In the name of God Amen I William Strudwick of Lowfold in the parish of Wisborough Greene in the County of Sussex yeoman being weake in body but of perfect memory do make this my last will and testament
First I bequeath my soul to god that gave it and my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my executrix I first charge my eldest son William by that duetie he xxx me as he expecteth the blessing of Almighty God and xxxx him xxxx that he my said sonne William and his heirs quietly permitt and suffer all those my landes and tenements in Wisborough greene aforesaid called Shipbourne to be held and enjoyed according to one indenture of Lease and one release pursuyng and relating to the said indenture of demise by me lately made to my two brothers Roger Whitington and William Cowper als Steyning
Item I give my lands and tenements wherein I now dwell called Lowfolde unto my wife Katherine Strudwick for and during the terme of 5 years next after my decease provided that she my said wife give unto my overseers hereafter named within one month after my decease security by bond of the principall summ of two hundred pounds to pay unto them at the expiration of the said five years the summ of one hundred and fourtie pounds of lawfull money of England The which said sum I desire my Overseers to cause to be employed for my five younger children viz. for my sons Thomas and John and my daughter Mary Katherine and Elizabeth the said sum arising and amounting at the said five years expiration unto each of my said five children eight and twenty pounds a peece and to use that sum of eight and twenty pounds I desire my overseers that it maybe secured unto them to be severally paid unto them with such advantage as shall or may be made thereof as they shall severally accomplish his her or their age and ages of one and twenty years
And if it shall happen any of my said five children to dye before they reach that age then the survivor and survivors of them to have his her or their portion so deceased equally divided amongst them and it is my will desire and request that if my said wife shall refuse to give security for the enjoyment of my said land and trenements called Lowfold for the said terme of five years or if she shall happen to depart this life before her expiration of the said terme and not disose of the same, that then they my said overseers will enter on and into the same and demise the same for the said terme or so much thereof as shall be undetermined and receive the rents and proffitts thereof and accordingly order charge and secure the proffits of the same that my said five children may equually have the money thereof made to be paid them at their said severall ages with all interest made thereof and of every part thereof.
And after the said terme of five years I will the said land and tenements called Lowfold to my said son William Strudwicke and his heirs and my charge with him as before is that he allsoe suffer the tenements called Lowfold to be quietly enjoyed according to this my will
Allso it is my will that all the bedding and other household stuff in my parlour which I have or may have unto my said sonnes William and his heirs
Item It is my will that executrix pay my daughter Janes portion to her husband
Item I give unto my son Henry Strudwick for whom I have already provided for by my said Indenture of demise and release tenne shillings to buy him a silver spoone
Item I give to the poor of Wisborough Green twenty shillings to be paid six monthes after my decease
All the rest of my goods and chattells undisposed my debts and legacies paid I give unto my most loving wife Katherine Strudwick Whom I make my whole and sole executrix
And I desire my said loving brothers Roger Whittington and William Cowper alias Steyning my brother Henry Whittington and my sonne in law Ralph Naldrett to be Overseers of this will and as I entrust of them Soe I doubt not of their care and and fidelity in performance of this my will the same as shall or may lye in them And I give to them three shillings and foure pence a peice
In witness that this is my last will I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this nyneteenth day of January in the sixteenth yeare of the reigne of our sovereigne Lord Charles by the grace of god of England Scotland France and Ireland King defender of the faith 1640 William Strudwick his mark
Signed sealed and published in the presence of Thomas Henshaw William Cowper als Stening William Leonell his mark
Probatum to Katherine Strudwicke Relict 1641