John Randolfe the elder

     John was born circa 1540 in Topcroft, County Norfolk, England. He was the son of John Randolfe and Margaret Goodwin. John married Ellen Woodcock on 14 January 1565 in Bedingham, County Norfolk, England, at St. Andrew's Church.^1,2 John made his will on 27 February 1597/98 at Topcroft, County Norfolk, England.

"I John Randoll the elder of Topcroft within the diocese of Norwich, being sick in body" to his son John and his heirs and assigns forever, all the lands and tenements freehold, charter hold, copy hold, or customary hold, in Topcrofte and Hempnall, as well as lease lands, after the testator's death. The said son John was to give the Testator's wife, Ellen, a yearly annuity of ten pounds paid out of the said lands and tenements, within half a year after the testator's decease. If John refused to make payment or detained any part, then Ellen was to enter into the lands and tenements until payment was made. Son John, his heirs, assigns and executors were to permit the said Ellen to have her dwelling in the parlor, and use of the cheesehouse chamber, with free passage to the pit for water, and into the bakehouse and oven, and to gather fruit from the trees in the orchard, while she was a widow. The said John and heis heirs, executors and assigns were to winter and summer on the said lands two mild kine, for the use of the said Ellen, while she a widow, as well as deliveringto her yearly one hundred faggots. Ellen was given one posted bed, with a feather bed, blankets, bolster, tester and coverlet, quilt, and one pillow, one pear tree chest, four pewter platters, three pewter dishes, one candlestick, one salt cellar, one little brass posnet, one little chair, the half part of all linen and napery, two milk neat, an her "choyse of all my dyerye." If said Ellen demanded, claimed, or enter on her thirds or dower in the said lands and tenements given to son John, then he annuity of ten pounds and other legacies given to her were void and of no effect.
The residue of the goods, cattells, house hold stuff, implements of household, jewels, and plate unbequeathed were given to son John and his executors and assigns. Son William was given £20 to be paid out of the said lands and tenements by John and his executors and assigns, £5 within one year, and then £5 yearly thereafter. Son-in-law Robert Tofts was given £25 to be paid out of the said lands and tenements within one year and another £25 the year after that. Daughter Johane was to be paid £25 out of said lands and tenements within three years and £25 more within two years thereafter. Daughter Margaret was to be paid £25 within four years and £25 more within two years thereafter. Belchild Mary Tofts was given on milk cow within one year. The testator's godchildren were given 12d. each to be paid within one year. Son John was given debts, as well as money due to the testator, toward paying the legacies. The poor of Topcroft were given 6s. 8d. to b paid to the churchwardens at th day of the testator's burial. Son John and Jeffrey Goodwin the younger were named executors to the will. The said Jeffrey was given 10s. for his pains. Henry Bacon and Willaim Woodcock were witnesses.³

John departed this life in Topcroft, County Norfolk, England. He was buried there in the churchyard of St. Margaret's.⁴ His will was probated on 20 April 1598.