Certain sources* show Henry Stonor having died in 1574 which, given the year in which he wrote his will (proved 1608), and those named in it, is clearly incorrect. Henry's first wife, Margery Lovelace, was dead by the time he wrote his will in 1603, by which time he had remarried to Jane. Perhaps it was Margery who died in 1574.
* e.g. Miscellanea XII, published by the Catholic Record Society, London, 1921
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Named as a beneficiary in the Will of his father-in-law William Lovelace of Culham, Gent. (1562)
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The Will of Henry Stonor of North Stoke, Oxfordshire, Esq., written 7 Oct 1603, proved 17 Jun 1608.
Abstract:
- wills his body to be buried in chancel at North Stoke
- wills the mother church of Oxford 12 pence
- gives 20 shillings toward the repairing of the church of North Stoke
- gives 13 shillings 4 pence to the church of Ipsden
- gives 10 shillings to the poor of the parish of Ipsden
- gives 10 shillings to the poor of the parish of Newnham
- gives 10 shillings to the poor of the parish of Crowmarsh Gifford
- gives 20 shillings to the poor of the town of Wallingford
- with the exception of his linen and best gown, he distributes his wearing apparel among his men servants and to old Pratt and Gayward Barnes
- gives and bequeaths to his wife Jane the furniture, bedding, the old bedstead, hangings, curtains, rods, featherbed mattresses, mats, coverlets, blankets, cupboard, chest, bolsters, pillows and everything else in their bedchamber and the same that is found in the parlour, with the exception of the glass portal and great press.
- gives to his wife Jane sixteen pair of sheets and other linen which was hers before their marriage
- gives to his wife Jane two dozen table napkins, three towels, four tablecloths, three cupboard cloths, the aqua vitae pot, the great kettle, the great brazen mortar with iron pestle, his lesser silver bowl, his --?-- cup garnished with silver, six silver spoons, his gold ring and his white silver cup.
- gives to Jane his wife six pewter platters, six pottingers, six saucers, six porridge dishes, other platters, plates, basins and dishes, various stools, tubs, barrells and other necessary utensils.
- gives to his wife Jane all the hogs, geese, ducks, turkeys, bees, hens and other poultry that is in upon and about the farm of Stoke Mules where he currently lives, as well as the corn, grain, hay, blades on any land to which he has a claim in North Stoke.
- gives to his wife Jane one of his road horses or geldings with shoes, as well as four horses randomly chosen of his horses in North Stoke, with their harnesses for ploughing.
- gives to his wife Jane four milk beasts to be randomly chosen by his overseers
- gives his silver bowl to John Stonor his 'nephew' — the eldest son to John Stonor his son
- gives and bequeaths to Mary Aleward, the daughter of Lettice Aleward his daughter deceased 20 pounds to be paid to her within two years next after his decease.
- gives and bequeaths to Lettice Aleward sister of Mary 20 pounds to be paid to her within three years after his decease. And if both sisters should die before the day of payment, then their portions shall be divided among Anne Aleward, Jane, Margaret and Frances Aleward.
- the residue of his goods, chattels and accounts real and personal, he gives to his son John Stonor who he makes the Executor of this his last will and testament, which is to say, before his son John deals with any part of said residue (his funeral expenses having been paid etc), he put in sufficient bond by obligation to the aforementioned Jane Stonor by way of the payment of a 20 pounds yearly annuity out of the farm of Stoke Mules in the county of Oxford for and during the term of fourscore and nineteen years after his decease if the said Jane shall live that long, as by certain instruments to that purpose made, bearing date the second day of April in the thirty-third year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth [1591], between himself the said Henry Stonor of North Stoke in the county of Oxford, Esquire, Thomas and John Stonor sons of the said Henry, on the one part, and John Rowles of Skirmorth in the county of Berks. gent., William Palmer of South Stoke in the aforesaid county of Oxford, gent., Henry Paslewe of Goringe in co. Oxon, yeoman, on the other part; the other instrument being one indenture tripartite dated the fourth of April 33 Eliz. between the said Henry Stonor on the first part, Thomas Stonor his second son on the second part and John Stonor his eldest son on the third part.
- appoints as overseers of his last will and testament John Rowles of [blank] in the county of Oxford, Esquire, John Symons of Brightwell in co. Oxon, gent. and his cousin William Hildesley of Howberry? co. Oxon, gent., to each of whom he gives a gold ring worth 20 shillings for the efforts
- Witnessed by Henry Ravenscroft, John Robards, Richard Whicheley? 2
Research Notes: