John Symcotts’ Will

Summary

In the name of God, Amen. I, John Symcotts of Huntingdon in the county of Huntingdon, Doctor in Physick, being in perfect health, mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following :

First, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it, being fully assured that by the bitter death and bloody passion of my blessed Saviour and redeemer Jesus Christ all my sins are freely and fully pardoned and that thereby I shall receive inheritance among those that are sanctified by faith in him.

Next, I bequeath my body to decent burial and desire to have it laid in the lower end of the north aisle in St. Mary’s in Huntingdon and near unto the wall and the window there, where a plain stone may be set up over me with this epitaph engraved in brass “Symcotsi recessus,” which I leave to the will of my executors. For my estate which the Lord hath pleased to bestow upon me and my painful endeavours I thus bequeath it:

I give unto my nephew William Symcotts (only son of my late brother Robert Symcotts) all the messuage in Offord Darcy alias Daynes now in lease to Roger Pursell of Offord Cluny and in the occupation of his son Thomas Pursell, purchased of Nicholas Pedley Esq., with all the appurtenances, rents, profits and commodities thereto belonging. Also, I give and bequeath unto the said William those twenty and eight acres of arable land and a close of pasture purchased of Mr. Anthony Leedes of Croxton in the county of Cambridge and in the occupation (without lease) of the said Thomas Pursell; and also that acre of arable land which I purchased of John Chapman, late of Offord Darcy, now made pasture and enclosed (with quickset) with an acre and a half of that land which I purchased of Mr. Pedley aforesaid. Also, I give and bequeath to the said William those twenty and five acres and two half-roods lately purchased of Mr. Michael Clarke, and also those six acres of arable land which I purchased very lately of Roger Pursell of Offord Cluny. These, I say, with all rents, profits and commodities thereunto belonging I give to the said William Symcotts and to his heirs forever.