Catalog: Wills 1541-1800
Ref: 1687/268
Thomas JELFE – Yeoman
Written: April 3rd 1687
Original spellings have been retained. Abbreviations have been expanded with the letters that were omitted in [square brackets]. Use of /separatrix/ denotes transcription unsurety.
If you can tell me any more about the people named in this will, I would be very happy to hear from you. Thanks.
In the name of god Amen
I Thomas JELFE yeoman of the parish of Sandhurst in the County of Gloucester being very sicke and weake of body but of perfect memory (blessed be Almighy God) doe make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and forme as followeth.
First I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it mee, trusting in the meritts of Jesus Christ my saviour to find redemption _____ it, and my body to be buryed in the churchyard of Sandhurst at the discretion of my Executors, whom I shall hereafter name; and as for my worldy goods I give and bequeath as followeth.
Imprimis. I give and bequeath unto my second son Thomas JELFE of the parish of Sandhurst the remainder of the terms in my lease of six acres of arable land in Sandhurst which I hold from Wm KENT, condition that he shall pay unto my youngest son John JELFE halfe the worth of it (as it shall be valued by two or three honest men) _____ one year after my decease.
Item. I give unto my youngest son John one large cupboard one warming pan one [buckering cowle] and one large kettle.
Item. I give unto my son Thomas one painted coverlett.
Item. I give unto my eldest son Wm JELFE the summe of one pound to be payd _____ one year after my decease.
Item. I give unto Judith his wife and after her to Elizabeth his eldest daughter one pair flaxen sheets and one Holland pillow:[bird] and one sofa.
And lastly I doe [constitue] and ordain my two youngest sons Thomas and John to be the sole of Executors of this my last will and testament and to pay all my debts and my eldest son Wm JELFE
to be overseer, and to /take care that their happen nor differences betwain/ them in the dividing of my personall effects. Witness my hand the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
Mark of Thomas JELFE
Edmond SALCOMB
Mark of William MERRY
_____ MERRY
SUPPOSITION
William JELFE (son)
William is likely to be the same William who became vicar of Tirley in 1681 (Ref: CCED). He entered Oriel College, Oxford in 1673, aged 18 putting his birth abt. 1655. William marries Judith BIDDLE on November 28th 1681 in Forthampton (William Good transcriptions). 6 children are baptised to William and Judith in Tirley (Source: William Good transcriptions), 4 of these children survive – Judith (bapt: 1686), William (bapt: 1691), Elizabeth (bapt: 1694) and John (bapt: 1698) and are mentioned in their fathers will.
Elizabeth JELFE (grand-daughter)
The Elizabeth (eldest daughter of William and Judith) is buried in Tirley on February 28th 1688 (Source: William Good transcriptions).