Nat Gould

Will Of John Gould 1628-1669

Will of John Gould of Harbage in the parish of Alstonefield in Staffordshire dated 1 January 1669.

"In the name of God Amen I John Gould of Harbage in the Parish of Alstonefield and County of Stafford yeoman being weak of body, but of sound and perfect memory praised be God do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following; first I bequeath my Soul to God my creator hoping by the meritorious death and crucifixion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to be made partaker of everlasting life and my body I commit to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executors, And as for my worldly estate as follows
Item I give devise and bequeath to William Gould my younger son and Mary Gould my daughter the sum of 160 pounds to be paid unto them by my eldest son John Gould in manner and form following; That is to say the sum of one hundred pounds within the space of four years next after he shall enter of one moiety equally to be divided betwixt them and the sum of threescore pounds within one year after he shall enter of the other moiety equally to be divided betwixt them out of my lands at Harbage and the whole 160 pounds aforesaid to the survivor of them.
Item I give and bequeath all my goods cattells and chattels moveable and unmoveable whatsoever my debts and funeral expenses being discharged unto Elizabeth Gould my loving wife except one joined bed in the chamber over the parlour the table and frame and cupboard in the house which I give to my eldest son John Gould. And also all my husbandry ware upon condition he paid the 160 pounds before nominated.
Lastly I do constitute ordain and appoint Elizabeth Gould my wife James Hailley William Bullock and Thomas Naden the executors of this my last will and testament, And also I do desire Mr Raphe Mountfort and John Gould my uncle to be overseers and to see this my last will performed In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of January in the one and twentieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second 1669.
Sealed signed and published
in the presence of us John Gould
John Weston [seal]
William Milward
Tho. Weston
Robert Weane"


Probate was granted at Lichfield on 13 May 1670 to his widow Elizabeth Gould.

Transcription made by Ann and Michael Hanson from the document in Lichfield Record Office.