The Will of Janett Crosbye, November 1568

A transcription of Janett Crosby’s last will and testament. Written November 5, 1568 and probated May 9, 1569. She was my 11th-Great Grandmother.

The spelling was not changed from how it appears in Simon Crosby The Emigrant (11). It is interesting to see how she spelled the names of her sons Miles (Myles) and Ralph (Rauf). Crosby was also spelled various ways by family members in the same generation; Crosbye, Crossbie, Crosbie and Crosbee were some common variations.

In about 1542 Thomas Crosby married Widow Jannett Bell (widow of John Bell). Thomas died in 1558/59 and left his estate went to his wife, Jannett. In 1538, Thomas appeared on a Muster Roll along with his father Myles and brother William. The roll was created during the reign of Henry VIII and listed Myles, Thomas and William as “archers with a bowe.”

After Thomas’ death, Jannett moved from Holme-on-Spalding-Moor to the neighboring parish of Bubwith, in the County of York.

In the name of God Amen, the fyft day of November in the yeare of our Lord
god a thousand five hundred threscore and eight, I Janett Crosbye of
Gripthorpe, of whole mind and fytt memorye make this my last will and
testament in the worlde in the forme hereafter followinge: 

First I bequeathe my soulle to almyghtie god my creator and redemer beseching
him most hartilie to have mercy upon me, and my bodye to be buryed within the
parish church yard of Bubwithe.  Itm I gyve to the verye nedye poure folks of
the parish one mett rye to be devyded amongs them.  Itm I gyve to John my
sonne iiith youngest children one gymber sheringe.  Itm I gyve to Myles my
sonne my lease and good will of my my farmhold after my decease.  Itm I gyve to
Katheren Myllington one gymber sheringe.  Itm I gyve to Nicholas Crosbye my
sonne one chist wich was his fathers and my best brasse pott, willing that he
shall gyve to Anthony his brother v s.  Itm I gyve to Myles my sonne one quarter
wheate, wishinge him to be goode to his brethren.  Itm I gyve to Rauf my sonne
one yearinge whye. Itm I gyve to Rauf, Anthony and Nicholas, my sonnes, half
one close at Harlthorpe called the Whyn Close, that is to say Nicholas to
occupie the one half and Anthony and Rauf the other half huringe the terme of
the Lease.  The rest of my my goods not legat, my detts paid my bodye buryed
and this my last will fullfilled I gyve to Myles, Anthony, Rauf and Nicholas
my sonnes, whom I mak my executors.  Thes witness, Thomas Blansharde,
John Gower, John Webster, Clarke, and John Willmson, with other mo. 

Prob. 9 May 1569 by Myles and Ralph, sonnes of the deceased, executors named in
the will, power reserved for son Nicholas, coexecutor, when he shall demand it.

(Prerogative and Exchequer of York Wills, vol. 18, fol. 49)

Lineage from Janett Crosbye, to my son:

Janet (Bell) Crosby > Anthony > Thomas > Simon > Thomas > Thomas > Edward > Edward > Edward > John > John > Roy > Maurice > Maurice > Maurice

Source:

Simon Crosby The Emigrant, His English Ancestry and Some of His American Descendants, Eleanor Davis Crosby. 1914