Will and Probate
Derived from The National Archives’ reference PROB 11/254/569
Will Date: 6th January 1655
Witnesses: Robert Hellyer, Edward Hellyer, Grace Hellyer (the mark of)
| Beneficiary | Relationship to Testator | Bequest |
| Church of Stalbridge | Institution | Twelve pence for repairs |
| Constant Snowke | Daughter | Twelve pence |
| Robert Snowke | Possibly a Grandchild (implied) | Twelve pence |
| Elizabeth Snowke | Possibly a Grandchild (implied) | Twelve pence |
| Mary Snowke | Possibly a Grandchild (implied) | Twelve pence |
| William Snowke | Possibly a Grandchild (implied) | Twelve pence |
| Henry Snowke | Possibly a Grandchild (implied) | Twelve pence |
| Edward Hillyer | Son | Four pounds and one yoke of steers |
| Elizabeth Hillier | Daughter | Ten pounds, two acres of wheat, one feather bed and cupboard |
| Grace Hillyer | Daughter | Six pounds |
| Mary Hillyer | Daughter | Ten pounds, one acre of wheat, one bedstead and one coverlet in the testator’s chamber |
| Ellen Doofitt | Daughter | One twelve-month-aged bullock |
| William Dufitt | Grandchild | Twelve pence |
| Robert Hillyer | OverseerMany wills of the period appointed one or more Overseers. An Overseer is distinct from an Executor and acts as... In full. of the will | Ten shillings |
| Edward Hillyer | Overseer of the will | Ten shillings |
| Elizabeth Hillier | Wife and executrix | All the rest of goods and chattels (residual estate) |
Notes:
- The surname appears with different spellings in the document (Hellyer, Hillyer, Hillier). Inconsistent spelling was commonLand over which manorial tenants held shared rights. These typically included common of pasture (grazing), turbary (cutting turf for fuel),... In full. during the period. Similarly, the more common spelling of Doofit would be Duffet and Snook for Snowke.
- Available records are transcripts – the witnesses are implied.
- The relationship to Robert, Elizabeth, Mary, William and Henry Snowke isn’t stated, but they are probably the children of Constance.
Grant of Probate: 22nd May 1656 at London. The grant was awarded to Elizabeth Hillyer, relictThe surviving spouse of a deceased person, almost always the widow. The word appears frequently in probate documents, where a... In full. of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the will.