In
his Will, James Barber (1434 - 1489) mentions his wife, Joan and his
sons,
Nicholas, John, William and Richard, and two grandsons James (b.c. 1486), son
of Nicholas, and James (b.c. 1488), son of John, and two other children
(unnamed)
of Nicholas and John.
Tenements
called Bukmans and Betons, lying in Metfield and Withersdale, were left to his
wife, Joan, for her lifetime. After, they were to be sold and a piece of land
of 3 roods lying to the east of land owned by Nicholas his son, which he left
to Nicholas, subject to his paying the duty and rent of Bukmans until the death
of Joan, when he took full possession.
He
also left sums to be paid to the churches of Fressingfield, Metfield and Withersdale.
The
will mentions James' parents but (sadly) not by name.
Persons
referred to in the Will:
1.
Joan Barber - wife of James
2.
my father - unamed
3.
my mother - unamed
4. Nicholas Barber - son
of James, executor of will
5.
John Barber - son of James, executor of will
6.
William Barber - son of James
7.
Richard Barber - son of James
8.
James Barber - grandson of James and son of John.
9.
James Barber - grandson of James and son of Nicholas.
10.
Unnamed brothers and sisters of the two James (8 & 9).
Property
referred to in the Will.
1.
Tenements called Bukmans and Betons, lying in Metfield & Withersdale.
Left to Joan Barber, James' wife for her lifetime, then to be sold.
2.
Piece of land of 3 roods, lying to the east of the land of Nicholas,
James' son.
Left
to Nicholas, subject
to him paying the duty and rent of the tenement Bukmans until the death of Joan,
when he took full possession.
Other
Provisions of the Will.
Sums
of money were to be paid to the churches of Fressingfield, Metfield, and Withersdale,
and wheat and malt given to the Metfield church.
Sums
of money were to be paid to James' four sons and his grandsons named James,
after the death of Joan.
Other
goods not specifically bequeathed were to remain with his wife, Joan, and after
her death, to go to his executors.
Part
of the proceeds of the sale of Bukmans and Betons was to be used for a choral
service a the Fressingfield church for a whole year.
('Barber'
is spelled 'Barbor' in the Will)
With
appreciation for original information from Donald
Caddick