n the name of God amen I John Hodges of Ashley in the Parish of Bradford in the County of Wiltshire, Serge maker, being of sound and perfect mind and memory do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following first I commit my soul unto the hands of god looking for salvation by the merits death and passion of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour, my Body I commit unto the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix, limiting the expense of my funeral unto £10 , and in touching my worldly Estate I give and dispose thereof in manner and form following. Imp. I give unto my daughter Mary Kendall and her assigns all that my tiled houses at Ashley in the parish of Bradford and all that Close of Ground called House Croft and Street Closes that I purchased of the Commissioners of the Statue of Bankrupt with the Appurtenances for and during the term of 2 years after my decease and after that term then to my son John Hodges for his life if he comes personally unto Great Britain to enjoy it but in case he come not then my will is that Joseph Hodges his son shall have and enjoy it after the expiration of the said 2 years until his father comes personally as aforesaid. And also after the expiration of the said 2 years I give unto my Grandson Joseph Hodges the little Closet in the Cellar and the Cupboard and great Barrel Horse and Shelves drawers and Boiler under in the Kitchen all the shelves a board under them and the petition that makes the whitehouse all the shelves therein. I give him at the time of my decease the wrench and pan and the comb pot and one pair of Combs and my Black Coat or 5 yards of Serge or Drugett to make him one.
Item I give unto my Grandson Joseph Hodges , son of Joseph Hodges all the goods that in the two thatched houses of mine and 6 yards of Drugget to make him some cloths and in money 5 shillings and like wise I give him the bed and bedstead and the appurtenances in the cellar Chamber. Item I give unto James Hodges, son of John Hodges my Silver Tankard if he comes personally into Great Britain to demand the said Tankard, And if he comes not to demand the said Tankard I give the said Tankard to my Daughter Mary Kendall and the heirs of her body for ever Item I give to my granddaughter Martha Hodges, daughter of James Hodges and the Heirs of her body the Lords rent and the inheritances of William Harvies house for ever and in default of such heirs of her body then to Joseph Hodges , son of Joseph Hodges and his heirs for ever. Item I give unto Martha Hodges , daughter of James Hodges the house and garden that Goody Skrine lived in for her life and 6 foot broad of Ground the length of the house on the south side of him.
Item I give to the said Martha Hodges the bed and bedstead as I lent to her father and a kettle and platter and the Loom that was John Hawkins or in lieu of the loom the £3 that he owes on the said Loom and 6 yards of Druggett to make her some cloths.
Item I give her the sum of £3 when she shall come of Age and 30 shillings in household goods if the dye before then to my executrix. And after her desease I give the House that Goody Skrine lived in to Martha Kendall her heir and Assigns for ever.
Item I give to my daughter in law Mary Hodges the house that Richard Hollyday lives in on Morgans Hill during ye term of her life & the bed & bedstead and all belonging to him and the coffer and chest all in the Middle Garrett of the house I now live in for her life and 20 shillings to buy her some clothes and after her decease I give the said House to Henry Kendall & his Heirs during the whole term that is on it and also after decease I give the said goods in the middle garret to the said Henry Kendall his heirs and assigns and also I give the said Henry 6 yards of Druggett to make him a Coat and also I give him £3 in money.
Item I give to Mary Kendall, daughter of William Kendall and her assigns all that the House that George Foxell (?) lives in on Morgans Hill and backside and way there to belonging during the term that is on if thee paying the Lord sent to Mr Shrapnell and also I give to the said Mary £10 in money.
Item I give to my son in law William Kendall and Mary his wife the House that Mr Mathew Smith lives in on Morgans Hill aforesaid during their lives and the longest liver of then and after their decease then unto William Kendall their son his heirs and assigns during ye said term that is to come on it and after ye decease of William the father and Mary their mother I give to the said William Kendall the furnace and boiler of mine that is in the brewhouse thereof belonging also I give him £5 in money.
Item I give unto John Kendall , son of William Kendall the house and Garden and all the Ground below the wall, that William Kelston lives in Bearfield to him and his heirs for ever and also I give to said John the Loom that is in the said house and 40 shillings in money.
Item I give unto Edith , now daughter of the said William Kendall the House and garden that John Hawkins lives in Bearfield , and 8 foot breadth of Ground from the south side of the house ranging the whole length of the house to her for her life. And after her decease I give the said house and garden to her son William now and his heirs for ever never the less subjecting the said house and garden to be let unto the said William Kendall and Mary Kendall father and mother of the said Edith all the rent of 40 shillings per annum to be paid quarterly for as long time and term as they shall think fit to occupy the same also I give the said Edith now £5 in money. Item I give the lower part of North Close to my daughter Mary Kendall during her life.
Item I give the upper part of North Close also to my daughter Mary Kendall during her life never the less subjecting the same to the payment of 35 shillings per annum to her daughter Martha during that term and after the death of my daughter Mary the upper and lower part of North close I give to John Kendall and Mary Kendall son and daughter of said William Kendall and Mary Equally to be divided betwixt them & to their heirs and assigns for ever never the less subjecting the Upper part to the paying of 35 shillings per annum to the said Martha her heirs and assigns for ever otherwise she shall have liberty to take to the same .
Item I give to my Sister Francis Bland in money £5 and 6 yards of Black Serge to make her a Gown and to her husband Thomas Bland most part of my wearing Apparel.
Item I give to the poor of the Baptists meeting 20 shillings to be divided by the Minister .
Item I give unto my daughter Mary Kendall the bed and bedstead and all belonging to the same that I lye on for her life and after her decease to Mary Kendall her daughter and all the rest of my household goods not herein before given I give unto my grandchildren which are Mary Kendall's children to be equally divided between them after my daughter Mary Kendall decease or as they have occasion for it at the discretion of my trustees. And Whereas John Talbott doth owe now £5 on Bond my will is .. the said £5 that in case the said John Talbott shall pay a acuse to be said unto my Grandson Joseph Hodges, son of Joseph Hodges the sum of 30 shillings, and unto Joseph Hodges, son of John the sum of 30 shillings within the space of 2 years then the said Bond shall be void I do nominate and appoint my daughter Mary Kendall to be whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testatment .. Thomas Bush, John Brouse and John Willett to be Trustess of thisn my last will and Testament unto whom I do give 5 shillings appoint in Witness whereof I do hereunto lett my hand and seal this second day of January 1715, sealed, signed and published in presence of Edward Baily, Thomas Holbrook, Thomas Bush Jnr.
Source : MLB (Bishops' Marriage Bonds)
Man's Surname : HODGES
Man's Forename : JOHN
Man's Age : 21
Man's Occupation : GENT
Man's Place of Abode : WRINGTON, SOM
Woman's Surname : KENDALL
Woman's Forename : MARY
Woman's Place of Abode : BRIXTON DEVERILL, WILTS
Woman's Status : WID
Bondsman 1 : PUXTON JOHN,GENT,FUGGLESTONE,WILTS
Bondsman 2 : SMITH WILLM,GENT,SALISBURY
Marriage Details : JUL 4 1633
Source : MLB (Bishops' Marriage Bonds)
Man's Surname : PRYME
Man's Forename : GEORGE
Man's Occupation : GENT
Man's Place of Abode : BRADFORD, WILTS
Woman's Surname : BULL
Woman's Forename : ELEANOR
Woman's Age : 25
Woman's Place of Abode : MIDSOMMER NORTON, SOM
Bondsman 1 : HODGES PHILLIP,GENT,NEW INN,MIDDX

Marriage Details : AUG 16 1687