Reference
ABP/R6/16d
Title
Folio 16d - Michael Cowper of Henlow.
Date free text
made 9 Feb. 1539/40, proved 8 Mar. 1539/40
Production date
From: 1540 To: 1540
Scope and Content
"I commend my soull unto Crist Jesu my maker and Redemer".
Burial in the church yard of Henlow by his wife Margret. To the mother church of Lincoln 4d..
To son Michael Cowper the remaining years of testator's lease, which includes the house where the testator lives. To him also 10 horses and 2 shod carts and their gear.
To son William Cowper all testator's houses and lands in Arlyssey both free and copyhold, as appears in a deed of gift made in the 16th year of the reign of Henry VIII. William is to have this when he comes of age. This bequest excepts the copyhold house that Thomas Yong lives in , which the testator had given to his son Edmund Cowper, and excepts also a close called Coneryse Brod. Until son William comes of age the income from this property is to be for his use "to Fynde hem to scole with". Should William die before he comes of age, then the property is to go to the next child, or to the eldest of the children begotten between the testator and his wife Margaret, and of these children each is to be heir of the others, and if all die before they come of age and are still unmarried, then the property is to go to testator's son Michael Cowper.
To his son Walter Cowper the house and appurtenances which the testator bought of William Edwardes the ploughwright. Son Michael to pay to William Edwardes £4 at Michaelmas next.
Son Michael is to have the house that Henry Wakefilde lives in, with the copyhold called Waters, which testator bought of master the vicar of Henlow, provided that Michael will pay all that is owing to the vicar, as appears in a pair of indentures made between the said vicar and testator, or else the vicar is to enjoy the property again.
Daughters Mare and Lettes to have £10 each in ready money at Michaelmas next, to be paid out of the profit arising from the sale of the wool from testator's sheep, and from the money which son Michael has in hand.
Daughters Mare and Lettes to have 40 sheep and 20 lambs each, which are to be handed over as soon as they have been shorn. Also each to have a milch cow and a bullock.
To Elzabeth, Alys and Barbery to each of them 20 quarters of barley, 40 sheep, 20 lambs, a milch cow and a bullock, to be given them when they come of age or else are married.
To dau. Wenofred 20 quarters of barley, 40 sheep and 20 lambs and a milch cow and a bullock, to be delivered immediately after testator's burial to John Lembys of Edwarth and to his wife, whois Wenofred's nurse, and John Lembys and his wife are to give to Wenofred's attorney her bequests when she comes to the age of 15.
The portions of those dying before they come of age or are married are to go to the survivors.
His son William is to have the great bed in testator's chamber (which bed was once his mother's) with all that pertains to it, and also a silver piece that belonged to his mother.
To dau. Elzabeth testator's silver goblet.
To son Mychaell the bed in the parlour with all the hangings.
To dau. Lettes testator's wife's best gown, and to dau. Mare the second gown.
To testator's sister Emery his wife's third gown.
To Master Symon Taler, testator's ghostly father, his best gown furred with black "?bayge" [?badger].
To son Michael Cowper the fox furred gown.
To brother-in-law Edmund Emerre the gown lined with "chamblett" and the black cloak, a bay horse and another horse that is an ambler and once belonged to testator's wife, and a shod cart and half a score of sheep.
To son Edmund Cowper 20 quarters of barley, the horse that was Master Tayler's, 40 sheep, 20 lambs, a milch cow, a bullock, a black horse, testator's riding coat, his chamlett jacket, and his best doublet.
To Robert Oste a quarter of barley.
To Father Norley his marbled cloak, a pair of hose and 2 sheets.
To servant Robert Smyth a sleeveless coat.
To every household servant at the time of his death a ewe and a lamb.
Residue equally between his children, especially among the youngest for their bringing up.
Executors son Michael Cowper, and brother-in-law Edmund Emmery.
Witnesses: Symon Tayler his ghostly father, Edmund Emmery, Robert Oste, Alys the wife of Richard Fyssher of Clyfton, Lettes Cowper.
Level of description
item