"Samuel Thompson citizen and stationer of London, (will) 25 August 1668, proved 9 November 1668. As to my estate I desire to own it as special mercy that anything may be left for my poor children when I consider my late losses in the firing of London, most humbly acknowledging the righteousness of God in that sore judgment and that my sins were very great incentives of it and mightily helped to draw down that desolation on my self, neighbors and the whole city. I give my plate &c. to all my three children, equally to be divided. My desire is that my son John be maintained in the place where he now is in Oxford until he be Master of Arts and enter on the Ministry. To my son John all my lands and tenements in Neene in the Co. of Salop and in Knighton in the Co. of Worcester which will descend to him in right of his mother after his grandmother's decease. I hope he will be helpful to his two sisters, my two daughters Lydia and Mary. To my said son John all my right, title, interest and term of years in a close or piece of meadow or pasture ground, commonly called Overall Close, in the parish of Neene, which I desire him to accept in full of what he shall or may claim by virtue of the Custom of the City of London, in regard his estate will far exceed either of his sisters, he to give a release of all such claim within twenty days after he shall attain the full age of one and twenty years. To my said two daughters (evidently minors). If all my three children die before their respective age or marriage I give my children's portions to my nephew Thomas Thompson (son of Thomas and Anne (Welles) Thompson of Farmington, Connecticut). I give to my nephew Thomas Thompson twenty pounds to be paid at the expiration of his indentures of Apprenticeship, or, if he be desirous to go over to his mother to New England, then at such time as shall be thought fit by my executor, to whose care and service I commit him for the remainder of the time of his indentures. To my niece Beatrice Thompson (daughter of Thomas and Anne (Welles) Thompson of Farmington, Connecticut) five pounds. My faithful servant and friend Walter Kettleby. To my brother in law Mr Matthew Poole five pounds and to his sons Matthew and Francis forty shillings apiece. The residue to my two daughters. My dear friend Mr Samuel Gellibrand to be sole executor, to whom fifty pounds for his pains. Hene, 146.
[The testator was, I suppose, a brother to Thomas Thompson, who was at Farmington, Connecticut.—H. F. Waters."
