amanuensis noun \ə-,man-yə-’wen(t)-səs\
one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscript
from the Latin (servus) a manu slave with secretarial duties
first known use 1619
~Merriam-Webster
Mathew Denchfill [Denchfield] (1601-1660)
Mathew was the son of Richard Denchfield of North Marston, and grandson of Gefferie Deanchfield whose will is transcribed here.
We know from the St. Mary’s register that Mathew was baptized on 7 March 1601. (His name in the register is spelled “Matthie.”) His first wife, Joan Stream of Oving, Bucks, died in October 1632, less than two years after they were married in Oving on 30 June 1631.
Matthew’s second marriage, to Mary Spencer, took place in North Marston on 25 January 1633, and it was this marriage that produced four children:
Prudence DENCHFIELD (10 Nov 1633 – 17 Jun 1680)
Richard DENCHFIELD (13 Feb 1637 – after 1700)
John DENCHFIELD (30 Nov 1639 – 1689)
Matthew DENCHFIELD (3 Nov 1641 – 4 Dec 1732)
(Note: Mathew made a will on 4 March 1658. In it, his name is spelled DENCHFILL. However, it’s written as DENCHFIELD in the probate records dated 7 January 1660.)
The Transcription:
The last Will & Testament Nuncupative of
Mathew Denchfield of North Marston in the County
of Bucks, yeoman, beeing sicke of Body, but of pfect
mind & Memory; made the fourth day of March, in the
yeare of or Lord God, One Thousand Six Hundred & Fifty
Eight; in manner & forme following vitz:
Imprimis I commend my soule into the hands of or only Lord &
Savior Jesus Christ. And my body to bee buryed in the Parish
Church yard of North Marston abovesaid.
Item I give and beequeath unto my sonne John Denchfill the full
& right summe of thirty pounds of current English monie
to bee paid unto him by my Executor when the present
Apprenticeshipp of the said John shall bee expired.
Item I give & beequeath unto my sonne Mathew Denchfill
the full & right summe of thirty & five pounds of current
English monie to bee payd unto him by my Executor when the
sayd Mathew cometh to the full age of two & twenty years
Item I give & beequeath unto my daughter Prudence
Stanbridge the full & right Summe of Ten pounds of current
English monie to bee paid unto her within one whole yeare
after my decease.
Item I give & beequeath unto my Grandchild Richard
Stanbridge one Ewe & Lamb to bee delivered unto him
by my Executor within halfe a yeare after my decease.
Item I give & beequeath unto my Sonne Mathew my great
Pottage=Pott to bee delivered unto him by my Executor
whensoever after my decease the sayd Mathew shall demand
it.
Item I give & bequeath unto my Sonne John my great Posnett
to bee delivered unto him by my Executor whensoever after
my decease the said John shall demand it
Item I give & bequeath unto my wife Mary Denchfill halfe
my house & land wth halfe the Appurtenances to the sayd
house & lande belonging (situate of beeing in North Marston
abovesayd) During the full Terme of her naturall life. But
after my said wifes decease my will is [?t] my Sonne Richard &
the Heyres of his body lawfully beegotten shall have [?] my
sayd house & Land wth all the Appurtenances for ever
Item I doe constitute & appoint my wife Mary Denchfill &
my Sonne Richard Denchfill Joyntt Executor of this my last
will & Testament
___________________________________________________
Nuncupative – a will given orally.
Pottage=Pott – a great iron pot used in the making of Pottage or thick stew of vegetables and meat; also used for porridge.
Posnett – A little basin; a porringer, skillet, or saucepan.
(Amanuensis Monday is a blogging theme hosted by GeneaBloggers).
I’d been waiting to read Mathew’s will since you posted Gefferie’s but didn’t have a chance to read it until tonight (busy week!).
Wills are such fascinating and info-filled documents, and it’s so great that you have uncovered these from such an early time. I hope to be half as lucky as I delve further back!
[...] 2011, at 4:52 pm The will made by an ailing and aging yeoman Mathew DENCHFIELD, is transcribed here and helps to shed light on the structure of his family in the early part of 17th Century North [...]
[...] 2011, at 5:23 pm John Denchfield was the son of Mathew Denchfield, whose own will is transcribed HERE…. John was born 30 November 1639, and at the age of 19 was, as we know from his father’s will, [...]