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In the Name of God Amen 18 Day of August 1679 I Richard Floyer of
Hints in the County of Stafford Esq being in good health and memory
prayse bee to god and being unwilling to bee busied about earthly things
when death approacheth doe make my last will and testament in man
ner ensueing. First as becometh every Christian declareing that I firm
ly believe the wonderful mystery and power of the Trinity and willing
ly and joyfully assgine my soul unto the hands of my Creator and Redee
mer trusting to have remission of all my sins and everlasting happi
ness both of soule and body through his merritts and mercys to mee
and my body to be Interred in my Vault with as final Ceremonies
as is convenient by torch light. And concerning my worldly Estate I give
and bequeath to the Church wardens of Hints six pounds to bee payed by
my Executrix hereafter named on the 29th day of July next following
my decease for the setting forth two poor children as apprentices out of the
parish of Hints as (??? crossed out) who are to bee choose by them and the minister
Item I give and devise to my well beloved wife Elizabeth Floyer besides
her jointure Quarrentine and Parapharnalia all such necessary bedding
and furniture as are usually in her chamber and silver Tankards late
ly bought four silver porringers a greater and a lesse the lesse hers before ( lesse ?)
marriage six silver spoones att her election : To my eldest Son Mathew
Floyer I give and devise the Greate lead Cesterne with the Pumpe that
are in the Waterhouse in the Garden and the Greate Stone Trough Standing in
the fold yards. To my Grand Child Ralph Floyer after hee accomplisheth the age
of 14 5 ss (?) to buy him a silver bowle and all such Statute bookes and law bookes
the present use whereof is limited to my Son John Floyer during his life Item
to my Grandchild Ann Floyer one of my bigger silver porringers with three last
mentioned legacys and given to my son Mathew and his two children Ralph and Ann
upon condition my son Mathew Floyer quietly permitte my said wife Elizabth to
injoy her Quarentine and all the residue of my personal estate to the uses and Intents
herein mentioned without any disturbance or hindrance by him or his meanes or con
sent otherwise the three last mentioned legacys to bee made voyd and null. Item I
give and devise to my second son John Floyer my bigger Silver Tankard and
all those bookes wherein his name is written but only the use of my statute bookes
and law bookes during his life and afterwards to my grand child Ralph as afore
said Except such law bookes in which I have writte my son Samuels name. Item I
give and devise to my third son Samuel Floyer my lesser silver Tankard and all
such bookes of law and other learninge and manuscripts wherein I have writ
ten his name to bee delivered by my Executrix hereinafter named when shee hath
had the use of them as long as she liveth Item I give and devise to my Dau
ghter Elizabeth Goring to my Sister Mary Mosely to my Sister Elizabeth Kynnersly
and to her husband to such of my Grandchildren and other Friends whose names
I shall sett down in writteing severall gold ringes some of 8sh some of 7sh ?????with this
motto I H S peto (?) And moreover I give and bequeath to my three younger sons
John Samuel and Peeter Floyer equally a certtayne Debt or Summe of money of 200 sh (?)here
tofore lent by mee to Richard Dury of Little Aston in the County of Staffs Esq and all writeings
and securytyes hee hath made to mee for the said Debt with an estate or interest in any lands
and power and authority to the said John Samuel and Peeter Floyer to sue for the same in the na
me of my Executirx if needs bee. And lastly I make my said wife Elizabeth sole execu
trix of this my last will and testament And give her (my debts and legacys being de
ducted) all the rest and residue of my personal estate in money plate debts live or dead
chattels to the intent that shee may dispose of them or any part of them as shee shall
think most convenient for the benefit and augmentation of ye portions of my daughters
True and Prudence Floyer and according to what proportion shee thinks convenient. In testimony
whereof I have signed sealed and published this my last will and testament and before the
sealing I made this addition Item I give and bequeath to my Son Peeter Floyer my silver sugar
dish and spoon and such bookes wherein I have writt his name. Item I give my Son John ye
use of those bookes wherein I have writte none of my sons names and then to Ralph for ever
after my son Johns decease.
Ric: Floyer
Notes: (offered by Sylvia Dibbs)
I have looked in the full Oxford English Dictionary (in town!):
Quarentine means 40 days for a widow to enjoy certain privileges
Lesse could be a slicer, a perforated vessel to make lye from wood ash, tanning or even lease!
The motto looks like IHS peto and so could mean ' I strive for Jesus'. It could be I or J t l s.
I favour the first idea. My O level Latin dictionary gives peto as I strive.
I can't see what the unit of currency is after the sums of money.
Goring , Moseley are names of important Staffs families,.
Kynnersley is perhaps Kinardsley another Staffs family.
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