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 …

Thomas Horton 1549 of Iford, Wiltshire, clothier

Thomas Horton is the son of William Horton of Lullington (Will 1508). He makes his Will in London on the day he dies, aged 48, and is buried the next day at St Michael, Cornhill, London. He has confidence in his wife Margery who inherits property, is given custody of their under-age son, and is …

Christopher Eyre 1584 of Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire, Gentleman

Christopher Eyre's Will mentions the poor of several parishes, his servants and various cousins including John Eyre of Orcheston (Will in 1600). He uses some interesting words for the items bequeathed. Summary Will date:20 May 1583Executor:Cousin Thomas Eyre Merchant of SalisburyOverseers:William Eyre of Chalfield, William Middleton of WarminsterWitnesses:William Ridley and William MayhewPeople:Five daughters of John …

Mary Long 1562 of Whaddon, Wiltshire, widow

Mary Long (nee Horton) makes bequests to her children, relatives and friends, but the provision for her eldest son is conditional on his good behaviour and all her sons must wait until their twenty third birthday. She gives details of many household items and her clothing. Mary is the widow of Henry Long (Will 1558), …

Thomas White 1557 of Poole, Dorset, merchant

Thomas White is a well-to-do merchant who was twice mayor of Poole. His son became MP for Poole and his daughters married into similarly prosperous families. The start of this Will is reminiscent of the pre-reformation, but with charitable works rather than masses for the soul. It may reflect a hope that Philip and Mary …

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 …