1338 The Society's MSS.—Chisledon and Draycot. 
Stewyns the son of William Stewyns vj‘ viij*, Also I bequethe to Anthony 
Stevyns iij® iiij*, Also I bequethe to William Stewyns the sonne of William 
Stewyns on’ ewe and to Jone Stevyns the dowght' of Willm Stewyns on’ ewe — 
Also I bequethe to Jane Mills the dowght' of Thomas Milles a heyfar, — 
Also I bequethe to Jone Maskelyn an’ ewe and to Thomas Maskelyn’ the sonne 
of William Maskelyn’ an’ ewe Also I bequeth to Margery Beyll my dought* a © 
cowe and a heyfor, Also I bequeth to Richard Webbe xxx" shepe, also I bequethe 
to every childe of Jamys hewys a shepe, also I bequeth to Alys hewis a heyfor, 
Also I will that Margaret Stewyns my wif and Thomas Stevyns the yonger my 
sonne be myn’ executors and that they fulfill my last will and pay my detts, and 
that done I will the Residew of my goodys be departed betwixt Margaret 
Stewyns my wif and Thomas Stewyns my son the yonger whiche byn’ myn 
executo’ by the good provision cf Thomas Buses whiche I make myn ouerseer — 
that my will be fulfilled And I will that he have for his labour xl* Theis 
personnes folowing bering witnes, Sir Nicholas Bixton, Wattar Bachar, William — 
Maskelyn William Beyll wt many other moo the day and the date above | 
rehersed.”” [Proved 19th March, 1519-20, by Thomas and Margaret, in the person _ 
of William Beale, “ literati,” their procurator; registered “ Ayloffe,” fo. 27.] 
Thomas Stephens, the testator’s eldest son of that name, doubtless — 
succeeded him at Burderop. In 1537, as we know by the schedule, 
he obtained a further lease of the farm there from the Abbot of | 
Hyde. He would gladly, we may suppose, have purchased the — 
fee of the Crown, but was forestalled, as we have seen, by Sir 
John Brydges, in 1540. A freeholder, however, he became, and 
secured a haven for his race, against the lease at Burderop ran out, 
by the purchase, 10th May, 1549, of the manors of Inglesham, — 
cos. Wilts and Berks, together with certain lands at Clotely, in the 
parish of Hankerton and in Sevenhampton, all of which had ¢| 
belonged to the Abbey of “*‘ New Work,” Leicester, and for which — 
he now paid the sum of 2107. 9s. 8d. His choice of Inglesham for 
his investment was perhaps decided by his wife’s connexions, she — 
being the daughter of John Prater, of that place. Like his father 
before him he died possessed of a very considerable estate, as appears 
by his will, proved in the Prerogative Court, and registered ‘ Tash,” 
fo. 9 :— 
In the name of god amen the thirde daie of September the yere of o" Lorde 
God a Thousande fyve Hundreth fiftie and one I Thomas Stephyns sicke in 
bodie but of good Remembrance do ordeyne and make this my last will and 
testament, first I give my soule unto Almightie god my maker and Redemer © 
And my bodye to be buried in the churche of Cheselden. Item I give unto the — 
poore mens box of Chesulden Swyndon and Inglesham to be equally devided vj" 
