According to Threlfall’s GMC50410, Richard Scott “of Boxsted, county Suffolk, England, was probably born about 1476, presumably at Glemsford, where his father was living when he died in 1498. Since his father named him executor of his will, he was probably of age, but certainly not far from it. Richard inherited lands in Glemsford, Boxsted, Cavendish, Somerton and Hawkendon, all parishes near Glemsford. He apparently settled on the Boxsted property, for Boxsted was his residence when he made his will, in which he bequeathed his house and lands in Boxsted and Somerton. Richard died probably in April, 1560. There is no burial record for him in the Boxsted parish register, nor in Glemsford. There was another Richard Scott living in Boxsted at this time. He and his wife, Agnes, were buried there on 12 June 1561. This other Richard Scott was probably quite a bit younger and perhaps a cousin. [An abstract of Richard Scott’s will appears here.]

“In his will, there are some errors or contradictions which are explained only with difficulty. He named his grandchildren Joan and Dorothy Scott. These were the youngest children, twins, of his son Richard. Of all the Scotts in the area, this was the only Dorothy on record, so there can be little doubt that these twins were the ones he was naming. [p. 110] However, Joan died at age 4 months, just a year before the date on his will. Was he unaware of the death of this grandchild? Perhaps he was old and forgetful, and no one had the heart to tell him? Also, he bequeathed to his son William, who had died four months before the date of his will. Was he unaware that his son was gone? Probably the will had been roughed out between February and May 1558, after the birth of the twins and before Joan died and while his son William was still living. Then, just before he died, it was completed and witnessed, no attempt having been made to modify it accordingly. It must be borne in mind that he was probably illiterate, and those helping in the matter knew little about his family. There were two other William Scotts living nearby; first cousins to his son William. Could there be confusion between them? This seems unlikely, for his son William in his will dated 16 January 1558/9 named his brother Richard to be executor. The two cousins had no brother Richard, hence the testator, William, was Richard’s son. Also witnessing the will was brother Richard’s son, Richard. Indeed, this brother Richard had a son, Richard, which further helps to identify the relationships. This son Richard, however, had to have been a minor. At that time, minors did now and then witness documents. Thus, these puzzling things seem to cast a shadow of doubt. Yet, no other relationship can be deduced.”