| Content Description | Testator: Dame Mary Bolles.
Bequeaths the following to her grandson William Jopson for life in tail male: her mansion house called Heath Hall in Yorkshire and the close in which it stands together with all buildings, woods and so on and the water tower recently built and the lead and iron works; also all closes of lands, recently bought in Sandall [Sandal, Yorkshire], near to Heath Hall; 9.5a of copyhold land lying in 13 closes called Ouldfeild [Oldfield] Closes and 5 selions of copyhold arable land in the Great Ouldfeild; 1 close of meadow or pasture called the Fallyng [Falling]; and all tithes of corn and hay; in default of any issue of William Jopson, the property will descend to the following in tail male, in the order stated: George Dalston, John Dalston [later 2nd Baronet Dalston], Thomas Legh, Edward Legh, Peter Legh, Richard Legh [all grandsons of the testator], and in default of any issue to the rightful heirs of the testator.
Gives to her grandson Richard Sherbrook the mansion house with all lands, hereditaments and appurtenances recently bought in Hunslet, Yorkshire; recites that she lent Richard the sum of £500. and has certain lands in Oxton, Nottinghamshire mortgaged for the security; gives back to Richard all the lands in Oxton and all sums of money due on the same according to the assurances, and all writings concerning the lands or mortgage to be cancelled.
Devises to her daughter Elizabeth Sherbrook the sum of £500; gives to her granddaughter Mary Andrews the sum of £50.; gives £150. each to the following grandchildren: Thomas, Henry, William, Richard, John, Elizabeth, Anne, Margaret, Roberta and Katherine Sherbrooke; bequeaths to Mrs Dow and Mrs Wright (being two of her sister Ternwhitt's children) £100. each; a further £300. is be divided equally amongst the children of her sister Ternwhitt; makes further specified monetary bequests to named family members.
Bequeaths to her grandsons George and John Dalston all the lands and tenements at Thornton Bridge [Yorkshire], and all sums of money due on the same to be equally divided; also gives to George 'my jewell of Diamondes'.
Gives to Sir Thomas Wentworth £20. 'to buy him a Gelding'.
Directs that her executors will give Tobias Humphrey all those writings which in any way concern his lands in Askern [Yorkshire], and that he will pay her executors within three months by computation; makes several further specified monetary bequests to named individuals.
Gives to her friend Francis Nobile [Noble] 'my two great silver flaggons' and £20. to buy a mourning ring; gives to Lady Middleton 'my silver warmingpan and my great looking glasse'.
Gives £20. to the poor of the parish of Wakefield [Yorkshire], and £500. to be paid to the Ministers of Wakefield to be put out on good security until it can be conveniently bestowed in lands; the yearly profit or interest is to go to the binding of poor children of Wakefield as yearly apprentices; the Ministers of Wakefield or their survivors are to choose two or more honest and able men to be feoffees and trustees for this purpose; similar legacies are made to the parishes of Roiston [Royston, Yorkshire], Sandall and Warmfield [Yorkshire]; further specific legacies made to the poor of the following parishes: Crofton, Warmfield, Ledsham [Yorkshire] and Warsop [Nottinghamshire].
Bequeaths £200. to bestow 'a most decent tombe to be placed over me in Ledsham Church' where she wishes to be buried and bequeaths £10. to an able minister for the preaching of her funeral sermon.
Devises to her grandson William Jopson all those lands and hereditments with appurtenances, late of her son Jopson in Darfield, Yorkshire.
Gives £120. for the keeping of her house for six weeks after her death to retain family, friends and servants together, and to entertain; directs that all 'my fatt Beenes and fatt sheepe' to be used and bestows two hogshead of wine and beer for the same, and the provision of sufficient beds.
Bequeaths £700. for fine and ordinary cloth, and silk and stuff for mourning; the fine cloth is to make mourning for the gentlemen, the ordinary cloth for cloaks 'for the more ordinary sort' and the silk and stuff for gowns for the ladies and gentlemen according to their respective qualities.
States that she intends to annex a list of mourners [not present] and if any are forgotten, their attendance is at the discretion of the executors; gives £100. 'to be expended about my Funerall'.
Devises to her daughter Sherbrook her coach and horses, and wills her to receive them immediately in order to attend her to her grave; also leaves her daughter various specified items of clothing including a velvet gown and petticoat; makes further specific bequests to named individuals including servants.
Directs that the property devised to William Jopson shall not be entered until three months after her decease, and if there is any opposition then the will to be forfeited.
Gives to her executors all her lands and tenements in Morton Tinmouth [Co. Durham], and all money due on the same, and all lands and tenements in Heath Whitly.
Instructs her executors to pay all legacies and discharge all bequests within nine months of her death; remainder and residue of her estate is to go to her executors, once all debts and legacies have been discharged.
Appoints Sir William Dalston and Thomas Legh as executors.
Probate granted to the executors at York on 23 May 1662.
The document is dated 4 May 14 Charles II. |