John BULL, 1617 - 1690. Blacksmith, Helmdon, Northants.

This is a transcript of the last Will and Testament of the above, taken from the manuscript record kept by the PRO of Wills proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

Will made 26.12.1683. Buried 8.11.1690. Will proved 20.2.1690 (1691 new style).

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

In the Name of God Amen
The six and twentieth day of December in the five and thirtieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland and King Defender of the faith. And in the year of our Lord 1683. I John Bull of Helmdon in the County of North'ton Blacksmith being aged and infirm in body but of perfect mind and memory (thanks be to Almighty God for the same) and knowing the uncertainty of this life and being minded to settle things in order do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say first and principally I commend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping through the meritted(?) death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to receive full remission of my Sins and to inherit everlasting life. And my body I commit to the Earth whereof it was made to be decently buried at the discretion of mine Executrix hereinafter named. And as for such wordly estate as God Almighty in mercy hath bestowed upon me I dispose thereof as follows. The first I give devise and bequeath unto my youngest son James Bull all that half yard land of arable meadow and pasture ground with the appurtenances lying and being dispersed in the open and common fields of Helmdon aforesaid which I lately bought and purchased to me and my heirs forever of and from one Edward Hill to have and to hold the said half yard land and every part and parcel thereof with their appurtenances unto the said James Bull his heirs and assigned for ever immediately from and after my decease. Also I give devise and bequeath unto my said son James Bull all that Close and three bay of buildings thereupon erected and built with their appurtenances situate lying and being in Helmdon aforesaid which I formerly bought and purchased to me and my heirs for ever of and from one James Pullen to have and to hold the said three bayed building and every part and parcel thereof with their appurtenances unto the said James Bull his heirs and assigned for ever immediately from and after my decease. Also I give and bequeath unto my said son James Bull all my iron and all manner of tools in my shop or belonging to my trade and all my coles [sic] to be delivered to him within one month after my decease. Also I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Anne Bull one hundred pounds to be paid unto her by mine Executrix hereinafter named at her age of six and twenty years or day of marriage which shall first happen. Also I give and bequeath unto my youngest daughter Mary Bull fourscore pounds to be paid unto her my mine Executrix hereinafter named at her age of six and twenty years or day of marriage which shall first happen. And my will and meaning is that if either of my said daughters shall happen to die before her portion shall become due as aforesaid that then the portion of her so dying shall be equally divided between the survivor of them and my said son James Bull share and share alike. Any my will and meaning further is that if both my daughters shall happen to die before their portions shall become due as aforesaid that then one hundred pounds of my said two daughters' portion shall be paid unto my son James Bull and the fourscore pounds remaining shall be paid unto my eldest son John Bull within six months after my two daughters should have attained their respective ages of six and twenty years if they had lived. Also I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Bull twenty shillings and to my grandson Timothy Bull ten shillings to be improved for them by my son John Bull. Also I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Bull ten shillings. All the rest of my goods and chattels and personal estate whatsoever or wheresoever (my debts and legacies being paid and funeral expenses discharged) I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Thomasin Bull whom I make and ordain sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. And I do hereby revoke all Wills by me formerly made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written. John Bull. Signed sealed and published in the presence of us and our names' subscribed in the presence of the Testator. Phil Style, the mark of John Pratt, Edward Hamand.

Probatum

There then follows a formal paragraph in Latin (not transcribed), recording the fact that the Will was proved on 20 February 1690 (1691 new style) at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

Summary of legacies
1. Half yard arable meadows and pasture land (bought from Edward Hill) to youngest son James Bull.
2. Blacksmith's shop etc (bought from James Pullen) to youngest son James Bull.
3. £100 when 26 or married to eldest daughter Anne Bull.
4. £80 when 26 or married to youngest daughter Mary Bull.
(If either of the two daughters died before 26 or marriage, then her legacy was to be
shared equally between the other and James Bull. If both daughters died before
26 or marriage, then £100 was to go to James Bull and £80 to the eldest son John
Bull).
5. 20 shillings (£1) to grandson John Bull. b.1680.
6. 10 shillings (50p) to grandson Timothy Bull. b.1683.
(5 & 6 above were to be 'improved for them by my son John Bull' - their father).
7. 10 shillings (50p) to eldest son John Bull.
8. All the rest to wife and sole Executrix Thomasin Bull.

Notes
1. It looks likely that John had already provided for his eldest son John, who was his only married offspring at the time of the will, and who had been married 5 years before to Anne Emilie of 'one of the most important families in Helmdon' according to www.helmdon.com.
2. There is no mention of John's second born son William (b. 7.4.1656). It looks as if he had died, as had his 3rd born son Michael (b. 25.5.1658, buried 4.11.1669) and his first born daughter Elizabeth (bapt. 23.8.1663, buried 5.12.1666).
3. A 'half yard land' was about 12.5 acres.
4. The cash legacies of £182 total would be worth about £19200 in 2002 according to www.eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp. A simple multiplier of 100 is therefore approximately right.
5. An image of the original can be downloaded from www.pro.gov.uk. The catalogue reference is 'Prob/11/403 image reference 188'. Type 'John Bull, Helmdon, 1691' on the 'Search' page. The fee is £3.