William Elwyn 1518 of Wiggenhall, Norfolk

William Elwyn makes bequests to churches, hermits and Crabhouse Abbey. He is connected to the Kervile family via his sister Catherine, wife of Thomas Kervile (Will 1535) and mother of Thomas Kervile the younger (Will 1522). Summary Will Date 30 August 1517Executors: John Stede of Wareham, Thomas Smyth and William Kenston priestOverseers:  NoneWitnesses:Thomas Peke Vicar of Germayns, Robert …

Thomas Thursby 1510 of Lynn Bishop, Norfolk, merchant

Thomas Thursby / Thoresby is a burgess and merchant in Lynn who was mayor three times. He created Thorseby College in Lynn and a Chapel in St Margaret's Church. His widow Elizabeth (Will 1518) was previously married to Robert Aylmer. Summary Will Date: Seal Date: 3 May 15102 June 1510Executors: Francis Moundford, son Thomas Thuresby, Thomas Guybon, William …

Walter Pauncefoot 1485 of Compton Pauncefoot, Somerset, Knight

Walter Pauncefoot leaves money for many local churches and for the building of a Chantry in Compton. This Chantry is still incomplete when his son Henry writes his Will in 1522. Summary Will Date: 15 June 1485Executor: Son Walter Pauncefoot and Peter BamfieldWitnesses: Henry Sutton, clerk, canon of Sarum Notary Papal and ImperialJohn Sparwell, Richard Wise and William …

David Eaton 1599 of Salisbury, Wiltshire, merchant

David Eaton was Mayor of Salisbury at the time of his decease. He leaves money to many relatives and for good works, his wife, Elizabeth Wilson, having died the previous year. He had acted as Executor for his mother-in-law Alice Huttoft (Will 1596) and her husband Nicholas Huttoft (Will 1584). His sister-in-law Katherine Huttoft married …

William Deke 1493 of Long Melford, Suffolk

William Deke leaves money for the church and good works, and wants his son Thomas to become a priest. Summary Will date:29 December 1493Executors:Wife Margery, Brother Reynold Deke, William Pye, elder son JohnWitnesses:John Smyth parish priest, John Deke parish clerk, Thomas Smyth parish clerkPeople:Wife MargerySons John the elder, John the younger, Robert, Gregory, Thomas, Roger, …

Thomas Horton the elder 1530 of Iford, Wiltshire, merchant

Thomas Horton was a well-to-do merchant who built and endowed a Chantry in the church of Bradford-on-Avon. In his Will he provides for his nephew Henry Rogers to pursue his legal studies and gives two fine sets of religious vestments to the church at Bradford on Avon. His wife Mary outlived him and made her …

Edward Horton 1603 of Bath, Somerset

Edward Horton is the son of Thomas Horton of Iford (Will 1549) and Margery nee Barkesdale (Will 1564) and his Will has similarities with theirs eg. leaving money towards the marriages of poor maidens and repairs to roads and churches. He was married to Alice May, the daughter of Robert May (Will 1584) and step …

Margery Horton 1564 of Bradford, Wiltshire, widow

Margery Horton (nee Barkesdale) was the wife of Thomas Horton of Iford, clothier (Will 1549). Her Will mentions weavers in her employment, so it appears that she ran the business after her husband's decease. The success of the Hortons business is also apparent from her possessions. She has put much thought into her Will, making …

William Mesurer 1541 of Poole, Dorset

William Mesurer's will is written in 1519 and he provides for prayers and masses for the soule as was customary at that time. By the time probate was granted in 1541 all this was swept away by Henry the Eighth's break with Rome. He makes charitable donations and provides funds for the repair of the …

William Morgan 1508 of Steeple Ashton

William Morgan mentions the works in the north side of Steeple Ashton church, begun by Robert Long. The 1501 will of Robert Long mentions the same works and it seem likely that William Morgan’s wife Edith is the widow of Robert Long. She subsequently married William Webb (Will 1523) Summary Will date:5 April 1508Executor:Wife EdithWitnesses:Sir …