WILL OF THOMAS HILTON, 1588

I Sir Thomas Hilton in the County of Durham, whole of body and in fit mind, do ordain constitute and make this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following: first I bequeath unto Almighty the father my Soul, and to his son Jesus Christ who hath redeemed me and all mankind by his most glorious death and passion, hoping thereby to be resuscitate with the elect in the day of judgement when he shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and my body to be buried in the midst of my Chapel of Hilton, whereas my grandfather lieth buried.

Item, I give and bequeath to Agnes my wife, the one half of my goods, moveable and unmovable, and the lease of Tynemouth during my years.

Also, I give and bequeath unto my son Oswen Baxter £3 6s 8d by year during his natural life, to be levied upon my lands of Alston Moor. Also, I give to Oswold Mydfurthe 40s by year to be levied upon my lands of Alston Moor, during his natural life. Also, I give to William Bainbrigg 40s by year to be levied upon my lands of Alston Moor, during his natural life.

Also, I give and bequeath to Cuthbert Hilton, Roger Hilton, and William Hilton, according to their Patents. Also, I give to Margaret Hilton £20 to be levied on my goods and chattels, and my wife to have the ordering of her until she be married.

Also, I give to my four singing boys, that is to say, Thomas Hudson and Robert Hudson, Robert Hudsons sons, and to James Hudson and Thomas Hudson, William Hudsons sons, 40s by year during their natural lives, to be levied upon my lands of Alston Moor.

Also, I give to Emond Prior 26s 8d to be levied upon my lands of Alston Moor. Also, I give to all the residue of my servants having no patents, their whole rears wages.

Also, I will that my wife have all my household stuff, both hangings, beds, and all other household stuff, as pots, pans, dishes, dublers, saucers and speits, during her natural life, and after her death to remain to the heirs of my lands. And further, I will that all the plate that came by her shall be hers during her natural life, and then to come to her son John Baxter; and for my own plate and my chain, she to have the occupation of it during her life, and then to remain to the heirs as heirlooms from one to another, upon this condition that they shall put sufficient sureties that it will descend from one heir to another, according to the entail that I made at London, in a thousand pounds of lawful money of England, and to be registered and recorded from time to time in the Chancery of Durham.

Also I will that the rents of Follonsby and Little Usworth shall go to the payments of my debts yearly, unto such time as my said debts be fully satisfied and paid, by the sight of my friends Sir Robert Brandling Knight and my son John Baxter Esq., and they to stand ceased of my said rents of Follonsby and Little Usworth unto such time as all my said debts be fully satisfied and paid, and then the said rents to go to the heir, if he will be bound in the Chancery of Durham that the whole lands shall descend from one to another, as is contained in my entail aforesaid.

Also I give to every one of my tenants in Hilton and Little Usworth 6s 8d. And to twenty maids in Hilton and Usworth, who shall be next married after my departing from this transitory life 6s 8d apiece.

And to the two briggs of Hilton 20s, and to the mending of the highway at Barmston 10s.

Also I give to Bartholemew Hilton my servant £10 by year, to be levied on my lands in Alston Moor, during his natural life. Also I give and bequeath to Adam Hilton, 26s 8d by year, during his natural life, and the same to be levied on my lands in Alston Moor.

Also I will that Henry Wycliffe shall have £3 6s 8d out of my lands in Alston Moor, during his natural life. Also I will that William Jordan shall have and enjoy 33s 3d, that he hath now the occupation of in Grindon. Also I give to Thomas Simpson, and to William Cuthbert, according to their Patents. Also I give to Richard Blakenberie, £3 6s 8d during his natural life, to be levied on my lands in Alston Moor.

And the residue of my goods I give to Agnes my wife, whom I make full Executrix, to dispose the same as she thinks most expedient, and to be counselled by the right Honorable my very good Lord my Lord Wharton, Sir Robert Brandling Knight, and my son John Baxter, whom I make supervisors of this my last will and testament, to whom I give for their pains: to the Lord Wharton £20 and to Sir Robert Brandling, and my son John Baxter, £10 each.

In witness whereof, I have subscribed this my last will and testament, the 8th day of November in the year of our Lord God 1558.

Item, further I give to Anne Leifeld 40s to her marriage, and to Jane, if she marries with Bartholemew Hilton 40s. Also I give to Mr. Buller £6 8s 4d, and to Mr. Thomas Lawson £6.