Will of Thomas Brooke, servant, 1616

This is a transcript of the will of Thomas Brooke, described in the will as 'singleman' and in the burial register as 'servant'. The will is dated 25 March 1616 and he was buried on 29th.

There is no indication of whose servant he was, though he left 3s 4d to two fellow servants, one, Anne Bache, possibly being the same Anne Bache who was named as a servant in the will of the rector, William Saint Barbe, two years later. This suppostition is strengthened by the very pious preamble and charitable bequests, including to three old women resident in the Church House (parish poor house). Thomas Brooke was obviously not a menial servant as he had real estate and personal property to leave.