John Venstree of Wivenhoe 1591

Extract from the Will of John Venstree gentleman, 28 May 1591 (National Archives PRO 11/78/424)

Added by Pat Marsden

Touching the disposition of my lease which I bought of Mr Richard Boillard of a house and lands in Hornsby (Middlesex) belonging to the prebend of Brownswood which belongs to the cathedral church of St Paul which I hold for 52 years yet to come, for which I pay Mr Harrington esquire who hath the reversion of the same the yearly rent of £10, which lease I bequeath to my well-beloved wife Sarah. To her and my well-beloved friend Henry Best of London scrivener the messuages and lands belonging in Minster in the Isle of Sheppey (Kent) in the tenure of Thomas Benslyn, to the use of Sarah and Henry and their heirs. I constitute my wife and Henry Best to sell the house and orchard lately erected by me with the lands belonging in the tenure of John Deacon butcher. To my mother-in-law Alice Brewster in remembrance of my good will £5. To Richard Brewster gentleman, her husband, £5. To my very good friend Mr John Brewster £5… [a number of additional gifts to family and friends including 40 shilling to Mr Thomas Harris tailor]. To the poor of Minster £10, St Dunstan-in-the West in Fleet Street, London, £5, and Wivenhoe £5. To my wife the lease of the farm or tenement wherein I dwell called Rogers in Wivenhoe, with the goods, household stuff, plate, rings, jewels, corn and grain at Wivenhoe. The residue to my wife and Henry Best, whom I make executors, and overseer I make my very good friend William Crouch of St Dunstan, and for his pains £3 6s 8d.

Witnesses: William Peckston scrivener, Robert Stephen, Thomas Matthew, servant to Henry Best.

Proved 22 December 1591

This edited extract is reproduced by courtesy of the Essex Record Office. The complete transcription can be read in Emmison, F. G., Elizabethan Life, Essex Gentry Wills, Essex Record Office Publication No. 71, Essex County Council, 1978, p258

[Note: the property named Rogers in this will can still be found in the 1799 Survey Map of Wivenhoe see here.]

This page was added on 27/03/2017.

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