Will from 1668 - Need help reading

[Mamspice]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping there is someone here who could read this will for me from 1668 as I am stumped! It is the will of Barbara Spencer.

[Bookbox]

This is just the probate clause, in Latin, written on the back of the will, showing that the will was proved on 26 May 1668 at Cirencester.

The will itself is on the previous page (image 31 of 441). Say if you need help with that.

[Mamspice]

This is just the probate clause, in Latin, written on the back of the will, showing that the will was proved on 26 May 1668 at Cirencester.

The will itself is on the previous page (image 31 of 441). Say if you need help with that.

Thanks. I'm attaching what I hope is the will 

[horselydown86]

I have transcribed the bulk of the significant parts of the will.  I've skipped the first two paragraphs of formalities: you can have a go at those yourself.   However note that the date appears to be 5 March 1661.

***********************************************************************************************************

Inprimis I give and bequeath to my sonn Thomas halfe

my Liveing or Chattle lease duering his naturall life

Item I give and bequeath to my sonn William the other

halfe of my Liveing or Chattle lease duering my terme

and in Case my sonn Thomas shall marry with the

assent or Consent of my overseers of this my ^last^ will

then my will is he should have halfe my liveing dureing

my whole terme & soe will(ia)^m my sonn on the same

condision haveing the consent of my overseers:

Item I give & bequeath to my daughter Sara my best

bedd & bedsteed with the best sheets boulster & pellows

blankets & coverlet thereto belonging:  It(em) I give

unto my daughter Sara fower score pounds in money

to be paid her within twelve monethes after my decease

by my Executors:  All the rest of my good(es) both 

moveable & unmoveable my debts paid & funerall

Exspences and will p(er)formed I give & bequeath to my

two sonns Thomas and William whom I appoint &

Constitute my full & sole Executors of this my last

Will & testament  And I doe desire my brother law [sic]

Broad and my brother law Goddard to be the overseers: to

see this ^my^ will La [sic] fully p(er)formed & keept: in witnes

wherof I have sett my hand & seale 

[horselydown86]

My best attempt at the witnesses:

Sealed in the presents

of [?] Goddard

X  Tho: Masons marke

William ffox his marke

Goddard's first name is a puzzle.  The last part could be len: but that's far from certain.

[Mamspice]

Thank you so much!! You're a star

[horselydown86]

Note also that 5 March 1661 is an Old Style date.  In modern dating this would be 5 March 1662.

[Mamspice]

Ah ok. Very complicated back then

[Wayne N]

The Old Style (Julian) calendar, year ended on 24 March instead of the 31st December

And the first day of the new year started on the 25 March instead of the 1st January.