Will of William Gayer of Okehampton

 (Where words are readable but unclear thay are in italics.  Words that are unreadable are shown as xxxx.)

In the name of God Amen. The eighteenth of April 1648 I William Gayer of Okehampton in the county of Devon xxxxxx in perfect memory though somewhat weak in body do make and ordain my last will and testament manner and form following  First I commit my soul unto God my xxxxxxx hoping through the merits of xxxx thrift within mind unto xxx wisdoms righteousness sanctification and redemption for a usefull xxxxxxxxx and my body to Christian burial xxx.  First I bequeath unto the poor people of Okehampton five pounds to be distributed by xxxx of the xxxxxx Inffirments inhabitants to the most honest and industrious of the same town and Parish within a month after my death. Giving unto the poor people of the town Of Stratton and Balsdon five pounds to be distributed by the inhabitants of the town in manner and form aforesaid to be paid within three months after my demise.  I give unto the people of the Parish of Whitstone where I was born five pounds to be distributed in like manner. I give unto my son John one bedstead and bed performed our bible with xxx two silver spouts and one brass xxx and all the xxxx and xxxx that do belong to the shoppe  I give unto my son Roger xxxxx pounds to be paid him by my executrix when she shall accomplish the age of xxxx xxxxx.  I give unto my daughter Anne Gayer all my right fifth interest of xxxxxx and xxxxx xxxxx xxxx so long as our tenement in Balsdon which I hold of the young Mr. Robert xxxxx and xxxx forty pounds in money when he shall accomplish the age of sixteen years. I give unto my Daughter Robina Gayer a fifth parcel of ground in xxx church which was firstly assigned unto me by William Xxxx of Byworth and which he holdeth xx me at the rent of 3xx and all xxx hundred pounds in money to be paid by my xxxxx when she shall achieve the age of xxxx years.  I give unto my daughter Mary Gayer one hundred and twenty pounds tobe paid when she shall achieve the age of twenty years.  I give unto my son Joseph Gayer xxxx pounds and to my son Benjamin Gayer xxxx pounds to be paid when they shall achieve the age of nineteen years. I give unto my xxxx William xxx forty shillings and unto Sarah xxxx ten shillings. I give unto my brother Martin Gayer’s children ten shillings xxx and to all the wives of my brothers and sisters and brothers in law and children five shillings apiece.  I give unto my servant Mary Risdon xxxx and I give unto John Bayly forty shillings. I give unto Anne Xxxx forty shillings. To Johan Lange ten shillings. I give unto my sister Penelope Pearce five pounds. I give unto my sister Mary Gayer five pounds. I give Edward Xxxx five pounds and Furthermore my will and xxx is that if any of my children die before they Xxxx xxx xxx their portion that then xxx shall be equally divided among the rest and I do before my beloved Father in law John Bremelcome and my brother Samuel to be assistant  to my xxx to set this my will performed to whom.  I give and bequeath each of them twenty shillings. All the rest of my goods and chattels not having been given and bequeathed I hereby give and bequeath unto Hester Gayer my wife whom I ordain and make executrix of this my last will and testament and my will and xxx is that my should xxxxx my children before their portion be paid them at her own self and charge xxxxxx where xxxx. I here unto put my hand and seal in presence of those who are named  xxx under xxxxx.  William Gayer. Sealed and delivered in xxx .

Signed Richard Rorke, Richard Xxxxx, John Shobber