The will of Thomas Berthelet, Citizen and Stationer of London, is dated September 23, 1555. It directs that his property shall be chiefly divided between his wife Margery and his two sons, Edward and Anthony, to each of whom substantial property in land and houses is left, the elder one receiving the manor of Hilhampton in Hereford.
Thomas Powell, his nephew, and all his godchildren are remembered, also his wife’s sister; and each apprentice receives the value of his own yearly royal fee, four pounds.
The will also—
Directs that his body shall be buried in the parish church of St. Bride’s, Fleet Street, in the Lady Chapel, and gives to his Son and heir, Edward Barthelett, the manor of Hilhampton alias Ilhampton, in the Co. of Hereford, and land in Marden, messuages and tenements in Fleet Street, Bishopsgate Street, and Friday Street, amounting in all to one third of his estate.
To his Younger Son, Anthony Barthelett, he leaves premises in Distaff Lane, Friday Street, Bread Street, St. Sepulchre’s parish, St. Andrews, Holborn, with reversion to elder brother, and Thomas Powell, his nephew.
To his Wife, Margaret (Margery), he gives property in the parish of St. Andrews, Holborn,
“and the house with the ways walks etc, which I reserve for my own use in Crokhorne Alley in the said parish of St. Andrews,”
—and a house in the parish of St. Sepulchre, with reversion to the two sons and the heirs of Margery, his wife.
His goods to be divided into three parts, one to go to his wife, the second to his two sons, with reversion to Christ’s Hospital, “lately erected.” The third part reserved to pay funeral expenses and provide the following:—
- To Thomas Powell, “nephew,” £40 in goods.
- “ Prudence Skynner, goddaughter, 20 shillings.
- “ Martha Salvoine, goddaughter, 20 shillings.
- “ each of his other godchildren six and eightpence.
- “ the church box at St. Bride, 20 shillings.
- “ Christ’s Hospital, ten pounds.
- “ Alice Cowper, wife’s sister, four pounds in money.
- “ each of his apprentices, four pounds in money or money’s worth.
- “ son Edward, gold chain weighing 12 ozs.
- “ “ Anthony, gold chain weighing 7 ozs.
- Residue of goods left to wife, Margery, sole executrix.