William Godfrey died in 1694 at the age of 74 and was buried in Cumnor
churchyard. His chest tomb remains a prominent feature in the churchyard today.
It attests to his fighting as a lieutenant in the King's army from Edgehill till
the end of the Civil War. He returned to the family copyhold at the lower
end of Chawley Lane and to the life of a yeoman.
Will BRO: DIAI
73:150 GODFREY
William, of Chawley 1694
In the name of God Amen I William Godfrey of Chawley in the
Parish of Comner in the County of Berks being sick of body but in good
remembrance blessed be god doe make this my last will and testament in manner
and form following first I give and bequeth my soul into the hands of god that
gave it & my body I commend to Xtian burial hoping for a joyfull
resurrection & the eternal salvation of both my body and soul by the mercy
of my god and the merits of myne only Saviour Jesus Xt & for that estate
wherewith god hath blessed me thus I bestow it Imprimis I give and bequeth to my
son William Codfrey the sum of ten pounds of good and lawfull money of England .
It. to my daughter Ann Godfrey the Summ of one hundred pounds of good and
lawfull money of England It. to my daughter Cicilia the sum of one hundred
pounds of good and lawfull money of England & it is furthermore my will
& desire that the said sums above mentioned so bequethed shall be paid to my
son and two daughters severally at the full end and expiration of two years at
farthest after my decease & moreover it is my Will and desire that if it
shall happen that either my son or either of my daughters or both if they shall
happen to dye before the expiration of two years after my decease then the said
giving so bequethed shall be paid to the survivour or Survivours equally to be
divided & lastly I doe appoint & constitute my loveing wife Margery to
be my sole executrix of this my last Will & Testament.
Signed (weakly) by Wm Codfrey
Witnessed in the presence of William Peacock Thomas Beechy
12 day of April 1694 William Godfrey his mark