Description:

1. Will: [2 pages] dated 7 February 1700
Beneficiaries: To Simon Pye, nephew, of Little Dean, co. Gloucester , 'all that freehold estate I lately purchased of John Price of Peterchurch' known as Lloyn or Chadnors Lands in St Margarets. Also £100 ' I have layd by way of mortgage upon a certain messuage and lands called the Quarely in the parish of Cloddock, being in the hands of John Miles, gent.' Also after the death of daughter in law Mary James, widow and relict of his son, William James late deceased, his mansion house with its lands and appurtenances situated in St Margarets and called Merryhurst. In addition Simon Pye is to get the right and term to certain lease lands held under the Rt Hon George, Lord of Abergavenny adjoining the lands of Merryhurst.
To Jane Watkins, maid servant, £25 together with a bed, bolster, coverlid, blanket and a pair of sheets Also a 2yr old heifer
£20 to Humphrey Thomas, John Price senior, John Price junior, John Watkins and William Harry all of Michaelchurch Escley; 'to be used by them for buying  and placing of a treble bell to put in the steeple at Michaelchurch Escley church'.
To kinswomen, Anne, Patience, Catherine and Constance daughters of Simon Pye of Arcopp[Orcop?] father of Simon Pye above, £20 to be divided equally between them.
To the eldest son of the aforesaid Anne and nephw of Simon Pye, '£3 towards the placing of him an apprentice to such handy craft that he will best approve of'.
To Thomas Davies, manservant and kinsman, £5 also a mare or 3 yr old colt and the second best suit of clothes.
To servant Walter Probert, 20/-
To Mary, Anne, Sarah, Martha and Elizabeth Price, daughters of Henry Price deceased of Michaelchurch Escley, £5 to be divided equally between them.
To Hannah Kerry, daughter of John Kerry of Norton Holy Waters, co. Hereford £3 and one carved wainscot chair.
To John James of Mokas [Moccas], £5 and to Alice his sister, 20/-.
To kinswoman, Mary Edwards, daughter of Walter Edwards of Abergavenny, £10.
To William Powell of Abergavenny, £3.
To Walter Powell of Michaelchurch Escley, husbandman, £5.
To John James of Vowchurch, 20/-
To William Prichard, godson and son of Thomas Prichard living at Penny Lane, Peterchurch, 20/-
To Katherine Waters,daughter of Job Waters of St Margarets, 20/-
To Elizabeth Turner, goddaughter and daughter of Edmond Turner of Cobwall, co Hereford gent, deceased, 20/-
To John Phillips of the City of Hereford, baker, 20/-
To Noah Parry, godson, £3 3 towards the placing of him an apprentice to such handy craft.
To William Lawrence of Lliswen, 10/-
To Sarah, 'daughter of my tenant Thomas Roberts, 1 ewe and 1 lamb, likewise to my godson, William Morgan of Cusop, 1 ewe and one lamb'.
'I give 20/- towards the buying of bread to be given to the poor by way of dole upon the day of my funeral'
£20 towards funeral expenses
[The final bequest is undecipherable from the photocopy as the original was folded at this point this fold has also prevented the deciphering the names of the joint executors]

Executors: [names taken from the coversheet] Thomas Howell and George Watkins.

Signed by testator

Witnesses: James Davies William Prichard and Thomas Price
 
2. Codicil dated 14 March 1701 .
[unfortunately the codicil has not been completely flat when photocopied and in consequence the full meaning of it is unclear it seems to be altering the bequest of Merryhurst on the death of his daughter in law now re-married to Thomas Carpenter of Hidefield]
 
Codicil marked by testator

Witnesses: H Pugh, Howard Griffitts and Thomas Davies

Date of Probate: 2 April 1702.

3. Inventory: [3 pages] dated 30 March 1702 , value £229 3 9d [ coversheet shows the value as £228 3 8d]. Appraisers Thomas Harper, Thomas Rogers and Thomas Gundy.

Observations:

Documents include 3 coversheets; 9 sheets in all. Both will and inventory are very interesting with many people and their relationships named; the inventory gives an extremely detailed room by room list of domestic contents with books pictures and a pewter gun mentioned.