Margery Langrich 1471 of London, widow

Margery Langrich is the widow of Walter Langrich (Will 1465). She describes her valuables and furnishings using many interesting words of the time. She owns a primer book and some of the items given to her children are marked with their initials. Summary Will Date:  19 November 1470Executors: Son John Langrich and William Yorke of London, …

Mary Cranenburgh 1709 of Chelsea, widow, nee Beake

Mary Cranenburgh is the daughter of Arnold Vander Beke (Will 1675) and sister of Abraham Beake (Will 1710) and Elizabeth Catchpoole (Will 1696). Her husband John Cranenburgh (Will 1700) was a well-to-do merchant borne in Haarlem. Mary mentions a large number of relatives and is particularly generous to her nieces Elizabeth Gill and Sarah Blow, …

Thomas Eyre 1633 of Newton, Wiltshire

Thomas Eyre is the brother of William Eyre (Will 1646) and Giles Eyre (Will 1655). His children are all under age and he entrusts their up bringing and education to his wife Ann, the daughter of Thomas Jeay, rector of Fittleton. John Love is the husband of Thomas Eyre's sister Rebecca. Summary Will date:1 April …

Elizabeth Estcourt 1602 of Salisbury, widow

Elizabeth Estcourt is the daughter of William Webb (Will 1553) and Catherine Abarough. Her first husband was Robert Rogers of Poole and they had 4 children. After Robert died in 1555 she married Giles Estcourt of Salisbury with whom she had 4 more children. In 1562 she was one of the women, along with Katherine …

Katherine Webb 1607, widow of William Webb

Katherine Webb was the daughter of George Tourney, a Salisbury mercer, and her husband was William Webb (Will 1585). When George Tourney died in 1538 her mother Joane married his business partner Robert Eyre. Her step-brother Thomas Eyre had a large family and Katherine mentions many of them in her Will. Katherine enjoyed fine clothes and in 1563 was named in an Inquisition on Wives Gowns in Salisbury. There were conventions restricting certain fabrics to the upper classes and the wives of the well-to-do were ignoring them. Her concern with status also shows in her bequest to the church, which is subject to the church obeying her executors and her seat in the church being reserved for her descendents. The Will also shows worries about her daughter Rebecca's second husband Barnaby Lewis. It seems that family are holding money for Rebecca and her children in case he misuses her and to prevent him getting hold of it.

John Stone 1535 of Salisbury, Mercer

John Stone makes bequests to religious orders and to charity for 'the wealth of his soul'. He provides for priests to sing masses for him and the soules of departed relatives. These practices are all about to end with Henry VIII's break with Rome and the dissolution of the monasteries. His bequests to Friars in …

Margaret Snelgar 1560 of Downton, Wiltshire, widow

Margaret Snelgar is the mother or stepmother of Edmond Snelgar (Will 1614) and Randall Snelgar (Will 1598). Her Will is unusual for a woman in that she leaves money towards the repair of the bridge in Downton and mentions profits from her 'livings'. She has a few silver items and leaves clothing to her servant …

Margaret Cuff 1513 of Salisbury, widow

Margaret Cuffe's husband William (Will 1500) was a clothier in Salisbury, hence her colourful gown and kirtell. She has a small collection of valuables and is concerned with spiritual matters. Summary Will date:27 August 1513Executor:Cousin Nicholas PooleOverseer:Thomas CokeWitnesses:Robert Saunders Curate of St Thomas, Thomas Crandon, John Savage, Thomas AntramPeople:Cousin Johane Alexander, Cousin William Dowbill.Thomas Poole, …

Johane Hampton 1508 of Salisbury, widow

Johane Hampton uses many terms unfamiliar today and describes her valuables and clothes in some detail. The arrangements for prayers and singing for souls are typical of the period and she also gives to the poor. Her husband John was probably the John Hampton who was MP for Salisbury in 1483 and Mayor in 1498. …

John Vennard 1589 of Salisbury, Wiltshire

John Vennard was a commissioner of the peace in Salisbury and his possessions include family silver and a scarlet gown. His will gives some details of a dispute with his son Richard over allegedly forged documents. Richard went on to a chequered career acquiring enough fame and notoriety to get an entry in the Dictionary …