Will of Walter Vowles, of Theale, Somerset, 1652

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Wedmore, Somerset, England
Surname/tag: Vowles

The will and testament of Walter Vowles, of Theale, husbandman in the Parish of Wedmore was made on 15 Jul 1652. Walter, aged 71 years, being "sick of body" was to die shortly thereafter. He was buried in in the parish church of St Mary, Wedmore, Somerset on 26 July 1652. He was survived by his wife of 37 years, Jane Vowles, and his remaining five living children: John, Elanor (Volwes) Norman, Jane (Vowles) Tutton, Mary and Walter all of whom are named as beneficiaries in the will. Jane, who was appointed sole exectutrix of Walter's estate, had the will proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 22 Oct 1652.

The will is preserved in The National Archives (UK)^[1]

This is a transcription of the Register office copy

Transcription conventions used in this text:
Spelling, punctuation and line breaks are as per the original document.
The text was originally in one block of text. Paragraph breaks have been inserted at change of bequest, and bold text for names have been added for ease of reading.
Where present, ff has been rendered as F, and the old letter Thorn has been rendered as th.
Abbreviations and breviographs have been expanded in [square brackets].
Additions and margin notes, where they occur, have been added where indicated in the text.
Crossings through, where they occur, have been included Struck out.
The image quality was good, and the handwriting very legible.

Persons in the order in which they are mentioned

• Walter Vowles, of Theale, husbandman (Testator)
• Elanor Norman (daughter)
• John Vowles (son)
• Jane Tutton (daughter)
• John Tutton (grandson)
• Richard Tutton (grandson)
• Mary Vowles (daughter)
• Walter Vowles (son)
• Joseph Vowles (brother)
• Jane Volwes (wife)

Transcription:

In the Name of God Amen
I Walter Vowles of Theale within the parish of Wedmore in the County of Somerset
husbandman being sick of body yet of sound and perfect memory for which
I heartily thank my heavenly Father do I make and ordaine this my last
will and testament in manner and forme following.

First I most
willingly give and yeild up my Soule unto Allmighty God I desiringe him
through his mercie in Christ Jesus my Savio[ur] to wash and cleanse it from
all originall and actuall poluc[i]on and to place it among the blessed number
of his Saints in his heavenly kingdome And my body I render to the earth
in hope and full assurance of a joyfull resurrection.

I give to my sonne John
Vowles all my Tableboards formes binches and tacks that are in my hall
after my Wives Decease. Also I give to my Sonne John Vowles my black
Cowe called Daysey and one heifer which was her calfe.

I give to my
Daughter El[ia]nor Norman five shillings

I give to Willian Norman my
Daughters Sonne my heifer calfe to be employed and kept for him to his
Best use against hee to full age.

I give to my Daughter Jane Tutton five
shillings

Also I give to John Tutton my Daughters Sonne my Steere calfe

I give to Richard Tutton my daughters second sonne tenn shillings,

I give
to my daughter Mary Vowles one hundred pounds of lawfull monie of
England to be payd to her when she come to the full age of one and twenty
yeares.

Also I give and bequeath unto my Sonne Walter Vowles all my
chattle Leases and grounds and termes in them mentioned and the whole
beneifitt of them after my wives decease. Also I give to my sonne Walter
Vowles my two yeares aged gray mare.

I give to my brother Joseph Vowles all
my wearing apparrell.

All the rest of my goods and chatteles whatsoever
not hereby given or bequeathed I give and bequeath to my wife Jane Vowles
whom I make and ordain to be the whole and sole executrix of this my
last will and testament.

And I doe hereby revoake all former wills by mee
at ane time heretofore made. In witnes whereof I have hereon sett my
hand and seale the fifteenth day of July 1652. The marke of Walter
Vowles. Signed sealed and published as the last will and testament of
the forsayd Walter Vowles in the presence of John Tutton Robert Edwards.

Probate:

This Will was proved at London the two and twentith day of October
in the year of our Lord God according to the the computation of the Church of
England one thousand six hundred fifty and two before Sir Nathaniell
Brent knight Docto[r] of Lawes and Judge or Master of the Preroga-
-tive Courte of Canterbury. By the Oath of Jane Vowles Relict
of the said Deceased and sole Execrutrix named in the said will
to whom was committed administration of all and singulattr the
goodes chattles and debtes of the said deceased accordinge to the
tenor and intent of the said will she being sworn by virtue of
a Commission hereby to administer the same.

Transcribed by Neil Stewart on 2 Sep 2022.

Sources

1. ↑ Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers [database with images online at The National Archives] ref PROB 11/223
   Citing Register: Bowyer Quire Numbers: 154-195, Will of Walter Vowles, Husbandman of Wedmore, Somerset dated 15 Jul 1652
   reference PROB 11/223/529, proved on 22 October 1652 (accessed 28 Aug 2022)