156 



The Society's MSS. Chiseldon, 8fc. 



gold in token of the Testator's good will and hearty desire of their like affection 

 towards his said Wife and Children in the time of need And for the better 

 performance of this my last Will and Testament I do by this ordain and make 

 my said well beloved Wife Martha Calley my only Executrix beseeching her 

 to have a due care that my debts be duly paid with all the convenient speed 

 she may as also for the more better performance of all the premises specified 

 in this my said last will I do by these presents ordain the right worshipful Sir 

 Charles Danvers Knight, Mr. Henry Bayneham, Mr. Giles Danvers Mr. 

 Arthur Porter and Mr. Kichard Danvers Esquires of whom with all humbleness 

 I do most heartily entreat the same for God's sake at their hands together 

 also with my very loving and good friends Mr. Eichard Wood, Clerk, Mr. 

 John Phillipps, Clerk Mr. Kobert Birde, Clerk, Mr. Koger Garrard and my 

 loving Nephew Mr. Edward Smithe to be the overseers of this my last Will 

 and Testament whom I do by this authorize that if at any time there shall 

 happen to arise any question or doubt concerning any part of this my last 

 Will and Testament that then they my said Overseers or the greater part of 

 them shall and may always appease and finally determine the same in their 

 godly and grave considerations without suit contention or any expenses in 

 law And in regard of such their trouble and pains I do hereby give and 

 bequeath unto the said Sir Charles Danvers Knight my best Gelding and unto 

 each of the said Esquires Three old angels apiece And unto every of the 

 residue Two old Angels a piece to be put into some Bemembrance of the 

 Testator if they so please In witness whereof I have written this my said last 

 Will and Testament with my own hand and have hereunto put my usual seal 

 of arms the nineteenth day of April in the Thirty Eighth year of the reign of 

 our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England France 

 and Ireland Defender of the faith &c. A thousand five hundred ninety five. 

 Per Johannem Calley. 



Proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury the 14th May 1598 by Martha 

 Calley the Executrix. 



With the exception of 100/. apiece, as marriage portions to his 

 daughters, and allowances, of 10/. 13s. 4d. in all, to his two sons, 

 the testator's whole estate was by the above will given to his wife 

 Martha — unconditionally so far as her re-marriage was concerned 

 — the lands and parsonage for her life, the personalty absolutely. 

 It is not stated in the will, but it appears by the proceedings in 

 Chancery which immediately follow, that the manorof ' ' Cleeveauncy " 

 had been settled on her as her jointure, while by a recitation in the 

 post-nuptial settlement on her grand-daughter, it would appear 

 that the parsonage had been bought in the joint names of her 

 husband and herself. 



It is regretable that we are unable to give the decision in this 



suit, instituted, eight years after John Calley's death, against his 



i 



