Will of Gilbert Collins, labourer, 1595

This is a transcript of the will of Gilbert Collins, dated 18 October 1595, but not proved until 19 October 1596.  He was buried on 29 October 1595. He left a small coffer to his young daughter Joan and and to 'the child which Eleanor my wife now beareth in her body, whether it be male or female the (‘proffe’ being towardly) my best brass pot and one pair of hurden sheets after the decease of the said Eleanor my wife.'  The child proved to be a little boy, who was baptised Martin on 4 December 1595. Eleanor and her children then disappear from the Eastnor records. She and Gilbert had been married only 16 months when he died, the marriage of Gilbert Collins and Eleanor Harford being registered on 10 June 1594.