In Gasper Coy’s Last Will & Testament, he left an inheritance to his niece Mary (maiden name is apparently Coy) Babb. She was married to William Babb the younger and his father William Babb Senior served as one of the witnesses. Mary’s father has apparently passed away prior to this writing as she is singled out separate of his brother and brother-in-law’s children. These 3 people track to the tree we know as Hertfordshire Pedigree (Berkhamsted 1546). At the time of this writing, there are no known children of Mary and William the younger.
Formal Transcription (Early Modern English)
In the name of God Amen. The Thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fiftie and seaven I Gasper Coy of Barkhamsted St Peter in the County of Hertfordshire, Inholder, being weake in body but of perfect sense and memory (blessed be God) doe make my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following.
Imprimis I give my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator, hoping assuredly through the merits Death and passion of Jesus Christ my most mercifull Redeemer to inherit Life everlasting, and my Body to be decently buried so nere my late deceased wife as conveniently may be when it shall please God to take me out of this vaile of misery.
And as for the worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to enable me, I give and dispose thereof as followeth.
First I give and bequeath all my goods household stuffe and implements of household whatsoever after my debts are paid unto Rebecca Denchfield, Mary Denchfield, Sara Denchfeild, the daughters of my brother in law John Denchfield, of Litle Stanmore in the County of Midlesex, brewer, and to Mary Babb the wife of William Babb the younger of Barkhamsted St Peter aforesaid, and to Alice Coy the daughter of my brother John Coy late of Barkhamsted St Peter aforesaid, Brewer, deceased, to be equally divided amongst them.
Only my will and meaning is that Rebecca Denchfield aforementioned shall have a double part of my said goods and household stuffe aforesaid, and all the rest of my said brothers and brother in lawes Children each of them but a single part.
And further my will and meaning is that if any of my said brother in lawes children shall depart this life before the receiving of her or their part or portion of my goods and household stuffe according to this my will, that then her part or portion of her so dying shall remain to the Survivour or Survivours of them to be equally divided amongst them.
Likewise, if either of my said brother Coy’s Children shall depart this life before the receiving of her portion of the goods and household stuff before bequeathed, then the Survivour to have the deceased part thereof.
Item I give and bequeath unto my brother in Law John Drake of London, my brother in Law John Denchfeild aforementioned, and to Thomas Gill of Gossoms End in the parish of Barkhamsted St Mary at Hertashaw in the County of Hertford, Tanner, twenty shillings a piece to buy each of them a ring.
And for the careful paying and discharging of my debts, and for the equal dividing of the remainder of my goods after my debts, legacies paid and funerall discharged amongst my said brothers and Brother in Lawes Children according to the true intent and meaning of this my will, I nominate constitute and appoint my beloved brother in Law John Drake and John Denchfeild and my beloved friend Thomas Gill aforementioned Executors of this my last will and Testament.
In witness that this is my last will and Testament I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and year first above within written.
Jasper Coy (Seal)
Sealed signed and acknowledged
in the presence of Thomas Dagnall, Notary Public
McKan Payne
Willm Babb Senior
Modern English Translation
On 13 September 1657, I, Gasper Coy of Berkhamsted St Peter, Hertfordshire, innkeeper, being weak in body but of sound mind, make this my last will and testament.
I commend my soul to Almighty God, trusting in the death and passion of Jesus Christ for eternal life. I wish to be buried near my late wife.
I leave all my household goods and furnishings, after debts are paid, to be divided among: Rebecca, Mary, and Sara Denchfield (daughters of my brother-in-law John Denchfield of Little Stanmore [aka Whitchurch], Middlesex, brewer [In modern times, Little Stanmore is located in London borough of Harrow] ); Mary Babb (wife of William Babb the younger of Berkhamsted St Peter); and Alice Coy (daughter of my late brother John Coy, brewer).
Rebecca Denchfield is to receive a double share, the others a single share. If any of them die before receiving their share, it is to be divided among the survivors.
I give 20 shillings each to John Drake (brother-in-law, of London), John Denchfield, and Thomas Gill (of Gossoms End, Berkhamsted St Mary at Hertashaw, Hertfordshire, tanner) to buy mourning rings.
I appoint John Drake, John Denchfield, and Thomas Gill as my executors to pay my debts and distribute my estate according to this will.
Signed and sealed in the presence of witnesses.
Jasper Coy (Seal)
in the presence of Thomas Dagnall, Notary Public
McKan Payne
William Babb Senior
This type of will was proved on the 28th of March, 1661, before the venerable man, Lord Thomas Ris, and the worthy examiner of the same. Probate was granted, and administration was entrusted to be carried out well and faithfully.
Glossary of Terms
– Imprimis: Latin for “in the first place”; used to begin a list of bequests.
– Inholder: An innkeeper.
– Household stuffe: Household goods and furnishings.
– Bequeath: To leave personal property to someone in a will.
– Double part: A share twice the size of others.
– Survivour: One who outlives another.
– Ring: Mourning rings were often given as keepsakes.
– Seale: A wax seal used to authenticate a document.
Report of People’s Names
– Gasper Coy – Testator.
– Rebecca Denchfield – Niece (daughter of brother-in-law John Denchfield); receives a double share.
– Mary Denchfield – Niece.
– Sara Denchfield – Niece.
– Mary Babb – Niece (wife of William Babb the younger).
– Alice Coy – Niece (daughter of John Coy, deceased brother).
– John Coy – Deceased brother.
– John Denchfield – Brother-in-law, brewer of Little Stanmore.
– John Drake – Brother-in-law, of London.
– Thomas Gill – Friend, tanner of Gossoms End, Berkhamsted St Mary at Hertashaw.
– William Babb the younger – Nephew-in-law.
– William Babb Senior – Witness.
– Thomas Dagnall – Notary Public.
– McKan Payne – Witness.
Report of Place Names
– Barkhamsted [Berkhamsted] St Peter, Hertfordshire – Residence of the testator.
– Little Stanmore, Middlesex – Residence of John Denchfield.
– London – Residence of John Drake.
– Gossoms End, Berkhamsted St Mary at Hertashaw, Hertfordshire – Residence of Thomas Gill.
Citation:
“Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom records,” images, FamilySearch (https:// www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNP-QCNX?view=fullText: Jun 28, 2025), image 455 of 729; Church of England. Archdeaconry of Huntingdon. Hitchin Division. Court. Image Group Number: 008085390
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNP-QCNX?view=fullText
Hertfordshire. Probate Records 1857, 1707, Wills 1609, 1837
The Tree
William Babb Senior appears in this tree as person #14 on Page 9.