I will that my brother, Sir Robert Crawforthe,1 shall have one chamber and meatt and drynke duringe his lyffe of the proper costes of my sonne Christofer, yf it please him to be so contended, and to use him as his lovinge and naturall unckle, as my trust is that he wyll do. Robert Shipsyde, one of my sister Jaine's sonnes, 13s. 4d. Remainder to Christofer my sonne and George Crawforthe, his son. Anthonie Garthe and Thomas Hoodd, my sonnes in law, supervisors. Witnesses, Ambrose Lancaster, Wylliam Elwyne, Rychard Garthe, Cuthbert Garthe, Richard Crawforthe. [Pr. April 20, 1583.] ·

WILL OF THOMAS CORBY.

Dec. 7, 1582. Thomas Corbye, of hir Majestie's towne of Barwicke counstable. I give to my servante, Elynor Kitchyne, a flecked calfe, my freesse cloocke of Newcastle frease, etc. I give to my daughter, Margaret Reade, my best cloocke that my lord of Bedfoord gave me. To my son, Thomas Corbye, my dune horse with a read sadle and bridle. Residue to my son in law, John Read and Margaret, his wife. [Pr. Feb. 18, 1582/3.]

WILL OF RICHARD HUTTON.

Dec. 31, 1582. Richard Hutone, maior of the towne of Hartillpole. To be buryed in the churche of Sainct Hilde in Hartillpole in the mydd halleye before the quiere dore. To Richard Hutone, the eldeste son of William Hutone, my sone, my burgage in Hartillpole in Southe Streite to him and his heirs; then to John Hutone, second son of William Hutone. To everye one of my children, William, George, Margaret and Agnes Hutone, 10s. Remainder to Isabel Hutone, my wife she executrix.2 My brother, John Hutone, supervisor. Witnesses, John Browne, allderman, John Stappltone, clarke, etc. [Pr. Feb. 6, 1582/3.]

If

1 June 26, 1583. Will of Robert Crawforthe of Whitworth, clerke. God call me to his mercie here at Whitworth, I will that my bodye be buried in the quere of the parisshe churche ther. To the reparinge of the seyd churche, 6s. 8d. To the poore of Billingham parishe, 10s. To the poore of Gaynforth parisshe, wher I was borne, 10s. To Thomas Garthe, his foure daughters yet lyvinge, everye of theom, 5s. To Christofer Crawforthe, my brother's sonne, his thre systers, everye of theim, 5s. To Elizabeth Lynne, widow, my cosinge . My (late) brother, Richard Crawforth. Christofer, my seyd brother's son.

The following is the will of a kinsman : Sept. 8, 1583. Edward Lynne of Whitworth. To be buried within the queire very neare wheare my mother laie. To Robert Crawforth, a angell of golde to praie for me. To the aiged poore people, penie daile; also, I gyve my godchildren 12d. a peice, and to those children whiche I held under the busshope, every on 12d. a pece.

2 The will of the testator's widow, Isabell Huton of Hartillpole, is dated Mar. 8, 1583/4. 'To be buryed within the churche of Sanncte Hilde in Hartillpole, nigh unto the grave of my late husbande, Richarde Huton. My sons, George and William Huton. My son-in-lawe, Rauffe Thompson, and Ann his wife, my daughter. My son-in-lawe, Gilbert Nicollsone.' Pr. 1584.

WILL OF ROBERT FORSTER.

Jan. 19, 1582/3. Robert Foster, clarke, vicare of Dalton.1 My bodie to be buried in the quere of Dalton hard at the outsyde of the wall of my clossett. Also I bequithe to my servante, Beale Dunne, one brandid quye that wente at Shotton, a cawell, 2 puther dysshes, a bedd of clothes, my best brasse pott sayf one, hir whole yeare waiges, a kyrcher and two bourds to maike hir a chist upon. Allso I geve to Jenett Ranoldsonne, my old servant, two kyne, one called Throssell and the other Chyrry, a wyndowe clothe, the beste hewed coverlett I have, a tempes, two longe bourds, a puther platter and a great tre dubler. Allso I geve to John Ranoldsonne a browne upheaded stot goinge in the northe feild, a dune horse, thre paire of house syles and other wood that ys att Hesselden, a dossinge doore bourds, a newe cowpe wayne, a paire of longe wayne blayds, and thre axell trees, and two of the best mowlde bowrds, halffe my plewghe heads and halfe my plewghe styltes, a newe plewghe, half of my clethinge bowrds, and two yoicks whiche was bowghte of Thomas Yonge of Morton. Also I geve to Allesonne Ranoldsonne, wife of John Ranoldsonne of Hawthorne, a brandid quie with calfe. Also I geve to Dorathye Dune, alias Allay of Sehame, fowre gymbers or yews. Also I geve to Agnesse Dunne, to Elizabethe Dunne and to Brydgitt Donne, everye one of theyme a gymbre. Also I gyve to Robert Robinsone two oxen, one called Brownebeird and th'other Prowdlocke, and my cropp growynge upon the grownde att Dalton, and a paire of longe wayne blaydes. Also I gyve to Agnesse Robynson, wife of Robert Robynsonne of Dalton, a almerie, a peuther charger, a great pott, a basynge and a bedde. Also I geve to William Thomson of Hawthorne my warday gowne. Also I geve to Jenett Ranoldsone 10 shepe. Also I geve to John Ranoldsonne of Hawthorne 10 shepe. I geve to Robarte Robinsone of Dalton 10 shepe. I give to my goodsone, Robarte Fall of Dalton, my beste bowe of ewe. Also I give to John Foster of Hesselden, my brother, one yocke of my beste oxen unbequithed. I give to John Ranoldsone one quarter of wheate, one quarter of otes and one lode of pees, to be delivered presentlye after my deathe. I will that my executor shall give yearlye durynge the tearme of five yeares, to beginge att Chrystenmasse next after my deathe, to the poore of Dalton parishe 4s., which in the whole ys 20s. to be distributed as aforesaid. I gyve to George Fell of Ryop 37., in recompence of certen tougher which he clameth of my brother, John of Hesselden, and to his wyfe and children, 20s., which some of 57. 2s. in the said George Fell hand. The reste of my goods, moveable and unmoveable, unbequythed, my debts paide, my legaces and al things in my will and testement discharged, I gyve yt to John Foster of Hessleden, my brother, to

'Called Richard Forster in the list of vicars of Dalton printed by Mr. Surtees in his History of Durham, vol. i. pt. ii. p. 3.

Richard Foster, to Thomas Foster and Robert Foster, his sonnes, whome I mayke whole and joynte executors of this my laste will and testament. Witnesses, Thomas Yonge and Anthonie Downne of Morton, Robart Sharpe and John Shaldfoorthe of Hesselden, William Toodd and George Dayle of Dalton, Peter Thorpe of Dalton, and Thomas Easterbye, clarke, vicarre of Sehame, wythe others. [Pr. Feb. 9, 1582.]

NUNCUPATIVE WILL OF JOHN SMITH.

John Smith of Shereborne, within the parrish of Pittington, deceased, in the yere of our Lord God 1582/3, the 24th daye of Januarii, did utter his mind at divers tymes concerninge his last will and testament, both before he was sicke, and also lyinge upon his deathe-bedd, as followeth : First he did say to William Shauldforth of Sherborn, long before he was sicke, that Allyson Smith, his wyfe, should have all his goods that he had, duringe hir lyfe, and that after hir death all the saide goods should come to George Smyth and Isabell Thropp, whome they had brought upp and which did helpe them in theire nede, and did make them two sole executors of the same to theire owne proper use and commoditye. And at an outher tyme he did speake the same words to Herry Cooke and Thomas Cooke of Shereborne, and upon his death-bedd, a little before he dyed, he spake the same to Thomas Dobson of Shereborne. All which said persons will testyfye the truth hereof upon there othes when nede shall require.

2s.

INVENTORY. 27 April, 1585. One ould ambre and one chawwell, Two chists, 2s. One ould and one borde, 7d. Fower stoles to syt on, 4d. Two bras pots, 6s. One kettell and two lytle pans, 2s. 10d. Eyght peace of puder and two lytle sawcers and one salte puder, 5s. One candelstycke, 8d. Two coverleds, 5s. One lynnynge shete and two lynnynge towels, 3s. 8d. Two lynnynge kyrthchers (?) and two lynnyng rayles, 22d. Eyght other ould lynnyng clothes, 23d. Two ould cod pillowes of lynnynge, 9d. Fyve ould harne shete, 3s. 8d. To harne aprans and one ould borde clothe, 8d. Seven ould cods, 8d. Thre woman's coots and one ould clokke and ould waystcoote and one payre of sleves, 5s. 8d. Thre ould skrede happins, 8d. Certayne wood vessell, 3s. One spinnyng whele and thre payre of ould cayrds and thre baskets, 10d. Fyve ould pockes, 7d. One hallinge clothe and fower ould bords, 8d. One rackkin croke, one hatchet, one payre of iron tongs and iron bars, 12d. Two hens and lytle chikkens, 8d.

WILL OF GEORGE TOPIAS.

Jan. 30, 1582/3. George Topias of Busshopweremouthe, yeoman. To be interred in the churche of the said Wermouthe under my owne stall where commonlie I used to sitte. To the poore of the

parishe of Tinmouth, to be distributed to them in bread, 3s. 4d. To the poore of Washington parishe, in like manner, 3s. 4d. To the poore of Munckewermouth and Busshopweremouth, likewise, 3s. 4d. each. To the repayringe of the churche of Busshopweremouth, 2s. 6d., forgevynge the said church 4s. which it was indetted unto me at the makinge herof. To the poore of Standwrope parishe, 3s. 4d. To the poore of Barnard-castell parishe, where my father is interred, 20s. To the poore of Gainforthe parishe, where my mother is interred, 20s. To John Bell, my sworde and dagger. To Richard Thomsone, my wives sonne, 19s. My brother, Thomas Topias. To Francis Topias, son of William Topias, my bowe of two peaces. Jane Topias, his daughter. My brother William's children. To the three children of John Craddocke, 2s. 3d. a peice. Το my brother Craddocke, 28. 8d. [Pr. March 9, 1582/3.]

WILL OF JOHN HORSLEY.

Jesus. March 17, 1582/3. John Horsleye of Milburne Grainge, gentleman.2 To be buried within the parisshe churche of Pontyland. All my goods, etc., I give to Lancelotte Horsleye, the sonne of Lamerocke Horslye, my sonne, of Newhame, and my said sonne Lamrocke to have the tuition of him. I make the said Lancelote my executor. Oswould Ogle of Shilvingetonne, gentleman, supervisor. Also I will that myne executour deliver unto Robart Horsley, the sone of Edmund Horseleye, my sonne, departed, seaven heade of nawte. Witnesses, Oswould Ogle and Lamrocke Horseleye.

WILL OF JOHN BROWN.

May 3, 1583. John Browne of Newcastell, armorer. To be buryed in the church-yard of St. John. To my doughter, Anne Browne, my howse that I nowe dwell in. To my sonnes, John and Henrye Browne, the shop that is in my howse to worke in. To my sonne John, the greate vise, the study and the belles, and my sonnes John and Henrie to have all the shope geare, viz., iron stufe, plates, harmes, crosbowes and gonnes. To my sonne John, a chiste with the fyer locks therein, a payr of hose of buffe leather, a jerken to the same and a bufe skyne of lether. To my sonne Henrie and his heires, my howse which standethe nere the Whit Crose in the Neate Market, the leser vise in my shop and a bufe jerkin. My brother William Browne, my work-day apparell. My mylne in New Heton to

1

1 1577, July 23. Widow Topias buried. Gainford Register.

2 The testator purchased Milburn Grange, Aug. 23, 1566, from Bertram Anderson of Newcastle. His name heads the pedigree of Horsley of Bolam given in Hodgson, Northumberland, pt. ii. vol. i. p. 335.

my children. My welbeloved frends, William Errington, gent., and Thomas Browne, tayler, supervisors. Names of those which are indepted unto me: Sir George Radclyef, knight, 388.; Martyn Trotter, 53s. 4d.; Humfreye Graye, 6s. 8d.; Mr. Francis Ralclief, 6s. ; Thomas Atkinson, 21s. 6d.; Mr. Thomas Gascoyne, 12s. [Pr. June 10, 1583, by Anne Brown the widow.]

WILL OF WILLIAM BLENKINSOPP.

June 14, 1583. William Blenkinsop, clerk, one of the peti canons within the cathedrall churche of Durham.1 My bodye to be buried within the cathedrall churche as nighe where as my brother, Rowland Blenkinsop, was buried as may be. To the poore people, within the citie of Durham there as most needing, 40s. To my sister, Alleson Myllott, widow, 107. To Davie Taylior, my syster's sonne, 107. To Anthony Taylior, my systers sonne, 107. To Agnes Neyle, 31. 6s. 8d. To John Bucles, 5s. To William Foster, 6s. 8d. To William Smythe, clerke, one old ryall of 15s. To Richard Johnson, one old yaungell of 10s. To Beale and Francis Wright, children to William Wright, marcer, 5s. betwen them. To Richard Buckels, sonne to John Buckels, 5s. To Elizabeth Buckles, syster to the said Richard, 3s. 4d. To everye peti canon within the cathedrall churche, 12d. a peace. To everie of the lay singinge men ther, 8d. a peace. To the master of the choristers, 12d., and to everie chorister, 4d. a peace. To Robert Skepper, 5s. To Myles White, 3s. 4d. To John Haykins, 12d. To everie of the poore men, 6d. To the bell ringers of the said church, for makinge my grave and such thinges as they have to do for me, 6s. 8d. Το Roger Malham, 5s. I will that my bookes shalbe geven and distributed as the said William Smyth, clerke, Davie Taylior and Richard Johnson shall thinke good, so that some of them be bestowed of Christofer Mallam. Also, whereas George Jobson oweth me 57., I gyve that debte to Edward Jobsone, his sonne. To William Walton, my godson, 6s. 8d. To John Robinson, his wife, 10s., and to Suzane Robinsonne, my goddoghter, 3s. 4d. To the said Davie Taylior my soulden sylver spone, and to Alis Taylior, his wife, one old ryall of 15s. To Margaret, wife to the said Anthony Taylior, one other sylver spone. The residue of my goodes, etc., to the said Alleson Myllot, my sister, Davie and Anthony Taylior, my sister's sonnes, whom I make executors.

1 A minor canon of the cathedral of Durham, whose bequests betoken more good feeling towards the 'inferior members' than towards the 'dignified clergy' of that body. He may possibly have been one of the family of Blenkinsop settled at Birtley. His sister had been married to a Millot, another Chester-le-Street name; her husband was perhaps a humble member of the house of Whitehill Millots.