Anthony Knowles 1637 Ref. Borthwick Bundle Aug 1637
In the name of God Amen the five and twentieth day of January 1637 I Anthony
Knowles late of Mearbeck and now of Rathmell within the parish of Giggleswick and
County of York yeoman sick in body but of good and perfect mind and remembrance
praised be almighty god therefore I do make and ordain this my last will and
testament in manner and form following First I commend my soul into the merciful
hands of Almighty god my maker trusting assuredly through the death and passion of
Jesus Christ to be made partaker of eternal bliss in the kingdom of heaven for ever
and my body to be buried at the discretion of my wife and friends within the parish
church yard of Giggleswick aforesaid.
Secondly my will and mind is that my debts and funeral expenses be paid performed
and discharged out of my whole goods by my executors under named.
Item I give and bequeath unto Margret my now wife the one half of my lands at
Mearbeck which is of the annual or yearly rent of twenty-five shillings. Item I give
likewise unto my said wife twenty and five pounds of lawful English money in full
satisfaction of her third part of my goods. Item I give to Margret Clarke my sister
twenty shillings. Item I give to Michael Jacks four shillings. Item I do give to every
one that I am god father to twelve pence a piece. Item I give and bequeath to Thomas
Knowles my eldest son and to William Knowles my second son and to Anthony
Knowles my son in law* and to Margaret Browne my daughter all the rest of my
goods equally to be divided amongst them. Item I do make the said Thomas Knowles
and the said William Knowles executors of this my last will and testament.
Witnesses hereof
Isabell Preston her mark, Anthony Knowles Rich: Preston
Mearbeck spelt Mearbecke in will
Rathmell spelt Rawthmell
Giggleswick spelt Gigleswicke
* probably stepson is meant