Dorchester

Will of Joane GOULD (d.1630) Widow

National Archives Reference: PROB 11/158

Dated 4th Nov 1630 - Proved 22nd Dec 1630

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT
Joanna GOULD Widow of Dorchester

National Archives Reference: PROB 11/158

© Transcribed for the Dorset OPC Project by Michael Russell OPC for Dorchester September 2018

 

In the name of God Amen: I Joanna GOULD

The fowerth daie of November in the yeare of the raigne of our Lord Charles by the grace of god King of England Scotland Ffrannce and Ireland defender of the faith on the sixth Anno Dm [Domini] 1630 I Joane GOULD of Dorchester in the Countie of Dorset widow being in pfect [perfect] sence and memory (thankes be given unto Allmightie // god) considering the frailtie of my weake bodie subject to death every moment, and yet uncertaine of the tyme when it shall please god to call me out of this fraile estate, and being desirous to settle in peace that small person with Allmightie god hath bestowed upon mee in this world revoking all former Wills and Testaments, doe make and ordayne this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme followinge and:-

Ffirst and especially I commend my soule unto the mercy of Allmightie god my heavenlie father who hath redeemed the same by the only merritts death and passion of his onlie sonne my Lord and only Saviour Jesus Christ and my body I comitt to Christian buriall to be buried in St Peter's Church in Dorchester aforesaid before the seate wherein I did herebefore sitt in such decent manner as to my Executors and Overseers herein nominated shall be thought fit and conveinient

In Consideration thereof and of the love I beare for the good of the same church I give thereunto the some [sum] of ffive poundes to be delivered wth in [within] three monthes next after my buriall.

Item: I give and bequeath unto the poore people of the three pishes in Dorchester the some [sum] of nyne poundes to be distributed amongst them according to the discretion of myne Executor and Overseers herein nominated

Item: I give unto the poore people of Ffordington the some [sum] of fforty shillings to be distributed amongst them by the Overseers and Churchwardens of the same parrish for the tyme being as they shall thinke meete [best]

Item: I give unto the poore people of Upwaye the some [sum] of fforty shillings to be distributed amongst them by the Churchwardens and Overseers of the same pish for the tyme being

Item: I give and bequeath unto the pish church of Weeke Regis the some [sum] of three poundes

Item: Whereas I have heretofore given and delivered unto certaine Townsmen in Dorchester the some [sum] of one hundred markes towards the erecting and procuring of an Hospital for the poor of the same town

    My father [further] Will and meaning is And I doe give and bequeath unto the Governoes [govenors] of the poore Children of the hospitall of the Mayor, Bayliffe, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dorchester aforesaid wth [which] shall happen to be To the only use benefit and behoofe of the same Hospital and poore children the some [sum] of Thirty Three Pounds Six Shillings and Eight Pence more to make the said one hundred pounds which already delivered one hundred poundes to bee delivered unto the said Govenor wth in [within] two years after my decease, and wthin [within] one year after that bee by the Governor of the same house bestowed and employed to and about the same hospital and poore children as the said Govenor shall think meetest?.

Item: I give and bequeath unto William LEDDOZ nowe dwelling at Axminster the some [sum] of five poundes to be paid unto him at his age of one and twenty yeares.

Item: I give and bequeath unto George LEDDOZ nowe dwelling with Richard REDWORTH the some [sum] of eight pounde to be paid unto him at his age of one and twenty yeares.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth GARDNER wife of Andrew GARDNER one bedstead with a half head one bed; one bolster; one pair of canvas sheetes; one pair of blankettand one yarne coverlett

    Also I give unto her five poundes to be payd unto her wth [within] one yeare after my decease

Item: I give unto Elizabeth GARDNER daughter of the said Elizabeth the some [sum] of ten poundes to be payd unto her wth [within] one yeare after my decease

Item: I give unto Anne MOORCOTT, John GARDNER the Younger, Barbara and Isack GARDNER four other children of Elizabeth GARDNER the some [sum] of fforty shillings a peece [each] to be payd unto them wth [within] two yeares after my decease

Item: I give and bequeath unto the children of John BREWER wth [which] he had by Sibell his former wife deceased vitz to Thomas BREWER, Andrew BREWER and Elizabeth KINGE the some [sum] of three poundesa peece [each] to be payd unto them wth [within] one yeare after my decease

Item: I give unto Grace SHORTON daughter unto James SHORTON deceased the some [sum] of five poundes to be payd unto her wth [within] one yeare after my decease

Item: I give unto Elizabeth ALLEN wife of Hugh ALLEN one payre [pair] fine canvas sheets and fortye shillings in money to be payd unto her wth [within] one yeare after my decease

Item: I give unto William LEDDOZ grandchild of my brother William LEDDOZ the some [sum] of tenn pounde to be payd unto him wth [within] one yeare after my decease

Item: I give and bequeath unto Joseph LEDDOZ sonne of James LEDDOZ of Waymouth the some [sum] of tenn // to be to be payd unto him at his age of one and twenty yeares and in the meantyme my Will and desire is that the same Ten poundes may be ymployed by my kinsmen Gilbet [Gilbert] LODER by such pson [person] as he shall make chice of for the benefit of the said Joseph by breeding him up as an apprentice or otherwise as he shall thinke fit

Item: I give and bequeath unto Mr John WHITE Preacher of Dorchester the some [sum] of ten poundes to be payd unto him wth [within] one yeare after my decease

    Also I give and bequeath unto the said John WHITE the some [sum] of tenn poundes more to be payd unto him wth [within] one yeare after my decease for the use of the children of the children of the said John WHITE to be equallie devided betweene them

Item: I give and bequeath unto Angell GOULD one of the sonnes of George GOULD of Gyyewell? decesed the some [sum] of fiftie poundes in satisfaction and recompence of all such guift legacy porton [portion] as was to him given lymited or intended by the said James GOULD deceased in his life tyme wth [which] to be paid unto him at his age of one and twenty yeares If I do not pay the same unto him in my life tyme.

Whereas: I bought and purchased to me and my heirs for ever of Walter GOULD Merchant certaine lands tenemts [tenements] and hereditamts [hereditaments] wth [with] thappetenances [their appurtenances] situate lying and being wth [within] the West Walles in Dorchester aforesaid wth [which] sometimes was the inheritance of James GOULD my late husband deceased

    And Whereas: the said James GOULD in his lyfr tyme had a purpose to give the same lands unto charitable uses for the releefe of poore Alms people wth [within] the saide towne of Dorchester but died before the same could take effect , Now: for as much as it hath pleased god to restore me unto the same lands I hold it my duty accordingto my small ability to further my said husbands good and charitable purposes

    And Therefore: in a thankful acknowledgement og gods great blessing extended unto us most unworthy in abling [enabling] us hereunto I give and bequeath unto the Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dorchester aforesaid and to their successors for ever the said Lands Tenements and hereditaments with their appurtenances in Dorchester aforesaid wth [which] I lately purchased of the said Walter GOULD To hold to them and their successors for ever upon trust and confidence and to and for the only uses intents and purposes hereafter in and by this presents expressed lymitted and declared and to and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever; that is to saie [say] for and towards the substance releefe and maintenance of such competent number of aged poore and impotent psons [persons] dwelling wth [within] the said Borough of Dorchester aforesaid as now are from time to time for ever hereafter shall be by the said Maior Bayliffes Aldermen and Burgesses and their successers for the tyme being and their successors thought fit elected nominated and chosen to be placed in the old Alms House wthin [within] the said Borough of Dorchester in the pish of St Peter's standing and being nere [near] the ffryery [Friary] or to bee Almes People wth in [within] the said towne and to no other uses intent or purpose whatsoever / Provided allwaies and my will meaning and request is And I doe hereby signifie my purpose request to bee unto the said Maior Bayliffes Aldermen and Burgesses and their successers that if it shall please god to visit any of my poor kindred or a liame? wth [with] sickness want or misery in such sort that they shall need and desire releife and sufrennce from them wth in [within] the said Almes howse amongst the Almes people of the said towne That then they will be pleased to succor and releive the said pson [person] and psons so desiringe or wanting releefe out of this legacy as farr forth as any other Almes man or woman shall be relieved they behaving themselves well and orderlie according to the constitutions of the said towne and Almes Howse yf [if] any happen to bee.

Item: I give and bequeath unto the Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dorchester in the Countie of Dorsett wth [which] shall bee living at the tyme of my decease and to their successors for and duringe the lives of John GARDNER and Temperance his wife to the uses hereafter expressed one Annuity or yearlie rent charge of Thity shillings by the yeare to bee yssuing payable and renewed yerelie out of all that my backside garden and houses thereunto adioyning [adjoining] wth [with] thappetenances [their appurtenances] wth [which] I lately bought and purchased to me and my heirs in fee simple of William GOULD to be paid yearlie unto the said Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses and their successers on the ffeast day of St Thomas the // Apostle [i.e. 21st December] upon trust and confidence neverthelesse that the sayd Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses and their successers doe and shall yearly before or on the Eve of the ffeast of the birth of or [Our] Lord God distribute paye imploy and bestowe the said Annuity or yearlie rent charge of thirty shillings per ann in clothes or otherwise for the benefitt of the poore widowes and other poore people living in the said towne of Dorchester as by the Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses for the time beinge and their successors shall thinke most conveinient

Item: I doe give and bequeath and appoint my kinsman Gilbert LODER the said backside garden and howses thereunto adjoining wth [with] their appurtenances and all my estate therein charged with the said Annuity of thiry shillings per ann as aforesaid To have and to hold the same premises together wth [with] all deeds and writings touching the same unto the said Gilbert LODER his heirs and assigns for ever

Item: My will and meaning is that my cousens? Gilbert LODER and Alice his wife or one of them their assignee or assigns shall and will wthin [within] two years next after my decease paye or cause to be paid unto the said Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dorchester aforesaid for the tyme being the some [sum] of one hundred markes of lawful mony [money] of England to be used ymployed by the said Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses aforesaid for the tyme being to and for charitable uses wthin [within] the said Borough according as they with the consent of the Recorder [i.e. Sir Francis Ashley JP] of the said Borough for the time being shall think fittest

    And also shall likewise satisfie and pay wthin [within] the time aforesaid unto the said Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dorchester aforesaid for the tyme being the some [sum] of Eight and Twenty poundes six shillings and eight pence to be by them used and ymployed for the best benefit of the newe school lately erected in the pish of the Holy Trinitye in Dorchester aforesaid for the better teachinge and instructing of poore children wthin [within] the said Borough and towards maintayning of a schoolemaster therein such manner as the said Maior [Mayor] Bayliffe Aldermen and Burgesses thinke most fitt and conveinient

    And shall also paye unto the ffree schoole in the towne of Dorchester aforesaid five pounds more to be bestowed on booke(s) for the Library there if I shall not buy some bookes in my lifetime and bestow them on the same schoole

    Upon payment whereof I doe give and bequeath unto the said Gilbert LODER and Alice All that my messuage Burgage or Tenement wth [with] their appurtenances in Dorchester aforesaid wth [which] I purchased to me and my heirs of Luke ADYN and wth [which] are now in the tenure and occupation of William JOLIFFE Draper and my Will and meaninge is that the said Gilbert LODER shall have and enjoy the same from the tyme of my decease untill the tyme of payemt of the said sevall [severall] somes [sums] as aforesaid together wth [with] all deeds and writings concerning the same prmisses [premises] To have and to hold the said Messuage or Tenement wth [with] the appurtenances unto the said Gilbert LODER their heirs and assignes for ever

Item: I give and bequeath unto James GOULD of Dorchester Marchannt [Merchant] the some [sum] of twenty poundes to beepaid unto him wthin [within] two years after my decease if I shall not pay the same in my lifetyme

Item: I give and bequeath unto the daughters of my Cozen [cousin] Arthur GREGORY deceased the some [sum] of Tenn poundes to be equally devided betweene them to bee paid wthin [within] two years next after my decease

Item: I give unto Susan FFOX the daughter of Robert GREGORY deceased late of Poole to bee paid wthin [within] two years next after my decease

Item: I give and bequeath unto Jane the wife of Thomas ROBERTS of Poole to bee paid wthin [within] two years next after my decease

Item: I give and bequeath unto my Cozens [cousins] James GOULD and Angell GOULD sonnes of the said George GOULD of Eggewell deceased All those grounds lands common of pasture and rents wth [with] their appurtenances tennanced lyinge in Ffordington wth [which] my my late husband and since myself bought of Robte [Robert] BISHOP deceased and all writtings touching the same To hold to them and their assigns from and after my death for and during the residue the term assigned over to the said // James GOULD deceased then to come

    And Whereas: I lately took a lease of Sir George TRENCHARD Knight of the same and other grounds wth [with] Comon [common] of pasture wth [with] thappetenances [their appurtenances] for the term of divers yeares yet to commence from and after the death of Roger BISHOPP determinable upon the lives of the said James and Angell GOULD for the terme therein to come.

    I doe also give and bequeath the same lease and all my estate therein to the said James GOULD and Angel GOULD
Item: Whereas I hencebefore I tooke a lease of my dwelling house from Sir John WILLIAMS Knight deceased for the term of divers years determinable upon the lives of John GARDNER (&) Temperance his wife and the said James GOULD sonne of George GOULD deceased
    And Whereas: afterwardes for the love I have for the said John GARDNER I conveyed the same house unto his friends in trust to the use of the said John GAREDNER and his said wife for their severall lives onlie referring powerin myself to dispose of the life in remainder Now That I have a desire to leave some remembrance of my love to my late husband James GOULD and of his name to the pleasure of Almighty God I doe hereby signifie and declare my will and meaning to be And I doe hereby give and bequeath my said dwelling house wth [with] the said lease thereof wth [which] I tooke from the said Sir John WILLIAMS from and after the death of the said John GARDNER and Temperance for and during all the residue of the said terme of yeares wth [which] shall be then to come and unexpired unto the said James GOULD and Angell GOULD his brother.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Mrs Mary WHITEWAY the elder; Mrs WHITE; Mrs Margery GOULD; Mrs SANDFORD; and to my cosen [cousin] Alice LODER severally to each of them a gold ring of twelve shillings pricedesiring them to weare the same in remembrance of my love to them

Item: Whereas I purchased lately tp me and my heirs of my kinsman Thoams BAGG deceased one messuage or stable wth [with] thappetenances [their appurtenances] situatt and being in Waymouth in the County of Dorsett late in the possession of Thomas GARDNER

    And Whereas: Andrew GARDNER and Elizabeth his wife have often sued and molested the said Thomas BAGG in his lifetime touching an estate wth [which] was given him by Alice BAGG his grandmother by will and of legacies thereby given they having no iust [just] cause sp to doe My Will and meaning is and uppon condition that the said Andrew GARDNER and Elizabeth his wife nor their assigns shall not any tyme hereafter sue molest troubled the heirs and assigns of the said Thomas BAGG for any thing wth [which] was the estate or land of the said Alice BAGG I doe give unto the said Elizabeth GARDNER my said Messuage or Stable wth [with] thappetenances [their appurtenances] wth [which] I bought of the said Thomas BAGG To hold to her and her assigns for the term of her natural life
    And after her death I give and bequeath the same unto Elizabeth GARDNER daughter of the said Elizabeth To hold to her, her heiers and assigns for ever
    And if the said Andrew GARDNER and Elizabeth his wife or either of them or their assigns shall at any tyme hereafter sue molest or trouble the heires or assigns of the said Thomas BAGG concerning the land or estate of the said Alice BAGG as aforesaid That Then and from thence forth this my guift to the said Elizabeth the mother and Elizabeth the daughter shall be void and of no effect
    And that then and from thence forthmy further Will and meaning is and I doe hereby give the same stable and premises unto Nicholas BAGG sonne of the said Thomas BAGG his heirs and assigns for ever
Item: I give and bequeath unto my Cosen Gilbe [Gilbert] LODER the sonne of twenty poundes to be paid unto to him wthin [within] one yeare after my decease for the use and benefit of such children as he shall have at the tyme of my death

Item: On condition that my cosen John GARDNER the Elder shall quietly permit and allow myne executor and assigns wth [with] out interruption to remove all such goods and household stuff e as at the tyme of my decease I shall leave behind in my house wherein I now dwell I give and bequeath unto the said John GARDNER the some [sum] of twenty poundes to be paid unto him within two years after my decease for the use and benefitt of his children to bee equally devided betweene them
    And if the said John GARDNER or his assigns shall not permitt and suffer myne executor to remove the same goods without interruption and denaill then this my legacy given as aforesaid // shallbe utterly void
Item: I give and bequeath unto my kinsman George GOULD dwelling in Dorchester the some [sum] of twenty pounds to be paid unto him wthin [within] one yeare after my decease
    Also I give to unto the said George GOULD the some [sum] of ffower [four] poundes more to be paid unto him wthin [within] one yeare after my decease for the use and benefit of the children of the said George
Item: I give and bequeath unto my cosen [cousin] Nicholas BAGG the some [sum] of twenty poundesto bee paid unto him at his age of one and twenty yeares

Item: I give and bequeath unto Margarett BAGG sister of the said Nicholas BAGG the some [sum] of Ten Poundes to be paid unto her at the daye of her marriage or age of one and twenty years wth [which] shall first happen

Item: I give unto Joane LOADER daughter of the said Gilbert LOADER one guilt bole [bowle], one redd leather chaire, my great chest standing my lodging chamber, one boxe, one paire middle sheetes, one diap tablecloth, one dozen of diap table napkins, one diap cupbbard [cupboard] colth, one canvas tablecloth, one dozen of canvas table naplins, two holland pillowties, one towell, my best greene rugg.

Item: I give also unto my kinsman James GOULD Clothier ten pounds to bee paid unto him wthin [within] one yeare after my decease
    Also I give to unto him my tableboard in the hall and the livery table, six ioyne stooles, one of my chests cocklaughtt [i.e. cockloft], one standing bedstead, and trundle [i.e. truckle] bedsteed standing in the chamber over the plor [parlour], my second best frather bedd, one bolster, one pillowe, one paire of blanketts, one yarne coverlett, one silver becker [beaker], ffower [four] silu [silver] spoones wth [with] round knoppes [knobs], a brasse pott, a pair of crookes, a pair of pothookes, two spitts, one pair of fine canvas sheets, one pair of middle sheets, one plaine tablecloth, one dozen canvas napkins,
Item: I give and bequeath unto cosen [cousin] Angell GOULD six silvu [silver] spoones, with round knoppes [knobs], my tableboard in the plor [parlour] and lyvery table, a forme, a turned chaire, a chest in the cocklaught [cockloft], one bedstead there wth [with] a halfe head, one feather bed there, one yarne coverlett, towe bkanketts, pne boulster, one pillow, one paire of canvas sheets, one diap table cloth and one dozen of diap napkins.

Item: I give unto my cosin Joane GARDNER daughter of my cosin John GARDNER my bedsteed standing in the chamber over the butterye, one featherbed, one bolster, one pillow, one pair of middle sheets, one paire of blanketts and one green rugg

Item: I give unto my goddaughter Marye WHITEWAYE my spare chest and tapisery coverlett

Item: I give unto William WHITEWAYE the younger my godson ffortye shillings to buy him a silu [silver] bole [bowl]

Item: I give unto Barbara MARCHANNT als [Blank] dwelling in Ireland the some [sum] of three poundes

Item: I give unto Ann MORCOTT wife of William MORCOTT one trundle bedsteed , and one paire of canvas sheetes and one yellow rugg

Item: I give unto Joane GOULD the wife of George GOULD the some [sum] of ffive poundes to bee paid to her wthin [within] one yeare after my decease also I give her one trunk, one paire of sheets, one plaine tablecloath, one dozen of canvas naplins, one pillow, one pillowtie, and one round copper kettle

Item: I give unto my cosen Alce LODER myguiltsalt and trenchard salt and guilt bole, one silu [silver] beaker and one dozen of my best silu spoones

Item: I give unto the children of Samuel GOULD the some [sum] of ffotye shillings a peece [each] to be paid to them at the age of one and twenty yeares or daye of marriage

Item: I give unto the children of Robert POLDEN deceased to be paid to them at the age of one and twenty yeares or daye of marriage wth [which] shall fisrt happen

Item: I give unto Mary SAUNDERS daughter of Margery DALL? the some [sum] of ffive poundes to be paid unto him wthin [within] ywo yeares after my decease

Item: I give unto the children of my cosen Walter GOULD the some [sum] of ffortye shillings a peece [each] to be paid to them at their ages of one and twenty yeares or daies of marriage wth [which] shall fisrt happen

Item: I give unto the children of my // cosen William MORCOTT that shall be living at the tyme of my decease the some [sum] of fforty shillings a peece [each] to bee paid unto them at their ages of xxi (21) yeares or daies of their marriage wth [which] shall fisrt happen

Item: I give unto my cosen William GOULD of Ilminster the some [sum] of ffoure pounde to be paid unto him wthin [within] two yeares after my decease for the use of his two sonnes to buy each of them a silver bole [bowl] therewth [therewith]

Item: I give and bequeath unto Joane DENCH and [Blank] DENCH now dwelling at Waymouth and daughters of John DENCH the some [sum] of ffive pounds a peece to be paid unto them wthin [within] two yeares after my decease

Item: I give and bequeath unto my cosen James LEDOZ of Waymouth and Melcombe Regis shoomaker one Annuitye or yearely paymt [payment] of ffive pounds ffower shillings p.anm [per annum] to bee paid unto him weeklye for and duringe the terme of his nrall [natural] life by my executor herein nominated out of my psonall [personal] estate wth [which] I shall leave behind me for his better maintenance in meat drink and apparrell

Item: I give and bequeath unto the Maior Aldermen Bayliffe and Burgesses and Comunalty [commonality] of the towne of Waymouth and Melcombe Regis in the County of Dorset the some [sum] of twenty pounds lawfull mony [money] of England to be by them and their successors ymployed and used to and for charitable uses for better releefe of the poore wthin [within] the same towne as in their discretions they shall thinke most fitt and conveinient wth [which] mony [money] to be paid wthin [within] one yeare after my decease

Item: My Will and meaning is and I doe hereby signify and declare my Will to be that all and every pson [person] and psons [persons] to whom any legacie or legacies or bequests is hereby given and intended. shall uppon paymt [payment] thereof make seale and deliver unto myne executor herein nominated a general release, aswell of all such legacye and legacies to them given, As also of all other clayme [claim] challenge or demand whatsoever wth [which] they or any of them can may or might clayme [claim] to have touching my estate or the disposeing thereof
    And: if any or either of them shall refuse or deny to make such release, That Then they any & every of them soe refuseing shall forfeite and loose his her and their legacie and legacies to them hereby given
    And: further that if any person to whom any legacye gift bequest is hereby given and bequeathed or any other pson [person] or psons whatsoever shall at any tyme hereafter sue implead molest or trouble myne executor herein nominated wth [with] suite or suites in lawe or otherwise in any Cort [Court] or Corts whatsover for any matter thing cause or demand whatsover touching and concerning this my last will and testament or the execution thereof or for any thing concerning myne estate or the disposing thereof otherwise then the same is before in and bye this my last will and testament rxpressed declared That Then the pson [person] and psons soe sueing impleading molesting or troubling myne executor herein nominated shall forfiet and loose his her and their legacies guift and request hereby given and bequeathed
    And Also: that my said Executor shall from tyme to tyme and at all tymes bee defended freed and discharged of all disbursements and expenses whatsoever touching and concerning the smae out of my psonall [personal] estate wth [which] I shall after my decease
All the Residue: of my goodes and chattles whatsoever moveable and unmoveable not before given or bequeathed my debts and legacies being paid and my funerall expenses discharged I give and bequeath unto my said kinsman Gilbert LODER whom I make and ordaine executor of this my last Will and Testament
    And : doe hereby intreat make and ordayne my loving friends Mr John WHITE and Cosen William WHITEWAY the Elder Overseers of this my Last Will and Testament desiring them to see the same effected in all points as neere as they may bee in regard of their paines I give unto either of them ffive pounds a peece
In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the daye and yeare first above written

Joane GOULD

Signed : sealed and acknowledged by the said Joane GOULD to bee her last Will and Testament conteyned in thirteen sheets of paper before written unto wth [which] the said Joane GOULD hath severalie sett her name in the presence of us W: WHITEWAYE; Will: DERBIE; Robte LODER; T MATTHEWDERBYE; John LODER
Probate:of this written testament was approved at London before Magistrate Roland JENKINS Clerk Surrogate of the Honourable Henry MARTIN Doctor of Law of the Perogative Court of Canterbury this 22nd day of December in the year of Our Lord 1630 when administration was granted to Gilbert LODER Executor of the deceased

Genealogical Notes:-

(1) Sources: (Under construction)

    (1.1) Bailiffs of Dorchester
    (1.2) Fire From Heaven Life in an English Town in the 17th Century by David Underdown published by Pimlico 1992
    (1.3) History of Parliament Website - Members
    (1.4) Mayor of Dorchester
    (1.5) Municipal Records of Dorchester by Charles Herbert Mayo - 1908
    (1.6) Parish Registers: Bath Abbey burials 1613;
    (1.7) Studies in Dorset History by Maureen WeinstockPub 1953
    (1.8) Visitations of Devon 1620, and Dorset 1623 [Note:- John Gould the elder age 65 in 1623 =born c1558 - John Gould his son age 33 in 1623= born 1590 and James his brother age 30 in 1623 =born c1593]
    (1.9) William Whiteway of Dorchester - His diary 1618-1635 based on notes compiled by Thomas D Murphy Dorset Record Society - factual account by an eye witness
    (1.10) Wills: National Archives

(2) BACKGROUND to the GOULD Families of Dorchester: [Source:- Extract from page 42 'Fire From Heaven' by David Underdown Published in 2003]

    "There have been Goulds in Dorchester as far back as the early fifteenth century, but the two cousins from Devon who became part of the reform group arrived only in the 1590's.

    James GOULD was born into a large family in Dartington in Devon so he had no prospects in the village. Being 'very industrious in his calling', his admiring widow recalled, he came to Dorchester and made a fortune in the cloth trade: in the 1610 subsidy he and his cousin John were rated only only slightly below Matthew CHUBB himself. Strongly solicitous for his kinsfolk, James nevertheless made a clear distinction between the godly and industrious on the one hand, and those like the nephew whom he accused of 'living idly and wasting his estate', on the other.

    His cousin John [GOULD] was also a Devonian, from Staverton near Exeter, and he retained close ties with friends and kinfolk in the city. John did almost as well in business as his cousin. He died in 1630, the same year as Jame's widow; both were major benefactors to Dorchester charities."


    For information about his cousin John GOULD (1588-1630) follow link to a transcription of his Will.

(3) Joanna [Joane] GOULD (1549-1630) nee LEDDOZ the subject of this Will, was the widow of James GOULD (d.1613) referred to above, a clothier by trade who had died at Bath in Somerset and was buried at Bath Abbey 27th April 1613. Unfortunately Joane failed to properly adminster her husbands estate so her executor Gilbert LODER had to also file for a Letter of Administration for James GOULD's estate to legally prove her own inheritance. The matter was raised during probate for her will and a separate Letter of Administration for her husbands estate was also issued on 22nd Dec 1630. Source PCC Admons year books abstracts Folio 207 Will Joan Scroope 109. There is a further legal document at the National Archives for Joanne GOULDE Widow of Dorchester and her executor Gilbert LODER Probate date 2nd July 1631 but this is written all in Latin which I cannot decipher. It appears to refer to bequests to Elizabeth Gardner. Charter 712 in the Municipal Records of Dorchester refers to an indenture dated 22nd July 1625 which states " a messuage now or late in the occupation of Joane Goulde Widow in High South street in St Peters Parish Dorchester late a parcel of the possessions of Sir John Williams of Herringston Knt deceased".

(4) Her husband James GOULD (d.1613) was appointed Bailiff of Dorchester for the following years 1600/1 ; 1601/2 ; 1607/8 and 1611/12. He is named as one of the Capital Burgesses of Dorchester under the Charter of James I granted to Dorchester on 26th June 1610.

(5) George LEDDOZ His Will is at the National Archives proved 10th Feb 1647/8. Main beneficiaries kinsman Gilbert Loder Gentleman and Arthur Golde [Gould] + brother William LEDDOZ (of Axminster see Joan GOULD will 1630) 40s : + Poor children of School of Holy Trinity Witnesses William Hasselbury; James Gould and James Loder

(6) Temperence GARDNER A letter of Administration for her estate was granted in 1657 when she is decribed as being a widow of Dorchester

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