Will of James Henesye - 1560
Henesye is an unusual variant of the name and should not be confused with the name Hennessey. James is almost certainly the same man who is referred to in other records as Jakes Hanyset, Jakes Hanizett, James Onysed, Jaques Hanysue and James Henwysee, and had probably been in England since 1517.
In the name of God, Amen. The yere of our Lorde God 1560, 3 July, I James Henesye of the parishe of Nutthurste in the diocese of Chechester beinge sycke of bodye but hole of mynde, thankes be to God, do ordeyne and make my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge. Fyrst, I bequethe my soule in to the handes of Allmightie God, my maker and redemer, and my bodie to be buryed where yt shall please God to take yt. Fyrste, I will that Agnes and Elizabethe my daughters, ether of them a cowe, and ether of them a fether bed, and eche of them iij payre of shetes. I will that Nicholas my sonne to have my cloake, and Peter my sonne my best coate, and the resydewe of my rayement to be devided betwene the foresaiede Nicholas and Peter. The residewe of all my goodes I will and bequethe to Anne my wyfe whom I do ordeyne and make my sole executrixe of this my last will and testament, she to paye my dettes and to performe my legaces, and Hewghe Marchaunt to be my overseer of this my last will. Wytnesses at the makinge of this saied will - Henrye Brodbryge gent, Thomas Bakynne, John Adeane, Jacobe Mynshew, wythe others.
James was buried at Nuthurst, Sussex, on 7 July 1560
This transcript is from a copy of the original will held at West Sussex Record Office, Chichester. Ref: STC 1/10, f5 1