Extracts from the wills of Takeley residents, and also wills with references to land or property in Takeley.
Printed with the permission of the Essex Record Office.

References with BR are on micro fiche.
References with BW are on microfilm

(   ) indicate direct quotations.
[   ] indicate note by the compiler.
... indicates that there are words left out.
?  indicates that the compiler is uncertain of the reading.

The words God, Redeemer. Saviour etc. have been given capital letters throughout, even where they are not in the original.
The word (decease) has been rendered (death) to avoid confusion
1/- has been rendered 1s.
Probate dates have been given where known.
All land houses etc. are in Takeley unless otherwise specified.
All personal and place names have been given capital letters.

Full E to L List (those found to date)

Elliet, Robert, husbandman, 1627 BW/48/126
English, John, clerk, 1716 BR/17/108A
Eve, Adam, yeoman, 1728 BR/20/107
Eve, John, farmer, 1790 BR/28/216
Eve, James, yeoman, 1750 BR/ 23/452
Ewen, Agnes, 1570 MR/131/3

Freshwater, William, labourer, 1569 BR/4/120
Flood, Flude, Joan, widow, 1634 BW/52/177
Francke, Thomas, 1573

Gardiner, William, yeoman, 1677
Garrett, Robert, farmer, 1802 BR/30/197
Garrett, Robert, yeoman, 1849 BR/36/271
Gaynsford, Samuel, gent, 1637 BW/53/157
Gibbons, John, butcher, 1681 BR/11/110
Gibbons, John, butcher, 1740 BR/22/265
Gibbons, Mary, widow, 1781 BR/27/238
Green, John, carpenter, 1786 BR/24/571
Grene, George, carpenter, 1675 BR/9/421

Hadesly, Edwin, single man 1625 BW/46/122
Hall, Clement, yeoman 1847 BR/35/687
Hall, Benjamin, bachelor, 1847 BR/35/718
Hampton, Henry, farmer, Takeley Grange 1827 BR/33/92
Hardcastle, William carpenter, 1766 BR/25/459
Harvey, Richard, husbandman, 1564 BW/3/31
Heard, Daniel, yeoman, 1800 BR/29/319
Humphrey, Nathaniel, yeoman, 1738 BR/ 22/102
Howe, Robert, shoemaker, 1568/9 BR/4/111

Ives, Elizabeth, widow, 1730 BR/20/371

Judd, Philip, yeoman, 1770 MR/12/319 (?BR 16/385)
Judd, Agnes, widow, 1648 BW/60/103
Judd, Luke, yeoman, 1719 BR/17/332
Judd, Philip, senior, 1719 BR/16/385

King, John, miller, 1757 BR/24/415
Knight, John, farmer, Bambers Green, 1831 BR/33/467

Lambert, Thomas, tailor, 1740 BR/22/278
Lammas, John, blacksmith, 1723 BR/18/364
Lane, Richard, tailor, 1656 BR/5/663
Laver, George, yeoman, 1632 BW/51/54
Laver, John, senior, husbandman, 1637 BW/54/28
Laver, John, senior, yeoman, 1671 BR/8/89
Lindsell, Elizabeth, widow, 1848 BR/36/136
Lukin, Edwin, 1645 BW/58/170
Lukin, John, yeoman, 1677 BR/10/37
Lukin, Robert, yeoman, 1662 BR/6/57

E to L Transcriptions (work in progress)

AGNES EWEN MR/131/3
Will dated 11 January 1570/71.
To be buried in the churchyard of Chawreth, otherwise called Broxted.
To the poor mans box, 12d.
John Bereman, 1 sheep.
Alice Bereman, 1 sheep.
Agnes Bereman, 1 ewe sheep.
Margaret Speller, 1 pair of sheets.
Peter Ewen, son, all other her goods. Also 2 crofts of land called Brownings
in Takeley, containing 8 acres.
Henry Ewen, son, her messuage in Takeley with 26 acres of land belonging,
on condition that he pay Peter 20s.
John Ewen, son, 1 seam of barley, on condition that he suffer Peter quietly
to have and take away all such goods in the house in which she now dwells.
Executor; Peter Ewen
Witnesses; John Collyn, John White, William Rose, Robert Phillippe, James Clarke.
Probate; 14 February 1570/71

N.B. There appears to be a connection with the will of Hugh Bearman BR/2/46,
but Anne Bearman is not mentioned, so it may be that she had died in the
intervening years. The names of Henry Ewen and John White occur
frequently in documents.

WILLIAM FRESHWATER., labourer. BR/4/120
Will dated ??
Joan, wife, messuage called Arnoldes for her life, and the rest of his goods not
otherwise bequeathed.
John, son, to have the messuage after Joans death paying his brother 13s.4d.
at the age of 20 years.
Thomas, son , to get 20s from John at the age of 20 years.
Executrix; Joan, his wife.
Witnesses; Robert Lukyn, (Bartobe) Lukyn
Probate; 20 September 1569.

THOMAS FRANK of Hatfield Broad Oak, esq. Extracts.
Will dated 10 December 1573.
........ rents to wife Mary to bring up son in learning, or some other trade of
merchandise, whereby another day he may be able the better to live, and the
rents of the lands in Takeley, which late he bought of Mr. Wymond Carye,
shall in like manner be employed.............

SAMUEL GAYNFFORDE, gent. BW/257/53.
Will dated 7 December 1636
Leventhope Frank, knight, surrendered on 3 November, 12 Charles 1, to the
Lord of the Manor of Waltham Hall, according to the custom of the manor,
a customary or copyhold parcel of land called the slipe. by estimation 4 acres,
to the use of Gaynfforde and his heirs on the payment of £104 on May 16
next ensuing, at his manor house in Takeley.
If it is not paid then he or his heirs pay to the said Leventhorpe Frank the
said sum at the Manor House of the said Frank called Ries in Hatfield Broad Oak.
If he dies before the said 16 May then eldest son, Thomas is to take benefit
of the said parcel of meadow.
Thomas Gaynfforde, 10s/
John Gaynfforde, son, £100
Dorothy Gaynfforde, daughter, £100 at marriage, or 21 years.
Elizabeth Gaynfforde, daughter, the same.
Cicilie Gaynfforde, daughter, the same.
Cicilie Kempster, loving mother in law, 30s to buy her a ring.
Elizabeth Clifton, sister, 30s for a ring.
Thomas Gaynfforde, grandson, £5 at 21 years.
To the poor of Takeley, 20s.
Ellen, wife, goods, chattels, leases, money and debts.
John Caffland, kinsman, citizen and tallow chandler of London, 20s.
John Cliffe, friend and citizen and inn holder of London, 20s.
Executrix; Ellen, his wife.
Overseers; John Caffland, John Cliffe.
Probate;

JOHN GIBBONS, butcher. BR/22/265.
Body to be committed to the Earth.
Mary, wife, £5 worth of goods in my dwelling.
Elizabeth Stiles, wife of John Stiles, all that messuage at Mashbrook Street,
Hatfield Regis, or Hatfield Broad Oak.
Also all that Toft, Close or parcel of land adjoining, containing 9 poles,
more or less in the occupation of John Fardell?, All for her life and after her
death to Samuel and Thomas Stiles, her children to be equally divided.
Susannah Clarke, daughter, wife of Francis Clarke, yeoman, copyhold etc.
situate at Morrells Green in Takeley in the occupation of Francis Sapesford,
and all those two fields or closes of arable land and pasture ground, by
estimation 3 acres , more or less, in my occupation.
Susannah, daughter of Francis Sapesford, £15
Mary Camp, daughter, wife of Philip Camp, all that croft of land Butts Croft
by estimation 2 acres in Samuel Rens occupation.
Also the leasehold cottage with orchard, land etc., paten? field, in the
occupation of Widow Bright
[blank] Gibbons, son, of South Ockendon, crofts containing by estimation
6 acres in Murrels Green, now in the occupation of Samuel Renn.
Executor; Henry Gibbons.
Witnesses; Jos. Sach, Daniel Ramsey, Thomas Westwood.
Probate; 20 February 1739.

GEORGE GRENE, carpenter. BR/9/421.
Will dated 27 May 1675.
Good and perfect memory, praise be to God.
Soul to the hand of Almighty God his Maker, hoping that in the death and
passion of Jesus Christ his Saviour and Redeemer, to receive free pardon
and forgiveness of all his sins.
Body to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of the Executrix..
Frances, loving wife, to have dwelling in his house and use of all copyhold
lands lying in the Mansion of Walleriche Hall, until son John Grene shall
attain the age of 21 years.
Also all the rest of the goods and chattels towards the bringing up of his
children, and if John Gren reaches 21 years, he is to have all the land, so
long as he pays £3 a year to his mother for her life.
This sum is to be paid as 30s at Lady Day and 30s. at Michaelmas. Frances
has the right to enter into the lands if it is not paid.
If Frances remarries before son John is 21 years then she shall have £3 to the
End of her life and no more.
Mary and Elizabeth, his daughters, £20 apiece to be paid by son John , when
they reach 21 years. If one dies then to go to the survivor. They have the right of
entry to the lands if the legacy is not paid.
Executrix; Frances, his wife.
Overseer; the Parson of Takeley.
Witnesses; Mark of John Grene, Gregory Newman.
Probate; 20 July 1675.

CLEMENT HALL, yeoman. BR/35687
Will dated 24 December 1846
Henry Hall, son, and Thomas Speller, friend, cottage or double tenement, yards,
gardens and appurtenances , now in his occupation and that of Mary Watts.
Also the meadow or pasture called Church pasture, now in the occupation of
Nicholas Patmore
Also all household goods and furniture, personal estate, monies arising from the
sale of my real estate and the rents and profits until such sale , to pay all debts,
including funeral expenses.
All the residue to be divided into seven parts and one seventh to be equally
divided among the children of his late son Joseph Hall.
John Hall, Henry Hall, Benjamin Hall, David Hall, Mary the wife of Samuel Kent,
and Eliza the wife of Edward Champion, his other children to have in equal parts
the other six shares.
Executors; Henry Hall, Thomas Speller.
Witnesses; Benjamin Anderson, William Bentley.
Probate; 20 January 1847.

BENJAMIN HALL, yeoman. BR/35/718
Will dated; 23 February 1847.
To surviving brothers and sisters estate equally to be divided.
John Patten, farmer, and Henry Hall, publican do see that it be so done according
to the will.
Mark of Benjamin Hall.
Witnesses; John Coventry, William Bentley.
Probate 30 April 1847

RICHARD HARVEY, husbandman BW/3/31
Will dated 11 December 1564.
William, son, all goods not otherwise bequeathed, and he is to bring up Richards
other children.
John, son, 40s at 18 years, a pair of sheets, a pewter platter, a candlestick, a table,
a chest, and a calf at May Day 1565.
Walter, son, 40s at 18 years, a pair of sheets, a pewter platter, a candlestick, a table,
and a chest, a calf at May Day 1565. At May Day 1569 a plough chain, an ewe and
her lamb, a blanket a sheet and a pillow.
Mary, daughter, 40s at 18 years, a pair of sheets, a pewter platter, a candlestick, the
chest that was her mothers, with 2 pairs of sleeves-- 1 of chamlet, 1 of knit—
a bearing sheet and a silver pin, a silver ring, a bolster and pillow, sheet, 2 rails, 2 kerchiefs,
a latten mortar and pestle, with her mothers best gown.
Robert, son, a table, a cupboard in the bedchamber, and also Gore Field, at 18 years.
Agnes Salman, my maiden, a kerchief and rail.
John Covell, my servant, my best coat and hosen.
Hugh Bereman*, his predecessor left goods to the value of £34, of which £19 was paid to
Richard Gyet and 20 marks bequeathed to Alice and Anne Bereman his daughters.
Testator has redeemed Gore Field from Mr. Thorpe, who made a re-entry in to it, and he
bequeaths it to Robert{as above}, but Robert is to pay 13s 4d for 18 years to Alice and
Anne Bereman.
Overseers; John Payne, John Marden.
Executor; William, his son.
Witnesses; John Payne, John Marden, Robert Lukyn, John Cavell.
Probate; 25 June 1565.

N.B. A Robert Lukyn was vicar of Takeley at this time.

HENRY HAMPTON, farmer, of Takeley Grange. BR/33/92.
Will dated 25 February 1803.
Elizabeth, wife and Ann, daughter, all houses, messuages, tenements, with
all the barns, stables, outhouses, gardens, orchards, hereditaments, and premises
with all their appurtenances.
Also all fields, crofts, meadows, pastures, lands, ground, hereditaments, premises
with all the appurtenances of which he is in possession.
Also all the stock in hand, moneys, securities for money, and personal estate of
every kind.
All to be divided equally share and share alike, for the term of their lives, and to the
longer liver and survivor and their heirs for ever.
Thomas Hampton the elder, of Downhall in Hatfield Broad Oak, otherwise
Kings Hatfield, 2 guineas.
Executors; Elizabeth, his wife, Joseph Ramsey of Takeley Street cordwainer,
his brother, and the said Thomas Hampton.
Henry Hampton has caused this will to be written and contained in two sheets of
paper and tied together with black silk on the side, and his hand on the first sheet
at the bottom and to the second and last sheet set his hand and seal.
Witnesses; J.W.Poole, John Rous, and John Poole.
Probate ; 1827

ROBERT HOWE, shoemaker. BR/4/111
Will dated 25 January 1568/9
Joan, wife, his goods for her widowhood. If she chance to marry then she is to
pay his 3 children
Joan, Elizabeth and Mary 40s. each at 16 years .
Executrix; Joan, his wife.
Overseer; Robert Battysford, brother, and 20s for his pains.
Witnesses; Robert Lukyn, Nicholas Harrysse, Thomas Batisford, ( Bartrobe) Lukyn
Probate; 16 February 1568/9

LUKE JUDD, yeoman. BR/17/332.
Will dated 7 May 1714, 13 Queen Ann.
In bodily health and perfect mind and memory praised be to Almighty God,
but calling to mind the uncertainty of this life.
Elizabeth, daughter, wife of Edward Stanes of Hatfield Broad oak
Mary, daughter, wife of James Bingham
Money, securities for money, goods and personal estate to be equally divided
between them, share and share alike.
William Judd, son, 1s. to be paid by Executrix when demanded.
Executrix; Mary and Elizabeth, daughters.
Marke of Luke (Words our health my being interlined before the sealing therof)
Marke of Thomas Sterry, marke of Sarah Mountford, Robert Mountford.
Probate; 29 October 1719.

PHILIP JUDD, yeoman. BR/16/385.
[ too dark to read all words]
...in reasonable health...praised be to Almighty God...hands of Creator...death and
passion of Jesus Christ...to be delivered.
Johannis Judd, nephew, son of Thomas Judd, brother, 2 customary messuages or
tenements with appurtenances?, orchard, yards, meadows, 6 acres.
...Samuel Scholes...Henry Bude...?in the occupation of...paying to loving wife
Martha Judd £12.
John Judd and Mary Judd, children of brother Thomas Judd, £5 apiece on the
death of his wife.
John Speller and Mary Speller, children of Edward Speller, £5 apiece on the
death of his wife.
Mary Kent and James Kent, niece and nephew, children of Joseph Kent and
testators sister Mary Kent deceased, £5 apiece in 2 years after his death.
John Judd, nephew , Tom?[Thomas Judd] 35 in 2 years after his wifes death
John Judd, messuage or tenement, containing 1 acre.
[rest is unreadable]

RICHARD LANE, taylor. BR/5/665
Will dated 1656
Sick in body yet thanks be to God for it, perfect in mind and Sences.
Above all soul to God my Maker and Redeemer and body to be decently
buried at the discretion of Executrix.
Richard Lane, son, 2s, in 3 months after his death.
Elizabeth, daughter, wife of Thomas Speller, croft or close of land called
Puckeridge in Elsenham, on condition that Elizabeth pays to his daughter
Margaret 20s a year.
If Margaret happens to be married then the 20s is no more to be paid.
If Margaret keeps herself single and outlives Elizabeth, then she is to be
paid £4 by the yeare during the term of her natural life.
For fault of payment of the £4 then Margaret to have and enjoy 4 acres of
land in Elsenham called Pickeridge So long as Elizabeth and Thomas Speller
are alive she is to have only the 20s. a year.
Elizabeth and Margaret, daughters, all the rest of goods, chattels etc. which
may be his within his house and without his house, after debts and funeral
expenses have been paid.
Executor; Elizabeth Speller, daughter.
Mark of Richard Lane.
Witnesses; John Phillips and Edmund Page.
Probate;

ELIZABETH LINSELL, widow. BR/22/265
Will dated 28 April 1848
Executors to pay all expenses.
George Newman, farmer of Stanstead Mountfichet, Household goods,
furniture, plate linen, china money, particularly a certain sum of money of
£150 or thereabouts, in the hands of James Young Barnard of Canfield.
Also all other personal estate and effects .
Executors; George Newman, James Faiman the younger.
Probate; 11 September 1848.