Research Log - 400 Years Ago

1617


March

2 - Margerie Skynner of Braintree, Essex England wrote her will:

To my daughter Margerie five pounds (and other goods) and to her son John Gill a bullock.  To my son William Skynner five pounds.  

To my son John Skynner twenty pounds.  

To my daughter Rachell five pounds.  I do give and bequeath further to my daughter Rachell three pewter platters of the greater sort and three of the best cushions in the great chamber and my warming pan.  

To Sara Taylcoat a flock bed and a flock bolster, a coverlet and a pair of blankets (and other effects). To Rachell Taylcoate a little kettle of a gallon, a brass pot, a posnet (&c.).  

And I will that the pewter which I had of my son in law
John Taylecoat I will the same to Sara and Rachell to be equally parted and divided between them; and I give more to Sara my kneading trough. 

If my son John Skynner's son do die before he be of age to receive his gift which my husband gave him, which is a silver bowl and two silver spoons; then I give the same to my son John.  

To my son John Skynner's wife two silver spoons.  The residue of my pewter I will shall be equally parted and divided between my daughter Ann her two daughters sh had by my son in law Moses Wall, my son Richard's wife and my son John his wife, be even portions, and I give more to my son John his wife a kettle next the biggest.  

And I give to my son Richard twenty pounds and the residue of my household stuff unbequeathed. 

I give more to my daughter Anne a two and twenty shillings piece in gold and to her husband Moyses Wall a two and twenty shillings piece in gold.  

I make my son Richard sole executor.  

I give to Mr. Collen ten shillings to preach at my funeral.  

To the poor of Braintree six shillings eight pence.  

I nominate and appoint my son John Skynner overseer.  Christopher Taylor scr. a witness.

16 - Thomas Scudder son of John & Elizabeth (Stoughton) Scudder baptized at Strood, Kent, England

31 - Thomas Scudder son of John & Elizabeth (Stoughton) Scudder buried at Strood, Kent, England, probably less than three months old. 

31 - Stephen Tilden son of Nathaniel & Lydia (Huckstep) Tilden baptized at St. Mildred's Church in Tenterden, Kent, England

April

30 - Anne Lathrop daughter of Rev. John & Hannah (House) Lathrop buried in England.  She was about one year old. 

May

16 - John Stacey buried in Bocking, Essex, England probably in or near the Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin. 

Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin stands at the S.W. end of Church Street. The walls are of flint rubble with dressings of limestone and clunch; the roofs are covered with lead. The E. wall of the Chancel is of c. 1340, and the South Aisle may be partly of the 14th century. The West Tower was built or rebuilt early in the 15th century, and c. 1450 the N. and S. arcades of the Nave were rebuilt, the North Aisle was built on the site of a former aisle, and the S. aisle either raised or rebuilt; late in the 15th century the N. and S. walls of the chancel, with the clearstorey, and the chancel-arch were rebuilt, and the North Vestry, North and South Chapels and South Porch were added; at the same time the clearstorey of the nave was built, and the bell-chamber added to the tower. The church was extensively restored in the 19th century.

The roofs, especially the early 16th-century roofs of the nave and aisles, are of interest, and among the fittings the 13th-century ironwork of the S. door is noteworthy.

Architectural Description—The Chancel (33 ft. by 20 ft.) has an E. window, entirely modern, except part of the moulded label, the moulded two-centred rear arch and the moulded and shafted internal splays with moulded bases and capitals, which are all of the 14th century. In the N. wall is a doorway with chamfered jambs and two-centred arch, probably of the 15th century, but almost entirely restored. Further W. is a late 15th-century arcade of two bays with four-centred arches of two moulded orders; the column and responds are moulded, and have attached semi-octagonal shafts with moulded plinths and capitals, which support the inner order of the arches. In the S. wall is a modern window, and further W. is an arcade of two bays, uniform with that in the N. wall. The clearstorey has, in the N. wall, three windows, and in the S. wall two windows, all of late 15th-century date, much restored; they are each of two cinquefoiled lights under a four-centred head. The late 15th-century chancel-arch is moulded and four-centred, and has a moulded label on the W. side; the inner order springs from moulded corbels carved with angels holding shields; the heads of the angels are missing; the responds are formed by the adjoining responds of the chancel and nave-arcades, but are almost entirely modern.

The North Vestry is of late 15th-century date, and has, in the E. wall, a window of two cinquefoiled lights with tracery in a segmental-pointed head, which has a moulded label. In the N. wall, high up, is a small window of one light with moulded jambs and two-centred head.

The North Chapel (24 ft. by 13½ ft.) has, in the N. wall, two windows, both modern, except the moulded internal splays and rear arch of the western window, which are of the 14th century, re-set. Below the western window and cutting into it, is a doorway with moulded jambs, two-centred arch and label, possibly of the 16th century, but restored with cement. In the W. wall is a late 15th-century arch; it is moulded and four-centred and springs from moulded angel-corbels, now defaced.

The South Chapel (24 ft. by 13 ft.) has, in the E. wall, a window of three lights, entirely modern, except the moulded jambs and label which are of the 14th century, re-set; the jambs have been restored; internally the window is hidden by the organ. In the S. wall are two windows, each of three lights; the eastern window is modern, except the late 15th-century jambs; the western window is also modern, except the late 15th-century internal jambs and rear arch, which are moulded. Below the western window and cutting into it is a 15th-century doorway, much restored; the jambs and two-centred arch are moulded. In the W. wall is an arch uniform with that in the W. wall of the N. chapel.

The Nave (64½ ft. by 20½ ft.) has N. and S. arcades of c. 1450, and each of four bays; the arches are two-centred and moulded and have, in the nave, moulded labels with defaced angel-stops; the columns have each four circular attached shafts divided by hollow chamfers and with moulded capitals and bases; the responds have attached half-columns, but the S.W. respond has been cut into by the buttresses of the tower. In the S.W. angle, opening into the stair-turret of the tower, is a 15th-century doorway with moulded jambs and two-centred head. The late 15th-century clearstorey has four N. and four S. windows, all much restored, and each of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery in a segmental head; at the level of the internal sills is an embattled string-course continued across the E. wall at a higher level.

The North Aisle (13½ ft. wide) has, in the N. wall, three windows of c. 1450, all much restored, and each of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery in a two-centred head under a moulded label. Between the two western windows is the 14th-century N. doorway with moulded jambs and two-centred arch, re-set, and almost entirely modern outside; the hollow-chamfered rear arch has a moulded label. At the E. end of the wall is the semi-octagonal stair-turret of the former rood-loft; the lower doorway is apparently modern; the upper doorway is of late 15th-century date, and has moulded jambs and four-centred arch; the turret is lighted by a square quatrefoiled window of the 15th century, and by three square windows with moulded brick jambs and heads of the 16th century. In the W. wall is a 15th-century window, much restored; it is of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery under a segmental head, which has a moulded label.

The South Aisle (13 ft. wide) has, in the S. wall, three windows of the same date and detail as those in the N. wall of the N. aisle, all much restored; the label of the second window has stops carved respectively with a flower, the water-bouget and the knot of Bourchier, and the molet of Vere. Between the two western windows is the S. doorway, externally modern, but the moulded segmental rear arch and internal label with foliated stops are of the 14th century. In the W. wall is a 15th-century window, much restored, and of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery in a two-centred head; in the wall above it are traces of the rake of the former roof.

The West Tower (12½ ft. by 16 ft.) is of four stages, with a moulded and traceried plinth and a S.E. stair-turret carried up above the embattled parapet; the other angles have crocketted pinnacles; the two lower stages are of early 15th-century date, and the two upper stages of late 15th-century date. The two-centred tower-arch is richly moulded; the mouldings are continued down the responds, and the inner member forms a shaft which has a moulded capital and base, the base now defaced; on the E. side is a moulded label, and above the arch is the weathering of the former roof of the nave. The W. doorway has been partly restored, and has richly moulded jambs and two-centred arch under a square head; the traceried spandrels have plain shields and the moulded label rests on small attached shafts with moulded capitals; the internal splays and rear arch are moulded. The W. window is of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery in a two-centred head which has a moulded label with head-stops: the reveals are moulded and the moulded external sill is embattled. The internal angles have each a group of vertical mouldings, and a vaulting shaft with the springers of a vault which was probably never completed; above the level of the springers in each wall is a moulded recess with a two-centred head forming the wall-rib of the vault. The third stage has, in the N. wall, a small window of one trefoiled light with sunk spandrels and a moulded label; in the W. wall is a window of one cinquefoiled light with a square moulded label. The late 15th-century bell-chamber has, in each wall, a window of two trefoiled lights under a four-centred head with a moulded label.

The South Porch has a modern outer entrance. The E. and W. walls have each two 15th-century windows, of two cinquefoiled lights and tracery in a two-centred head which has a moulded label; all the windows have been externally restored with cement.

The Roofs are all of flat pitch; that of the chancel is of late 15th-century date and of three bays with moulded timbers; the principals have curved braces which form four-centred arches and rest on moulded wooden corbels; at the main intersections are carved foliated bosses, and in the middle of the easternmost principal is a carved angel holding a mitre. The late 15th-century roof of the N. chapel has moulded timbers; the principals have curved brackets, and at the main intersections are foliated bosses; in the middle of the E. principal I.H.C. is carved. The late 15th-century roof of the S. chapel is similar to that of the N. chapel. The early 16th-century roof of the nave is of four bays, and has moulded main timbers enriched with running foliage; the wall-pieces rest on small stone shafts rising from the string-course under the clearstorey; the tie-beams have curved braces with carved foliated spandrels and the following shields:— (a) a mitre; (b) See of Canterbury; (c) Bourchier knot; (d) a dragon; (e) three nails pilewise; (f) Vere molet; at the principal intersections are bosses carved with foliage, a man with a shield and club standing on a beast, and a shield— a cross wavy between two rings in the chief and two harps (?) in the foot. The early 16th-century roof of the N. aisle has moulded timbers; the main timbers are carved with running foliage; at the main intersections are bosses carved respectively with a shield charged with a defaced cross, a man's head in a wreath, a grotesque face in a wreath, an angel with a shield charged with a crown, etc.; the wall-pieces stand on moulded stone corbels, and the curved braces of the principals have spandrels richly carved with foliage, a beast, and two shields, one charged with a mitre, and the other with a molet. The early 16th-century roof of the S. aisle is similar to that of the N. aisle; the bosses are carved with an angel holding a wreath and heart, a leopard's head, a molet and a man's head all in wreaths, a mitre and shields charged with (a) six trefoils with two molets in the chief and (b) a cross.

Fittings—Bells: eight and clock-bell; 3rd and 4th by John Darbie, 1682; 5th by John Darbie, 1685; 6th by James Bartlett, 1682; clock-bell said to be by John Tonne, 16th-century, with black-letter inscription. Brasses and Indents. Brasses: In chancel—(1) to [Richard Colebrand, Dean and Rector of Bocking], 1674, Latin inscription; (2) of Oswald Fitch, 1612, laid down 1613, figure in long cloak and ruff, with inscription. In S. chapel—partly covered by organ, (3) of [John Doreward, 1420,] and [Isabel] his wife, man in plate armour and woman in high-waisted dress and horned head-dress, indent of double canopy, and inscription. Indent: In N. chapel—of four figures, four shields and two inscription plates, probably 16th-century. Chairs: In chancel— two, of oak, elaborately carved, upholstered seat and back, late 17th-century. 

Chest: In W. tower—of oak, hutch-type, with shaped brackets in front, 17th-century. 

Communion Table: In N. chapel—with turned legs, carved upper rail, and brackets, early 17th-century. 

Doors: In S. doorway—of two folds, each with three hinges of elaborate scrolled and foliated iron-work, covering the whole surface, c. 1260, woodwork restored (see Plate, p. 32). In doorway of stair-turret of tower—of plain battens, date uncertain. Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In chancel—on N. wall, (1) to John Stocker Jekyll, 1598, and Mary his wife, 1617, Thomas Jekyll their son, and Elizabeth his wife, both died 1657, erected by Nicholas, son of Thomas Jekyll, black marble tablet in frame with shield of arms. In N. chapel—on N. wall, (2) of Grisell (Eden) wife of Adrian Moore, 1624, alabaster marble and stone tablet, kneeling figure of lady in ruff, in an arched recess, with Ionic column on each side and pediment at the top, one lozenge and two shields of arms. In churchyard— in angle between chancel and S. chapel, (3) to Judith, 1691, Elizabeth, 1691, John, 1693, Joseph, 1698, Rebecca, 1704, Mary, 1707, John, 1718, children of John Maysent, also to Judith his wife, 1705, slab set in ground, enclosed by ornamental iron railing, early 18th-century; S. of S. chapel, (4) to Mary . . . wife of Samuel Crakanthorp, 1709, also to other members of the family, slab with defaced inscription; (5) similar slab, inscription defaced. S. of S. aisle—(6) to James Swift, 1713, and Mary his wife, 1720, James and Thomas their sons, 1713 and 1720. Floor-slab: In chancel—to John Aylett, 1707, and Mary his wife, 1730. Niches: On tower —in angles of W. buttresses, two, with moulded brackets supported on carved heads, having cinquefoiled and sub-cusped canopies with crockets, finials and vaulted soffits, 15th-century. On S. porch—flanking outer entrance, two, with moulded jambs and cinquefoiled heads, 15th-century. Panelling: In N. vestry—forming dado, the four upper panels carved with strap-work, early 17th-century. 

Piscina: [stone basin] In chancel—with trefoiled head, 15th-century, sill modern. In S. aisle—with moulded jambs and cinquefoiled ogee head, 14th-century, patched with plaster, sill modern. Plate: includes large stand-paten and plate of 1698; large flagon and stand-paten of 1700. 

Table: In N. vestry—with twisted legs and lower rails, moulded upper rails with shaped brackets, late 17th or early 18th-century. 

Miscellanea: In N. aisle—architectural fragments, including cushion-capital and base of shaft, 12th and 14th-century. Built into E. wall of nave—above chancel-arch, two carved heads, 14th-century, one defaced. On column of N. arcade of chancel, and on stonework in second stage of tower—scratched inscriptions, 16th and 17th-century. In chancel—on N. wall, funeral morion, late 16th-century.

The Churchyard has, on the S. and W. sides, a 16th-century wall built of flint rubble, patched with 17th-century brick; it is embattled and has moulded stone copings; near the N.W. end are traces of an opening. The N. wall is of 17th-century brick on a base of flint rubble.

21 - Joseph Peck age 30 married Rebecca Clark in Hingham, England

27 - Robert White wrote his will in Messing, Essex, England: 

In the name of God Amen.  May the seven and twentieth in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord James by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland defender of the faith, etc., and of Scotland the fiftieth.  In the year of our Lord God 1617 I Robert White of Messing in the county of Essex yeoman, being of good and perfect remembrance, do make this my last will and testament, in manner and form following:

Imprimis:  I commend my soul unto the hands of God Almighty my most faithful creator redeemer and sanctifier and my body to be buried in the parish church or churchyard of Messing, at the discretion of mine executors.

Item I give and bequeath unto the poor people of Messing forty shillings of lawful money of England, to be distributed amongst them at the discretion of my executors and the minister of Messing, within one month next after my debture from this natural life.

Item I give and bequeath unto Mr. Richard Rogers preacher of God's word at Withersfield in Essex aforesaid; and to Bartholomew Scrivener Minister of the church of God in Messing aforenamed to each of them the several sum of forty shillings of like lawful money to be paid unto them within two months after my departure.

Item I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Sarah, the wife of James Bowtell of little Salinge, the sum of fifteen pounds of lawful money of England, to be paid within four years next after my departure.

Item I give and bequeath unto JEames Bowtell the younger, son of my said daughter Sarah Bowtell, the sum of five pounds of good and lawful money of England, to be paid unto him when he shall come to the sixteenth year of his age.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter marie the wife of Joseph Loomis of Braintree one pewter platter.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth the wife of William Gooding of Bocking the sum of forty marks of like lawful money within one year next after my departure, to paid unto her.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Bridgett White the sum of one hundred marks of like lawful money to be paid unto her upon the day of her marriage, provided that she my said daughter Bridgett shall not bestow herself in marriage, provided that she my said daughter Bridgett shall not bestow herself in marriage without the approbation and consent of my two sons-in-law Joseph Loomis and William Gooding formerly mentioned, and my wife Bridgett White or the consent of two of them whereof my wife to be one of the twaine.  But if it happen that she marry without the consent aforesaid then I give her only the sum of thirty pounds of like lawful money.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anna White the sum of one hundred marks of like lawful money:  to be paid unto her upon the day of her marriage; if so be she shall bestow herself in marriage, according to the liking and consent of my two forenamed sons-in-law, and my wife, as is aforesaid.  But if it so fall out, as that she my said daughter Anna shall marry without the consent and approbation formerly mentioned then I give and bequeath her only the sum of thirty pound of like and lawful money.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son Nathaniel White the sum of forty pounds of like lawful money, whereof my will is that twenty pounds shall be paid within one year [p. 104] next after my departure, and the other twenty pounds to be paid unto him within two years next after my said departure out of this natural life.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son John White the sum of two hundred pounds of like lawful money to be paid to him when he shall come to the year of one and twenty of his age; yet provided that my said son John shall not bestow himself in marriage without the approbation and consent of my aforesaid two sons-in-law Joseph Loomis and William Gooding, and my wife his  mother.  And if it so fall out that this my son John shall match himself contrary to the good liking and consent aforesaid, then I give and bequeath unto him only as his full portion the sum of one hundred pounds of like lawful money.

Item my mind and will is that if any of my foresaid children that are unmarried shall depte this natural life before the times appointed for the payment of their portions; or if any of them shall marry contrary to the consent and approbation mentioned, then such sum or sums of money (as shall remain and accrue, either by their death or disobedience) shall be equally divided amongst the rest of my children whither married or unmarried part and part like.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son John White the joined standing bedstead which is in the parlour, with the featherbed, flockbed, bolster covering with other furniture thereunto belonging, also the press cupboard the cupboard table and newest chest, all which are in said ploure to be delivered him after the death of my wife Bridgett White, or instead thereof the sum of twenty marks of like lawful money.

Item I constitute and ordain my aforesaid sons-in-law Joseph Loomis, William Gooding supulsors of this my last will and testament and do give unto each of them the several sum of forty shillings of like lawful money:  towards their charge and pains in seeing this my will executed according to my mind.

Item I give and bequeath unto Ralph Bett the younger my kinsman and servant the sum of five pounds of like lawful money to be paid unto him within one year next after my departure.

Item I give and bequeath unto Joseph Digbie my servant, twenty shillings of like lawful money to be paid with one year next after my departure.

Item all the rest of my goods unbequeathed I give and bequeath unto my wife Bridgett White, and to my son Daniel White whom I constitute and ordain the joint executors of this my last will and testament, hoping they will faithfully execute this my last will according to the trust reposed in them.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first mentioned, Robert White.

In presence of us John Christmas the elder mark

William Levett

Probatu fuit Testamentu apud Kelvedon vicesimo Die Mensis Junii 1617

June

6 - Thomas Tilden age 73 buried in Wye Parish, Kent, England

17 - Robert White buried in Messing, Essex, England

20 - Thomas Tilden's estate probated in the Consistory Court of Canterbury in England

July

6 - John Lake son of John & Margaret (Reade) baptized in Wickford, Essex, England

September

5 - Ann Perkins daughter of John & Judith (Gater) Perkins baptized in England

23 - Thomas Tylden's will was contested.  The widow Alice Tilden and sons Nathaniel Tilden of Tenterden; Hopestill Tilden of Sandwich; and Thomas & Freegift Tilden of Wye, bringing suit against the executor Joseph Tilden (doubtless because the testator left to son Thomas but five pounds, while the other sons received generous portions of land).  [It took six months but in March 1618 the will was confirmed and Thomas was judged to have been sane at the time the will was made.]

December

26 - Sarah Hobart daughter of Edmond & Margaret (Dewey) Hobart baptized in Hingham, Norfolk, England

Sometime during the year:

John Bradford son of William & Dorothy (May) Bradford born in Leiden, Holland

William Thorne was born no later than 1617, presumably in England, immigrant ancestor of Thorne family, he was in Massachusetts in 1638 and died in Jamaica, Queens, New York ca .1660. 

Elizabeth Loomis daughter of Joseph & Mary (White) Loomis born in England

Elizabeth Goodwin daughter of William & Elizabeth (White) Loomis born in Essex, England