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Nathan Wright will

PROB 11/274 Wootton 106-155 Will of Nathan or Nathaniell Wright of Saint Olave Hart Street, City of London 27 April 1658

Editorial history

29/11/11, CSG: Created page and posted completed transcription

Abstract & context

Transcription

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN The fiveth day of ffebruarie In the yeare of our Lord God according to the Computation of the Church of England One Thousand Six hundred ffiftie and Seaven I Nathan Wright of the parish of Saint Olave Hartstreete in the Cittie of

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LONDON Esq:r being att this present sick and weake in Bodie but of good and perfect minde and memorie (thankes be therefore given to Almightie God doe make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following (that is to say)

IMPRIMIS and before all Earthlie things I commend my Soule into the hands of Almightie God my heavenly ffather trusting and confidently beleiving by the merritts death oassion and glorious ascention of his deare sonne and my alone and all sufficient Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ to be saved and to have full and free remission and forgiveness of all my sinns and iniquities and by noe other wayes or meanes whatsoever, And my Bodie I committ to the Earth from whence it came to be decentlie interred and buried in the chancell of the parish church of Cranham in the countie of Essex in such decent and Christianlike manner as to my executors hereunder named shall be thought most convenient But for theire beter direction it is my minde and desire that they shall bestowe noe superfluous or extraordinarie charges thereupon

ITEM I give and bequeath to Ann my well beloved Wife according to the custome of England for and in Lieu of her dower out of my reall Estate One Third part of all my Mannors Messuages Lands and Tenements with theire Appurtenances wheresoever they lye within the Commonwealth of England for and during the Tearme of her naturall life Soe that my said Wife or her assignes make noe waste or spoyle thereuppon or upon anie part or parcell thereof: And it is my will minde and true meaning (that the said Anne my Wife shall (if she shall soe please) have hold , occupie possesse and inioy for and during the tearme of her naturall life in part of her said Dower my Mannorhouse Commonly called ?Cremhorn Hall in the said Countie of Essex with all my Lands Meadowes pastures ffarmes Tenements and all other the Appurtenances to my said house and Mannor belonging or in anie wise appertaining for and in Lieu of the value thereof out of some others of my said Mannors Messuages Lands and Tenements as it shall be indifferentlie rated and valued: And further it is my mynde and true meaning that the said Anne my Wife and her assignes for and during the tearme of her naturall life shall have the ffree use of all my plate and householdstuffe remaining and being in and about my said Mannor house and in my dwelling house in London

ITEM I give devise and bequeath unto my well beloved Sonne Benjamin Wright and to his heires and assignes for ever All my said Mannors Lands and Tenements with theire and everie of theire Appurtenances Two Thirds parts whereof presently after my decease, and the other Third part thereof after the death of the said Anne my Wife Togeather alsoe from and after the death of my said Wife withall my said plate and householdstuffe remaining in and about my said House in London

ITEM as concerning my goods Chattells Debts and other my personall Estate which God of his infinite mercie and goodnes hathe endowed mee withall I devide the same into three equall parts and portions according to the laudable Custome of the Cittie of London And whereas I have marryed three of my daughters (videlict) my daughter Susan ffirst unto Charles Potts Esquire deceased and since unto ffrancis Drake Esquire, my daughter Mary unto Robert Burdett of London Esq:r and my daughter Alice unto John ??Wolfrie of London Merchant with whome and with every of them I have given competent portions and I have severall discharges for the same under hand and seale

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BUT to my daughter Susan in regard She is my eldest and first borne child I have given a larger portion Than to my other Daughters. And I am advised that I am not obliged either by Lawe or by the Custome of the Cittie of London to make anie further augmentation thereunto but that I am att Libertie and have power in my selfe to give my said Estate to my Wife and to my other Children not yett advanced Wherefore I proceed to dispose of my said Estate as followeth

ITEM I give and bequeath unto the said Anne my well beloved Wife One Third part of my said personall Estate hopeing that hse will be very Kind loving and Tenderly affected towards my children and lett them inioy the benefitt and partake of her said part and portion, One other Third part of my said personall Estate I givea nd bequeath to be equally devided betweene my other three children unadvanced, namelie Benjamin Wright ffrances Wright and Jane Wright part and part like And the other part thereof I keepe and reserve to my selfe to pay such Legacies and bequests as I shall give and bequeath to anie person or persons whatsoever

ITEM out of my intire love and affection unto my said daughter Susan Drake wife of the said ffrances Drake and for and addition into her said portion I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Susan Drake the Summe of Two Thousand pounds of lawfull monie of England, hopeing and desiring my said Sonne ffrancis Drake and my said Daughter his Wife that the children begotten or to begotten by him of the bods of my said Daughter may partake of all or the most part of the said Two Thousand pounds

ITEM out of the like love and affection which I doe beare unto my said Daughter Mary Burdett Wife of the said Robert Burdett and for an addition into her foresaid portion I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Mary Burdett the like Summe of Two Thousand pounds of like lawfull monie of England part wherof to be paid unto her by her said husband out of the debtes w;ch he doeith or will owe mee by bond and uppon Accompts and the rest by my Executors hereunder named

ITEM out of the like love and affection which I doe beare unto my said daughter Alice Wolfris Wife of the said John Wolfris and for and assition unto her foresaid portion I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Alice Wolfris the like Summe of Two Thousand pounds of like monie part whereof to be paid unto her by her said husband out of the debts which he doeth or will owe mee upon Accompts and the rest by my Executors hereunder named

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Grandchildren and Godsonnes Nathan Drake and Nathan Burdett the summe of Threescore pounds a peece of lawfull monie of England to be paid nto them severallie att theire severall ages of one and Twentie yeares

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Grandchild Susanna Potts the Summe of Twentie pounds of lawfull monie of England to be paid unto her forth with after my decease to buy her a ring in remembrance of my love

ITEM I give and bequeath unto all the rest of my Grandchildren that are now liveing the summe of ffiftie pounds a peece of lawfull monie of England The male to be paid att theire severall ages of one and Twentie yeares and the demales to be paid att theire severall ages of one and twentie yeares or severall dayes of marriage which shall first and next happen

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Grandchild Ann Wolfris the summe of ffiftie pounds more of like lawfull monie of England to be paid unto her att her full age of one and Twentie yeares or dayes of marriage which shall first and next happen

ITEM it is my true intent and meaning That if anie of my said Grandchildren shall happen to die or decease before the receipt of theire said legacies That then the Legacie of him

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OR her so deceased shall remaine and come unto my Sonn Beniamin Wright above named

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my two Sisters Martha Barradell and Jane Joslin the Summe of Twentie pounds a peece of lawfull monie of England as a remembrance of my Love (if they be liveing) att the time of my decease

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Cozin John Tysons Wife the Summe of Three pounds of like monie

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my anncient and faythfull Servant John Oliver the Summe of Twentie pounds of lawfull monie of England And I doe hereby require and charge my heire and Executors that they see not my said Servant to want during his life but that they from tyme to tyme will supplie his necessities

ITEM I give and bequeath unto the poore of the parish of saint Olvave hartstreete where I now dwell the Summe of twentie pounds of lawfull monie of England to be distributed by and att the discretion of the Minister and Churchwardens of the same parish for the time being

ITEM I give and bequeath unto the Master, Wardens and Comminaltie of the Companie of Skinners London whereof I am a free member the Summe of One hundred pounds of Lawfull monie of England to be by them from three yeares to three yeares for ever lent gratis to ffower young men ffree of the same Companie by five and Twentie pounds a peece for three yeares giveing good securitie unto the said Companie according to theire likeing for the repayment thereoff att three yeares end

ITEM I give and bequeath unto the said Master Wardens and Comminalitie of the said Companie of Skynners the summe of Thirteene pounds Six shillings eight pence of lawfull monie of England to buy a peece of plate for the same Companie in remembrance of mee

ITEM I give and bequeath to the poore of the parish of Cranham aforesaid the Summe of five pounds of like mony to be distributed among them by the Minister and Church Wardens of the same parish for the tyme being

ITEM I give and bequeath to Robert and Nathan The Two Sonnes of my brother Ezekiell Wright Clarke the Summe of Twentie pounds a peece of lawfull monie of England to be paid unto them severallie att theire severall ages of one and Twentie yeares (if they shall be then liveing

ITEM it is my will and minde that if anie of my Legatees shall be displeased with theire Legacies or shall make any disturbance in or against the probate of this my will That then and from thence forth the Legacie given to him her or them makeing such difference shall be void and of none effect

ITEM I doe nominate and appoynte my said three Sonnes in Lawe ffrancis Drake Robert Burdett and John Wolfris and my said Sonne Benjamin Wright ioynt Executors of this my last Will and Testament and because my said Sonn Benjamin is under age it is my will and pleasure that my said Three Sonns in Lawe shall take upon them the execution of this my will and to act therein in trust for the use and benefit of my said Sonn Benjamin during his minoritie and to resigne and make apointe unto him of the whole Estate when andas soone as he shall attaine to his full age of one and Twentie yeares or att any time after when he shall require the same And I doe hereby give and bequeath unto my said Sonn Benjamin Wright, after my debts legacies and funerall expences shall be paid and discharged all the rest and residue of my goods and Chattells whatsoever unbequeathed

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my said Three Sonnes in Lawe for theire care and paines to be taken in the premisses the summe of Twenty pounds a peice of lawfull monie of England desiring them

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TO have speciall care of my Sonne and to advise him in all his affaires wishing him upon my blessing to hearken diligently and to follow theire admonition and it is my will and meaning that if it shall please God That my said Sonn Benjamin Wright shall die before he attaine his age of one and Twentie yeares or after unmarried That then and in such case my executors shall be accomptable to all my daughters and children equallie and that they shall be Executors in trust onlie for those purposes

ITEM I doe nominate and appointe my said brother Ezekiell Wright and my loveing Cozin Edward ?Herris of Lincolns Inn Esquire Overseers of this my last Will and Testament unto whome for theire paines to be taken therein I give and bequeath Twentie pounds a peece of lawfull monie of England

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Cozein William Herris of Lincolns Inne Gentleman the Summe of five pounds of lawfull English monie to buy him a ring hopeing if need be that he will be helpfull in the manageing of my Estate

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Apprentice Thomas Wilson the Summe of five pounds of lawfull English monie

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Apprentice John Wise to place him else where for the remainder of his tyme the summe of Two hundred pounds of lawfull monie of England which I had with him when he was bound And alsoe it is my Will and I doe hereby give unto my said Apprentice being a very honest and an able Servant his ffathers bond whereby he is obliged to pay mee one hundred pounds more hereafter soe that the said John live with my Executors by the space of one whole yeare next after my decease to helpe to manage my Estate and to gather in my debts

ITEM I give and bequeath to all the rest of my Servants That shall live with mee and take wages of mee att the tyme of my decease the summe of fortie shillings a peece of lawfull English monie

IN WITNES whereof I the said Nathan Wright To this my last Will and Testam:t have sett my hand and seale XXXX the day and yeare first above written

Nathan Wright:

Signed sealed and published by the within named Nathan Wright as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us Tho: Pennant John Willis Rich: Wise

THE WILL was proved att LONDON The Twentie Seaventh daye of Aprill In the yeare of our Lord God One thousand Six hundred ffiftie and Eight before the Judges for probate of Wills and granting Administrations lawfully authorized by the oathes of ffrancis Drake Esquire and John Wolfris Marchant Two of the Executors under certaine limitations named in the above written Will To whome Administration of all and singular the goods Chattells and debts of the said deceased was grannted and Committed they being first legallie sworne truly and faithfully to administer the same Power being first reserved to make like probate and grannt like Administration unto Robert Burdett the other Executor in trust when he shall come and in legall manner desire the same.

Commentary

Notes

Son and grandson of Nathan Wright

"Wright, Nathan. Lord Keeper, 1702. King Charles II. in the first year after his restoration created two baronets in the Essex family of Wright; the one, Sir Henry of Dagenhams, being the grandson of John Wright of Wright's Bridge near Hornchurch; and the other, Sir Benjamin of Cranham Hall, being his great-grandson. The latter was the eldest son of Nathan Wright, and alderman of London, whose younger brother, Dr. Ezekiel Wright, was rector of Thurcaston in Leicestershire, and by his wife Dorothy, sister and co-heir of Sir John Onebye, left a son, Nathan, the future lord keeper. Both baronetcies are now extinct, the first failing in 1681, and the last in 1738.

Nathan Wright was born in 1653, and was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He took no degree, but became a student at the Inner Temple on February 8, 1671. He is described in his admission as of Belgrave, which is nearly equi-distant between Thurcaston and Leicester. He was called to the bar on November 29, 1677."^[1]

Cranham Hall, Essex

"William Petre died in 1572 and his son (Sir) John, later Lord Petre, succeeded to the family estates. (fn. 57) In 1605 he settled Cranham and other properties on his third son Thomas on marriage. (fn. 58) Thomas (d. 1625) left as heir his younger son (Sir) Francis Petre (Bt.). (fn. 59) Francis sold Cranham for £6,100 in 1647 to Nathan Wright, a London merchant and alderman. (fn. 60) He died in 1658 and was succeeded by his son Benjamin who became a baronet in 1660. (fn. 61) Cranham descended with the baronetcy until the death in 1738 of Sir Samuel Wright."^[2]

"Of the monuments that were retained from the old church [All Saints', Cranham, Essex], the marble tablet to General Oglethorpe (d. 1785) was replaced on the south chancel wall. In the chancel floor were set a brass inscription to Nathan Wright (manor owner 1647-1743) dated 1658 and a floor slab to his daughter Susannah (d.1664), successively the wife of Charles Potts and Francis Drake."^[3]

"In 1648 Nathan Wright, a merchant in London, acquired another Catholic house in Essex, Cranham Hall in Bishop's Ockendon."^[4]

Robert Burdett, son-in-law of Nathan Wright

"Merchants Complaints: The Narrative of the several Merchants trading into the Levant Seas, whose Names are subscribed, concerning certain Silk, and Silks, laden before the late Act of Prohibition, aboard a Dutch Vessel, called The Prophet Jonas, at Misena, Naples, and Leghorn, bound for Amsterdam.

THEY humbly present unto your Honours, that the Petitioners Nicholas Gould, Nathan Wright, John Gould, Robert Burdett, Charles Tharell, Thomas Bludworth, Henry Spurstow, Richard Wynne, Humfry Hill, and John Hill, Andrew Hopegood, Michael Custell, Edward Bovery, and others, had several Bales of Silk laden aboard the said Dutch Vessel, called The Prophet Jonas, on or about the Seventh of September, New Stile, which is our 28th of August, according to the English Computation.

They humbly remonstrate, that these Silks so laden, were for the proper Account of Themselves and Company, all People of this Nation:

That the said Goods being of small Bulk, there was no Charter-Party made between the Freighters and Master of the Ship; but only Bills of Lading formed: Which Bills of Lading or Invoice, affirmed by the respective Factors, declare the said Silks are for the Account of Themselves and Company, all People of this Nation.

They humbly remonstrate, that, presently after the Lading of the said Goods at Mesina, the Ship forthwith parted from that Port; and, since the Knowledge of the late Act prohibiting Importation, they had no Opportunity or Means to unlade or relade the said Goods in English Ships.

The Petitioners Nathan Wright, Robert Burdett, Samuel Mico, James Stavere, and George Poyner, and others, had several Bales of Silk, and Cases of Silk, laden aboard the said Ship, on or about the 10th of September last, at Naples; and, in the latter End of September, and Beginning of October, at Legorne.

They humbly remonstrate for themselves as before,

That the said Goods were for themselves and Company, all People of this Nation: And that the said Goods could not be taken out of the aforesaid Ship, to be laden aboard any English Ship, after Knowledge of the late Act of Prohibition.

Resolved, That the Commissioners for the Customs be authorized and required to forbear to make any Seizure of the Dutch Ship, called, The Prophet Jonas, bound with Convoy for Amsterdam, from thence to be sent to London; and of the divers Sorts of Silk, and Silk Ware, laden therein by virtue of the Act of Parliament, intituled, An Act for Increase of Shipping, and Encouragement of the Navigation of this Nation: And that the said Ship, and the Silks, and Silk Ware, laden in the said Ship, be freed and discharged of and from any Seizure or Confiscation, made or to be made by force of the said Act, as if the same had come in before the First Day of December last: And that all Officers, and other Persons, concerned, do take Notice hereof, and yield Obedience hereunto accordingly."^[5]

"[Beckenham: north wall of parish church] On the same wall are the monuments of Benjamin Burdett (fn. 32) , merchant, son of Robert Burdett, Esq. (second son of Sir Thomas Burdett, Bart.) by Mary, daughter of Nathan Wright, merchant, 1710"^[6]

"Robert Burdett, servant to Nathan Wright, is admitted to the freedom of the Company by service"[[FootNote('A Court of Committees, August 18, 1647' (Court Book, vol.
XX, p. 139) in A calendar of the court minutes, etc. of the East India company, 1644-1649 (XXXX, XXXX), p. 217)]]

"[Letters]^[7]

1650

p. 123

792. Londres. Nathan Wright (26-11-1650)
793. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett & Richard Houncell (26-11-1650)
819. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett & Richard Houncell (25-12-1650)

1651

p. 123

848. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (15-1-1651)
894. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett & Co. (7-2-1651)
905b. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (22-2-1651)
912. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (28-2-1651)

p. 124

959. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (4-4-1651)
962. Londres. Nathan Wright (sin fecha)
968. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (sin fecha)
970. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (11-4-1651)
982. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (1-5-1651)
1000. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (25-5-1651)

p. 125

1013. Londres. Nathah Wright (26-6-1651)
1015. Londres. Nathan Wright (26-6-1651)
1022. Londres. Nathan Wright & Robert Burdett (7-7-1651)
1043. Londres. Nathan Wright & Co. (28-8-1651)
1055. Londres. Nathan Wright & Co. (28-9-1651)
1071. Londres. Nathan Wright (10-10-1651)
1075. Londres. Nathan Wright (15-10-1651)

William Herris, Lincoln's Inn

"Among the State Papers (Dom. Ser.) are the following letters relating to this event:-
June 1667. Chelmsford. Sir John Bramston to William Herris, Lincolns Inn...."^[8]

Plymouth duty

"The petition of Fras. Lenthall and Jn. Wolfrey, executor of Nathan Wright, — shewing that Wright and Lenthall being collectors for the Plj'mouth duty during the late war, the petitioners are now required to account before the Treasury Commissioners, and pray allowance for several demands, viz., for lawsuit charges, QQl.
4s. 8d. ; for interest of 5,000i. lent to the State from 25 March 1646 to May 1646, 1U. 6s. 8d ; for collection of the duty, SOL 8s. ^\d. ; in all, 169?. 19s. *J\d. — referred to the said Treasury Commissioners, to examine the grounds of demand, and report if they should be allowed.

His Highness present."^[9]

Possible primary sources

TNA

C 6/129/224 Short title: Wright v Cockayne. Plaintiffs: Nathan Wright and Thomas Hussey. Defendants: William Cockayne, Thomas Jennings and William Williams. Subject: property in Normanton on Soar, Nottinghamshire. Document type: bill, answer. 1655
C 6/131/217 Short title: Wright v Wright. Plaintiffs: Sir Benjamin Wright baronet and Ezekiel Wright. Defendants: Nathan Wright, Benjamin Wright and Jane Wright. Subject: property in Maldon, Springfield, Boreham, and Woodham Ferrers, Essex. Document type: bill, two answers. 1655
C 6/140/147 Short title: Wright v Benlowes. Plaintiffs: Nathan Wright. Defendants: Edward Benlowes, Elizabeth Benlowes, Walter Blount and Philippa Blount his wife. Subject: manor of Brentham Justices alias Hawksells (unidentified), Essex. Document type: bill, two answers. 1657

C 10/19/66 Robert Levett v Jacob Searle, Nicholas Gould, Robert Abdy, William Williams, Andrew Rickards, Nathan Wright and others: money matters, Middlesex. Bill and answer 1653
E 115/434/127 Certificate of residence showing Nathan Wright (or the variant surname: Write) to be liable for taxation in London, and not in the hundreds of Edmonton and Gore, Middlesex, the previous area of tax liability. (Any information not given in this certificate comes from its old pouch, no 443. 1640-1641
E 122/236/14 MISCELLANEOUS. Account of Nathan Wright and Francis Lentall "for 1/10th part more of the present custom and subsidy". 1643-45
SP 78/83 Order in Council concerning Nathan Wright and others residing at Bordeaux. 1628 Apr. 21
SP 78/90 Nathan Wright to Geo. Rooks concerning the James. 1631 Aug. 26/Sept. 5

PROB 11/239 Alchin 303-356 Will of Richard Hounsell, Merchant 31 January 1654
PROB 11/307 Laud 1-52 Will of Arthur Henris or Herris of Lincolns Inn, Middlesex 06 March 1662
PROB 11/329 Coke 1-56 Will of Ezethiell Wright, Batchelor in Divinity and Rector of Thurcaston, Leicestershire 30 December 1668 pp. 1-7

1. ↑ Edward Foss, The judges of England: with sketches of their lives, and miscellaneous notices connected with the courts at Westminster, from the time of the conquest, , vol. 7 (London, 1874), p. 408
2. ↑ W.R. Powell (ed.), 'Parishes: Cranham', A History of the County of Essex: Volume 7 (1978), pp. 103-109. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42823 Date accessed: 29 November 2011
3. ↑ http://www.allsaintscranham.co.uk/history.html, viewed 29/11/11
4. ↑ http://www.selectsurnamelist.com/wright.html, viewed 29/11/11
5. ↑ 'House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 3 February 1652', Journal of the House of Commons: volume 7: 1651-1660 (1802), pp. 79-83. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23943 Date accessed: 29 November 2011.
6. ↑ Daniel Lysons, 'County of Kent: Beckenham', The Environs of London: volume 4: Counties of Herts, Essex & Kent (1796), pp. 291-306. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45478 Date accessed: 29 November 2011
7. ↑ José Ignacio Martínez Ruiz, Perry Gauci, Mercaderes ingleses en Alicante en el siglo XVII: estudio y edición de la correspondencia comercial de Richard Houncell & Co (XXXX, 2008
8. ↑ Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society (XXXX, 1893), p. 141
9. ↑ 1658. Vol. CLXXXII. in Calendar of state papers, Domestic series [of the Commonwealth] 1649-1660 (XXXX, XXXX), p. 99