Estate of Edward Moore of Maldon, Essex, England
Uncle of Sara Moore, wife of Edmund Greenleaf

In the name of god amen the Thirtieth day of April in the yere of our Lord one Thousand Six hundred and seventeen and in the fifteenth yere of the reigne of our Soveringne Lord James by the grace of god now king of England I Edward Moore of the parish of All Saints in maldon in the county of Essex shoomaker being weeke in body yet of sound and perfect memory (thanks be god) knowing that all men are subject to mortality do therefore make publize and declare this my last will and testament in writing in manner and form folowing
First and principally I commend my Soule into the hands of almighty god (that blessed trinity) the father the sonne and the holy ghost assuredly believing by faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of god's great mercy in him that all my synnes are freely forgiven and that eternal life in the heavens is reserved for me after the end of this mortall life. And my body I comytt to christian Buryall at the discretion and appointment of Elizabeth my well beloved wife and of the executor of this my last will and testament hereinafter named.
And as touching my Lands and possessions and other things of this life my minde and will is there of as followeth:
First I give unto the sayd Elizabeth my wife all the movable goods household stuff and Implements of household and bedding which she had before my intermarraige with her. (Excepting the linen brass and pewter which I had with her)
Item I give to the sayd Elizabeth my wife all the wearing apparell linen and rayment and also a featherbed a feather bowlster a great joined chest...with a drawer which now standeth in the chamber over the Buttery
And I give unto the said Elizabeth one half of all the linen brass and pewter whatsoever whereof I am now possessed Excepting only the brass pannies now used for my trade for stuffing [?] or currying of Leather to be indifferently divided and set out unto her by my brother Thomas Moore and my Brother-in-law John Hewster or the survivor of them with all convenient speede next after my death and also I give unto the said Elizabeth 5£ of lawful money of England to be payd unto her by my said Executor within one month next after my death
Item I give unto the said Elizabeth one of my two drawing tables (to be taken at her choice) my settall in the hall and two reasonable loads of wood
Item my minde and will is that the said Elizabeth my wife shall have and enjoy for and during the time of her naturall life if she so longe for time to life solo and unmarryed and not other wife the use and occupation of the great chamber over the shopp of my now dwelling house with convenient room and place in my yarde or backside for laying and bestowing of her wood and also a piece of my garden (of twenty feet square) and also the joint or common use and benefitt (with the tenent or dweller in my dwelling house for the time being) of one chamber therein called the storyers chamber hanging and drying of the linen with free accesse ingresse egresse and regresse by and through my said dwelling house unto and from the said chamber's yard and garden and any of them at all times and from time to time without any lett or molestation whatsoever.
Item I give and will to be payd unto the sayd Elizabeth by my said executor or his assignes after my death yearly every year during the time of her natural life (at the messauge in which I dwell one early sume of 5£ of lawful money of England at the four usual feasts and times of payment in the year by equal portyons for and in full compensation and satisfaction of the estate jointure dower or things which to her shall or may arrive or grow after my death of in and to or out of my lands and tenaments whatsoever either freeholds or copyholds which I am now seized or shall be seized at my death or an estate of inheritance (the first payment thereof to begin and to be made at first one of the said feasts which shall first happen and come next after my death)
Item I will and do devise and give unto my Brother Nicholas Moore his heirs and assigns forever those two tenements (customary or copyhold to the manor of Bradwell juxta [?] Mare in the said county of Essex) whereof one is called Reeves containing by estimation ten acres of land and that which is called feldmans containing by estimation eight acres of land with their appertances and all my estate reversion [?] and remaynder of and in the said tenements and lands after the death of the said Elizabeth my wife
Item I devise will and give unto my sayd Brother Nicholas Moore his heir and assignes forever the said messauge (in which I dwell) situated and being in the said parish of All Saints in maldon aforesaid with the edifice [?] buildings yards backsides gardens and orchards ways and easments to the sayd messauge belonging or now used and other appertances.
Item I will and do give unto the said Nicholas Moore my Brother one meassauge and six acres of land with the appertances called Myllers late in the tenure and occupation of Robert Sooke in the said county of Essex to have and to hold to the sayd Nicholas Moore his heirs and assignes forever according to the custom of the said manor
Item I give and bequeath unto Francis Moore the sonne of my Brother Enoche Moore 10£ of lawful english money to be payed to him by my sayd Executor within one yere next after my decease (over and besides the 10£ which I am to pay him for and out of the rent and profitts of a certain shop situated in the sayd parish of all Saints near unto the fish stalls)
Item I give unto Nicholas Moore and Phillip Moore the sonne and daughter of my Brother Thomas Moore to either of them 10£ a piece of like money to be payd within one year next after my decease by my said Executor
And I give unto my said Brothers Enoch and Thomas Moore to either of them 10s. a piece and to my Sister Phillip 5s. of lawful english money as a small remembrance of my Love and goodwill to them
Item I give to the poor of All Saints parish in maldon aforsaid 6s.8d. to be payd to the overseers of the said poore within three months next after my death
All the rest of my goods chattles movables household stuff and implements of household wares shop stuff ready money and debts and whatsoever ellse I have or may dispose that is testamentary I do give fully and wholly unto the said Nicholas Moore my brother which said Nicholas I do make and constitute sole and only Executor of this my last will and testament and I require and charge him duly and truly to pay my funerall charges and debts and the legacies and portions of money by this testament bequeathed provided always and nevertheless my minde and full meaning and will is that if at the time of my decease there shall be a surrender in force to the use of my will of and concerning my said coppyhold lands and tenements holden of the manor of Walton aforsaid that then the said Nicholas Moore my Brother after my decease and before probate of this my testament shall become bounden by Deede obligatory sufficient in the...unto the said Elizabeth my wife in the Some of 30£ of lawful money of England with condition theron for the sure payment of the said yearly Some of 5£ by the year to the said Elizabeth yearly during her life in the manner and order and according to the effect and purpose afore declared in this my will; But if no sure Surrender shall from time to be at my death of the said copyhold lands and tenements last mentioned for the use of my will that then the said gift of 5£ a year to my wife yearly during her life shall be voided and of no effect (any thinge afore in this my will confirmed to the contrary in any wise not withstanding).
In witness whereof I the said Edward Moore to this my last will and testament have put my seale and subscribed my name the day and year first above written in the presence of the persons herein-under named Joseph Walker John Dandy and Thomas Chese [? Chase, one of Enoch's daughters married the apothecary Thomas Chese of Boston] Edward Moore

Source: New England Historical Genealogical Register in the article "Sara, First Wife of Edmund Greenleaf (1588-1663)" by Dorothy Greenleaf Boynton [NEHGR 122:28-36]
Note: This will of Edward Moore was executed 30 Apr 1617 and was proved approximately a month after he was buried on 10 Dec 1619.

Submitted by: Sandi Goetze

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