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Records for John Chapman (1605--1667) -- Will (1665)

The following transcript of John Chapman's will is a composite done by me with guidance from a partial transcript provided by Joan Deane of Boston.  A copy of the actual will is shown below.  This John Chapman is my 9 x great uncle who was baptised on 20 November 1605 and buried on 29 April 1667, both events in Lidlington, Bedfordshire.  The sole beneficiary was Josias Chapman (1657--1716) my 7 x great grandfather and the nephew of John.

In the 1671 Bedfordshire Hearth Tax Return for Lidlington, a John Bedcocke [sic] and a Will. Chapman (both named in the will) are listed as responsible for tax on 2 chimneys each.  None of the named witnesses to the will appear in the 1671 Hearth Tax Return for Lidlington.  The estimated population of Lidlington in 1671 was 433 persons.

In the name of God Amen I John Chapman of Lidlington in the County of Bedford yeoman beinge ____? in body but of good and fond remembrance from ____? ____? to Almighty God ____? ____? Fifteenth day of Aprill in the year of our lord one thousand six hundred and sixty five make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and form following  First I commend my soule into the hands of Almighty God trusting through the merritts of Jesus Christ to receive remission of my sins and to mherritt eternal life  And my body to the earth from where it came to be buryed in such decent order as to my Executors and overseers hereafter named shalle thought fitte  And as to my worldy estate I give and bequeath as followeth Inprimis  I give and bequeath to Josias Chapman sonne of Robert Chapman my late brother of Lidlington aforesaid deceased  All those my messauge or Tenement in Lidlington aforesaid wherein I now dwell with the appertennances to it belonginge  And all that my Close of pasture called Inmiges conteyninge twoe acres more or lesse  And my (----ightell) of pasture lying at Bulls Lanes end and all those my three acres of leyes and one roode of arable land with their appertennes in Lidlington aforesaid to the said messauge belonging  To have and to hold this same with the apptennces unto the said Josias Chapman his heirs and assigns forever  Item I give and bequeath to the same Josias Chapman  All my goods and chattells whsoever my debts being paid and my funerall charges defrayed whom I also ordain Sole Executor of this my last will and doe revoke all former wills by me made  And I doe request my lovinge kinsmen John Bedcote and William Chapman both of Lidlington aforesaid to see this my last will performed  In witness whereof I have hereto sett my hand and seale this day and yeare first above written

Witnessed                                  Signed

George Baker                           
Will Field                                    John Chapman
Barnard Turney
Am: Beddall

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