Will of Edward Dashwood (d.1666/7)

Merchant of Dorchester

Will dated 27th January 1666/7
Buried Holy Trinity Dorchester 14th Feb 1666/7
Proved on 20th May 1667 PCC 11/324

© Transcribed by Michael Russell OPC Dorchester - February 2011

Notes:-

Top Section: Contains a modernised English version of the Will set out in a way that makes it easier to follow and understand the intentions of the testator without losing the original sentence structure. I have added some punctuation and genealogical notes and links where appropriate.

Second Section: Shows the original transcription, where to aid researchers with identification, I have deliberately retained the original line structure, paging, spelling, abbreviation and superscript used in the Will. It is a good example of the changeover between Court Hand and Secretary Hand. Probate as always is written in Latin. My Latin leaves more than a bit to be desired but I have attempted a rough translation. I am happy to be corrected by anybody who can transcribe it properly.

I Edward Dashwood of Dorchester in the County of Dorset Merchant,
being weak and sick (in body) but of perfect mind and memory (blessed be to God) and being desirous to settle my estate, do hereby make my Last Will and Testament, and by these presents Revoke all former and other Wills or bequests whatsoever by me heretofore made:

First: I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God my maker and redeemer,
    And my body to the earth to be decently interred in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Dorchester aforesaid,
    And as to my worldly estate which God hath endowed me with I give and and dispose and assign in such manner and form as is hereafter expressed
Whereas: by my deed dated the 20th day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand six hundred and fifty nine, made between me Edward Dashwood of the one part and James Gould the younger of Dorchester aforesaid, Esquires Joseph Seward of Dorchester aforesaid Merchant, John Hathsome? (3) now of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in the said County of Dorset Merchant, and Andrew Loder of Dorchester aforesaid Gentleman of the other part.
    I Did give grant accede engross release and confirm unto the said James Gould, Joseph Seward, John Hathsome? (3) and Andrew Loder their heirs and assignees All that my Messuage or tenement with the appurtenances situate lying and being in Brockhampton(5) in the parish of Buckland Newton in the said County of Dorset
    To Hold to them their heirs and assigns for ever for and upon the trusts therein mentioned (hat is to say) to the use of me Edward Dashwood and my assigns during the term of my natural life
    And after my decease to make sale thereof and the moneys which should be raised there to remain and be to such person or persons and to such use and uses as I the said Edward Dashwood by my Last Will and Testament or by any other writing under my hand and seal in the presence of two or more witnesses should limit appoint and direct as in and by the said deed under my hand and seal doth more plainly and at large appear.
    Now in pursuance of the said deed and in confirmation thereof and of the trust and confidence which I have and do put in them the said James Gould, Joseph Seward, John Hathsome? (3) and Andrew Loder I do hereby give and devise unto them the said James Gould, Joseph Seward, John Hathsome? (3)and Andrew Loder their heirs and assigns for ever my said Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances
    To Hold to them their heirs and assignees upon the trusts aforesaid and I do hereby devise appoint and direct them the said James Gould, Joseph Seward, John Hathsome? (3)and Andrew Loder and the survivors and survivor of them and their heirs as soon as conveniently they can after my decease, to sell and dispose of the said Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances and every part thereof at the best rate they can
    And the money which shall be made by sale thereof I give and dispose thereof in manner & form following Vizt:-
I do hereby give unto my dear and loving wife Joane Dashwood three hundred pounds which is to be in full of her dower or thirds of all my Lands (She giving a release of her dower or thirds unto my trustees or joining with them in the said sale and then the same to be paid unto her and not otherwise
    Also I do hereby give unto Sarah Somers my daughter one hundred and thirty pounds
    Also I do give hereby give unto my kinsman Edward Dashwood three hundred and fifty pounds.
    Also I do hereby give unto my kinswoman Sara Stoodly twenty pounds.
    Also I give unto Zachari Nelson Clerke and his (nininn???) other children twenty pounds to be equally divided between them
    Also I do give unto the children of my late son-in-law Mr John Hyatt deceased ten pounds to be equally divided between them
    Also I do give unto my kinsman John Dashwood of East Coker in the County of Somerset for the use of his children ten pounds to be equally divided between them
    And I do also hereby forgive remit & erase to him the said John Dashwood sixteen pounds and seven shillings which he owes unto me,
    Also I give unto my kinsman Phillip Dashwood ten pounds and Dorothy Dashwood his sister ten pounds
    Also I give unto John Dashwood the elder of West Stafford forty shillings
    Also I give unto my servants John Nelson and Elizabeth Mogg five pounds a piece and unto Anne the daughter of my tenant Robert Shitter five pounds
    Also I give unto Tristram Maynard and Dorothy wife of Thomas Bartlett both of Chetnoll twenty shillings a piece
    Also I give and bequeath to the poor of the three parishes in Dorchester and to remain as a stock for them fifty pounds to be equally divided by may said Trustees and by them to be paid over to the Mayor, Bailiffs, Aldermen, Burgesses, Governors and his assistants for the time being of the said Borough of Dorchester who are hereby devised to put out the same for the best advantage, and the yearly profit thence accruing shall be paid to the poor on the ninth Day of March each year for ever
    Also I give unto the poor of the said three parishes in Dorchester ten pounds to be forthwith distributed by the said Trustees according to their discretion
    Also I give unto the the poor of the tithing of Brockhampton aforesaid Twenty shillings and unto the poor of Yetminster, Leigh, and Chetnoll twenty shillings a piece
    Also I give towards the maintenance of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Dorchester forty shillings
    Also I give to the poor of the parish of West Stafford in the County of Dorset to remain as a stock for them for ever Ten pounds to be paid by my Trustees to the Minister Church wardens and Overseers of the said parish for the time being and they yearly for ever on the Ninth day of March to give the benefit or interest thereof to the said poor.
    Also I give to Mr. John Kinghtbridge if he be Minister of the said parish of the Holy Trinity at the time of my decease five pounds if not then the said five pounds to be and remain to such person as shall succeed him in the Ministry there but upon this Condition that the said Mr. John Kinghtbridge or such Minister shall preach at my funeral
    Also I give unto every of my loving neighbours and friends Samuell Bond, Esqs Mr. Gilbert Whitten, and Mr. Thomas Bedford all of Dorchester and unto Mr John Dashwood of Holworth(7) a gold Ring of ten shillings price
    Also I give unto every of my said four Trustees James Gould Joseph Seward John Hathsome and Andrew Loder five pounds
All which several sums herein before given my mind and will is that the same shall be raised by sale of my said land at Brockhampton aforesaid And what moneys shall remain over and above the said sums so hereby given shall be and remain for the satisfying and discharging all such moneys as shall be expended or laid out by my said trustees or any or either of them in and about the execution of the trust reposed in them as aforesaid
    And for the discharging of my funeral expenses the charge whereof at present and until the sale of my said Land I devise my loving wife to disburse the management whereof I wholly leave to her and my said Trustees to doe therein according to their discretions
    Also I do give and bequeath unto my said daughter Sara Somers All my house hold goods or household stuff now being in my house at Brockhampton and my dwelling house in Dorchester which were mine before my intermarriage with my said now wife A particulars of which goods in my house at Dorchester I have set under my hand
    Also I give unto my said kinsman Edward Dashwood all my wearing apparel both linen & woollen and all my boots
    And lastly all the use of my goods and chattels not herein given and bequeathed (all my debts being first paid) I give the same unto my said loving wife Joane Dashwood whom I make executrix of this my said last will and Testament
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the seventh and twentieth day of January in the eighteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign and Charles the second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and in the year of our lord 1666

Edward Dashwood Sealed published and declared by the said Edward Dashwood to be his last will and Testament in the presence of us

Hugh Bates
Napper Lacie
Robert Cetson
(My Latin leaves a great deal to be desired and I can only give a very rough translation :-)

Approved has been this testament (will) at the Strand in the County of Middlesex before Sir William Mericke Doctor at Law -- keeper of Commisary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on the 20th day in the month of May in the year of our Lord 1667 by the oath of Joanne Dashwood relict of the deceased and execurix of this testament to whom administration is committed of all and singular (the goods and debts etc)--


Original Transcription: (Words I am unsure of are coloured red)
    In the Name of God Amen: I Edward DASHWOOD
    of Dorchester in the County of Dorset Merchant being weake and sicke but
    of perfect minde and memory (blessed be Gode) and being desirious to∼
    settle my estate doe hereby make my last will and Testament and by∼
    these presents Revoke all foermer and other wills or wills or bequests ∼∼
    whatsoever by mee heretofore made First I committ my soule into the hands
    of Almighty God my maker and Redeemer And my body to the Earth to
    be decently intered in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Dorchester aforesaid
    And as to my worldly estate wth God hath endowed mee withall I give and dispose and assn
    of in such manner and forme as is hereafter expressed Whereas by my deede
    bearing Date one eight and twentieth Day of Aprill in the yeare of or Lord
    one thousand six hundred ffifty and Nine made betweene mee Edward∼
    Dashwood of the one pte and James Gould the younger of Dorchester ∼
    aforesaid Esqs Joseph Seward of Dorchester aforesaid Merchant John Hathsame
    now of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in the said Countie of Dorset Merchant
    and Andrew Loder of Dorchester aforesaid gent of the other pte I did give
    grant accede? engrosse release and confirme unto the said James Gould Joseph
    Seward John Bathsome? and Andrew Loder their heirs and assignes All∼
    that my Messuage or tenement with the appurtenances situate lyeing
    and being in Brockhampton(4) in the parish of Buckland Newton in the said
    County of Dorset To Holde to them their heires and Assignes for ever
    for and uppon the trusts therein mentioned that is to say to the use of mee
    Edward Dashwood and my Assigns during the terme of my natural life
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------end of page 1
    And after my decease to make sale thereof and the moneys which should
    be raised there to remaine and be to such pson or psons and to such use and
    uses as I the said Edward Dashwood by my Last Will and Testament
    or by any other writeing under my hand and seale in the presence of Two
    or more witnesses should Limmitt appointe and Direct as in and by the
    said deede under my hand and seale doth more plainly and at large
    appear. Now in pursuance of the said deede and in Confirmaton∼
    thereof and of the trust and confidence which I have and doe putt in them
    the said James Gould Joseph Seward John Hathsame and Andrew Loder
    I doe hereby give and devise unto them the said james Gould Joseph ∼
    Seward John Hathsome and Andrew Loder their heyres and Assigns for
    ever my said Messuage or Tenement wth the Appurtenances To Hold to
    them their heyres and assignes uppon the trusts aforesaid and I doe ∼
    hereby devise appoint and direct them the said James Gould Joseph
    Seward John     Hathsome and Andrew Loder and the survivors and survivor
    of them and their heyres as soone as Conveiniently they can after my decease
    to sell and dispose of the said Messuage or Tenement with the appurt:
    enances and every pte thereof at the best rate they cann And the moneys
    which shall be made by sale thereof I give and dispose thereof in manner &
    forme following Vizt I doe hereby give unto my deare and loveing wife ∼
    Joane Dashwood three hundred pounds which is to be in full of her dower
    or thirds of all my Lands (She giveing a release of her dower or thirds
    unto my trustees or joining with them in the said sale and then the
    same to be paid unto her and not otherwise Also I doe hereby give
    unto Sarah Somers my daughter one hundred and thirty pounds∼
    Also I doe give hereby give unto my kinsman Edward Dashwood three∼
    hundred and ffifty pounds. Also I doe hereby give unto my kinswoman
    Sara Stoodly twenty pounds. Also I give unto Zachari Nelson Clerke
    and his (nininn???) other children twenty pounds to be equally devided∼
    between them Alsoe I doe give unto the children of my late sonne in
    lawe Mr Joshua Hyatt deceased Tenn pounds to be equally devided ∼
    between them Alsoe I doe give unto my kinsman John Dashwood of∼
    East Coker in the County of Somst for the use of his children Tenn
    pounds to be equally devided between them And I doe also hereby forgive
    Remitt & erase to him the said John Dashwood sixteene pounds and
    seven shillings which hee oweth unto mee, Alsoe I give unto my
    kinsman Phillip Dashwood Tenn pounds and Dorothy Dashwood
    his sister Tenn pounds Alsoe I give unto John Dashwood the elder of
    West Stafford fforty shillings Alsoe I give unto my servants John Nelson and
    Elizabeth Mogg ffive pounds a peece and unto Anne the daughter of my∼∼
    Tennant Robert Shitter ffive pounds Alsoe I give unto Tristram Maynard
    and Dorothy wife of Thomas Bartlett both of Chetnoll twenty shillings a
    peece Alsoe I give and bequeath to the poore of the three parishes in∼∼
    Dorchester and to remaine as a stocke for them ffiftie pounds to be equally
    devided by may said Trustees and by them to be paid over to the Maior∼
    Bailiffes Aldermen Burgesses Governosand his assistants for the time
    being of the said Borough of Dorchester who are hereby devised to
    put out the same for the best advantage and the yearly proffitt thence
    accreuing shall be paid to the poore on the Ninth Day of March yearly
    for ever Alsoe I give unto the poore of the said three parishes in Dorchester
    Tenn pounds to be forthwith distributed by the said Trustees according to
    their discretion Alsoe I give unto the the poore of the Tithing of Brockhampton
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------end of page 2
    aforesaid Twenty shillings and unto the poore of Yetminster, leigh, and
    Chetnoll twenty shillings a peece Alsoe I give towards the maintenance of
    the Church of the Holy Trinitie in Dorchester ffortie shillings Alsoe I give to
    the poore of the parish of West Stafford in the Countie of Dorsett to remaine
    as a stocke for them for ever Tenn pounds to be paid by my Trustees
    to the Minister Church wardens and Overseers of the said parish∼
    for the tyme beeing and they yearely for ever on the Ninth day of March
    to give the benefitt or interest thereof to the said poore. Alsoe I give to Mr
    John Kinghtbridge if he be Minister of the said parish of the Holy Trinitie
    at the tyme of my decease five pounds if not then the said five pounds to bee
    and remaine to such pson as shall succeede him in the Ministry there but uppon
    this Condition that the said Mr Knightbridge or such Minister shall preach at∼
    my funerall Alsoe I give unto every of my Loveing Neighbours and ffriends
    Samuell Bond Esqs MrGilbert Whitten, and Mr Thomas Bedford all
    of Dorchester and unto Mr John Dashwood of Holworth a gold Ring of
    tenn shillings price Alsoe I give unto every of my said ffower Trustees
    James Gould Joseph Seward John Hathsome and Andrew Loder five pounds
    All which severall sommes herein before given my minde and will is that the ∼
    same shall be raised by sale of my said land at Brockhampton aforesaid
    And what moneys shall remaine over and above the said sommes soe hereby
    given shall be and remaine for the sattisfying and dishcharging all such moneyes
    as shall be expended or layed out by my said trustees or any or either of them
    in and about the execution of the trust reposed in them as aforesaid And
    for the discharging of my ffunerall expenses the Charge whereof at psent &
    untill the sale of my said Lande I devise my loveing wife to disburse the managmt
    whereof I wholy leave to her and my said Trustees to doe therein according
    to their discretions Alsoe I doe give and bequeath unto my said daughter
    Sara Somers All my house hold goods or household stuffe now being in my house
    at Brockhampton and my Dwelling house in Dorcheser which were mine
    before my intermarriage with my said now wife A particulars of wth goods in
    my house at dorchester I have sett under my hand Alsoe I give unto my said
    kinsman Edward Dashwood all my wearing apparrell both linning & woolen
    and all my bootes And lastly all the use of my goods and chattells not herein
    given and bequeathed (all my debts being first paid) I give the same ∼
    unto my said loveing wife Joane dashwood whome I make executrix of this
    my said last will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my∼
    hand and seale the seaven and twentieth day of January in the eighteenth
    yeare of the Reigne of Or Soveraigne and Charles the second by the ∼
    grace of God of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland King Defender
    of the Faith ve Anno Dom 1666 Edward dashwood Sealed∼
    published and declared bybthe said Edward dashwood to be his last will and
    Testament in the presence of us Hugh Bates Napper Lacie Robt Cetson

Genealogical Notes:-
(1). Edward DASHWOOD (d1666/7) Almost certainly a third (and possibly eldest) son of Edmond Dashwood [1588-1643] who was a mercer by trade; a puritan sympathiser and friend of the Rev John White. See Link for more information about their lives and marriages. Edward married the widow Joane HYATT in West Stafford on 3rd Feb 1647/8 but from the way the will is written it suggests that his daughter Sara was by a previous marriage.
(2). Joseph SEAWARD was Governor of the Company of Freemen in Dorchester in 1657 and he was buried in All Saints Church dorchester 3rd Feb 1681/2 and left a will Prob 11/371 proved18 Oct 1682
(3). John HATHSOME is not a name I am familier with and the name is not clearly written in the will.
(4). Andrew LODER Gentelman of Dorchester was buried at All Saints Church Dorchester 4th June 1707 and left a will Prob 11/495 which was proved on 18th June 1707
(5). Even today the area only contains farms including 'Brockhampton farm' and Brockhampton Green farm'.
(6). Zachari [Zachary Zachariah] NELSON married Anne HYATT in Holy Trinity Church Dorchester on 11th August 1641
(7). Holworth is a small hamlet sitting 3km from the sea between Poxwell to the west, Owermoigne to the north, and the three Chaldon hamlets to the east.
(8). John KNIGHTBRIDGE was vicar of Holy Trinity Church Dorchester between 1663 and 1670

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