06 August 1590 Will of Joane Cutt of Bristol, widow (proved 13 October 1590)

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In the name of god Amen The sixt day of 
August in the two and thirtith yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Ladie Elizabeth by the 
grace of god of Englande Fraunce and Ireland Queene defender of the faith &c I Joane
Cutt of the parish of St Leonardes in the Citie of Bristowe widowe late the life of John
Cutt marchant somtyme Maior of the Cittie of Bristowe beinge of perfect memorie thanks 
be unto Almightie God And well consideringe the frailtie of all fleshe and that the ende thereof 


is uncerten do make and ordaine this my testament contayninge my last will First and principally
I commende my soule into the handes of Almightie God my Heavenly Father and creator and
to his sonne Jesus christ my redeemer and to the holie Ghost my comforter three persons and 
one God to whome be all honor praise and glorie nowe and for ever In whome I faithfully 
beleeve that he gave his only begotten sonne Jesus Christ to be crucified on the crosse not 
for my sinnes onely but for the sinnes of the whole worlde by whose death and passion I faith-
fully trust to be saved and to be receaved into his kingdome by his favorable mercie and good-
nes with free remission of my sinnes who is full of mercie and forgivenesse and hath mercy
in store for all them that beleeve and aske mercy of him. Secondly I comitt my bodie to the 
earth from whence it came earth to earth and dust to dust in certaine and sure hope of 
resurrection both of bodie and life everlastinge which I appointe to be buried by my
husbande if I die in the cuntry yf I die in the Citie then in St Nicholas Crowde Thirdly
as touchinge my worldly goodes which God hath given me for that I knowe assuredly 
that as naked I came into the worlde so naked I must returne again. I beseech thee O
Allmightie God that thou wilt give me grace so to dispose the same to such personnes as may
be thankefull to thy devine matie who is the giver of all thinges. First I do give and 
bequeath unto William Cutt the sonne of William Cutt deceased the somme of twentie pounds 
in money to be paied him at his full age of twentie and one yeares. Item I doe further give
unto the aforesaid William Cutt all my leases of yeares not yett expired of certen grounds
lyinge within the parrish of Keynsham commonly by the name of the Coninger or else the
revercon of one tenemente lyinge in Burnett and nowe in the tenure and occupation 
of the widowe Bayly This to be given by the discrecon of my well beloved kinsman
John Cutt Item I give and bequeath unto Ann Cutt his sister twentie poundes in mony
to be paid her and delyvered at her age of twentie and one yeares or her daye of 
marryage which shall first happen. And if anie of them the said William and Ann
do decease before the sayd tymes lymyted the survivor of them to have and enioye
the others legacie. And if they both decease then theire both legacies shall remaine to their
sister Elizabeth if she be then livinge and have accomplished her full age of twentie and 
one yeares or be marryed which said legacies I will shall remaine in the handes of my
executor so as he give sufficient assurance to the Father of Orphants within the Citie 
of Bristowe to paye Fortie shillings yearely to the said William and other Fortie shills 
yearely to the said Ann for theire scolinge and finding for the use of theire said monies untill
the shall accomplishe theire said ages and also the lyke assurannce for the profitt of the 
said lease of the Conyger given to the said William And if he refuse so to do then the 
same to be put fourth by the discreacon of the said FAther of Orphants in like sorte 
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne Bisse the wife of John Bisse of 
Peglinch one plaine guilte goblett weighinge seaventeene ounces and thre quartrs 
one tankard of silver doble guilt weighinge sixteene ounces three quarters, six silvr
spoones with lyons, a booke called Turners herball, three smockes, three kerchers of 
the best my new cassocke of grogeram chamlett havinge two gardes of velvett, a kertle 
of damaske which I made last a french hoode with thappurtenncs, on scarlett peticote 
laied with redd and blacke lace, two bandes, and foure partletts of linnen a daiper table 
clothe, a dozen of diaper napkins a towell of plaine diaper half a garnishe of pewter 
vessell, two paire of candelstickes one paire of tinne thother of brasse, one hollande table-
cloth and a dozen of napkins a towell wrought with aders worke in blewe thred in three 
workes a breat napkin fringed and wrought with blacke silke, two paire of sheetes one paire 
of them of holland with two bredthes, Foure oxen two bullocks tenn eowe sheepe one bore 
one sowe one porker and twentie bushells of wheate to be delyvered unto her by my executor
within six monethes after my decease Item I give to Margarett Bisse als Wilkins her 
daughter one guilt ale cupp weighinge sixtene ownces thre quarters, one paire of canvas 
sheetes, a table cloth, a towell, a dozen of napkins of my owne makeinge. Item I give 
unto Marie Bisse the daughter of my said daughter Ann a guilte ale cupp of silver 


with a cover, a fyne whyte towell with a paire of sheetes a table cloth a dozen of napkins with barlie 
corne workes Item I give unto Joane Bysse the daughter of the said Anne a spruce chest one 
paire of chidbed sheetes wrought with blacke two pillowbeares wrought with blacke and two
course a crocke a paire of tounges a fire slise a featherbedd a coverlett of redd a paire of blanketts
a whyte rugge a paire of curtens of blewe and yealowe and a longe carpett redd and yealowe 
blewe at the endes, and one panne of twelve gallons. Item I give unto Anne Bisse daughtr 
of my saide Anne a crocke of two gallons a table choth a paire of sheetes a dozen of napkins 
a plaine towell and a silver spoone one coew and one calf. Item I give aive unto Thomas 
Bisse the sonne of my said daughter Anne my little silver secke cupp. Item I give unto
James Bisse the sonne of my said daughter Anne the feather bedd with all the furniture
which I lente his mother a redd coverlett of my owne makinge a little silver cupp of half a pint 
a silver spoone a crocke. And I give unto Richard Bisse another of her sonnes a silver spoone
and a little caudren. All which Legacies so as aforesaid geven unto my said daughter Ann
and her children I do appoint shalbe delyvered to them within six monethes after my
decease. And where  my sonne in lawe John Bisse now standeth indebted unto me in the 
somme of Fiftie poundes by his wrytinge obligatories and eight poundes and odd monies 
over and above the said Fyfty poundes my will is that he shall be thereof clerely 
accquited and discharged of all the said debt against me and my executor so as he the 
said John Bisse do paie and distribute fifty poundes thereof amoungest the children 
which he hath by my daughter Ann his wife equally to be devided by even porcons 
betweene them. Item I give and bequeath unto Joane Sandforde the wiffe of John
Woode six poundes thirteene shillings Foure pence my acquvitie pott with my still
and pypes thereunto belonginge. Item I doe give unto the children of Johne Wood 
the some of three poundes equally to be devided amounge them. Item I give unto
Marie Sandforde the daughter of Robert Sandford six pounds thirteene shillings 
foure pence in monie a chest of walnutt tree, a crocke a panne a chafferne a pautine 
six platters six pottingers six saveers one paire of candlesticks one basen and cure of 
pewter a paire of canvasse sheetes a table cloth two towells two dozen of napkines, a 
carpett of redd and yealowe. Item I give unto Elizabeth Sandford annother daughtr 
of the said Robert Sandford tenn poundes in money, a crocke of Foure gallons, a broche a fire 
slice a fryinge panne a paire of pothookes a paire of hanging hookes a pare of canvas
sheetes a canvas table clothe a dozen of napkins, and a paire of pillowbeers. Item 
I give to Bridgett Sandforde annother of his daughters six poundes thirteene shills 
and Foure pence in money one silver spoone and my buckinge kettle. Item I give unto
Suzan Sandford annother of his daughters six poundes thirteene shillings Foure 
pence in money a silver spoone a little crocke. Item I give unto Thomas his sonne six
poundes thirteene  shillings and foure pence in money a pepper box of silver a litle
ringe of golde in value Fyve shillings my danske chest by my beddside. Item I give 
unto John Sandford another of his sonnes six pounds therteene shillings four pence 
in money my taster of silver a great caudron and his graundfathers sea chest. Item I 
give unto Edward Sandford another of his sonnes six poundes thirteene shillings and four 
pence in monie and a silver spoone. And if it happen anie of them to decease before theire full
ages of twentie and one yeares or daies of marriage the survivor of them to enioy theire 
partes.  And whereas my sonne in lawe Robert Sandford is now indebted unto me the 
said Joane Cutt in the somme of Fourscore and tenn poundes of currant monie of Eng
my will is that all that all the said monie legacies given and bequeathed unto the said Robert 
Sandfords children and John Woodes shall be paid out of the said debt due and oweinge to 
me by the said Roberte Sandford and not otherwise. And further if the said Roberte
Sandford shall give good assurance unto the Father of Orphants within the Cittie of 
Bristoll for the paiemente of the said money legacies to his said children at the dayes of 
marryages of every of his said children or full ages which shall first happen or to the 
survivor of them that then the said Robert Sandford and his executors shalbe discharged 


of soe muche of the said debt bequeathed to his children nowe due and owing unto me. And if he
refuse so to do then the said bequests touchinge the said monie legacies to his said children to be 
utterly voide and he the said Robert Sandforde not to be discharged of his said debt to me 
nowe due and owinge. Item I doe give unto my daughter Mary Sandforde the wife of 
the said Robert Sandford in monie twentie poundes parcell of the Fourt score & tenne poundes wch
her husband oweth me as aforesaid Adn if it shall happen the said Robert Sandford do refuse 
to give assuraunce unto the Father of Orphants within the Citie of Bristowe for such
sommes of money which I have given to his wife his children and the children of John
Wood to be paid unto them at the tyme above specified that then my executor shall not be by
anie wayes charged for the payment of the legacies before given unto his wife and children 
and to the children of John Wood. But if the said Robert Sandford do paye and satisfie
the foresaid legacies given and bequeathed unto his wife his children and to the children of 
John Wood And also satisfie and paye unto my executor the residue of the foresaid Foure
score and tenn poundes nowe due unto me that then my said executor to give and delyver 
unto him a generall acquittaunce. Item I give and bequeath unto my duaghter Bridgett
Newce my greate chest my greatest french hoode and foure of my best cushens with the pillows
belonginge to them my greatest sidborde with the best carpett of flaunders worke belonginge 
to itt my best coverlett and my best curtaine with redd and greene binding lace a scarlett 
peticote with a broode cut garde of velvett and foure pannes of pictures viz Solomons 
iudgments the shilde of faither the poore manns harte and the queene of Sabothe and a ringe 
of golde with a table of blewe saffire called alberts ringe to be delyvered her within six 
monethes after my decease Item I  give unto her daughter Barbara Hereson a
table cloth of damaske worke of the best sorte a short diaper tableclothe a longe towell of 
like diaper worke sixteene napkins of the same and two olde apostle spoones of silver Itm
I give unto Ann Hereson her other daughter a plaine diaper table clothe a towell to the 
same a dozen of napkins with blewe worke with two other like silver spoones Item I give 
unto Thomas Hereson her sonne the best goblet with a cover a holland table cloth a 
holland towell with blacke worke a dozen of napkins with whyt worke with two other like 
silver spoonnes And if anie of them decease before the said tyme then the other survivinge to 
enioy theire partes and porcions Item I give and bequeath unto Bridgett Whitson late 
wife of my sonne Nicholas Cutt uppon this condicion and in consideracon that if she the 
said Bridgett shall and will within the space of one whole yeare next after my decease accor-
dinge to her faithfull promisse in her widowhed to me made make or cause to be made & assured 
by good and lawfull conveaunce in the lawe unto John Cutt the sonne and heire unto Willia
Cutt a good and lawfull estate of inheritaunce in fee simple of and all those landes and 
tenementes which my late husbande John Cutt did give unto the said Nicholas Cutt
lyinge and beinge within the Citie of Bristowe To holde the same to the said John Cutt
and his heires after the death of the said Bridgett as by lerned counsell shall be devised 
That then I saye I do give and bequeath uppon that condicon unto her the said Bridgett
the somme of thirtie pounds in money also a goblet of silver guilt with a skollopp shell my
gowne of clothe which I last made with two gardes of velvett a newe petticote and a kyrtle of damaske
all which money plate and apparell shall be delyvered unto her uppon such conveancs 
and assurauncs to be made by her as aforesaid And if the said Bridgett refuse to make 
such conveauncs then my will is that she the said Bridgett shall not have the same 
money plate and apparell delyvered unto her yett neverthelesse because the howse 
shall not be defaced I do bequeath to her the said Bridgett the draperie and glasse 
in the said howse to her owne use Item I give unto my brother Clemente Kelke a 
ringe of golde with a tortishe fixed therein and I give unto the said Clement Kelks
wife a ringe of golde of Fortie shillings Item I do give to my sister Garret a 
ringe of golde of Fortie shillings and a horse or mare to be delyvered unto her 
within three monethes after my decease Item I give unto Marie Burcott
the daughter of Ann Burcoott in money twentie shillinges to be delyvered 


unto her within three monethes after my decease Item I give unto Margerie Berie my
maide servaunte a flocke bedd a coverlett a boulster two blancketts two paire of canvas
sheetes a paire of pillowbeeres a canvas tablecloth a  towell a blacke frise gowne 
a petticote of my weaminge a little crocke a middle cawdren six poundes thirteene shills
Foure pence in money one cowe all theise things to be delyvered six monethes after 
my decease Item I give to Ann Collins my maide servant in money twentie shillings 
to be delyvered within six monethes after my decease Item I give to Richard Speritt 
a blacke frise cote one cowe tenn sheepe a crocke a featherbedd two blancketts a whyte 
coverlett a little panne a coffer with a locke and kay a chafferne of a gallon a paire of 
course newe sheetes a paire of candlestickes two platters two pottingers two sawcers to be 
delivered unto him as aforesaid Item to Thomas Taylor of Kensham a blacke frise gowne 
and three shillings foure pence in monie Item I give unto the poore people that dwell
in these howses hereafter named six pence apeece That is the Almes house of St Thomas 
hospitall the almes house of Laffords gate the almes howse in the marshe the almes house 
of St Jones the almes house of Saint James backe the almes house of the weavers hall to
the graye friers, the almes house at Temple gate, to the poore prisoners att newgate tenn
shillings To Burnett tenn shillings To Keinsham twentie shillings Also I give to six
men and six weomen cotes of frise and cappes for the men and six gownes and khearchers 
of frise for the weomen at my buriall Item I give to the  newe hospitall Sainte 
Augustens greene within the cittie of Bristoll called the hospitall of Quene Elizabeth the 
somme of tenn pounds in money to be paied within six monethes after my decease unto the 
Chamberlaine of the same Citie then beinge there to be bestowed towardes the releife and 
bringinge upp of poore Fatherlesse children  Provided alwaies that all those legacies 
which before is given to Robert Sandforde his wife and children to be utterly voide and of 
non effect except the foresaid Robert Sandford do redelyver one bande of one hundreth pounds
for the assuraunce of one bargaine called by the name of Pinnocks lyinge in Burnett which 
bonde John Cutt made and standeth bounde unto the foresaid Roberte this bonde to be delivred 
to the handes of John Cutt thelder within one moneth after my decease That then the bonde 
soe delyvered as aforesaid the legacies afore given to stand and remaine accordinge to the 
true meaninge of my will otherwise if hee refuse soe to do the legacies to be merely voide
and of none effect and the bonde to be put in suite against him The residue of all my goodes 
bothe moveable and unmovable not here before given and bequeathed I give and bequeath unto 
my cosen John Cutt whome I ordaine and make my whole executor to see this my last will 
performed And I appointe to be my overseers John Whitson of the citie of Bristowe 
marchant unto whome I give a gowne and a ringe of fortie shillings for his paines In
witnesse whereof I the said Joane Cutt have hereunto sett my signe and seale the daye and 
yeare first above written One thowsand Fyve hundred nintie  Signed sealed and 
delyvered in the presence of us James Deacon clerke person of Burnett John Connles and
others 

Probatum fuit Testamentu
suprascriptum apud London ...
[this paragraph continues in Latin to grant probate on 13 October 1590]
decimo tertio die mensis Octobris Ann Dni millesimo quingentesimo nonagesimo 
[to]
Johis Cutt executoris 

Last Modified: Thursday, 07-Sep-2023 20:40:21 NDT