324. Mary SIMPSON, of Wivenhoe, Married Woman, 1703.  D/ACW 23/39

In the Name of God Amen this Ninth day of July in the year
Of our Lord God One Thousand six hundred Ninty and Six and in the
Eight year of his Majs Reign William the third bye Grace of God of
of England Scotland France & Ireland King Deffender of the Faith
I Mary Simpson the wife of Thomas Simpson of Wivenhoe in
the County of Essex Being in Good health of Body and of sound & perfect
Mind & Memory thanks be given unto almighty God for the same
Therefore calling unto mind the Mortality of my body and knowing
that it is appointed For all women Once to dye and with & by the consent,
of my Husband do make and Ordaine this my Last Will & testament
in mannor and form Following that is to say first & principally I give
my soul into the hands of almighty God who gave it me and for
my body I commend it to the Earth to be buried in Christian and
decent Manner accordin to the discretion of my Executor hereafter
named Nothing doubting but at the generall Resurrection I
shall Receive the same a gaine by the Mighty power of God and as
touching such worldly Estate where with it hath pleased God
to bless me in this life I give devise bequeath and dispose the
same in manner and form following, Item I give and bequeath
unto my well beloved Husband Thomas Simpson all & singular my
Coppy hold House or Tenment with all the Appurtenances there unto
belonging now standing & being in Wivenhoe Commonly called the
Underset to Cooppers and now in my own Occupaton to him during
his Naturall Life, and after his decease I give and bequeath the
sd house unto my well beloved daughter Mary Abbott to her
and her Heirs for ever lawfuly begotten of her body & for want of
such Heirs: then my will is I give the same to be equally devided
between the Children of Thomas & Elizabeth Smith. Item
I give and bequeath unto Thomas & Elizabeth Smith the children of the
sd Tho & Elizabth the sume of Twenty pounds of Lawfull money of England
to be Equally devided between them, and to be paid by my Executor
within six Months after my decease. Item I give unto my son
Thomas Abbot the sume of one shilling to be paid within twelve
month after my decease and of this my last will & Testamt I make
my well beloved Husband Thomas Simpson my whole & sole Executr
Witness my hand & seale the day & year first above written
Mary Simpson her mark (X)
sealed in the prsents of

Tho Quixley
Sarah Martin
Edward Jackson