This will is notable for including an entire family unit within a timeframe that many records do not cover.  Robert Salter’s sister Elizabeth married a Babbs and they bore at least 4 boys. While the father isn’t present in the record it still establishes 5 family members in presumably the same location as the Testator. That location is currently known as North Mimms, Hertfordshire, England.

Cover Image: Robert Salter’s Will (10 Jun 1679)

Formal Transcription (Early Modern English)

In the name of God Amen the tenth day of June Ano Dm 1679 Robert Salter of North Myms [North  Mymms]  in the County of Hertford being sickly weak of body but of perfect mind & remembrance (thanks be given to Almighty God) do make & ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner following ( that is to say )
first & principally of do give & dispose my soul unto Almighty God, hoping by a lively paymt to live with him for ever by the only merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer and my body to be buried in just decent manner as my Executrix hereafter named shall this be fitting & convenient
Item, I give & bequeath unto Thomas Bibie Son of Thomas Bibie of South Myms my black Cow three months next after my decease
Item I give & bequeath unto William Bibie Son of the said Thomas Bibie of South Myms aforesaid one feather bed, bolster, pillow, blanket & one sheet, in the Chamber over of hall six months after my decease
Item I give bequeath unto my Sister Elizabeth Babbs two shillings Six pence & also unto her foure sons William Thomas John & Edward two shillings & five pence to each of them to be paid, within six months next after my decease
Item I do constitute make appoint my loving wife Alice Executrix & Ralph Sharpe of South Myms aforesaid _________ of this my last Will & Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set mind hand & seale the day year first above written
Robert Salter (His Mark and Seal)

Signed Sealed published Robert Salter declared in this parish
Thomas (his mark) Banwell
William (his mark) Battell
John Crofts
Memorand in that (before of sealing Event, I do give & bequeath unto Wm Bibie aforesaid All those purtaining belonging to the chamber over ye Milbehorse (?), and all the residue of my goods Chattells unto my wife Alice aforesaid.

Modern English Translation

In the name of God, Amen. On the tenth day of June in the year of our Lord 1679, I, Robert Salter of North Mymms in the County of Hertford, being sickly and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory (thanks be given to Almighty God), do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the following manner (that is to say):
First and principally, I give and dispose of my soul unto Almighty God, hoping by a lively faith to live with Him forever by the only merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and my body to be buried in a just and decent manner as my Executrix hereafter named shall think fitting and convenient.
Item, I give and bequeath unto Thomas Bibie, son of Thomas Bibie of South Mymms, my black cow three months after my decease.
Item, I give and bequeath unto William Bibie, son of the said Thomas Bibie of South Mymms aforesaid, one feather bed, bolster, pillow, blanket, and one sheet, in the chamber over the hall, six months after my decease.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Babbs two shillings and six pence, and also unto her four sons, William, Thomas, John, and Edward, two shillings and five pence each, to be paid within six months after my decease.
Item, I do constitute, make, and appoint my loving wife Alice Executrix and Ralph Sharpe of South Mymms aforesaid overseer of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Robert Salter (His Mark and Seal)

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by Robert Salter in the presence of:
Thomas (his mark) Banwell
William (his mark) Battell
John Crofts
Memorandum: Before the sealing of this document, I do give and bequeath unto William Bibie aforesaid all those belongings pertaining to the chamber over the millhouse, and all the residue of my goods and chattels unto my wife Alice aforesaid.

Glossary of Terms

– Ano Dm: Anno Domini, Latin for “in the year of our Lord.”
– Bequeath: To leave personal property to someone through a will.
– Decent: Proper and fitting.
– Executrix: A female executor, the person appointed to carry out the terms of a will.
– Shillings: A former British coin and monetary unit equal to one twentieth of a pound or twelve pence.
– Chattels: Personal property.

Report of People’s Names

– Robert Salter: Testator
– Thomas Bibie: Son of Thomas Bibie of South Mymms, recipient of a black cow.
– William Bibie: Son of Thomas Bibie of South Mymms, recipient of a feather bed, bolster, pillow, blanket, and sheet.
– Elizabeth Babbs: Sister of Robert Salter, recipient of two shillings and six pence.
– William, Thomas, John, and Edward: Sons of Elizabeth Babbs, each recipient of two shillings and five pence.
– Alice: Wife of Robert Salter, Executrix and recipient of the residue of goods and chattels.
– Ralph Sharpe: Overseer of the will.
– Thomas Banwell: Witness
– William Battell: Witness
– John Crofts: Witness

List of Place Names with Modern Equivalents

– North Myms: North Mimms
– South Myms: South Mimms

The Tree

This family unit graces a brand-new Pedigree as the family was previously unknown.

Citation:

“Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom records,” images, FamilySearch (https:// http://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSGV-S9WC-L?view=fullText : Jun 18, 2025), image 701 of 891; Church of England. Archdeaconry of Huntingdon. Hitchin Division. Court. Image Group Number: 008220329

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSGV-S9WC-L?view=fullText