John BULL, 1586- 1641, Blacksmith, Helmdon, Northants. (Page 1 of 2).

This is a transcript of the last Will and Testament of the above, taken from a photocopy of a microfilm record held at Northamptonshire Record Office. Two such copies are held. That dated 1641 (Ref. 3rd series A23) was made on 4.9.1641 and looks like a copy of the original Will - judging by the signatures and seal at the bottom. That dated 1648 (3rd series A91) is all in the same hand and appears to be an official copy, probably done at the time of probate or some time later, though it is not known why this took until 1648. Perhaps it was connected with the unusual bequest to pay to William Phillips the younger of Brackley the sum of £40 , six months after the death of William Phillips the Elder of Helmdon. Another likely reason for the delay is that this was the time of the Civil War. Whatever the reason, both versions of the Will are the same.

The original Will of 4.9.1641 shows signs of being done in a hurry. There is none of the usual fancy scroll for the opening sentence and the handwriting is extremely poor and difficult to read. Indeed, had it not been for the 1648 copy the transcriber would probably have been defeated by many sections. Since the Testator was buried at Helmdon on 8.9.1641 (only 4 days later) it is likely that the Will was prepared at his death bed - probably in less than ideal conditions for writing with a quill pen! The writer may have been in a hurry to beat the grim reaper, or - more likely - keen to get away from John Bull and whatever ailed him. Items in square brackets e.g. [several] are uncertain.

Transcript by D J Bennett, a direct descendant of the above, in December 2003.
(e-mail djbennett@djbennett.karoo.co.uk Tel: 01482 665506)

In the Name of God Amen
The fourth day of September in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred forty and one. I John Bull of Helmdon in the County of Northton, Blacksmith, being sick in body but of good and perfect memory (thanks and praise be given to Almighty God therefore) do make and ordain this my present testament concerning herein my last Will in manner and form following (viz) Firstly, I bequeath my soul unto Almighty God, the maker, Creator and [offr. . .r ] of all things, and to Jesus Christ the Redeemer of all mankind, and to the Holy Ghost, the spirits proceeding from them both the Comforter Sanctifier of all the elect of God of which number I steadfastly believe my self my self [sic] to be one, and to be saved by the Death, merits and bloodshed of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by non other, my body to be buried in the Church or Churchyard of Helmdon or else where it shall please God.
Item. I give unto my son John Bull and to his heirs and assigns forever all that my Dwelling House and half yard land with all the [p . . . . s] and Commodities, to and with the said Dwelling House and half yard land belonging or in any way appertaining upon this Condition hereafter expressed (viz) that my son John Bull his heirs and assigns shall pay or cause to be paid unto William Phillips the Younger of Brackley in the County aforesaid, Shoemaker, or to his [ . . . ][ Ass. . . ] Executor or Administrator the sum of forty pounds of lawful English money within six months next after the decease of William Phillips the Elder of Helmdon aforesaid, Husband. Item. I give unto my son John Bull ten shillings, and all the iron and working tools in the shop and all the coals. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughters Jane Bull, Joyse Bull, Elizabeth Bull and Anne Bull to each of them five pounds of lawful English money apiece to be paid unto each of them when they shall have accomplished their [several] ages of four and twenty years, and if it shall happen that any of my daughters shall happen to die and [depart] this life before her or their portion or portions shall be due, that then my will and intent is that the portion or portions of any of them so dying shall be equally divided amongst those sisters that shall survive.

/continued on page 2.

Page 2 of 2. John Bull (1586 - 1641).

All the residue of my goods and chattels whatsoever I wholly and absolutely give unto Elizabeth Bull my beloved wife whom I make my sole Executrix of this my present Testament, she to pay all my debts, (the debt of forty pounds above mentioned only excepted), and to receive all such debts as to me are due and rightfully assigned, to see me decently buried, my funeral expenses discharged and those my legacies truly performed as my full trust is she will, and I utterly revoke and adnull every other former Testament by me heretofore made. And hereunto I set my hand and seal, these persons being witnesses.

Edward Emilie, the mark of Edward Bull The mark of John Bull
The mark of Thomas Wells, Thomas Bull.

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Summary of legacies

1. Dwelling house and half yard of land (about 12.5 acres) to son, John Bull (1617-1690).
(Note. It is not certain if this half yard of land was the same as the son John (1617-1690) specified in his Will that he bought from Edward Hill. Perhaps he had sold it and then bought it back).
2. £40 to William Phillips the Younger of Brackley, Shoemaker, to be paid within 6 months of the death of William Phillips the Elder of Helmdon, Husband. (This could have been the original deal for the house and/or half yard of land).
3. Ten shillings (50p) and all the iron, working tools and coals in the blacksmith's shop to son John Bull.
4. £5 to each of 4 daughters Jane, Joyse, Elizabeth and Anne, on their 24th birthdays. (If any died before 24, the survivors to share their portion).
5. All the residue to wife Elizabeth Bull - sole Executrix.
6. The cash legacies of £60.50 would be worth about £6400 in 2002, according to www.eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp. A multiplier of about 105 is therefore appropriate.

Notes

1. There is a later, unreadable, addition to the foot of the Will. This may be in Latin and is probably connected with the probate. It mentions the name Elizabeth Bull and appears to show a date in 1641.
2. The witness Thomas Wells was probably the brother of John's 2nd wife Elizabeth (nee Welles). John and Elizabeth Welles were married at Helmdon on 27.10.1615.
3. Witnesses Edward & Thomas Bull were probably the sons of John, by his 1st wife Elizabeth Plante. John and Elizabeth Plante were married at Helmdon on 10.2.1605.
Neither Thomas nor Edward were baptised at Helmdon. Thomas married Marie Neauname at Helmdon on 27.4.1630.
4. Witness Edward Emilie is from the well known local family. John's grandson (also John) married Anne Emilie at Helmdon on 26.12.1678.

END