Certified copy of the will, 28 January, 1577, of Richard Ellmer, of Barton, yeoman;...

Certified copy of the will, 28 January, 1577, of Richard Ellmer, of Barton, yeoman; to Richard Ellmer, his eldest son, his 'mancion house,' 'free.' 'lease' and 'copiehold' lands in the 'parishe' of Barton cum Whitwell, Cumberton, Grancester and Coton, except 'one free tenement wherein William Gooden now dwelleth, with a pece of Lees,' containing 4a. abutting thereon, and a close at 'Barton bridge,' called 'Catteswell close,' containing 3a., with the 'woodes' belonging to the said tenement and closes, all which he gives to Thomas Ellmer, his younger son, as also 'all my free lande arable lees and meadowe within the bounds and lymittes of Haselingfeild, which I bought of Mr. Morrisbie'; 'item I bequethe to the township of Barton all my meadowe grounde lienge in Barton Haye within the boundes of Haselingfeilde abuttinge upon Bourne brooke and all other groundes there within the haie to the township of Barton in common as other the inhabitantes of Barton do occupie the same forever, willinge my son Richerd to ayde and assiste the said Towneship of Barton evermore to enter into the said ground and haye'; provided if the township or any other person 'shall hereafter till eare or sever the same haie,' or any part thereof, 'and so keepe the same severall to any private use,' the same to revert to Richard, his son, and his heirs; specific bequests of goods to son Richard; residue of goods to wife Agnes Ellmer and son Thomas, equally between them; wife to pay debts and legacies and to have all the wood in the 'greate close' towards their payment, and to occupy land, etc. given to sons till they come of age; if sons die under age without issue she shall have his lands, etc. for her life, with remainder in default of other issue of his by her, to John Skynner, of Orwell and his heirs for ever; the said John to have the tuition of his said sons if his said wife die whilst they are under age; his wife to deliver the land to son Richard, at his full age, 'well tilled,' with 12a. 'of the said tylthe sowen with wheate and rie'; if wife remarry, her husband to give bond to John Skinner for the performance of the will; to Roger Skynner, John Skynner's son, 'a browne howed calfe to be weaned'; 'to Richard Skynner my godson,' son of John, 'one brandled calfe of a yere olde'; to 'Richerd Skynner my wives brother,' 4 bushells of barley; son Richard Ellmer to be sole executor. John Skynner and James Norman to be supervisors, with 20s. 'for their paynes.' Proved before Thomas Ithell, doctor of laws, vicar general and principal official of Richard, bishop of Ely, and administration granted to Agnes Ellmer, widow, the relict, during son Richard's minority, for the education of Richard and Thomas his brother, 22 February, 1577. Cambridgeshire.