my faith to God and my Loyalty to my Lord the King I proceed to dispose of my Selfe and what it hath pleased God to bestowe upon me in manner and forme following. ffirst I com'end my soule into the Handes of my dearest Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ most humbly beseeching him to wash it throughly in his most precious blood wch was shed to take away the sins of the World and it being thereby fully purged from all the defilemts it hath contracted in the midst of his naughty world through the Lusts of the flesh or the Wiles of Satan that he will please to pr'ent it pure and unspotted unto his Heavenly ffather. my body I would have to be christianly and decently buried according to such directions as I shall give or leave to my beloved and dear wife Anne Gresham whome I doe hereby make my sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament or else in want of any such direction according to her discretion. Next in humble acknowledgemt and thankfullnesse unto Almighty God for all the manifold Acts of his mercy and providence extended to me and mine I give and bequeath the sum of Twenty pounds of lawful money of England to be employed in and towards the beautifying and adorning the Quire of the Cathedrall church of St. Paul within the Citty of London to be paid by my Executrix to the Com'issioners wch are or shall be thereunto uppointed, within two yeres after my decease. Item I give unto my neipse Judith Joyce the daughter and onely remaining issue of my late brother John Gresham Esq deced the sum of Twenty pounds of like lawfull English money to be paid unto her within two yeares after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Gresham all my bookes of what sort soever whether printed or manuscript (except that it shall be lawful for my Executrix to detaine for her owne use such English books not exceeding the number of Twenty as she shall chuse) to be disposed of and ordered by her according to such direcc'ons as I shall give her or leave her in writing under my owne hande attested by two Witnesses. All the rest of my goods money Rents debts Bonds Securityes whatsoever for money and personall Estate whatsoever (except before excepted) the Legacyes herein and hereby given togeather with all such debts as I nowe doe or at the time of my decease shall owe unto any person or persons being truely paid and satisfied my funeral expenses discharged and five poundes distributed to the poore of the parish where I shall happen to dye or be buried at the discrec'on of my Executrix I doe hereby give and bequeath unto my said most beloved and deare wife Anne Gresham my before named Executrix to be possessed and enjoyed by her dureing her life for her better maintenance and support upon this Trust and confidence that she shall at her death cause the same or soe much thereof as after the performance of this my Will shall then remaine equally and impartially to be divived betweene our two daughters ffines Gresham and Elizabeth Gresham if they shall be then both liveing or else to her of them who shall be then liveing and to such lawfull issue as shall be left by the other who shall be deceased. I mean such issue if they are more than one to have amongst them such share onely of my personall Estate as theire Mother should have had if she had been then liveing. And in case one of them shall happen to be dead before my said Executrix without any lawfull issue Then the whole shall be to the Survivor of our said daughters. But if it shall happen (wch God avert) that they shall be both dead before my said Executrix and noe issue lawfull be then left by either of them Then my Will is that my said deare Wife and Executrix shall give and bequeath one Moiety or halfe of all that personall Estate of mine wch should have been divided between our said two daughters or was intended to be given to them or either of them or to any of theire lawfull issue if any such had been then liveing unto my said neipse Judith Joyce in case she be then liveing. But if not then to the Master and Governors of Christ's Hospitall within the Citty of London for the time being to be by them imployed in such Acts of mercy and charity as they shall thinke fitt and judge most conduceing to the Honour of Allmighty God, the other Moiety of my said personall Estate in that case of both our said daughters dying in the life time of my said Executrix without leaveing any lawfull issue behind them I leave wholly to the free disposall of my deare wife and Executrix afores Provided that I doe not intend that the equality before menc'oned and enjoyned in the distribuc'on of

my said personall estate unto my said daughters shall be strictly and precisely observed but onely in such case where they equally deserve it by theire alike dutifull and humble carriage to theire said Mother for if otherwise it happen (whereof theire said mother shall be the sole unaccountable Judge) Then doe I leave my said Executrix at full Liberty to substract out of the said distribuc'on any sume not exceeding a full thirde parte thereof and to bestow it on that daughter which shall really best deserve from her And I doubt not but my most entirely beloved wife and Executrix will faithfully performe this my declared meaning and intent in the disposall and distribuc'on of my personall Estate and the rather because out of my great confidence of her piety and exact Justice to wch a discrec'on may be necessary but other security I looke upon as needlesse I have left her at soe much Liberty when I could have tyed her up more strictly than would perhaps have suited with some exigents wch may (though I hope never shall) befall her. And now as to my reall Estate I doe hereby give and devise unto my said deare wife and Executrix Anne Gresham all those my two parts in three parts to be divided of the Mannor Grange or ffarme of Tetney in the county of Lincolne and all those Lands called Parker Thing and Parker Tack togeather with all Tyths of Corn graine and Hay growing issueing or ariseing upon or out of the Grange there called the North Grange and all that great pasture in Tetney aforesd com'only called Skirneholme and alsoe all my Cowgates Oxengates Salt-fenn gates Sheepwalkes and Commons and all my lands arrable Meadow and pasture Tenemts and Hereditamts with theire and every of theire appurtenances lying and being in the Parish or feilds of Tetney afores. To have and to hold all and singular the pr'misses to her the said Anne and her Assignes for and during the tearme of her natural Life upon Trust and Confidence that she shall dureing all that time pay and allow the one halfe or Moiety of all the rents issues and profitts wch shall arise or grow due out of the pr'misses after my death and wch shall come clearly to hands and use unto our said two daughters Fines and Elizabeth Gresham for theire maintenance dureing the Life of my said Executrix the same Moiety to be equally divided between them. And after the death of my said Executrix and Devisee my will and meaning is that all the pr'misses shall descend and come to my two daughters afores as my Heyres and to theire Heyres according to the Rules and course of the com'on lawes of this kingdome wch I looke upon to be justest and wisest Disposer of Inheritances and therefore would not have them interrupted or at all diverted. And I doe hereby renounce and revoake all former wills by me at any time made and in Witnesse that this here written all wth my owne hand is my true and onely last Will and Testamt I have hereto subscribed my name and sett my seale of armes the day and yere above

written.

JaGresham

Signed Sealed and published to be the last Will and Testament of the said. James Gresham (the word done over the sixth line and the word that over the seaventieth Line being first interlined) in the pr'sence of Margaret More, Will' Joynes, John Tanner, John Smyth. 5th June, 1688.

Memorand' That the Witnesses hereunto did set theire hands hereunto in my pr'sence James Gresham,

A Codicill made this twenty-third day of October one Thousand six Hundred eighty eight to be annexed to the last Will and Testamt of James Gresham of Haslemere Esq. Whereas the Lady Lucia daughter of Algar the Saxon Earle of Mercia and Sister and heire of Edwin and Morcar Earles of Mercia and Northumberland being his pr'decessors and possessors of those lands in Tetney in the County of Lincolne called or knowne by the name of the North Grange of Tetney and also Ivo Tailesbosch Earl of Anjou her first husband did give and grant the same unto the Monastery of Lowth Parke in the same County and to the Monkes there serving

God and to theire Successors for ever before the Council of Lyons (when it was lawfull for every person to dispose his Tythes to what religious person or house he pleased) And whereas the same Lady Lucia togeather with her second Husband Randall Mechines Earle of Chester did afterwards, about the sixteenth yeare of the Raigne of King Hen. the third give and bequeath the said Tythes in Tetney to support and uphold a Chauntrey by them erected in the Monastery of Spalding in the County of Lincolne and which was by them enjoyed untill the first yeare of King Edward the sixth when by a Parliamt then held and for the reasons therein declared the same was dissolved and the Land and possessions thereof were given unto the said King his Heires and Successors. After wch the said King 21° May the seventh yeare of his Raigne convey'd them to William Philpott and Thomas Willoughby and theire Heyres and Assignes and they the first day of July 7° Edw. VI. granted them to Edward Greteham Vicar of Tetney and his Heyres from whome they descended and came to Thomas John and Mary Greteham who by ffine leavyed 18 Eliz. conveied the same to Walter Harpham and his Heyres and he by Deed dated 13 Augti 19 Elizab. granted the same to Thomas Morison of Cadeby in the same County Esq' and his Heyres from whom by discent and severall meane conveyances the same are now come to and are the sole Inheritance of James Gresham by meanes whereof the Tythes afores as well those renewing and growing upon the Lord Viscount Castleton's third part of the said Grange as alsoe those renewing and growing upon those two parts thereof at the partic'on of the said Grange made between the said Lord Castleton and James Gresham which were assigned to the said James Gresham and his Heyres. Now the said James Gresham being well satisfied that he being a Lay person can by no meanes hold or enjoy the said Tyths growing or arising upon the Lord Castleton's third parte of the said Grange and withall owning God's sole and sacred right to them for the use and support of his Ministers and lawfull Priests doe hereby give and bequeath unto the pr'sent Vicar or Minister of Tetney and his lawful Successor for ever, All and every the Tythes of Hay Corne and graine comeing renewing or ariseing upon all and every the groundes feilds and every parte and p'cell thereof wch as Parte of the North Grange afores was assigned unto the said Lord Castleton or to William Tomlinson his Trustee therein to have and to hold to the sd Vicar and his Successors for ever, Provided that if the Masse or other vaine or superstitious service of the Church of Roome shall be imposed upon him them or any of them And he and they or any of them shall not be permitted to say and use the offices appointed by the Church of England England (sic orig.) only that then and from thenceforth the said guift and bequest shall for ever cease and determine and the same shall revert and come unto James Gresham his Heires and Assignes for ever to be enjoyed by him or them as in theire former Estate and condic'on the said guift or any thing therein contained to the contrary thereof notwithstanding That soe in the one case there may be noe superstitions imposed upon those who shall officiate therein And on the other that the person who shall be employed in the cure of soules there may not be defrauded of theire dues by any sacrilegious diverting of that his unquestionable due until such time as some pious Parliamt may inspect all those Tyths and porc'ons of Tyths and other purquesites belonging to the late religious houses dissolved and therewith transferred to the Crowne and shall have seperated all those appropriac'ons, those proper and peculiar porc'ons belonging to the Clergy from the other Revenues of the same Houses and shall then fully and wholly render them unto God those things wch are God's weh by whatsoever sacrilege or law the same was soe misplaced it was most certainely a Nationall sinne and ought in all reason to be purchased as such and restored to the Church and to God's Ministers there attending upon his service quod faxit Deus. James Gresham.

The twenty-third day of October one Thousand six Hundred eighty eight this Codicill was signed sealed and published to be part of the last Will and Testamt of the same James Gresham in the pr'sence of John Layfield, John Tanner, Margaret More who all sett their hands as Witnesses hereunto in the pr'sence of the Testator James Gresham.

Proved in London with the Codicil 17 June 1689 by Anne Gresham the Relict and Executrix.

Jahresham

UTTING

[The original of this Will is in the P.C.C., and together with the Codicil is written throughout in the Testator's handwriting. His signature occurs five times, and seal twice. Aubrey, under Haslemere (Hist. of Surrey, vol. iv. 28), describes him as a "Lover of Antiquity." In the British Museum is a collection of Surrey pedigrees by him and Le Neve (Add. MSS. 14311).]

The quarterings on the seal are-1. GRESHAM; 2. DORMER; 3. CHOBBS; 4. COLLINGRIDGE.

WILL OF JOHN GRESHAM OF LIMPSFIELD, 1673.

In the name of God Amen. I John Gresham of Lympsfield in the County of Surrey gentleman of perfickt memory and understanding (glory be to God therefore) for the voyding of future troubles which may any waies arise and for declaration of my intent and meaning touching the disposing of all my Goods and Chattell houshold stufe and other moveables whatsoever doe now make my last will and testament in manner and forme following Revoking all former will and wills testament and testaments by me made. Imprimis I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of Almightie God my Creator with confidence that by faith in the blood of my Saviour Jesus Christ I shall have free pardon of all my sinnes and be made a Joyfull Inheritor of his hevenly kingdome and my body I bequeath to the earth to be decently buried in the Parish Church of Limpsfield by the direction and discretion of my Executor hereafter named. Item I give to the poor of parrish of Limpsfield five poundes in money to be paid to Twenty of the poorest Men and Women within one month after my decease five shillings a peece. Item I Give to my brother Edward Gresham five poundes in money and to my brother Leonard Gresham twenty shillings. Item I give to his Eldest sonne Thomas twenty shillings. I give to my Brother Robert Gresham five shillings. Item I give to Brother Carue Gresham twenty shillings. Item I give to my Brother Seyliard Gresham five poundes. Item I give to my sister Jane Gresham five poundes. Item I give to my brother in lawe Mr William Taylor and my sister his wife five poundes a peece. Item I give to my Worthy Kinsman S Marmaduke Gresham of Titsey Bart the some of thirty pounds and to his Lady the sume twenty pounds And also to my Cosen Mrs Elizabeth Gresham five pounds. Item I give to my Cosen Mrs Mary Gresham five pounds. Item I give to my Cosen John Holmden Esq. thyrtie pounds and to his Lady tenn pounds and five pounds to his sonne and five pounds to his daughter. Item I give to my good freind Mr Richard Campion of Winsor Esq. forty shillings. Item I give to my goddaughter Mrs Alice Campion five pounds. Item I give to my good freind Mr John Brewer fortie shillings. Item I give to my good freind Mr Edward Larkin five pounds. Item I give to my good freind Mr John Houlbrook of Tytsie five pounds. Item I give to my worthy kinsman Edward Gresham Esq. thirty pounds. Item I give to his Lady tenn pounds. Item I give to my worthy freind Mr Thomas Beresford of Eatonbridge senior the some of forty shillings. Item I give to my kinsewoman Mrs Elizabeth Cooper of Sutton in Surrey forty shillings. Item I doe hereby nominate appoynt and ordaine my Loving brother Mr Edward Gresham of Lympsfeild sole Executor of this my last will and testament And Alsoe I doe hereby declare and publish this to be my last will and testament And lastly I do hearby reserve full power and authoritie to my selfe by way of

Codicill added or annexed to this my last will to add or alter anything here in conteyned and the same to bee taken to bee as good and effectuall to all intents and purposes as if it were part of my will. In witnesse hereof to this my last will and Testament I the said John Gresham have hereto put my hand and seale this foure and twentyth day of June one thousand six hundred seventy and three. The marke of John Gresham.

Signed sealed and published

and declared in the p'sence of Thomas Berisford.

John Grisham

(1)

4 Nov. 1674. Emanavit Commissio Domino Marmaduci Gresham Baronett' legatoris ad administrand' bona eo quod Edwardus Gresham Exor expresse renunciavit.

(Obligation attached with signatures Mar. Gresham and Edward Leslie.) [From the original will, Commissary Court of Surrey, P.C.C.]

(1) From the original in the P.C. C.

Jor Gresham

(2) From a deed of 1658, relating to Tatsfield, among Titsey Muniments.

WILL OF EDWARD GRESHAM, 1674.

In the name of God. Amen. I Edward Gresham of Limpsfeild in the Countie Surrey th❜elder gent being of a good and sound disposing mynd and memorie doe make my last Will and Testamt in manner following, And revoking and making voyd all former Wills and Testaments whatsoeuer by mee heretofore made.

I doe first and principally committ my Soule into the hands of Almightie God my Creator with assured hopes of Salvation thereof through the onely merits death and passion of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ. And my Bodie to the Earth from whence it came to be decently buryed at the discretion of myne Executor hereafter named.

And touching such worldly Estate as God in his infinite mercie hath been pleased to bestowe vpon mee I dispose of the same as followeth. And first I giue and deuise vnto my welbeloued Friend and Kinsman Edward Gresham of New Hall within the Parish of Limpsfeild aforesaid Esq' and to his Heires All my lands Tenements and hereditaments whatsoeuer with their Appurtenances scituate lying and being in the seuerall Parishes of Hitchingfeild and Horsham or in one of them in the Countie of Sussex, upon this condition Trust and Confidence neuerthelesse which I doe repose and confide in him, That hee the said Edward Gresham of New Hall and his Heires shall within the space of one year next after my decease bargaine sell convey and assure all my said Lands Tenements and hereditamts with their Appurtenances vnto any person or persons whatsoeuer and to his and their Heirs and Assignes for the most money that can be got for the same within that tyme, And with the monyes which shall arise by the Sale thereof to pay at the end of one yere next after my decease vnto the Persons herevnder named all those summes of