Archive:PCC, Francis Whitney, 1634
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Prerogative Court of Canterbury
1-64 Seager; new reference PROB 11/165
Will of Francis Whitney, of Thetford, gentleman, undated but almost certainly written in 1619, proved 17 May 1634.
Note: This will mentions money to be given after the death of his mother Jane, indicating that she was still living when this was written. The will of Jane Somersett is dated 1619 and proven 24 June 1620, indicating that this will was written before 1620. In addition, this will mentions sister Anne, wife of Osbert Pleasaunce. Osbert Pleasance, gent., of Brandon, Suffolk, died before the proving of his own will on 8 Nov 1619, so Francis's will must have been written prior to that, else she would have been called widow of Osbert Pleasaunce. Also it must have been written after 7 Jun 1619, when Francis Whitney purchased a share in the Virginia Company, mentioned in his will as "my adventure."
Transcription attempted by Tim Doyle:
In the name of God Amen I
Francis Whitney of Thetford in the county of Sufk. gent, being about to passe the
Seas unto the West Indies for the furtherance of the plantaton and service of my
countrey in those parts, doe ordayne and make this my last will and testament: First I
bequeath my soule unto Almighty god my creator, former and Redeemer, by sacred
passion and meritts I hope for everlasting life and blisse, my body to be bestowed
where it shall pleasse god to call mee: Whereas there is three hundred poundes part
of the mony I receaved of one George Marrow of Lidgate in the County aforesaid gent,
for a Tenement and certayne landes lying in Kenford in the County a fore said, bar-
gained and sould to the said George Marrow as by writing betwixt us may appeare.
Which money by agreement betwixt Jane Sommersett, my natural mother, and
my selfe, is put out, and imployed to divers persons in both or. names: wherof the said
Jane my mother is to receave the use and profitts during the tear[m]e of her naturall
life as by the testimony of Mr Robert Snelling, Mr Ganham, and Mr Poynton, may be manifested
which three hundred poundes I doe here give and bequeath as followeth: First I doe give unto my n.rall
brother George Whitney one hundred and Fifty poundes to be payd unto him within one yeare after
the death of my mother: Alsoe I doe give unto my loving Sister Anne Pleasance the wife of
Osbert Pleasaunce Gentleman Fifty poundes: Alsoe I doe give unto my loving brother William
Sommerset Tenne poundes: Alsoe I doe give unto my loving sister Judeth Jaques the wife
of Robert Jaques Gentleman tenn poundes. Alsoe I do give unto my loving Sister Jane
Sommersett twenty poundes to be payd in like manner, as to my brother George Whitny
first bequeathed Alsoe I doe give unto Jane Pleasaunce my neece and god daughter
Fifty poundes to be payd when shee shall accomplish twenty one yeares of age, or att her day
of marriage, which shall first happen. Alsoe I doe give unto my nephew Thomas Pleasaunce
five poundes to be payd when he shall be sixteene yeares of age: Also I doe give unto my
neece Also I doe give unto my neece Jane Jaques five poundes: Alsoe I doe give unto my
loving Aunt Anne Browne Five poundes: Alsoe I doe give unto my Cosen Anne Marrow
Five poundes. Thus my will and meaning is, that the three hundred poundes above mentoned
shalbe divided, as aforesaid. All other money and goodes undevided, as also my adventure, I
doe give unto my executors, paying my debtes, and performing such legacies and bequeaths
as I shall herafter specifie and declare. First I doe give unto Jane Somersett my deare and
loving mother three peeces of gould att twenty two shillinges the peece. Alsoe I doe give
unto Mr Oliver Sarson Minister of Lidgate, and Anne his wife twenty two shillinges of
gould to each of them: Alsoe I doe give unto my welbeloved Mr Robert Snelling of Thetford
gent twenty two shillinges in gould. I doe make and appoynt John Chardyner of Grais Inne
Esquier, and my brother in law Robert Jaques my Executours. In witness wherof I have here
putt to my hand and seale. / per me Fran. Whitney. Signed, sealed and published in the
presence of John Achowe, Tho: Bedingfeild, Wm. Smith, Thomas Perrott.
Probatum fuit testamentum suprascriptum apud London coram venerabili
viro magistro Willmo Mericke Legum Doctore Surrogato venerabilis et egregij viri Domini
Henrici Marten Militis legum etiam Doctoris Curie Praerogativa Cantuariensis Magistri Custodis
sive comissarij legitimi constituti, decimo septimo die mensis maij Anno domini millesimo sexceimo
Tricesimo quarto, Inramento Roberti Jaquis vuius Executorum in huiusmodi testamento nominat___
comisso fuit Adminstratio omnium et singulorum bonorum, Jurum, et creditorum dicti defuncti, de
bene et fideliter administrando eadem Ad sancta dei Evangelia Jurat, Reservata potes_ate similem
Comissionem faciendi Johanni Gardiner Armigero alteri Executorum etiam in hrnoi testo noiat
cum venerit eandem petitur exr.
Translation (thanks to the Transcribe Group):
The above-written Will was proved/established in London in the presence of the honorable magistrate William Mericke, honorable surrogate Doctor of Law and the esteemed lord Henry Marten, a knight and also Doctor of Law and Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, duly constituted on the 17th day of the month of May, 1634, by the oath of Robert Jaques, named executor of this will, who was granted administration of all and each goods, property, and credits of the said deceased, who took an oath on the sacred gospels to faithfully administer the same; with similar power reserved to John Gardiner, armiger, an alternate executor named in this will, who when/if called will seek to do the same.
Copyright © 2006 Tim Doyle and the Whitney Research Group
