Richard Cook 1704 of Stathern Will
National Archives PROB 11/479/333
In the Name of God Amen I Richard Cooke DD Rector of Stathern in Leicestershire Doe make my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following
Imprimis I give to my Brother Mr John Cooke of Whepsted in the County of Suffolke ten pounds of good and lawfull money of England to be paid to him within one Moneth after my Death
Item I give Mr James Cooke of London Woollen Draper my Brother ten pounds to be paid within one Moneth after my Death
Item I give to my Neece Ann Cooke Five hundred pounds to be paid her within six moneths after my death
Item I give to Frances Cooke my Neece Two Hundred pounds to be paid within six Monethes after my Death
Item I give to Margaret Booty my Neece (haveing formerly done for her at her Marryage) twenty pounds to be paid to her within six Moneths after my Death
Item I give to Robert Cooke my Nephew Two Hundred pounds to be paid to him within six Moneths after my Death
Item I give to Jane Cooke my Neece twenty pounds when she comes to the age of One and twenty yeares
Item I give to James Cooke my Nephew Twenty pounds when he comes to the age of One and twenty yeares
Item I give to the poor of the Parish of Stathern in Leicestershire soe much money as will purchase a yearly Rent-charge of two and Fifty shillings or Land of that yearly value which I desire my Executor with the advice of the Rector and Churchwardens to purchase and settle for ever on the said Parish within one year after my Death And I desire the Rector for the time being with the advice of the Churchwardens to see that twelve penny Loaves be every Sunday given to twelve Men or Women (of which number I desire that the Clerke of the parish be always one) who were that Day present in the Parish Church aforesaid the whole time of morning prayer and Sermon and not to any Children tho’ theire Parents be then sick
Item I give to the parish of Whepsted in Suffolk (where I was borne) Five pounds to buy them a Cup for the Communion to be paid to the Rector and Churchwardens within six Moneths after my Death
Item I give to the parish of Hinton in Cambridgeshire (where I was Viccar) Five pounds to buy them a Cup for the Communion to be paid to the Vicar and Churchwardens within six Moneths after my Death
Provided alwaies that if I shall settle in my lifetime a Rentcharge or Lands to the value of two and Fifty shillings a year on the poor of Stathern aforesaid (as I intend and designe) that then my Executors shall not be bound to pay the aforesaid sume to the Rector and Churchwardens or if I shall before my Death give to my Nephews or Neeces the sume or sumes aforesaid That then my Executors shall not be obleidged to pay him her or them to whom I shall give in my life time the sume or sumes given to them in this my last will
Item I give to my dear Neece Martha Cooke my largest Tankards Four Spoons and two Forks
Item I give to my Neece Ann Cooke my other Tankerd two Spoons one Forke my Watch my best Ring and a Salt seller
I give to my Neece Frances Cooke two Spoons one Forke a salt seller and a Ring
Item I give to my Neece Margaret Booty two Spoons one Forke and a Salt seller
Item I give to my Nephew Robert Cooke Two Spoons one Forke and a Salt seller
The rest of all my goods and chattels moveable and unmoveable Lands Debts Bills Bonds and moneys not already Disposed of in this my last Will and Testament I give and bequeath to my Nephew Mr John Cooke of St Edmunds Bury in the County of Suffolk Mercer whom I hereby doe make and ordaine my sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament desireing and chargeing him to see my Body decently buryed and this my last Will and Testament truely and faithfully performed in every particular as nigh as possibly he can according to my intent and meaning tho in any particular it should be deficient in point of Law and alsoe to give to his Sister Ann Cooke my set of Casters
In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament (after the blotting out the words my Nephew) set my hand and seale the twelfth Day of December One Thousand seven hundred and two
Richard Cooke
Subscribed and sealed in the presence of
Richard Healy
Tho: Bampton
William Morely
The marke of Mary Moulton
Probate London 2 December 1704 to John Cooke nephew and executor