L42 



The Society* 8 M&S. — Chtsledon and Drai/cot. 



having begun the disintegration of his Inglesham estate as soon 

 as lie succeeded to it. He died, aged 44, in a neighbour's house. 



With liis 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 supply the 

 details of the severance between the Stephens family and Chiseldon, 

 while at page 162 of the volume of Inquisitions Post Mortem,, now 

 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, u St. John/' fo. 123. 

 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 20* Poor of Lamborne, 20*. 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 of 

 Lamborne yeoman, overseers. Oct. 8. 1631. The mark X of Joane Stevens. 

 Witness Rob 1 . Theate, J n Eatall, Leonard ffetcher. Proved Feb? 13. 1631/2 by 

 John Organ the brother. Registered, C. P. C, " Audley," fo. 19. 



