This translation of The Will of Hew Corbyn of East Parley held in Hampshire Archives, Alt Ref No: 1561B/019, was made by Anne Vincent, March 2024
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In the name of God, Amen. The 14th day of April in the year of Our Lord 1561. I Hew Corbyn of East Parley in the parish of Christchurch in the county of Hampshire, husbandman, being of whole and perfect memory and good understanding, thanks be to Almighty God, do here make my last will and testament in this manner and form following.
First I bequeath my soul unto Almighty God, my maker and redeemer, and to all the blessed company of heaven and my body to the earth, willing it to be buried in the church lying to the south of Christchurch in the county of Southampton[1] aforesaid. Also I give and bequeath unto my godchildren 4d each.
Also I give and bequeath unto my mother one cow, one heifer, 6 sheep, 2 hives of bees and one acre of rye. Also I will that my mother remains living in my house with my wife. If they cannot agree then my wife must pay my mother 10s when she departs.
Also I give and bequeath unto Hurn Bridge 6d. Also I give and bequeath unto Wyllyam Atkyng 2d. Also I give and bequeath unto the poormen box 4d. Also I give and bequeath unto the repair bills of the church[2] 12d. Also I give and bequeath unto Richard Barne a female lamb. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Wyllyam the cupboard in the hall.
All the residue of my goods, moveable and unmoveable, not given or bequeathed and after my debts have been paid and my legacies performed I give and bequeath unto my wife Mari and my children who I make my executrix and executors of these my goods and this my last will and testament. To assist them I elect and ordain Hew Corbyn, Hew Howtying and Wyllyam Gare as my overseers to obtain the most profit for the children’s inheritance as they can. If my wife marries, my overseers shall obtain the children’s inheritance from her before the marriage takes place. Also if one child dies his part is to be divided among the others.
Witnessed by Sir[3] Peter Burness parson, Thomas Bond and many more[4] and the parson named above.
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Probate:
An Act of Probate was appended to the will (it’s written in abbreviated Latin in an pretty much illegible hand!). Probate was granted by Thomas Gillet to Marie, relict and executrix, in Ringwood on 1st October 1561. The inventory of goods was taken on 10th May so there was a delay of several months before probate was granted. The delay may have been caused by the need to wait until the crops had been harvested and an accurate value obtained.
In 1561 the Manor and advowson of East Parley was held by Henry Brune of Powner. The church was therefore a Peculiar of the Incumbent and not part of the diocese. As a result Hew Corbyn’s will was proved at the Court of the Peculiar of Ringwood with Harbridge.
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Notes:
[1] County of Southampton was synonymous with County of Hampshire.
[2] It was common to leave money in wills for church repairs. It would have been especially needed at this time as costly changes to the fabric of parish churches were demanded during the reformation and counter-reformation.
[3] An honorific form of address. The parson may also have been the scribe who recorded the will.
[4] At this time, when few people could read or write, it was common for the will to be made in the presence of a group of people. Everyone present would know the wishes of the deceased so, theoretically, preventing litigation.