Gabriel Leggett

     Gabriel was born circa 1597 in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, at the Chapel House. Gabriel married Susan Kilbourne, daughter of John Kilbourne, on 26 July 1625 in the Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. From 1638-1642, Gabriel was Warden at St. Mary the Virgin Church with Oliver Cromwell as Lay Rector. His position would have made him collector of tithes and manager of Church property. In 1642, he signed the Petition for Church Reform, a petition which described the Biship's neglect of the parish churches and requested that sermons be given regularly in each parish. [Gabriel signed his own name which meant that he was literate.] In 1649, Cromwell appointed Gabriel to a thirteen-member commission in charge of the disposal of the Ely Catherdral and Chapter House, a task which the commission fortunately did not undertake. In 1663, St. Mary's had a congregation of 154 families. Among the families was Leggett & Richardson. There is no knowledge that it is the same as the Richardson family of West Farm. Gabriel & Susan had seven children, three boys & one girl died young. It is quite possible they died in the Plague that struck Ely in 1636. Gabriel made his will on 6 May 1657 at the Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England.

In the name of God, Amen. I Gabriell Leggate of Ely in the Isle of Ely in the County of Cambridge yeoman, calling to mind my own frailty and mortality do for my better preparation for death now whilst I am in health and perfect understanding and memory (blessed be the Lord for the same) institute and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First of all I surrender my soul unto the hands of Almighty God my Creator trusting in his free grace and abundant Goodness to receive the free remission of all my sins and eternal life through Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer, and my body I commit to the earth to be buried in a convenient place and decent manner according to the good pleasure of God at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named, in hope of a joyful Resurrection at the last and great Day. And as touching that temporal estate which the Lord hath lent me to use in this world I thus dispose thereof in manner as followeth. First of all I give and bequeath unto Susan my beloved wife: all this my household stuff or movable goods furniture and implements which are now within my dwelling house (except my wheat). As for my other Corn and Malt and other things whatsoever now in my house I give that same wholly to her my said wife and her heirs and assigns forever. I also give unto my said wife our land of wheat for her bread, corn, all my butter, cheese, bacon and my farming, also my linnen and bedding and whatever else is within my house aforesaid. Also I give and bequeath unto my loving son William Leggate twenty shillings of the lawful money of England to be paid to him by my Executor within one year next after my decease. I give him also the one year old filly which came of the mare which was fair's first. I give and bequeath unto my loving son Gabriell Leggate twenty pounds of the lawful money of England to be paid to him by my Executor within one year after my decease. All the residue of my movable goods corn, money, cattle and chattels whatsoever I give the same wholly unto my loving son John Leggat whom I appoint and make the sole executor of this my last will and testament to pay my debts and legacies and to discharge my funeral expenses and to see my body decently interred and buried and to perform and fulfill this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal unto this writing of my last will and testament in the sixth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and fifty seven.
Gabriell Leggate, his mark.
Sealed subscribed, published to be the last will and testament of the above named Gabriell Leggate in the presence of Thomas Tye, his mark William Waddysone, his marke Robert Browne. Gabriel departed this life before 18 December 1657 in the Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. This will was proved at London before the judges for probate of wills and granting administrations lawfully authorized the 18th day of December in the year of our Lord God according to the computation of the Church of England one thousand six hundred and fifty seven by the oath of John Leggat the son and sole executor of the deceased to whom administration of all the goods and chattels of the said deceased was committed he being first sworn by commission to administer the same. [Public Records Office, Chancery Lane, London]