Will of John Digweed, yeoman, 1615

Digweed left a complex will. He requested burial in Basing and left 10s. to the church, 4d. to the cathedral, and 40s. to the poor, but also 10s. to the church in Sherfield, where he had a tenanted house and the use of the Lodge in Sherfield Park. His wife was the executrix and main beneficiary, but he left a great many specific bequests amounting to c £50. As well as his brother and the brother’s son, he remembered five members of the Hamblin family, his godchildren, servants and apprentices – more than 27 bequests. There is no inventory but he left five cattle to two separate people. The equipment at the Lodge included forestry gear. His overseers were a gentleman from Stratfield Saye and a clothier from Basingstoke, who each received 20s. for their pains.