Will of George Dowsett of Sawbridgeworth, 1633

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Dowsett

This is a transcription of the original will of George Dowsett , of "Sabridgworth" (Sawbridgeworth) Hertfordshire, England. The original is held at the Essex County Record Office. ^[1]
George wrote his will on 18 January 1632 [1632/3]. He was buried a year later at the parish church of Great St Mary, Sawbridgeworth on 19 January 1633/4. His will was proved on 13 March 1633/4 by Grace Dowsett his widow.

Spelling, punctuation and line breaks as per the original
Paragraph breaks and bold text are my own for ease of reading
ff has been rendered as F, and ligatures and abbreviations have been expanded in [square brackets]

Persons mentioned:

• Grace Dowset, his wife and executor
• Edward Dowset his eldest son and executor
• Elizabeth Dowset his daughter
• Robert Dowset his son
• John Dowsett his son
• Marie his daughter
• George his son
• Richard his son

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In the name of god Amen the Eyghtteenth day of Januarie Anno Dom[ini] 1632 I George Dowsett of Sabridgeworth in the
Countie of Heartfourd in the Dioces of London being sicke in body yet sounde in minde and memorie blessed be Allmightie god
doe ordaine and make this my laste will and Testament in manner and forme followinge viz first I bequeath my soule into the hands of the
Allmightie god my maker and Redeemer trusting to be saved by the death and passion of my only lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body to
be buryed in the p[ar]ishe Churchyarde of Sabridgworth there to rest untill the generall resurrection at which time I doe stedfastly beeleeve the
Allmightie god by the power of his spirritts will rayse yt upp unto immortallitie to live with him for ever:

It[e]m I give and bequeath the portion
of Lands and moveable goods which the lorde hath lent me here in this life by his mercye and goodnesse in Manner and forme following viz[it] I
give and bequeath unto Edward Dowset my eldest sonne my Tennement Called Spooners with the lands thereunto belonging lying in the
p[ar]ishe of Sabridgworth upon this Condition that he shall paye or cause to be payed out of this my sayd Tenn[ement] and lands eyghtteene
pounds of lawfull monye of England to his Bretheren and Sisters as hereafter followeth:

Viz unto Elizabeth Dowset my Daughter three
pounds within one yeare to be payed nexte afte[r] the decease of Grace my wife provided that if Grace my sayd wife shall
live untill my youngest Childe shall be at the full age of five teene yeares: unto Robert Dowset my sonne three pounds within
two yeares next after the decease of Grace my sayd wife in manner as aforesayd: unto John Dowset my sonne three pounds within
three yeares next after the decease of Grace my sayd wife in maner as aforesayd: unto Marie Dowset my Daughter three pounds
within fower yeares next after the decease of Grace my sayd wife in manner as aforesayd : unto George Dowsett my sonne three pounds
within five yeares next after the decease of Grace my sayd wife in manner as aforesayd : unto Richard Dowset my sonne three
pounds within six yeares next after the decease of Grace my sayd wife ^{in manner as aforesayd}

Allso my will and minde is that if Grace my wife shall
die before my youngest child then living shall be at the full age of fiveteene yeares That Edward Dowset my sayd sonne shall keepe
with meate drinke and aparrell all those of my Children which are under the sayd age of fiveteene yeares untill the come to the
full age of fiveteene yeares and then shall pay unto his brothers and sisters the sayd portions yearely as aforesayd

Lastly I doe
make Grace my wife and Edward my sonne executors of this my last will and Testament to see legacies payd my debts
discharged and my body decently brought to the grounde In witnesse whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and yeare
first above written

George Dowset [his mark] [seal]

Sealed and acknowledged in the presents of us
Christopher Preston
John Waller
John Addame [his mark]

Probate statement [in Latin]: at Stortford 13 March 1633 [1633/4] to Grace Dowsett

Sources

1. ↑ Will of George Dowset of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire proved at the Commissary of the Bishop of London
   Essex County Record Office, Chelmsford, Essex, England.
   Reference: D/ABW 89/2/74
   Images viewed at Essex Archives Online requires subscription. They give the creation date as 13 October 1632, but this date is nowhere on the document. Image is upside down on line. Accessed 21 December 2021