visitation at Bokenham aforesaid. The probate is now in the Church Chest at Fersfield, and is entered in the register called Awbrye, in the 3d part, fol. 141. in the Bishop's Office.
The farm is now in feoffees hands, to the use of the church, about which the profits are expended, either in repairing, beautifying, or purchasing proper ornaments to it. It is now [1736] let at 18l. per annum, and pays a yearly quitrent to the manor of Fersfield of 10s. 9d. a year. The messuage, with 3 acres of land adjoining, 3 acres and an half enclosed, lying in the further close next the common, a pightle called Hoppin's of an acre and half, and half an acre in Billing's meadow, is copyhold on the said manor, 4 acres called Penscroft, and all other the lands thereto belonging, are freehold without any reserved rent; some of the lands have been changed with the Duke of Norfolk, an account of which you have with the commons of this town.
In the name of GOD Amen, 2 July 1589. I Matthewe Walter of Bliford in Suffolk, do make this my last will, &c. my body to be buried in the church yard of Bliford aforesaid.
Item. "I geve and bequeathe unto Margaret my wief, all my tenement, landes, meadowes, feedings, and pastures, with the appurtenances, scituate, lying and being in Blyford aforesay'd, which I lately purchased of Thomas Back, to hold to her, and her assignes, during the tearme of her naturall lief; and after her decease, I will that the sayd tenement, together with all and singuler the aboveresited premises, with the appurtenaunces, and one close lying in Holton, conteyninge eightene acres, which I latelie purchased of W. Bonnett, and also one meadowe with the appurtenaunces, lyeing in Bulchim, in the say'd countie of Suffolk, shall ymediately after the decease of the say'd Margaret, my wief, remayne unto John Parker my cosyn, and his heires and assignes for ever, upon this condition, that is to saye, that the say'd John Parker, his heyres or assignes, or anie one of them, shall yearlye and every yeare for ever, after the decease of the say'd Margaret my wief, paie or cause to be paied unto the pore people of the townes, parishes, or hamletts, hereafter-mentioned, the somme of ten powndes of lawfull monie of Ingland, in the manner ensuing; that is to saye, to the pore people of Farsfield in the countie of Norfolk 20s. to the pore people of Bresingham in the same countie 20s. to the pore people of Holton in the countie of Suffolk 10s. to the pore people of Bliford aforesay'd 20s. to the pore people of Hallisworth 20s. to the pore people of Blitheburgh 20s. to the pore people of Bulchim 10s. to the pore people of Suthwold 20s. to the pore people of Reydon by Suthwold, in the countie of Suff. 10s. to the pore people of Wang ford 20s. to the pore people of Henham 10s. to the pore people of Uggeshall 10s. to the pore people of Stoven 10. Otherwise if the say'd John Parker shall make default of payment, of the say'd yearlie payment of ten powndes, in manner and form aforesayd, then I will, and my full mynd is, that all the premises shall go to Basingbourne Parker, brother of the sayd John, and if he makes default, then to Mr. Francis Braye, son of Mr. Saynt John Braye, under the same limitations." He gives the profits of his lands in Attleboroughe and Holton, and the lands called the Oke, (