142 The Society’s MSS.—Chisledon and Draycot. 
having begun the disintegration of his Inglesham estate as soon 
as he succeeded to it. He died, aged 44, in a neighbour’s house. 
With his last breath he gave his remaining estate to his brother, to 
the exclusion of his wife. She survived him less than a year, when 
she died in her brother’s house, after commending to that brother’s 
care her only child, a son, a hopeless lunatic. 
The entries in the schedule, and the following wills napely the 
details of the severance between the Stephens family and Chiseldon, 
while at page 162 of the volume of Inquisitions Post Mortem, now q 
being issued to Members, will be found the record of the inquiry, 
which formally established the mental incapacity of the direct male 
heir. 
“ Memorandum that Thomas Stephens late of Burdrop in the County of Wilts 
lying sick at the house of Henry ffisher Esquire in Lidham Weeke of the sickness 
whereof he dyed and a little before his death being of perfect memory did by 
word of mouth declare his will and mind to be that his brother Anthony (meaninge — 
his brother Anthony Stephens) should have all his estate or to the like effect in 
the presence of divers credible witnesses.” 
A suit in the Probate Court followed, between Anthony Stephens, 
the brother, and Johan Stephens, the relict, Thomas Stephens, her 
son, and Francis Malin alias Stephens, sister of Thomas and 
Anthony. This ended in sentence for the will, pronounced 9 
Nov., 1631. On the 8th of May following (1632), letters of | 
administration’ were accordingly granted to Anthony Stephens. — 
The will and sentence are registered, C. P.C., “St. John,” fo. 13a3 
The will of Joan Stephens concludes the history :— 
I Joane Stevens of Stanten co Wilts widow: to be buried in par. Church of 
Lamborne. Poor of Stanten where I live 20s Poor of Lamborne, 20s. All 
goods & chattels to John Organ of Stanten aforesaid my natural brother,” 
executor, on condition “that as soon as Thomas Stevens, my onely son shall .| 
recover the mellancholique sickness whereof he now laboureth, ” my said 
executor shall give the same or their value to said son, or if it please 
God my son die before he be recovered said goods to be equally divided 
between Richard Organ of Lamborne, John Organ of Stanten being my 
executor, being my brothers, Elizabeth Hippesley widow & Alice Organ, 
spinster, my sisters, by equal portions. Said brother John to keep said — 
son in all things necessary for one in his state “to whom I commend him as to 
a ffather.’ I nominate Thos. Garrett of Lamborne gent & Thos. Paine om z 
Lamborne yeoman, overseers. Oct. 8.1631. The mark x of Joane Stevens. 
Witness Rob‘. Theate, J" Eatall, Leonard ffetcher. Proved Feb? 13. 1631/2 bye 
John Organ the brother. Registered, C. P. C., “ Audley,” fo. 19. 
“ny 
~ A a “ihe 
