“In the name of the Almighty and Eternal God, Amen.
“I, William Harvey, of London, Doctor of Physic, do by these presents make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, revoking hereby all former and other wills and testaments whatsoever.
“Imprimis, I do most humbly render my soul to Him that gave it and to my blessed Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, and my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executor herein after named.
“The personal estate which at the time of my decease I shall be in any way possessed of either in law or equity, be it in goods, household stuff, ready monies, debts, duties, arrearages of rents or any other ways whatsoever and whereof I shall not by this present will or by some Codicil to be hereunto annexed make a particular gift and disposition I do after my debts, funerals, and legacies paid and discharged, give and bequeath the same unto my loving brother Mr. Eliab Harvey, merchant of London, whom I make executor of this my last will and testament.”
He then settles the distribution of certain lands which “I have lately purchased in Northamptonshire or thereabouts, commonly known by the name of Oxon grounds and formerly belonging unto the Earl of Manchester; and certain other grounds in Leicestershire, commonly called or known by the name of Baron Parke and sometime heretofore belonging unto Sir Henry Hastings, Knight, both which purchases were made in the name of several persons nominated and trusted by me.” The will then proceeds: “And first I appoint so much money to be raised and laid out upon that building which I have already begun to erect within the College of Physicians in London as will serve to finish the same according to the design already made.
“Item, I give and bequeath unto my loving sister-in-law Mrs. Eliab Harvey one hundred pounds to buy something to keep in remembrance of me.
“Item, I give to my niece Mary Pratt all that linen, household stuff and furniture which I have at Combe, near Croydon, for the use of Will. Foulkes and to whom his keeping shall be assigned after her death or before (by) me at any time.
“Item, I give unto my niece Mary West and her daughter Amy West half the linen I shall leave at London in my chests and chambers together with all my plate excepting my coffee-pot.
“Item, I give to my loving sister Eliab all the other half of my linen which I shall leave behind me.