Thomas Leveson's Will: Family and Inheritance

Description:Thomas Leveson’s will also tells us about his family, notably that he had nine daughters. His will states that he wished to leave two thousand pounds in order to give his ‘younger sonne William Leveson’ and his ‘nyne daughters...two hundred pounds a pece’. The will also refers to his older son John Leveson, who was given the responsibility of overseeing that the bequests in the will were executed, and also responsible for overseeing his ‘funeralles’. The will also states that John was to receive the remainder of his father’s ‘goodes chattelles and debtes’, which he was responsible for paying.

Thomas Leveson’s will reflects the closeness of relations between the Leveson family. Thomas refers to ‘Legacyes of twentye poundes’ left to his children ‘by the last will and testament of Dionyse Leveson my mother deceassed’. In a further bequest, Thomas refers to ‘my lovinge brother in lawe John Gresham’ to whom he leaves ten pounds, alongside his brother William Leveson. Thomas Leveson’s will reflects the value of wills in providing a range of information about families and family relationships.

In addition to his extensive lands, Thomas Leveson’s will indicates that he had close connections with merchants. Many of his friends named in the will and given financial responsibilities are merchants, such as ‘Arthure Duwbreye of London murchante taylor’

Thomas Leveson’s will portrays him as a wealthy landowner associated with mercantile trade, who was concerned with providing for his family and the places he was closely associated with during his lifetime.

Attachments

Transcription of Thomas Leveson's Will, 1576 (36 KB)