"I do protest myself to die an humble and penitent synner". To be buried in Laxfelde churchyard, or wherever I die. To my wife Agnes the tenement wherein I dwell, with the lands, meadow, and pasture, for life, she to educate and bring up my children, with remainder to my daughters Marie and Margaret, or, in case they die s.p., to my daughters Anne and Elizabeth, who are to pay to my son Elye £10. To my daughter Anne my great meadow in Laxfield. To my son Elie my tenement lately purchased of my father-in-law Edmunde Crispe, he paying to said Edmund £50, in accordance with agreement, and to my daughter Elizabeth £40, in instalments. To my son Elie my timber, tools, and all things belonging to my occupation. My wife is to have the residue and implements of husbandry, while sole, towards bringing up my children. I she marry, [she is to have] one-half only, and the other one-half to my children. Executor: my wife Agnes, with my son Elie, "in whom I repose a special trust & confidence". Supervisor: my brother Robert Fiske, [to whom I give] 5s., praying him to be [of] assistance unto my wife and children. Witnesses: John Fiske, Jefferie Fiske, Nicholas Fiske, John Elwis, Nicholas Lane, John Petyver.
Proved November 5, 1572 by the
executors.
(Archdeaconry
of Suffolk [Ipswich Probate Registry], book 24, fo. 188)
Published in the October 1932 issue of the Journal of the New England Historical Genealogical Society.