Also I will that Thomas Chapman shall be my rent gatherer of all my tenements and gardens in the Parish of St. Giles without Criplegate of London during his naturall lief and to make true payment of the receipts thereof and he to have yearely for his fee fortie shillings for and in consideracion of the said office.

Also I will to every one of my men servants that shall dwell with me at the time of my decease a twelvemonthing bullock apece. And to every one of my mayde servants that shall dwell with me at the time of my decease an ewe apece. And I give to every one of my men servants a blacke coate, and to every one of my maide servants a blacke Cassocke.

And of this my present Testament and last Will I ordeine and make Beatrice my Wief my sole Executrix, and to the intent that the said Thomas Bayerd and William Rowe may doe as good and faithfull frends in the executing of this my last Will and testament as my trust is in them to see unto my children in whome I repose my whole trust and confidence I make and ordeine the said Thomas Bayerd and William Rowe together with the Rt Worshipfull Sir William Cordall Kt Master of the Rolls my Overseers. And I give to the said Thomas Bayerd and William Rowe to ether of them a ringe of golde of forty shillings apece and to each of them a horse. And to the said Sir Wm Cordall I give and bequeath for his paines and travell to be taken herein the best horse that I shall have at the time of my decease. And to the said William Rowe I give and bequeath my best coate my best cloake and my night gowne.

In witness whereof to this my presente Testament and last Will I have sette my seale and subscribed my name in the presence of these whose names be hereunder written being specially called to be witnesses to the same these whose names be hereunder written were present at the reading perusing and sealling of this Will that is to saie.

Also I saide William Gresham do give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Gresham Four hundred poundes upon condicion that she shall not marry without the advice and consent of Beatrice my wief my Lady Rowe Cicely Ciall and my brother John Gresham or two of them at the least and if she doe this legacye shall be voide and then the said sum shall remain and be to Elizabeth and Ciceley my daughters. In witness whereof to this said Codicil I William Gresham have sette my seale and subscribed my name in the presence of Wm Gresham-Edmund Stile-Rob Gunsley-Arthur Heyward-George Hodges-Edward Cooke-John Constable.

Probatum apud London 14 Julii 1579.

Seal of William Gresham. Arms Gresham, impaling Gybbon, those of his wife.

In the Name of God. Amen. The 20th daie of Februarye 1603. I Beatrice Gresham of Tittesey Co. Surrey Widow being in health of bodye and of good and perfect remembrance thanks be to God therefore doe make institute and ordeine this for my present testament and last will in manner and forme following. That ys to saie First I commend my soul unto Almightie God mine onelie Redeemer and Savior and my bodie to the earth to be buried within the Parish Church of Tittesey aforesaid in the samc place where William Gresham Esqre my late husband was buryed or in some other convenient place thereto adjoyninge.

Next I will that all such debts and duties as I doe owe to any person of right or in conscience shalbe well and trulie satisfied and paied by mine Executors hereafter named within short time after my decease.

Item I give towardes the reparacions of the Parish Church of Tittesey aforesaid six poundes thirteen shillinges and four pence. Item I give to the poore people which shall be at my buriall 20 marks of lawfull money of England and a dinner at the charge of my sayde Executors.

Item I give to Dame Elizabeth the now wief of Sir William Gresham Kt my eldest sonne Ten Pounds of lawfull money of England to make her a Ringe with in remembrance of mee and one Trunk standing in my bed chamber with all the Lynnen therein beinge and likewise one Chest standing under the said Trunck.

Item I bequeath to John Michell Esqre my sonne in lawe other Ten Poundes for the like purpose as before.

Item I will to Mary his Wief my loving Daughter two Dishes of Silver three Silver Boles graven with two Silver Spoons gilt one deepe Bowle of Silver with a Cover latelie made and one Chest standing by my bedde heade with all the linnen therein.

Item I bequeath to Dame Cecilie now wief to Sir Henry Woodhowse Kt my loving daughter yf she shall hereafter happen to be a widowe and unmarried two Chests full of Lynnen with all the Lynnen therein contained whereof one is covered with redd leather and barred over with Iron and thother ys of waynscott to be safelye and trustilye kept by my said Executor and by him to be delivered unto her the said Cecilie when as she shall happen to be a widowe and not before.

Item I give to Elizabeth the nowe daughter of the said Ladye Woodhowse Ten poundes yerelie to be payed at the Feasts of the Annunciation and of St Michaell by equall porcions towards her preferment and better mainteynance untill the summe of one hundred poundes of lawfull English money shalbe paied and fullie satisfied. And also I bequeath unto the same Elizabeth daughter of the said Ladie Cecilie to be paied unto her at the daye of her marriage or when she shall accomplish the age of eightene yeres whichsoever shall first happen if she doe marrye or live to that age one hundred poundes more of like money.

Item whereas Sir Henry Woodhowse Kt by one Recognizance or Writing obligatory dated 7 April 32 Eliz. made according to the Statute lately provided for the recovery of debts taken knowledged and sealed before Sir Christopher Wraye Kt Lord Chief Justice of England was and as yet standeth holden and firmly bounden to me in the sum of fifteen hundred poundes of lawfull money payable as by writing obligatory more plainly appeareth with defeazance thereupon viz that if the said Sir Henry Woodhowse Kt or his Assigns at his or their proper costs and charges within a certain time therein limited should purchase an House and Lands to the clere yerely value of 100 marks to be situate lying and being within the Countie of Norfolk to the use of Dame Cecilie for the terme of her lief and after her decease to the use of her eldest son and his heirs for ever, which said Recognizance in default of performing the covenants and condicions therein contained is already forfeyted, notwithstanding my will ys that yf the said Sir Henry Woodhowse or his assigns shall within two yeres next ensueing my death purchase an howse or lands to the clere yearly value of 100 marks to be situate lying and being within the Countie of Norfolk to the use of Dame Cecilie for her lief and after her decease to the use of Raph and Arthur her two sonnes and their heires without fraud or coven, that then no advantage shall be taken by my Executors of the penaltie or forfeyture of the said Recognizance. But if no such purchase shall be made according to the tenor of this my Will, then my will ys that my Executors shall and will effectuallie pursue and according to the course of the lawes of this realme procure and cause the said Recognizance to be executed to the only use benefit and commoditie of Dame Cecilie and her children.

Item I bequeath to Mr. Thomas Bell Rector or Parson of the Parish Church of Lymsfeld to preach at my funerall three poundes six shillings and eight pence.

Item I will to John Giles my servant fortie poundes to be paied unto him within two yeres next after my decease. Provided alwaies that yf mine Executor hereafter named shall within one year next after my decease at his Costs and charges lawfullie assure or cause to be assured to the said John Giles one messuage

or tenement and landes with the appurtenannces to the clere yerelie value of fortie shillings to have and to hold to him the said John for and duringe his naturall lief to be discharged of all rents and other charges and incombrances that then the said legacye of fortie poundes to him the said John Giles be voyd and of none effect.

Item I give to Agnes Clampard my servant six poundes thirtene shillings and fourpence, and to everye other of my maid servants dwelling with me at the time of my decease and having dwelt with me by the space of two yeres next before my death twentie shillings apeece over and above their wages.

Item I bequeath to every manservant that shall dwell with me at my decease and having dwelt with me by the space of two yeres next before my decease to every of them twentie shillings apeece as aforesaid.

Item I give and bequeath to Sir William Gresham Kt my eldest sonne one hundred poundes of lawfull money of England to be paied him within one yere next after my decease yf he then shalbe lyvinge. The residue of all and singular my goodes chattells cattell plate jewells readye money debts annuities bonds specialties and all other my thinges whatsoever not before herein willed or bequeathed my debts paied legacyes aforesaid performed and funeralls discharged Í fullie and wholye give and bequeath to my loving sonne Sir Thomas Gresham K whome I make and ordeine sole and onelie executor of this my present Testament and last Will revokinge hereby all former Wills by me made. And Overseers hereof I doe institute and appoint my very and right honourable good friend John Lord Archbishopp of Canterburye whom I humblie beseech to see the same dulie and trulie performed according to my true meaning and the trust reposed in him, unto whome I bequeath for his grace's paines and travell to be taken thereabout the best horse that I shall have at the daie of my death and twentie nobles in good gold. In witnes whereof I the said Beatrice Gresham to these presents have sett myne hand and seale in the presence of Thomas Collett-Raph Stacie-Thomas Collett Jur. The marke of Beatrice Gresham.

Proved at London 2nd June 1604.

SIR THOMAS GRESHAM Kt. 1630.

In the name of God Amen. I Sir Thomas Gresham of Titsey Co. Surrey Kt. being at the present of good state for bodily health and of perfect memory and good understandinge thanks be given unto Almighty God for the same and knowing that all human thinges are transitory and that the life of man is short and subject to God's eternall summons and that noe worldley thinge is more certaine than that all men must dye and yet nothing more uncertayne than the houre or tyme of mans death, and the not settlinge or establishinge or the doubtfull and sodaine leaveinge of mens estates of mens lands and goods are many tymes occasion of strife. Avoiding whereof and for plain declaracion of my intent and meaninge touching the disposicion of all my goods cattells chattells plate houshold stuffe implements and other moveables whatsoever and alsoe of all those my lands tenements and hereditaments, leases for life or lives yeare or yeares where I stand now seized and possessed I doe nowe make my last Will and Testament in writing in manner and forme following.

Imprimis I give and bequeath my soule into the handes of Almighty God my Creator confidently assuring myself that by faith in the blood of my Lord and only Savior Jesus Christ I shall have free pardon and remission of all my sinnes and be made through his blood and passion a joyfull inheritor of his heavenly kingdome, and my body I doe bequeath to the earth to be decently buried in the Parish Church of Titsey by the direction and discretion of my Executors and Overseers hereafter named.

Item I doe give unto my daughter Dame Elizabeth Gresham now the wife of

my sonne Sir John Gresham as a remembrance of my speciall love towards her the sum of ten poundes in money.

Item I doe give unto my daughter Dame Mary Hinton now the wife of Sir Anthony Hinton the sum of ten poundes in money.

Item I doe give unto my daughter Dame Beatrize Holmden now wife of Sir Thomas Holmden ten poundes in money.

Item I doe give to my daughter Dame Elizabeth Cooper now the relict of Sir Richard Cooper deceased ten poundes in money.

Item I doe give and bequeath to Hester Gresham my fowerth daughter for her better maintenance and preferment the sum of eighteen hundred poundes to be paid her at her day of marriage or at two intire payments at six months and six months next and immediately after my decease by even and equall porcions which of them shall first happen in full satisfaction of all summes as shall be otherwise by me due unto her at the tyme of my decease. And further nevertheless my will and mind is that my Executors hereafter named shall paie unto my said daughter Hester within six months and six months next after my decease alsoe fourscore pounds in ready money over and besides the porcion and summe before mentioned, at two entire payments by even and equall porcions for her present maintenance and livelyhood. Item I doe give and bequeath to the poore of the Parish of Titsey ten poundes and to the poore of the Parish of Lymsfield twenty marks.

Item to Rafe Barnes my servant ten poundes.

And I do further give to all my men and women servants dwellinge with me as my houshold servants at the tyme of my death to every of them one whole years wages over and besides their wages which shall be due unto them at the tyme of my decease.

Item I do give unto Timothie Bucknam daughter of Sir Henry Bucknam Kt. ten pound to be paid within three months after my decease.

Item I make and constitute my well beloved sonne Sir John Gresham Kt. my sole and onely Executor of this my last Will and Testament and doe straitly charge him to see all my debts discharged and all my legacies and bequests satisfied and performed and that he have speciall care truly and faithfullie to satisfie discharge and paie all the legacies and bequests given or devised by my late sister Mary Michell and John Michell her late husband both deceased and not satisfied at the tyme of my decease. And the better to enable my said son and Executor Sir John Gresham Kt. to paie all my debts and legacies to discharge my funeralls and to perform this my last Will and Testament I doe give and bequeath to him the said Sir John Gresham the residue of all my goods chattells cattells and houshold ymplements debts and creditts whatsoever provided all waies that the said Sir John Gresham shall within one moneth after my decease give securitie to my Overseers hereafter named for the true and faithfull performance of this my present last Will and Testament and for the true payment of all the legacies before and herein mentioned.

THO. GRESHAM.

Sealed and Subscribed by the said Sir Thos. Gresham in the presence of Nich. Carew-Franc. Carew-John Hayward-John Collins-Stephen Savary-Clement Forster-Fran. Haward.

Provided lastly and my full intent and meaning is that if my said son Sir John Gresham shall refuse to take upon him the charge of executing of this my present Will and Testament as Executor thereof that then such person or persons to whom any letters of administration of my present estates shall be granted shall before the granting thereof give good securitie to my Overseers for the true and faithfull performance of this my present last Will and Testament and for the true payment of all the legacies before and herein mentioned.

Item I doe constitute and appoint my loving friends Sir Robert Hethe Kt His Majesty's Attorney General and John Haward of Tandridge Co. Surrey Overseers of this my Will and Testament desiring them to be aidinge and assistinge with

their best advice and discretion to my Executor for the true performance of my Will and Testament, and I do give Sir Robert Hethe in regard of his love and travell therein five poundes and to John Haward ten poundes.

And forasmuch as there are at this present and maye happen to be remayninge in my custodie at the time of my decease many writings and evidences which doe and maye concern not onely the lands and inheritance which shall come unto my said sonne Sir John Gresham immediately after my decease, but the lands and inheritance of my second sonne Sir Edward Gresham as well those which he hath in possession as those which shall come to him after my decease, and also doe and maye concern my lands in Wouldingham and my house in Bishopgate Streete in London which I have lately settled and estated immediately after my decease upon my third sonne Thomas Gresham, my Will and purpose therefore is and I give full power and authority to my Overseers immediately after my decease to viewe and peruse all my said writings and evidences and to divide and distribute of them to every several and perticular person according to their several and perticular right and interest.

Item I doe also give and bequeath to my said youngest sonne Thomas Gresham all such my wearinge apparell linnen and woollen as I shall have at the tyme of my decease.

And I doe declare this to be my only true Will and Testament and revoke all former Wills by me made but do reserve by waie of Codicill power to add or alter anything contained therein and the same to be as good in lawe as if it were contained in my Will and my Executors to be as straitly bound for performance thereof and in witnes this is my last Will and Testament I Sir Thomas Gresham have to either page or leafe thereof subscribed and set to my hand and seal this tenth day of March 1626. Sealed in the presence of Nich. Carew et al.

Memorandum that Sir Thomas Gresham of Titsey Co. Surrey Kt. weake of bodie but of perfecte memory and understanding did give and devise to Richard Aubry his clerk five poundes in money. Item to Bryan Milles for his good attendance in the tyme of his sicknes ten poundes. Item to Richard Marchaunt a boy in the stable three poundes to make up fortie shillings which he hath of the five poundes, all which he desired might be added to his last Will and Testament by waie of Codicill and annexed to the same as part of the same and to be paied and performed by his Executor as effectuallie as if the same were of his Will according to his instructions previously given. Dated 29 June 1630.

In witness I said Thomas Gresham have to this Codicill set to my hand and seal the last day of June, 1630. Sealed in the presence of (this he did desire us to testifie) John Haward-Henry Lovell-Thomas Gilbourne-John Strachine.

Probatum apud London 5 Julii 1630 juramento Johis Gresham Mil. Executoris.

Thames Gresham.

The: Gresham

1 and 2.-Seal and Signature from Deed of 17 Jan., 36 Eliz., in possession of C. H. Master, Esq. 2 and 3.-From Deed of 30 May, 1621, in possession of Seymour Teulon, Esq. The Seal as appears by the Arms, is that of his father, William Gresham. (See p. 20.)