To warne the worlde of present chaunge, and raise the deade from grounde.
VIVIT POST FUNERA VIRTUS.
Balthrop’s will was made about a fortnight before his death (27th November), and therein he directs his body to be buried in St. Bartholomew’s the Less, in which parish he then resided. He seems to have amassed a considerable estate and to have made a rather lengthy will, but as a great deal of it is of much interest, especially his inventory of surgical instruments and books, no apology is needed for quoting largely from it.
I do give and bequeathe my sowle to the holy and blessed Trinitie the ffather the sonne and the holy ghost three persons and one God allmightie hoping and stedfastly beleevinge to be forgiven and pardoned of all my sinnes and to enjoye the everlastinge and unspeakable felicities of heaven through the merrittꝭ and passion of my only redeemer and saviour Jesus Christ to whome be given all glorie honor and praise nowe and for ever Amen.
To poor people in the discretion of his executrix £10. To John Mason,[333] Chirurgian, dwelling in Long Lane 40s., and a few other small legacies. “To my servauntes,” John Deighton, Richard Neill, John Edwards and William Taylor 40s. each. To each of his wife’s maids 20s.
Also I give to the Company and bequeath to the company of the Barbors and Chirurgions of the Cittie of London for their use in their hall one bell [? beer] bowle with a cover beinge both of silver and gilte weighinge thirty ounces half an ownce and half a quarter of an ownce. Also I give to the Mr and Governours of the said Company to make them and the rest of the Cloathinge a Dynner in theire hall after my buryall ffyve poundes. Also I give and bequeath to the poore people of the said Company fyve poundes. . . Also I bequeath to my mothr Mris Love my golde ringe which hath in it a stone called a Turkey. . . Also I bequeath to my felowe Goodorus[334] one of my Launcettꝭ that is sett in golde and enamyled Also I bequeth to my felowe Baker[335] her maiesties Chirurgion my Syringe of silver gilted and three pypes of silver gilted belonginge to the same.
To Mr. Bennett, one of the Queen’s footmen, “my Brooch of golde compassed aboute with ragg Rubies.” Upon payment of £10, John Gryffyn,[336] surgeon, was to have the lease of his house. To testator’s nephew, William Balthrop £50 “and my greate Ringe of golde with my seale of Armes.” To his Nephew Richard Balthrop at the end of his apprenticeship £50 “and my lesser Ringe of golde with my seale of Armes.” And to these nephews his lands and tenements at East Greenwich. To John Gryffyn
My fyne clothe gowne welted with velvett and faced with Damaske. . . . To John Deighton my servaunte my blacke cloth cloake layed with lace and faced with velvett my blacke satten Dublett and my rounde velvett hose. To Richard Neel my servaunt a cloak, doublett and hose. To John Edwards my servaunt my white canvas Dublett that is at the parke with my Rownde velvett hose and my pheasaunt colored cloake with the sleeves and cape faced with russett velvett. Also I give and bequeath to my servauntꝭ that nowe are with me and have bene my servauntes in tyme past which do practize and exercise the art of Chirurgery such thingꝭ of mine belonginge and appertayninge to chirurgerie as are by me given and appointed to them in the Schedule hereunto annexed.
To Dorothy, his wife, he gave all the residue of his lands, houses, buildings, goods, chattels, plate, chains of gold, jewels, ready money, &c., and appointed her executrix. Probate was granted 16th December, 1591.
SCHEDULE.