By Varla Jane Owens Wright

Roger was sheriff of Bristol at one time, and appears to have been a rather colorful character. Daughter Alice Millard was left the lion’s share of his will just before she married Ralph Hurt.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury, folio 47 Mellershe, FHL # 91938;Will of Roger Phelpott als.Mellward or Mylwarde, grocer,Alhollowes (All Saints’ parish) Bristol, Gloucester, England. Will dated 25 Jun 1560, probated and registered 4 Oct 1560.

In the name of god amen.

The xxvth daye of June 1560 and in the second yere of the reigne of oure moste dred Sovraigne Ladie, Quein Elizabethe queine of Englande ffrance and Ireland deffender of the faithe, I Roger Phelpott als. Mylward of the parishe of alhollowes within the Cittie of bristowe grocer, sycke of boddie but hole and perfecte of mynde and memorie thanks be to god almightie doe here make this my testamente containing there in my laste will in manner and forme followinge:

ffirste and principally I give and beqyeathe my Soule to the handes of almightie god and my boddie to be buried in the Fronnte of Saint Nicholas.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Alice my daughter at the day of her marriage fortie poundes of money,
also a fetherbed,
a planke bedd,
ii paire of sheetes,
a coverlett,
a ferme cofer,
a dosen of the seconde sorte of table napkins,
two dosen of damas napkins,
a table cloth,
a table towel,
ii other towells [noronghte],
ii smalle cofers,
the seconde corse girdle,
a sylver girdle, (a Y-shaped belt which extended down the front of a dress nearly to the floor)
three ringes with stones,
a gold ring which Arthur Hammonde as gave me,
a earepyter (or eare pyker) of silver, (a small spoon on a neckchain for ear wax removal, worn as jewelry)
2 pairs of hooks with preser,
a tablet of silver,
and all her apparell at her marriage.
A garnishe and a half of pewter vessles.
A cofin (box or chest) of porringe disshes,
a present pottle potte,
a present quart potte,
a present pinte potte,
ii Casten basons,
ii pair of brass candle sticks,
a bason and an ewer,
six wyned stooles,
a crocke,
a Mixxing pan,
ii brason panns,
a broche and a dosen silver spoones,
a gowne with a purstae of roebust,
a gowne with a moelet of velvet,
a branched [daminaske enbet],
a standinge cupe which I bought of Mr. Abbenton,
a maser cuppe, (Note: a maser was a two-handled maplewood cup)
a velvet bonnet,
six pewter sauce potts
and allso my lette of my house that I bought of Mr. William Younge. All these aforenamed legacy to be delivered at her daye of marriage. And yf she die before, then his to remaine to the executor.

And also I give and bequeathe unto Lucie Hamonde at her daye of marriage five pounds in money, des. if she dye before, then this to remaine to the executor.

The reside of my goodes moveable and remmovable by debts and legacy being payed I give and bequeath to nicholas my Sonne whome I doe make and ordayne my full and sole Executor of this my Last Will and testamente witnesses hereunto Sevrially counseled and required William Yeoman, grocer and Walter Davis, glover.

also I give unto maude Hammonde 5 pounds to be delivered at the day of her marriage yf her so happen to die before to remaine unto thexecutor.

Also to be destributed amongest the poor people x pounds sterling.

Also moreover unto my daughter Alice a chason of brasse and a chafing dyshe of brasse and ii pillowes.

By me, Roger Phelpott
I Willm. Yeoman, wytnes to this will
by me, Walter Davys.

(Words in [ ] are written as closely as can be discerned; meaning uncertain. The original text was all one paragraph, but has been broken into paragraphs and lists for readability. Original spelling was retained. Arthur Hammond was the husband of an older, deceased daughter named Maude. Lucie and Maude Hammond were their daughters and Roger Phillpott’s granddaughters.)