William Crowe 1614 of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, merchant

William Crowe is the son of John Crowe of Great Yarmouth (Will 1565). He built a splendid house on Hall Quay in Yarmouth, the paneling of which is now in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. His Will gives details of other property he acquired in the area. He alludes to ill-feeling between his sons …

Mary Gresham 1726 of London, spinster

Mary Gresham is the sister of John Gresham of the Middle Temple (Will 1713). She continues the exclusion of her brother's mother-in-law as per his Will, but lack of mention of his wife suggests she may have died. Summary Will Date:24 Jan 1720Executor:Sister Judith GreshamWitnesses:Deba Billingsley Anne FleetwoodPeople:Sister Judith GreshamChildren of her brother John Gresham: …

John Gresham 1713 of the Middle Temple, London, gentleman

John Gresham's will shows a serious falling out with his wife [Martha Elking daughter of John Martin Elking (Will 1699)] and her mother. He appoints his sisters guardians of the children and says their mother and grandmother are to have nothing to do with them. His sister Mary Gresham reiterates this in her 1726 Will. …

Mary Kent 1728 of St Minver, Cornwall, spinster

Mary Kent is the daughter of John Kent (Will 1671). The probate includes an inventory of her minimal possessions and a statement that her nephew has withdrawn an objection. Summary Will Date:9 May 1728Executor:John Kent eldest son of her brother George KentWitnesses:Ezekiel Skinner and Roger SkinnerPeople:Brother William KentBrother George Kent and his eldest son John …

James Godscall 1638 of London, merchant

James Godscall's children are from his first marriage and his second wife Rachel (Will 1651) is the widow of Frederick Beake of Colchester. He makes ample provision for his relatives mourning attire and confirms the financial arrangements made at the time of his second marriage. He claims his grandson owes him money by deceit. Summary …

Richard Derby 1624 of Beaminster, Dorset, gentleman

Richard Derby dies just three years after his father Henry Derby (Will 1621) and before his mother Joan (Will 1637). He disputes his father's Will which leaves property to a younger brother William rather than himself as eldest son. Summary Will Date:UndatedExecutor:Wife EleanorOverseers:Brothers-in-law John Odber and William TuckerWitnesses:Richard Hooper and John JessopPeople:Wife EleanorSon HenryBrothers William …

William Button 1590 of Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire

William Button is the son of William Button of Alton Priors (Will 1547). He had 6 sons and 2 daughters and was MP for Marlborough in 1553. Shortly before writing this Will he disinherited his eldest son Ambrose and as we see here left his estate to his son William. Ambrose in his 1613 Will …

C78/791 No 6 Elizabeth Dixon vs. her Hunt, Beake and Dixon siblings re her father John Dixon’s estate 1698.

Elizabeth takes her siblings and their familes to court over their father's estate, which according to his Will was to go almost entirely her, the caring daughter, and not to the other children who had exploited and disrespected him. Despite the father's attempt within his will to prevent the family dispute it takes 9 years …

William Sole 1620 of Great Massingham, Norfolk, Clerk

William Sole is the Rector of Great Massingham. He is concerned about his son's behaviour and appoints his wife executrix despite her age. His daughter Jane initially married Robert Jenner and then Edmund Cremer of Heacham (Will 1632).

C78/590 Simon and Elizabeth Spatchurst on behalf of William Eyre vs. Giles Eyre and John Love 1653

Claim brought on behalf of William Eyre by Simon Spatchurst (William's step father) and his wife Elizabeth (William's mother, formerly wife of Thomas Eyre the younger). The property was left to Thomas Eyre the younger by his father Thomas Eyre the elder (Will 1633). The claim is successful, but William himself dies young (Will 1665). …