It isn't clear whether this person connects to my family. However, he was from Cerne Abbas, a town only six (6) miles north of Charminster, the putative home town of my English ancestor, Richard Norman (b. ca. 1580), who immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony ca. 1624.
Further research is required.

In the name of God Amen. I William Norman of Cerne abbas, Clothier, do make this my last will & Testam. in manner and Forme following, That is to say,

First I bequeath my Soul to the hands of the Almightie, and my bodie to the Earth.

Imprimis, I give unto my Cousin William Shearra my Mill, and the meade ground beloning unto the Mill, and all the appurtenances belong to the Mill with all the interest that I have in it.

Imprimis I give unto my Sister Gillen Randall Twentie pounds [£20] to her owne disposing out of this goods in house.

Imprimis I give unto my Couzin [sic] Patience Shearra the Daugher of Edward Shearra Twelve pounds [£12], And William Shearra as a friend in trust for her.

Imprimis I give unto John Shearra and Thomas Shearra and Elizabeth Shearra the children of John Shearra the three whitt casses [sic] that are in Role, and their father as a friend in trust.

Imprimis I give unto my Couzin Mary Shearra my best bedd, and the best bedclothes and bedstead belonging unto it.

Imprimis I give unto Gillen Durdens and Anna Durdens her Daughter three Remletts of whitt Casses.

Imprimis I give unto Edward Pettibone one suite [sic: suit] and Cloke and one Shirt.

Imprimis I give William Gibbs my best suite and Cloke and one Shirt.

Imprimis I give unto Sara Gibbs the Daughter of Richard Gibbs fower [four] pounds [£4] and William Abraham as a friend in trust.

Imprimis I give unto Alice Whitte the Daughter of Henry Whitte fortie shillings [40s], and her father a friend in trust.

Imprimis I give unto Abigail Shearra the Daughter of Roger Shearra one Trundle bedstead and bed.

Imprimis I give unto John Shearrah [sic] sonne of Roger Shearra my great Bible.

Imprimis I give unto Edward Pitteybone [sic] fortie shillings [40s].

Item I give unto my Couzin William Shearra all my goods debts and Chattells whatsoever. And of this my last will & Testam. I make him my sole Executor.

In witnesse whereof I have sett my hand.

The marke of William Norman.

[Witnesses:]
Roger Dumberfill.
The marke of William Abraham.
William Harvy

[Probate (in Latin):]
Probatum fuit Testamentum
Suprascriptim apud Londinum coram Magio [Francisco] Ringstead in Regibus […] , decimo tertio die Mensio Octobrio Anno Dom. [Domini] 1646 [13 Oct 1646] Juramento William Sherra [sic] Executorio in Testamento […]

From https://www.opcdorset.org/CerneAbbasFiles/CerneAbbasWill-Extract2.htm

NORMAN, William, PROB 11/197, Will, London, Prerogative Court of Canterbury

TESTATOR William NORMAN, Clothier of Cerne Abbas
WILL WRITTEN no date
WILL PROVEN 13 October 1646
SISTER Gillen RANDALL
COUSINS William SHEARRA; Patience SHEARRA (daughter of Edward SHEARRA); John, Thomas & Elizabeth SHEARRA (children of John SHEARRA); Mary SHEARRA; Roger SHEARRA; Abigail SHEARRA (daughter of Robert SHEARRA); John SHEARRA (son of Roger SHEARRA)
OTHERS Gillen DURDENS; Anna DURDENS (daughter of Gillen DURDENS); Edward PETTIBONE; Sarah [Sara] GIBBS (daughter of Richard GIBBS); William ABRAHAM; Alice WHITE (daughter of Henry WHITE)
WITNESSES Roger DUMBERFIELD; William ABRAHAM; William HARVY
EXECUTOR William SHEARRA (cousin)

Repository: The National Archives, Kew - Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers.
Name of Register: Twisse Quire Numbers: 102 - 148.
Will of William Norman, Clothier of Cerne Abbas, Dorset.
Reference: PROB 11/197/520

  • Last modified: 2024-01-09 21:55:03
  • by Ken Norman