140 



The Society's MS 8. — Chisledqn and Dray cot. 



Oxford ; also all that my lease, or office, of the onage [?]. To my son-in- 

 law Nicholas Stephens 20/. Frauncis Stephens his wife 20/., two of my best 

 gownes, two of my best kirtles, two of my petticotes, one of silk, the other 

 of skarlett garded with velvet, and one Frenche Hood with the villament and 

 caruott thereunto belonging, one long damask tablecloth, one cupboard cloth, 

 two towells, seven napkins of damaske work. My godson Thomas Stephens 10/., 

 my goddaughter Francis Stephens 10/. William Spencer, my servant, 10/. 

 John Poffley, my butler, 40.?. Robert Bennett one cowe. Sole executor and 

 residuary legatee, son Edmond. Overseer, loving nephew Thomas Spencer, 

 esq., and John Gardiner, gent., 4/. apiece. Witness, John Gardiner, Henry 

 Faie, Richard Woddove. Proved 2 Oct., 1593, by son Edmund Bridges- 

 Registered C. P. C. "Neville," fo. 73. 



Nicholas Stephens survived his wife, Frances Brydges, married 

 again, and died in 1609. The following notes of his will, and the 

 inquisition taken after his death, seem to show that he handed on 

 the estate he had inherited to his son, intact :— - 



I Nicholas Stephens of Burdrop, alias Burithorpe, in the countie of Wiltes, 

 Esquire, being sicke in bodye but of good and perfect memorye (thankes be 

 given to Almightie god), . . . to be buried in parish church of Chiseldon. 

 Poor of City of New Sarum 10s., of town of ffarington, co. Berks, 10*., of 

 Chiselden 20s., of Inglisham 5*, of Swyndon 10*, of Wroughton 10*, towne 

 of Marlbro' 10*., of Pirton alias Puriton 10*., of Lechlad 10*., of Cricklad 

 10*., of Highworth 10*. Younger son, Anthony Stephens, 20/., to be paid 

 within 3 years. Daughter Francis Stephens 400/,, to be paid to her in manner 

 following, ' that whereas there is a deede of conveyance made of my landes, 

 wherein there is reserved 1500/., to be levyed and taken b}" 200/. by the yeare 

 by certeyne ffieoffees, to be ymployed & disposed by them to such uses as I 

 shall appoint, w ch purpose of myne dothe in the same deed more at large 

 appeare,' said feeoffees to pay to said daughter by 100/. at 4 payments. 



Item I give to my youngest daughter Marye 100/., to be levied by the afore- 

 said feoffees at the 2nd pay 1 , due out of the conveyance of my lands above 

 said." . . . Item to Ellynor my wife I give 300/. to be levied . . 

 at the third paye after my decease, 100/., at the fourth paye 100/., at the 

 fifth 100/. Item to Nicholas Stephens alias Mathewe 1 give 10/. Item to 

 John Stephens alias Mathewe 6/. 13*. 4c/. within one year after decease. To 

 my brother in lawe Henry Yiolett 10/. within two years. My sister Katherine 

 Young 10/., " the w ch it is my will should be ymployed to the use & relief 

 of my sister Martha Stocke." My sister Mary Austyn 5/. Item to my cousin 

 John Hynton I give my goshawkes, & to hym more in money 61. 13*. 4<d. 

 Item unto Ellenor, my wife, my best bed & bedstead, 2 other ffether beds 

 6 pair fyner sheets, 6 pair courser sheets, all her chyldbed lynnen, 4 best 

 tablecloths, 4 dozen best napkynnes, best furnace pannes, one dozen best pewter, 

 3 best kettles, bigger brass pott, &c, andyrons, being at Inglesham. Item, 

 unto my youngest daughter Mary, I give feather bed, &c. " Moreover yt 

 is my will that all those moneyes and other goodes which I have bequeathed 

 unto my daughter Mary aforesaid shall be committed to the custodie of my 

 ffather in lawe Henry Masklyn to be ymployed to her best use & advantage." 



