Simon was buried on 12 September, 1636, leaving a very long Will, dated 13 January 1636, written on 8 sheets, seven of which are 24" X 12" and one 18" X 12".

He owned and leased considerable properties: 'Butchers' in Fressingfield (inherited from his father, Nicholas (d. 1598), where he lived (and which he left to his wife, Agnes, and after her death, to his son John). He also had freehold land in Linstead Magna and land in Lynstead, held on a 1,000 year lease (both left to his son, Nicholas). He left two copyholds and a stockyard in Lystead to his son Jonathan, lands in Middleton and Fordly to his son Simon. A messuage in Lystead where his son Nicholas lived was left to Simon's son James. Other lands in Lystead were also left to James, but were to be forfeited to his wife Agnes if James failed to convey the property called 'Turner's to her. An inclose of pasture called 'Millclose' and site of the Mill called 'Millmount' were left to his wife Agnes. (Millmount today is a mile south of Metfield. There is a Middleton Hall a mile south-west of St. Cross Southelmham.

A messuage called 'Turner's' in Sancroft (St. Cross) Southelmham was to be conveyed to him by the executors of John Pigeon, deceased, unless the executors paid 120 pounds, in lieu. Simon's son, James, was to pass on the 120 pounds, if paid, to Agnes, or, if the money was not paid, to re-convey the messuage 'Turners' to Agnes. If he did not fulfil these terms, the lands at Lynstead would pass to Agnes.

As a condition of receiving the lands left to them in the Will, sons James, Nicholas and Jonathan (but not Simon) were required to pay certain sums of money at stipulated times to Agnes his wife and to pay his sons John and William, and his daughter Rebecca.

In addition, Simon's daughters, Agnes, Thomasin, Sara and Rebecca were left cash legacies, as were the poor of Fressingfield, Stradbroke, Wingfield, Weybread and Metfield.

Simon appointed Agnes, his wife, as sole executrix, or if she failed to act, his son John (as executor).

The Will is written in secretary hand script continuously on 8 sheets, 7 of which are 24" x 12" and one 18" x 12". The Will is signed at the end with the initial 'B' and the foot of each page is similarly signed. There is no endorsement to indicate grant of probate.

Persons Referred to in the Will

Relatives:

1. Agnes Barber - second wife of Simon, sole executrix; daughter of Richard Aldous

2. James Barber - eldest son of Simon by his first wife, Agnes (or Anne); daughter of James Aldous

3. Nicholas Barber - son of Simon by first wife

4. Simon - son of Simon by first wife

5. Jonathan Barber - son of Simon by first wife

6. John Barber - son of Simon by Agnes, executor of Will, in place of Agnes if she died or failed to act

7. Agnes Barber - daughter of Simon by Agnes

8. Thomasin Barber - daughter of Simon by Agnes

9. Sara Barber - daughter of Simon by Agnes (under 21 in 1636)

10. William Barber - son of Simon by Agnes (probably under 14 in 1636)

11. Rebecca Barber - daughter of Simon by Agnes (probably under 14 in1636)

12. Richard Aldous - brother-in-law of Simon; brother of Agnes, his second wife

Referrence to Other Persons

1. James Girling, deceased - who forfeited Inclose called Millclose and site of Millmount to Simon Barber

2. John Pygeon, deceased, gentleman - of Sancroft (St. Cross) Southelmham, who agreed to convey messuage, etc. in Sancroft called Turners to Simon, or to pay 120 pounds.

3. Rachel Edwards, widow - who lived at Turners

4. Robert Marner - who owned a meadow called Wilkins in Linstead

5. Nicholas Curtis, deceased - who owned land in Linstead

Witnesses: Hy Sancroft, William Ellis, James Godwyn (his mark)

Property Referred to in the Will

1. The messuage called Butchers (formerly Bouchers) in Fressingfield where Simon lived was left to Agnes, to be passed on after her death to John Barber.

2. Free and copyhold land, etc. in Linstead Magna, lying west of the King's high road from Cratfield to Metfield - left to Nicholas Barber

3. Land held on a 1,000 lease in Linstead, lying west of the King's high road - left to Nicholas Barber

4. Two copyhold closes and stockyard in Linstead; lying between lands of Robert Marner and the King's high road to the west, and lands of Nicholas Curtis to the east - left to Jonathan Barber.

5. Lands, etc. in Middleton and Fordly - left to Simon (There is a Middleton is in Suffolk - 7 miles SW of Southwold and 12 miles SE of Fressingfield. There is also a Middleton Hall situated one mile east of Mendham)

6. Capital messuage, etc. in Linstead, where Nicholas lives - left to James

7. All lands in Linstead not otherwise bequeathed (i.e. the piece lying between the land of Robert Marner called Wilkins to the east and Simon Barber's land called Duffield to the west and abutting upon the Tunmoor to the north and upon the meadow called Wilkins to the south - left to James; but to Agnes if James failed to convey Turners to her if so required.

8. Inclose of pasture called Millclose and the site of the mill called Millmount, forfeited to Simon by James Girling, deceased - left to Agnes.

9. Messuage called Turners in Sandcroft (St. Cross) in Southelmham, where Rachel Edwards lives, to be conveyed by the executors of John Pygeon, deceased, unless they pay 120 pounds - left to James if the executors of John Pygeon fail to pay the 120 pounds and James himself paid 120 pounds to Agnes. But if the executors failed to pay, James was to convey turners to Agnes; but if he failed to make this conveyance, he forfeited the lands (in 7 above) to Agnes, unless he paid her 120 pounds.

Other Provisions in the Will

As a condition of receiving the bequests of lands, etc., James, Nicholas and Jonathan were required to pay certain sums of money at stipulated times to Agnes, Simon's wife, John and William, his sons and Rebecca, his daughter - with these beneficiaries being given power to distrain, etc. on the lands, etc. if payment was not made.

In addition, Simon's daughters, Agnes, Thomasin, Sara and Rebecca were left sums of money from the estate.

Bequests of money were also made to the Poor of Fressingfield, Stradbroke, Wingfield, Webread and Metfield.