Will of Alice Madgweke, Widow, 1591

Madgweke was a widow who bequeathed sums of money to Winchester cathedral and the churches of Dummer, Micheldever, North Waltham and Overton as well as 5s. to the common well of Dummer. There is a brass in Dummer church to remember her. She left generous donations for the care of the poor of Dummer. She wanted alms to be raised by the annual rent of 10s. of 30 sheep; 6d. apiece to be paid to every household in the parish who could not afford to keep a plough and 12 bushels of wheat and malt plus £3 to be distributed amongst them by her executors. She left items of clothing to several named ladies and her two daughters, including a gold ring. Other items and sums of money were bequeathed to her five sons, one of them inheriting her land. No inventory survives. In 1603 John Madgwicke of Overton, who was probably related, died with valuable bequests and plots of land and specifically12d. to every one of his weavers and fullers which gives a hint that the Madgwickes were an important family in the area and from where their wealth came.