Person:Richard Miles (6)

The will of Richard Miles the elder of Much Munden, co. Herts., yeoman, was dated 4 February 1627/1628, proved 22 April 1629 (Archdeaconry Court of Huntingdon). The abstract reads: "As I do not consider that the third part of my freehold property will be sufficient to maintain Alice my beloved wife if she survives me, I devise to her all that my parlour, being part of the mansion house wherein I dwell, at the north end. Also I leave to her my little garner orchard on the north side of the said mansion, with liberty of ingress, egress & regress during her widowhood. If she marries again, this bequest shall be void. To the said Alice my wife, my close called Nastie Croft, a close of land and pasture called Marshes of about 3 acres, 2 acres of arable land lying in Nastie field, abutting on my orchard to the east & on Sowles field to the west, 1 acre of arable land in Nastie field between the land of Richard Baker & Richard Cannon, and pieces of arable land in Sowles field purchased by me of John Sell, of 6 acres. The said Alice my wife shall hold such properties for the term of her life on condition that she does not claim any other dower. To the said Alice my wife, L8 yearly during her widowhood, payable by my son Richard Miles & his heirs & representatives in quarterly payments, and my said son Richard shall enjoy the said close called Nastie Croft, the close called Marshes, lands in Nastie field & Sowles field at the death of my said wife. To Alice my said wife, my best cow, all wethers, ewes, lambs and other sheep. To my son Richard, the household stuff in the hall of my mansion house except the chair in which I usually sit which I give to Alice my wife. To the said Alice my wife, all the rest of the household stuff, and I request her to give some to my kinswoman Ann Shipp who now dwells with me. My wife shall have the use of the chimney in the said hall & fire there as there is no chimney in the said parlour, she paying no allowance for the same. To Richard my son & his heirs for ever, all the rest of my lands, tenements & hereditaments, immediately after my death, also the rest of my goods & chattels, and I make my said son Richard my sole executor." Signed: Rychard Miles. Witnesses: William Benn, John Johnson, Marie Johnson.

1. ↑ Coddington, John Insley and Donald Lines Jacobus, "Richard(1) Miles of Hertfordshire, England and New Haven, Connecticut, and his Family", in The American Genealogist (TAG). (Donald Lines Jacobus, et.al.)
   33 [Jul 1957] : 129-137.