is reference to his still being there in 1603. His only other record is his appointment as Curate of Nether Compton on 12th June 1622. (2). Few parish registers for this immedite area have been transcribed but the marriages for Hazelbury Bryan (the only register done so far) shows that a Katherine Davidge married a William Williams on 30 July 1628. If this is Katherine, Christopher's widow, the marriage was 3 months after he died. Whilst this seems very quick it's possible that she was living at the vicarage and would have had to vacate the property when a replacement arrived and with 2 unmarried daughters she would have needed support so perhaps this was a marriage of conveinience. (3). My search for information brought up the following at the A2A website Somerset Record Office "Deed Davidge to Warre Milverton DD\SF/193 11 Apr 1628" The date is right about when he died so this might be worth looking up for anybody interested in following the family. Another document is under "Deed Davidge to Warre Milverton DD\SF/195 15 Apr 1629" |