Will of John White, gentleman and member of staff of the Marquis of Winchester, 1608

White was a gentleman and a member of the Marquis of Winchester’s staff, who left a very detailed will. He began with a very Catholic dedication, as befitted a Catholic household. He left his not inconsiderable estate to relatives, fellow members of the household, friends and connections, the poor of various parishes and his Lord and Lady, who received a valuable ring and a jewel. He left gymmowe finger rings and spur-royals to various colleagues in the house (the chaplain, a soldier) and remembered all the maids and youths who served in the house, also others in Basing and Basingstoke, such as Margaret Paice who cared for him in his illness. He had connections in London at the Court of Wards and the Inner Temple, and with a gentleman of Norfolk called Sir Raffe Hare and left money to their servants and to the poor of Stowe Bardolph. Maybe he lived there for some time – he had a close friend Edmund Cowper there, and left him a gold seal ring and his clothing, and also money for his children. His family origins were in the west country and he remembered his relatives in Devon, and left a niece in Barnstable some of his bedding; also the poor of Tavistock and Barnstable were left money. His executors were John Petit of Hackwood and William Hildesley of Mortimer who each received £30. This is an interesting will, throwing light on the workings of an aristocratic household, and including many useful names.

The will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury as White had interests in more than one diocese.