Transcription from a photocopy of an original found in the Cheshire Record Office, March, 2010.
Transcriber’s Notes:
1. The spelling of the locale “Fryth” is rendered as it was in the will, it being difficult to read. However, if the spelling as rendered in this transcription is wrong, the place is likely correct for the Topical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis, published 1848, mentions an area know as “Wrenbury with Frith”. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51433#s7.
2. The will was dated 6 October 1684, and probated 7 weeks later on 25 November 1684.
3. There is an inventory associated with the will, it being dated 27 October 1684, which contains 10 items totalling £54.15.4; the two largest items being livestock (heifers, calves, a bull and a horse – £26:8.4) and what must be “chees” making equipment valued at £23.2.6. (Inventory is more difficult to read than the will, but probably quite legible to an antiquarian.)
Names in order of mention:
testator: George Pemberton
wife: Ellin Pemberton
brother: Richard Pemberton
brother: William Pemberton
Samuell Sallmon
executor: wife: Ellin Pemberton
witness: John Revenshall
witness: William Pemberton
witness: Honory H_____
witness: Richard Colbach
In the name of God Amen. I, George Pemberton of Wrenbury in Fryth in the County of Chester Husbandman being sick and weak in Body but of sound and perfect mind and Memory praise be given to Almighty God I do make and ordain this my ___ last will and testament in Manner and Forme following That is to say First and principally I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping through the Merrits, Death and Passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my Sins and to inherit everlasting life and My Body I comitt to the earth to be decently buryed at the discretion of my Executor who is after named and as touching the disposition of all such temporall Estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and Dispose thereof as followeth –
First I will that all my debts and funerall charges shall be payd and discharged Item I give and bequeath unto My Loving Wife Ellin Pemberton all my Personall Estate Goods and Chattells whatsoever as well quick as dead Moveable as immoveable. And after her decease My will is that all the goods and Chattells that are in her posession to be left in My Loving Brothers’ Richard Pemberton, William Pemberton and Samuell Sallmon or to there children to be equally devided Amongst them. Likewise I doe make and ordain Ellin Pemberton My Loving wife soul Executor of this my last will and testament, And I desire that my body May be buryed in ye Parish Church yard of Wrenbury and I doe hereby Revoke and disanull alwill by me formerly made In wittness whereof I the sayd George Pemberton __ this my last will and testament hereunto have sett my hand and Seale the Sixth day of October in the year of our Lord God 1684.
Sealed and Delivered the marke of
in the Presence of George [MARK] Pemberton
the marke of
John [MARK] Ravenshall
the marke of
William [MARK] Pemberton,
Henery H______ [signature]
Richard Colbach [signature]