Individual Details

Will

John had nine children at the time of his will, four sons and five daughters. Plus two grandchildren, Obadiah Mouse and Sarah Nash.

Will of John Wheeler, the elder of Cranfield, county Bedfordshire, England, yeoman, date 18 Jaunuary 1642/3.

"In the Name of God Amen, The Eighteenth day of January in the Yeare of our Lord God on Thousand six hundred fourty and two. I John Wheeler the elder of Cranfeild in the County of Bedfordshire: yeoman beeinge weake of body but of good and perfect memory god bee praysed, Doe make this my Last Will and Testament In Manner and forme followinge. That is to saie first I comend my soule into the hands of god my maker hopinge assueredly through the only merritts of Jesus Christ my sauiour to bee made ptaker of leife euerlastinge. And I comend my bodie to the earth whereof it was made. Item whereas I purpose that John Wheeler the younger my eldest sonne shall have my Coppie hold Land in consideration wherof I give unto my said sonn John Twelve pence of Lawfull mony of England. Item I give and beequeath vnto Isaack Wheeler an toher of my sonns Twelve pence of like Lawfull English money. Item I give vnto Obadiah Wheeler my sonne Twelve pence of Lawfull money of England. Item I give and beequeath vnto Mary Barratt my daughter Twelve pence of like Lawfull money. Item I give and beequeath vnto Elizabeth Halsie my daughter Twelve pence of Lawfull English money. Item I Give and beequeath vnto Sarah Nash my daughter Twelve pence of lawfull English money. Item I Give and beequeath vnto Willyam Wheeler an other of my sonns the some of Tenn pounds of Lawfull money of England. Item I give and beequeath vnto Isabell Wheeler an other of my daughters The some of Tenn pounds of like lawfull money. Item I further Give and beequeath vnto Isabell my said daughter and to hir heires and assigns for evuer All that One acre of arrable Land beinge freehold Lyinge on the parishe of Cranfeild aforesaid in A feild called the Leane feild. Item my Will is that all Thes my guifts and beequeathes To bee paid to my Children beefore menconed by my Executrix within the space of halfe a yeare next after my decease.

Item I further Give and beequeath vnto Sarah Nash my Grandchild the some of Five pounds of Lawfull English money to bee paid by my Executrix within the space of one yeare next after my decease.

Item I give and beequeath vnto Obadiah Mouse my Grandchild the some of Five pounds of Lawfull English money to bee paid likewise by my Executrix within the space of one year next after my decease.

Item I give and beequeath vnto the poore of the parish of Cranfield the some of Twenty Shillings of Lawfull money to bee distributed att the discretion of my Executrix. All the rest of my goods and chattells as well reall as personall whatsoevuer vnbeequeathed, my Legacies paid and funerall expences performed, I Give and beequeath vnto Elizabeth my Louinge Weife Whome I make and ordaine my sole executrix of this my Last Will aand Testament. In Wittness whearof I the said John Wheeler the Elder To this my Last Will and Testament Have putt to my hand and seale the day and yeare aboue written.

Signed
John Wheler
[seal not heraldic]
Sealed and deliuered in the presence of Thomas Baker, Robert Hickes [his mark]. Proved, 22 January 1643/4, by the executrix named. [Archdeaconry Court of Bedford, Register 1642, 1643, 1644 No. 105].