(The original is in the Manuscripts and Records Dept. Of the National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth and the following 'translation' was kindly made by the Salop County Records Office from a photostat copy of the original).
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. The 15nth day of March in the year of the LORD one thousand five hundred and seventy six. In the year of the reign of our Lady Queen Elizabeth, by the grace of GOD, of England, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc., the eighteenth. I John ap Owen alias Derwas (sic) of Penrin Veghan in the countie of Montgomery, gent, beinge of whole mynd and in good and perfect rememberance, laud and prayse be unto allmightie GOD, do make and ordayne this my laste will and testamente in manner and forme ffolowinge.
Ffirst I bequeath my soule unto Jesus Christe my redeemer, and saviour of all them that faythfully beleave and put their truste in hym, and my bodie to be buried within the parish church of Llandrynio, nere unto the place wher my parents (whose soules GOD pardon) do lye.
Item, I geve and bequeath unto the poore mens boxe ijs (11 shillings?)
Item, I geve and bequeath unto Elyne my wief, Owen ap John and Rowland John, two of my sonnes (my deabts beinge payd and my funerall expensses discharged) the moytie and one halfe of all my goods and chattells moveable and unmoveable of what kind so ever they be, to be equallie and porcionablie devided into thre parts amongste them the sayde Elin, Owen and Rowlande.
Item, I geve and bequeath unto Hugh ap John alias Derwas, one other of my sonnes, the other moytie and one half of all and singular my goods and chattells moveable and unmoveable of what kind so ever they be.
Item, I will that where I the sayd John ap Owen have heretofor by diverse and soundry writings and conveighaunces, conveighed and assyred all my lands and tenements unto Richard ap John alias Derwas, and to Owen ap John, my sonnes, as by several writings shall and may appeare more at large, my meaninge and the true extente of this my laste will and testamente ys that the sayd Owen my sonne and his heyres shall paye yearlie forever ijs, beinge part of the rent due unto the chief lorde of the soyle oute and for the land and tenements to the sayd Owen assured, and that the sayd Richard Derwas and his heyres for ever shall paye and be charged within the reste and residue of all the rents due to the chief lords of the soyle for the rest of my said lands.
Item, I do ordayne, constitute and make the sayd Hugh ap John alias Derwas, and Owen, my sonnes, executores of this my last will and testamente.
Item, I do appoynt Roberte Williams and David ap Griffith ap Mathew, my overseers, to see this my last will and testamente truly performed.
In witnesse whearof I, the sayd John ap Owen alias Derwas, to this my laste will and testamente have put my seale, given the day and yeare above written, these being Wittnesses; Hugh Humfries, David ap Griffith ap Mathew, Roberte Williams and Henry Williams with others.
The will of John ap Owen alias Derwas, deceased, was proved at Llanelwey, the fourteenth of November in the year of the Lord 1577, before Master E. Price, Doctor of Laws, Vicar General, etc., (Diocese of St Asaph ?) and administration of the goods etc., was committed to Hugh ap John alias Derwas the natural and legitimate son of the deceased, one of his executors named in this will, to well etc., by right etc., by inventory before the Feast of the Purification.
Documents re Lawsuit between Richard Derwas, son of John ap Owen, and his Stepmother Elen and her son Owen.
Montgomery Collections, Vol. 49; Page 28.
1. 15th April 1578. The award of Thomas Williams, Esq., of Winnington, Co. Salop, and of Thomas Tannatt Esq., Co Salop, settling matters in controversy between RICHARD DERWAS of Penrhyn Vechan, Co. Mont. Gent, OWEN DERWAS of aforesaid Penrhyn Vechan, Gent (his half brother), and Elin, widow of JOHN DERWAS of Penrhos, (Owen's mother).
First - the parties shall be lovers and friends with the others and so continue.
Item :- the said Owen Derwas, his heirs and assigns, shall hold all that messuage, etc., wherein the said Owen and Elin now live, called Tydden Yn Yr Hendre, all buildings etc., and parcels of land according to the intent of an Indeture of Uses dated 8th Nov. 1573, by the said John Derwas, alias John ap Owen, and Elen his wife, to one Edward ap David, and Gruffydd ap Hugh ap Madoc as feoffes of trust, without let or hinderance etc., by the said Richard Derwas and his assigns.
Item :- that the said R. Derwas and his assigns shall assure and warrant the aforesaid premises to the said O. Derwas and his assigns, be it by fine, feoffment, deed or deeds indented and enrolled, or by Surrender in Open Court where the premises do lie.
Item :- that the said O. Derwas, by way of obtaining the good-will and friendship of his brother, Richard Derwas, shall pay to him the sum of £20 on the Nativity of St John the Baptist, 1579, on the fontstone within the Parish Church of Llandryneo between the hours of 8am. and 11am.
BOND. (£100) 26th Feb. 1578. From Owen Derwas of Penrhyn Vechan, Co. Mont., Elen, daughter of Lewes Lloyd, relict of John Derwas, deceased, Robert Lloyd of Trewylan, Co. Mont. to Richard Derwas of Penrhyn Vechan, Co. Mont. for the due observance of the Award of Thos. Williams and Thos. Tannatt, concerning matters in controversy between the said parties. Wittnesses :- John Penryn, clerk; Hugh ap Humphrey; John Davys; Wm. Cadwallador; Gruff. ap Thomas ap Mores; Gruff. ap John ap Llen ap Madoc; Wm. ap Llen ap Rynald.