Will of Marie Olivier, 1663
20th November 2024No. 9 in Edith Carey's Wills and Legacies 1
I, Marie Ollivier daughter of James of St Peter Port, sound in mind although my body is frail owing to my age. Firstly, I give 20 livres tournois to the poor. To my son Gaspar, a golden pistol [a coin]. To Bernard Houndson, a gold ecu. I give to Thomas Houndson, the son of Bernard Houndson, the 100 livres tournois that his father owes me, as well as a silver wine cup on which the name of Thomas Ollivier is engraved, plus a silver spoon. Item. To Nathaniel Houndson son of the aforementioned Bernard 100 livres tournois and and a small silver wine cup and a silver spoon. Item. To Marie, Anne, Elizabeth and Michelle, daughters of the said Bernard Houndson 900 livres tournois to be shared amongst them equally, these 900 livres tournois will be available next Christmas, that is nearly 1661, as they are owed to me under obligation. In addition I give to the said Marie Houndson a silver wine cup with her name engraved on it. And mine. And a silver spoon and four sets (paires = folded?) of sheets and three fine cloths and three small and large towels as found, 2 and a half dozen serviettes and a checked tablecloth, a pewter jug, pint jug, and tankard, three dishes also of pewter, three saucers, and one dish, in pewter, one of the best bolster beds, and two sets of aprons (paires) as well as a pine chest and a dough-bowl. Item. I give to Anne, daughter of the aforesaid, a silver cup with her name engraved on it, and a silver spoon plus four sets of sheets, three fine cloths, three towels, 2 and a half dozen serviettes and two sets of antique linen1 as well as three dishes, three saucers and a dish, all in pewter, plus an oak chest and a basin. Item. I give to Elizabeth, daughter of the aforesaid, a beer cup and one for wine, both in silver, with her name engraved on them, and a silver-gilt spoon. I also give her the thirty pounds which I have lent to Elizabeth Gardner, plus a tablecloth which is widest at the middle (?). Four pairs of sheets, three fine cloths, three towels and 2 and a half dozen serviettes, four dishes, a jug, a quart, a pint, a half-pint, three saucers and a dish, all in pewter, as well as a cedarwood chest, a tripod, spit and caudier1, a cooking-pot, as well as the bed on which I sleep, a bolster, two pillows, 2 sets of antique linen (antien), one emboidered and one with chain stitch (?) (à rosette), and a bed cover of serge. Item. To Michelle, the daughter of the aforesaid, a silver wine cup on which my name is engraved and a silver spoon, (sheets, towels, serviettes as above), a chest, three dishes, three sucers anda a bowl, all of pewter, two small skillets (squillets). Item. I give to each of the aforementioned four girls their own candlestick, and in particular to the said Elizabeth a copper mortar with an iron pestle and a deep dish for washing your hands. And should any of the girls die their part should be equally divided amongst the others. Item. I give 6 pounds to Collas Gauvain son of Jean, to the daughter of Jean Le Mesurier son of Collas I give 2 ecus, and to the daughter of Jean Ollivier of the Carrefour two ecus. Item. I give to Margaret Effard my everyday blanket and my best corset, a black apron, a blouse, a headkerchief, a collar and cap; and what remains of my belongings I give them in full and entirely to my niece Perotine Olivier ... and I desire that my brother Gaspard, whom I nominate as my executor of this my Testament, that the gifts I have bequeathed to the aforementioned children should be faithfully distributed to their profit.
6 July 1661. Signed Pierre de Jersey, Charles de Rochemayne, witnesses.
Signed (?) at the request of my sister.
Marie Ollivier. Gaspar Ollivier père.
Reg. 2 February 1664.
[List of Records in the Greffe, III, (B 3) 2. No 2, Thomas Leighton grants Moulin de Milieu to Gaspard Ollivier, 1 October 1571.]
See Calendar of State Papers, Addenda, 1584. July 11, Guernsey. "John Wigmore, John Blondell, and seven others bailiff and jurats of Guernsey to Council: 'Martha widow of Gaspar Olivier delivered us your letter concerning possession of a water mill which had been granted by certain commissioners to her late husband, but left the island without waiting a reply because a reply was delayed until the corps de justice, some of whom were ill could meet and confer as her petition contained unknown matters. She says she has been dispossessed by a grant lately made to Nich Delamarche and yet 12 years ago Sir T Leighton seized it and other parcels by virtue of the Queen's letters. It was put in the Book of Extent according to orders of 9 Oct 1580 and 30 July 1581 and has since been granted to Delamarche according to the order of justice in this isle without opposition from the widow or others. The cause does not belong to her but to the heirs of Olivier, yet we would have helped her if we could.' [Annexing 87 1] Petition of Nicholas Martin Martha Olivier and Thomas Olivier to Council: Full and quiet possession of certain mills in Guernsey yet in suit for confirmation has been granted them by their Lordships; but for better assurance they were ordered to appear this term to answer the objections of Louis de Vic procurer and Nicholas De la Marche; have been compelled by their means to make three voyages to prove their title; beg allowance for their charges according to their honours' letter to the bailiff and jurats of 3 June last.
For Gaspar Ollivier: Livre de Perchage;Darryl Ogier, Reformation and Society, Boydell & Brewer
For Thomas Olivier: List of Rectors of St Helier, Bull. Soc. Jers. 7, 1914, pp. 87-88; Ogier as above. Second son of Gaspard Olivier of St Peter Port, son of Thomas, married Elisabeth de la Faye, daughter of Norman Huguenot refugee minister Mathieu de la Faye, Sieur de la Vigne.
1 "antien" (?)
2 "un guerpet, broche et caudier". Guerpet is a coarse cloth. It probably should say terpid.