The will of Lambert Greene

Reference: E3/10/12.2, (Suffolk County Record Office, Bury St Edmunds). [Note: there is also a copy in The National Archives, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11/356/503.]

Back to the pages on Lambert Greene, Francis Greene, Robert Greene, Thomas FraserThe Greenes or The Greenes-Fraser chain.

 

‘In the name of God Amen

The Sixteenth day of ffebruary in the thirtieth year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord King Charles the second… I Lambert Greene of Newmarket in the County of Suffolk Apothecary being weake of body but in good and perfect mind and memory praysed bee God… Doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following. My body I bequeath to the earth and my soule to him that gave it hoping for a joyfull Resurrection through Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour. Next I will that all such debts as I shall duely owe at the time of my decease bee justly paid and discharged. Next that my loving mother Susan Green of Newmarkett aforesaid whom I hereby constitute and appoint sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament doe after my debts duely satisfied and paid pay unto my Aunt Row of Newmarkett the sum of ffive pounds sterling. And doe then pay unto my Uncle and Aunt Carleton, my Aunt Onge, my Uncle and Aunt Hamerton, My Brother and Sister ffraser, unto each of them tenn shillings to buy themselves rings to wear in rememberance of mee… the rest of my Estate… and personall as well as the two Acres of land left mee by my ffather Lambert Greene As also all my goods and Chattles whatsoever I hereby devise unto my loving Mother aforesaid and her heirs forever, the debts … and legacys herein named being first… satisfyed and paid: In witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and year above written – Lam: Greene: Sealed… and delivered up by the above named Lambert Greene in the presence of us: Thomas B…: Agnes Birlbeck: Milles ffitzwater.’

Probate was in May 1678 to Susanna Greene.

 

The key points of interest in this will are:-

1. The date. Counting from the death of Charles I as if Charles II succeeded him without a gap. Apparently all legal documents after the restoration were dated as if the civil war didn’t happen! Also note that 30th year counting from the death of Charles I in January 1649 (their 1648 – see New Year change) would be their January 1677-1678 (i.e. year 1 would be their 1648-49, year 31 their 1678-79, year 30 their 1677-78) so February in the 30th year of his reign would refer to their 1677 (our 1678); the probate in May would be their and our 1678.

2. Lambert mentions his Aunt Onge (presumably the same as Mary Ong mentioned in the will of Susanna Greene). [Note: click here for the will of Susanna Greene.]

3. As with Susan / Susanna Green(e)s will, she is given both names here.

4. His brother and sister ffraser are presumably his half sister Susan Greene (daughter of Francis Greene) and her husband Thomas Fraser.

5. His Aunt Hamerton would be one of his mother’s relatives (Susan Greene’s maiden name being Hamerton).

6. His Aunt Row would be Joyce Greene who married Christopher Rowe in 1621, also mentioned in the will of Alice Greene in 1648, Lambert’s grandmother.

7. The two acres of land is mentioned in the will of Lambert Greene who died in 1650.