Notebook - Dad's Families No. 3, Part I

This notebook is so full, I've decided to present it in a couple parts.

Harris, Wanda. Backtracking Bruners, Wanda Harris, 1993.

Nola June Hood - My sister
The third child of Goldie C. Bruner and Noel J. Hood, born 12 September 1939, Nola married Donald Gene Austin, son of Donald W. Austin and Lova Lathrop on 20 November 1955 in Wayne County, Illinois.  Nola and Gene have made their home in Morton, Illinois, where Gene worked until his retirement at Caterpillar.


Their children are:
Vernon Lee Austin
Daryl Gene Austin
Kevin Wayne Austin

Vernon Lee Austin - Son of Nola June Hood
The first son of Nola June Hood and Donald G. Austin.  He works as a baker and his church is Grace Mennonite.  Vernon married Marie Skaggs, daughter of James A. Skaggs and Dorothy E. Peters on 5 December 1981 in Deer Creek, Illinois.  Their children are:



Matthew Lee Austin
Amanda Marie Austin

Daryl Gene Austin - son of Nola June Hood
The second son of Nola June Hood and Donald G. Austin.  He works as a Xerox technician and his church is Oak Grove Bible Church.  He married Gina Marie Stephenson on 22 October 1988 in Tazewell County, Illinois.  She is the daughter of Gordon Stephenson and Bertha Smith of England.  They have no children yet, but are expecting twins!*

*The twins are here!  Nathan James weighed 5 pounds, 5 ounces and Rachel Anne weighed 4 pounds, 15 ounces.

Kevin Wayne Austin - Son of Nola June Hood
The third son of Nola June Hood and Donald G. Austin.  Kevin is attending college on a full time basis and working.  He is not married yet.

The following story was put in this book for my brother-in-law, Gene Austin and his boys.

I also believe (can't prove) through my research that some of the young men Mr. Lathrop speaks of are our Bruner young men.

It tells of how living was back then. But it tells of the area in which I was born and grew up "Scrub Hill."  Many times as a young girl, I walked up that old hill on a hot, dusty day with a cousin of Gene Austin, Marilyn (Shelton) Downey to visit with their grandpa, Mr. Lathrop, and to hear him sing us a song.  The one I remember most was "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown."

This story was given to me by a daughter-in-law of Mr. Lathrop, Mildred Lathrop, several years ago when she learned I was doing a family tree.  It was in the Wayne County Press, Fairfield, Illinois, 1957. [should read Wayne County Record, 1958]

Listen to the Story of Joel Lathrop, Wayne City by John F. Temple

If you really wanted to know what life was like in Southern Illinois nearly 100 years ago you couldn't have done better than ask old Joel Lathrop, who died January 13 in Fairfield Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Lathrop was 98, was born in Lawrence County near Sumner on August 1, 1959, and lived most of his life near Wayne City.

Of course, there wasn't much of a town there when young Mr. Lathrop moved into the area in 1881.  The big town outside Fairfield was Middleton near Scrub Hill which was southwest of Wayne City.

Scrub Hill was - and is - about the highest spot in the vicinity and in those days, it had an old log school and a log church, both of which have long since disappeared.

The people used to come for miles around to vote at the school, Mr. Lathrop recalled.  They'd come in wagons and the routes they took through the woods and fields radiated out from the school like spokes of a wheel and some are visible today.

Mr. Lathrop was a farmer from his boyhood days and loved the life.  He was the father of 11 children all living at the time of his death, and the other evening, just before closing time, Albert Lathrop, one of the sons, dropped in at The Record office and we talked about his father and the life that our Wayne County people lived in those days.

It was a good life, too, with time for friendliness and neighborly help and some of that same friendliness and helpfulness remains today to make this county a most desirable and happy place in which to live.

But let's start at the beginning, in Lawrence County.

Joel was only six when the Civil War ended and his father and two brothers came marching and singing home.  [Joel's father Levi did not participate in the Civil War, he may have been a member of the home guard in Lawrence Co.; the brothers were Thomas and Ezra]

Yes, singing.  It was the custom in that area, and may have been in others for all Joel knew, for returning soldiers to come swinging down the country roads to home, singing to let the folks know they were on the way.

"Naturally, there were no phones in the those days," Albert Lathrop pointed out.  "The singing spread the news from house to house along the countryside."

"My father insists he remembers clearly the return of his brothers; one, one night, the other, the following night."

Joel himself as he grew older must have been more than ordinarily adventuresome.

When he was 18, he and three other boys went west for the summer.  They didn't go to stay.  They were, you might well say, tourists.

They traveled by wagon through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.  This was in 1877, in the day s when Wayne County's Bat Masterson was making a reputation for himself as Dodge City deputy, Ford County sheriff, gambler, prankster and buffalo hunter.

That was the year, also, that Wyatt Earp returned to Dodge and continued building his reputation as a gun fighter and deacon in Rev. Wright's Union church.

Albert Lathrop didn't know whether his adventuresome father hit rip-roaring Dodge City on that summer trip, but he may well have done so.

They saw plenty of Indians but the wars had gone against them and they kept their heads down as they and their wives and children moved silently away from the young Illinois travelers.

There was no shortage of food.  Joel, using a muzzle-loading shotgun, kept the group well supplied with game, and they slept under the stars or under the wagon, depending on the weather.

Oh, they had a fine time.  But Joel liked Illinois better and returned to spend his life here.

In 1881, he moved to the Scrub Hill vicinity.  He already had a couple of brothers near what is now Oak Grove School and he came to see them several times, usually in a wagon but once in a buggy. That was the fastest.  It required only two days and one night. [approximately 70 miles]

Young Joel remembered that 1881 was one of the driest years in Illinois' history.  Few crops were raised.  The Southern Railroad was abuilding and, Joel said, that may have kept hundreds, even thousands, of people from starving.

The men worked on the railroad and rented their horses to help build the grades.

The Scrub Hill area was loaded with fine white oak timber and during this period, much of the land was cleared and the trees hewed into railroad ties.

There was hard work and there was fun. Election days were lively events. The men climbed aboard their wagons and clattered and creaked their way to Scrub Hill where a politician would give you your ballot and a bottle of whiskey if you wanted it.

Then he'd watch you vote and after you'd marked your ballot properly, you'd hand it in at a school window.  Very democratic.  No secrets.

For all the whisky handed out, Joel couldn't seem to recall any particular fights or disturbances.

But Joel Lathrop was a family man. He and his wife, who died in 1946, had not only 11 children but 28 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Of course, life was much different then.

There was a mill north of Wayne City on Skillet Fork where people for miles around went to get their grain ground.

Farmers lived almost entirely off the land.  They raised enough wheat to supply their flour needs, and enough corn to have ground into meal.

They all raised plenty of sorghum and a good farmer wouldn't think of starting the winter without at least two or three kegs of molasses. The Lathrops usually had one barrel and a couple of kegs.

"We used it not only for syrup but also for sugar," Albert Lathrop recalled.

"We didn't raise crops to sell.  We raised them to live on."

"Until maybe 15 years ago, my father would bury potatoes and apples and they'd last all winter."

"When the family was growing up, we'd bury two wagonloads of potatoes.  I'd help my father.  We'd put down a layer of straw cover this with potatoes, then another layer of straw, and finally about a foot or more of dirt.  Then we'd dig a trench around the whole thing to drain away the water."

"That was called banking or holing the potatoes.  Usually we had enough seed for planting in the spring."

"Then we'd always have plenty of pumpkins and squash and soup beans and plenty of meat."

"You didn't buy meat, of course.  It was home killed.  And we did a lot of hunting.  Rabbit, squirrel and quail were plentiful."

"Father and my older brother did most of the family hunting, using a double-barrelled muzzle-loading shotgun.  It was sport all right, but its main purpose was to supply the family with food."

In those days, the church and the school - they usually occupied the same building - were the center of the community life.

Any preacher could have the use of the school for church services just for the asking and long and loud were the sermons.

Joel Lathrop and his growing family lived a quarter-mile from the school and frequently they could hear a preacher roaring on his sermon, the sound rolling sweetly over the fields.

A preacher was judged in part by the loudness of his sermon and in part by its length.

Parties, particularly in the quiet winter months, were common.  They'd be held at the school or at someone's home, and usually, there was popcorn with melted sorghum poured over it, or taffy also made with sorghum.

Remember?

Ever since Albert could remember his father had tried to go to bed about 8 and be up about 4. In his later years, though, he went to bed a little earlier and got up a little later, perhaps around 5 a.m.

He attributed his long life to the regular hours he kept and to the fact that he neither drank nor smoked.

He was a man unafraid to do and say what he thought was right and he would tell his children:

"It's what you do an dhow you live that counts; not what you say."

He was a good checkers player, hard to beat.  His sons would sometimes slip an extra checker on the board - sometimes two or three - and he'd still beat them.

He was the kind of man who did much to help make Wayne County what it is today, and without such as he and his family, we newcomers wouldn't be so anxious to make this our home.  We owe such men a great debt.

For my sister and brother-in-law, Gene and Nola Austin and their boys, I list below the family of Joel Lathrop as I know it.

Joel Lathrop was born 1 August 1859, in Sumner, Lawrence County, Illinois. He died 13 January 1958 in Wayne County, Illinois and was buried in Farnsworth Cemetery, Wayne County, Illinois.  Joel was the son of Levi Lathrop and Louisa Draper.  Joel married Lula Dove [Louisa / Lou] who was born 8 July 1877 in Wayne County, Illinois, the daughter of William W. Dove and Nettie (Mary Jane) Hunt [Nancy Jane Hunt].  Lula (Dove) Lathrop died 15 March 1946 and is buried in Farnsworth Cemetery, too.

Their children and spouses, if known:

1. Lova Mae Lathrop born 1897, died December, 1963, and married Donnie W. Austin
2. Gertie E. Lathrop born ?, died ? and married someone whose last name was Shaw [Herbert Shaw]
3. Roscoe R. Lathrop
4. Rufus Lathrop
5. Tressie P. Lathrop
6. Albert Lathrop
7. Zelpha F. Lathrop, married Clyde Shelton
8. Forrest Lathrop, married Mildred Shelton
9. Bernard Lathrop, married Zella Merritt
10. Raymond Lathrop, never married
11. Ruby Shelton, married Howard Shelton

---

Roberts, Gary, ed. English Origins of New England Families from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, First Series in Three Volumes, Volume I, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1984.

The Will of John Tylden Senior of Crotehole in the parish of Benynden, 12 September 1463.  To be buried in the churchyard of St. George of Benynden.  To the high altar there 3s. 4d. To every light of the church 20d. To the church two candles or torches of the value of 13s 4d.  The residue of all goods, not bequeathed, to wife Johan and sons John, Robert, and Thomas Tylden, in equal portions.  My wife and sons John and Robert executors.  [Translated from Latin.]

I John Telden of Benynden the "elthyr," 14 September 3 Edward IV.  Out of all my lands and tenements being in the hands of John Heytherst, Witt Nynne, and Symon Tylden, my feofees, Jone my wife shall have 6 marks a year during her life. My feofees shall divide all my lands and tenements to my three sons evenly.  Each of my two daughters, shall have 20 marks at her marriage or age of twenty-five years.  If son Thomas die before he come to lawful age, etc. [No witness or probate.] (Archdeaconry of Canterbury, vol. I, fo. 19.)

The Will of Joane Telden, relict of John Telden late of Benyden, 15 June 1474. To be buried in the churchyard of Benynden.  To the high altar there 8d.  To  the church two torches. Eight loads of stone towards the making of a chapel to the blessed Mary.  To Elizabeth, daughter of John Telden. To my daughters Alice and Agnes at their marriage.  To son Thomas (not yet twenty) at his marriage the inner "gestyn" chamber.  To him certain live stock. The residue of all my goods to my sons John, Robert and Thomas.  I make John and Thomas executors, and Robert supervisor.  Proved 1 April 1476 by the executors named in the will.  (Archdeaconry of Canterbury, vol. 3, fo. 1.)

The Will of Robert Telden of Benynden, 25 July 1479.  To be buried in the churchyard of Benynden. To the high altar there 20d. To every godson 4d.  To the mending of the bad way between wodesend and peperbondesgate 3s 4d. The residue of all my goods and legacies to Alice my wife and John Telden my brother, whom I make executors.

My last will concerning my lands.  My feoffees of all my lands in Benynden and Cranbrok in the County of Kent are Thoe' Wat'man, Richard Evynden, Water Denman, John Stace, son of Thomas Stace, and John Nenne son of Robert Nenne.  To wife Alice during her widowhood my lands on the den of Crotehole, with reversion after her death or marriage to son John at the age of eighteen years. To son John, after my wife's decease or marriage, seven pieces of land called hersetgrove, Gretefeld, longfeld, Fyveacres, Griggismede, and the two pypesland.  Provision made for any furhter child born. To brother John Telden two pieces of land called yaldfeld and yaldfeldwoode, he to pay to my daughter Johane 12 marks at her marriage, and if she die before legal age and unmarried, reversion to any other daughter I may have, to whom I give 12 marks at marriage.  If son John or any other son I may have die before eighteen years without heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten, my garden and lands on the den of Crotehole, after the death of wife Alice, to my brothers John and Thomas, they paying to my daughters at marriage or the age of twenty-eight years, £20 each.  To brother John arrable land and wood called le knoll, knol wode, whithm, whithm wode, cul'towne, and culv'towne wode, containing twenty acres, in payment of £22 13s. 4d. which I owe to him; 16 marks which Thomas Hendle of Crnebrok owes me for land there he bought of m, in payment of 50 marks which I owe my said brother; and two pieces of land called Jociscrofte and Slystowne on the den of Telden, in payment of 6 marks which I owe him.  Proved 11 July 1480 by the executors named in the will.  (Archdeaconry of Canterbury, vol. 3, fo. 18.)

The Will of Rychard Tylden of Tenterden in the County of Kente, yeoman, 22 January 1565-6.  My body to be buried in the parish where I die. To the poor people of Tenterden.  To my wife Elizabeth half of my household stuff, and various articles, including barley due me from Wyllyam Gerrys, live stock, all wooden cloth not made into garments, an angel noble, a double ducat, and 20s.  The residue of my household stuff to my four daughters, Julyan, Agnes, Thomasen, and Mary Tylden, equally divided, and to each £30 at marriage or age of twenty years.  To servant John Milles £30 in satisfaction of an account  between him and me, and a cloak.  To son John Tylden four pairs of hose, two coats, one of marbyll and another of russet, two hats, two new leather jerkins, a dublet of chamblett, and my white dublet. To Thomas Tylden my son a coat to be had of Peter Peyers, my next best hat and a pair of hose. To Richard Adams of Benynden a coat dublet and a pair of hose of Winchester russet.  To Richard Peyris's widow.  To Thomas Berry. To George Pellond. To Henry Meryote, Mother Crotholl, and John Ilverd.  To my servant Richard Cheseman. To Rychard Peyers, son of Rychard Peyrs of Tenterden deceased, Myldred Pyers, and Thomas Berry son of Thomas Berry.  The residue of my moveable goods to son John Tylen, an  I make him and Walter Bygge of Tenterden, tailor, my executors; my son not to meddle in the execution of my testament until he come to the age of four and twenty years, except it fortune Walter Bygge to die.  If son John die before that age, son Thomas to have his legacy and take his place as executor.  If both sons die before said age, then to my daughters.  To Walter Bygge for his pains 20s.  Witnesses: Wyllyam Cocks, Clerk and curate of Tenterden, Robert Ashenden, Wyllyam Marden yonger, and Peter Pyerse.

This is my last will concerning all my lands in Tenterden and Benynden.  My wife Elizabeth to have during her widowhood the occupation of my parlor and buttery adjoining, two chambers over them, and the garret loft over, the buttery next the hall door, with use of bakehouse, brewhouse, malt house, the head of my barn called the te tan house, east garden, and water of the pits or ponds. Also I give her eight loads of wood and two hundred faggots.  My garden called new garden and five pieces of land and wood containing twenty acres at the back side of my messuage in Tenterden, and three other pieces called pigge holes, containing seventeen acres of land and wood, to my wife until my son John Tilden shall accomplish the age of four and twenty years, if she remain my widow so long, and not else.  Son John to have the said lands at the said age and pay to my wife £6 13s. 4d. a year during her life. I give to my wife toward the keeping of my children £6 to be paid out of my lands in Tenterden until my youngest child come to the age of twelve years, and if she die before that time, then Walter Bygg my executor to have the bringing up of  my children.  To Thomas Tilden my son all my lands and tenements in the parish of Benynden, when he shall accomplish the age of four and twenty years.  My executor to take the residue of all profits of my lands and tenements in Tenterden and Benynden until my son John come to his said age toward the performance of my will and paying my debts, and when son John accomplish the said age, then he to receive all the profits of the foresaid lands in Tenterden and Benynden before willed to Thomas Tilden until the said Thomas accomplish his said age, and then John to pay to Thomas £50.  My executors shall take down and sell the long houses along the street at my tenement in Benynden, and make a pale and gate for the passage into said tenement, and build a barn there at my house where it stood before thirty-six feet by twenty feet.  If either of my two sons die before the age of four and twenty years without lawful issue, the survivor shall pay to my daughters then living £20 apiece. If all my children die without lawful issue, then the said lands and tenements in Tenterden to John Mills and his heirs, and my lands and tenements in Benynden as follows: to my brother-in-law Thomas Glouer of Benynden two pieces of land called Barnfild and Oxenlease lying between a lane there and his house, and the residue of my lands and tenements in Benynden to the relief of the poor of Tenterden and Benynden, to be letten and the profits distributed by the church wardens. Witnesses: Wyllyam Cocks, Clerke, Curate of Tenterden, Robert Ashenden, William Mardin yonger, and Peter Pyers.  Proved 15 May 1566 by Walter Bygge, one of the executors named in the will, with power reserved to grant a like probate to John Tilden the other executor named, at the age limited in the will.  (Archdeaconry of Canterbury, vol. 39, fo. 169.)

Th Will of Thomas Tilden of the parish of Wye in the County of Kent, 14 March 1616-17.  To the poor of Wye 20s. £5 to be distributed among poor ministers.  I make my son Joseph Tilden my executor and give him all that debt due me from James Thetcher of Willingdon in the County of Sussex.  My wife Alyce shall have the use of all my household stuff and moveable goods during her life, with liberty to dispose of them to all or any of my children during her life and at her death to dispose of them that remain to such of my children as shall be living and not elsewhere.   To son Thomas Tylden £5.

My will concerning the disposition of all my lands, tenements and hereditaments in the Counties of Sussex and Kent or elsewhere within the Realm of England is as follows: "First my will & meaninge is that Nathaniell my sonne his heyres and Assignes shall for ever holde and enjoye on peece of fresh mershe land lyinge in the parish of East Guyldeford in the Countye of Sussex called by the name of Coweless contayneinge by estymation XXX acres accordinge to one deede of feafment thereof by me made ot hte use of the said Nathaniell  Itm I doe will giue and bequeath to the said Nathaniell my sonne & to his heyres forever one peice of fresh mersh land with the appurtenances called or knowne by the name of the Fyve acres lyinge & beinge in the aforesaid Parish of East Guyldeford together with a sufficient carrying way to carrye driue goe to & for him his heyres & Assignes through one peece of land called the vpper peece of the lesser Spanyards lyinge in Guyldfford aforesaid." To my sons Joseph and Hopestill Tilden their heirs and assigns forever the aforesaid piece of land called the upper piece of the lesser Spanyards containing twenty acres. To son Freegift Tylden and his heirs forever, if he live to the age of one and twenty years, a piece of fresh mersh land in East Guyldford containing fifteen acres known by the name of nether piece of the lesser Spanyards and abutting upon Cowe lees aforesaid toward the south, with right of way to said land through the land called upper piece of the lesser Spanyards bequeathed to son Nathaniel.  If Freegift die before the age of one and twenty years, reversion to sons Nathaniel and Hopestill and their heirs forever.  During the minority of Freegift £10 a year to be paid to wife Alice toward her jointure of £20 made by me to her during her life, the other £10 of the said £20 to be paid out of the lands bequeathed to sons Joseph and Hopestill. To son Freegift at the age of one and twenty  years my messuage with the barn and other buildings, orchard, garden and seven pieces of land containing seventeen acres now in the occupation of the widow Gylbert, lying the parish of Cranbrook upon the den of Omenden.  If he die before said age, reversion to my son Joseph and his heirs. Wife Alyce to receive the profits of all Freegift's land during his minority and use them to see him brought up to learning, and if she die, son Joseph to receive them for that purpose allowing to Freegift sufficient maintenance and yielding an account to him when he accomplishes his age of one and twenty years.  [Signed] Thomas Tilden.  Witnesses:  Suretonhie Nicholes, Robart Hall and Willyam Avsten.  Proved 20 June 1617 by Joseph Tilden, son and executor named in the will.  [The will was contested 23 September 1617, the widow Alice Tilden and sons Nathaniel Tilden of Tenterden, Hopestill Tilden of the town of Sandwich, and Thomas Tilden and Freegift Tilden of Wye bringing suit against the executor Joseph Tilden.*  27 March 1618 sentence was given for the confirmation of the will, the judgment being that the testator was sane at the time the will was made.]  (Consistory Court of Canterbury, original will, bundle for 1617.)

*Doubtless because the testator left to son Thomas but £5, while the other sons received generous portions of land.

Administration on the estate of John Tilden of Sandwich in the County of Kent was granted 16 February 1637-8 to Hopestill Tilden, father and creditor of the deceased, during the minority of Elizabeth, daughter of the deceased.  (P.C.C., Act Book, 1638, fo. 149.)  [29 May 1638 the former grant lapsed owing to the death of the said Elizabeth. (Ibid, fo. 179.)]

The Will of Hopestill Tilden, one of the jurats of the Town and Port of Sandwich in the County of Kent, 19 November 1661.  I give and bequeath unto and amongst the children sons and daughters of my brother Nathaniel Tilden late of Tenterden in the said County, gent., £100 to be equally divided between them, £50 within twelve months after my decease and £50 in two years.  To john Hughes, nephew of Deborah my now wife, £20. To my former servant John Iggleden 10s. to buy him a Bible.  To my cousin Samuel Tilden 20s., to his daughter Anne Tilden £10 at the age of two and twenty years, and to his daughter Elizabeth 20s. at that age.  To my two grandchildren Joseph Rumsey and Thomas Rumsey, sons of my daughter Sarah by Thomas Rumsey, 5s. apiece.  To wife Deborah the use and benefit of the household stuff, one of my best chambers during her life, and annuity of £20 to be paid out of the profits of my lands and tenements in Sandwich or elsewhere in the County of Kent.  If she stay not with my executors for three months after my death then she shall have £5.  to the poor people of Sandwich.  All the residue of my goods, chattels and personal estate, and my messuage, lands and tenements in Sandwich in the Isle of Thanet or elsewhere in England, I give to my grandchildren Robert Smith and John Smith, sons of my late daughter Sarah deceased, Robert to have three fourths and John one fourth, and I make them joint executors of this my will.  Witnesses: WIlliam Picard and John Verrier.  Proved 9 February 1661-2 by Robert Smith and John Smith, the executors named in the will.  (Archdeaconry of Canterbury, vol. 71, fo. 194.)

Tilden Entries in the Registers of St. Mildred's Church, Tenterden, 1544-1638

Baptisms
1554 Catherin daughter of Richard Tylden 30 September
1556 Mary daughter of Richard Tylden 8 June
1559 Alice daughter of Richard Tylden 6 April
1561 Marye daughter of Richard Tyldenne 15 May
1570 Anne daughter of John Tylden 5 November
1573 George son of John Tylden 28 February [1573-4]
1576 Elizabeth daughter of John Tylden 23 April
1578 Judith daughter of John Tilden 17 August
1579 Sara daughter of Thomas Tylden 30 August
1580 Samuel son of John Tylden 25 September
1581 Abigail daughter of Thomas Tylden 26 February [1581-2]
1582 John son of John Tylden 4 November
1583 "Nathaniell Tylden sonne of Thomas Tylden bapt ye 28th of July."
1584 Daniel son of John Tylden 16 December
1585 Joseph son of Thomas Tylden 28 November
1588 Hopestill son of Thomas Tylden 1 May
1590 Theophilus son of Thomas Tilden 11 October
1593 Thomas son of Thomas Tilden 1 May
1598 Elizabeth daughter of George Tylden 7 August
1600 Annah daughter of George Tylden 21 September
1602 George son of George Tylden 9 January [1602-3]
1604 Freeguift son of Thomas Tylden 29 May
1604 Samuel son of George Tylden 25 November
1608 Thomas son to Nathaniel Tylden 23 October
1610 Marie daughter to Nathaniell Tilden 20 May
1611 Josephe son of Nathaniel Tylden 12 January [1611-12]
1613 John son of Daniel Tilden 26 April
1613 Gyles son of Samuel Tilden 6 June
1613 Sarah daughter of Nathaniell Tilden 13 June
1614 John son of Samuel Tilden 1 January [1614-15]
1615 Suzann daughter of Robert Tylden 14 April
1615 Josephe son of Nathaniell Tylden 29 April
1616 Margaret daughter of Daniel Tylden 8 September
1616 Samuel son of Samuel Tilden 2 March [1616-17]
1616 John son of Robert Tilden 23 March [1616-17]
1617 Steven son of Nathaniell Tilden 31 march
1617 Thomas son of John Tilden 4 May
1617 Gregory son of Jonathan Tilden 28 July
1617 Thomas son of Samuel Tilden 8 February [1617-18]
1618 Pateence daughter of Daniel Tilden 14 June
1618 Samuel son of John Tilden 12 July
1618 Mildred daughter of Robert Tylden 26 December
1618 Thomas son of Nathaniell Tylden 19 January [1618-19]
1620 Robert son of Robert Tylden 14 May
1620 Marie daughter of Samuel Tylden 11 June
1620 Judith daughter of Nathaniell Tylden 22 October
1621 Edmond son of Robert Tilden 3 June
1622 Rebecca daughter of Samuel Tilden 14 July
1622 Winifrede daughter of Mr. Nathaniell Tilden "Maior" 20 October
1624 Lidia daughter of Mr. Nathaniell Tylden Jurat 30 May
1624 Jeremy son of Samuel Tilden's widow 10 October
1624 Sarah daughter of Robert Tilden 28 November
1625 Lydia daughter of Mr. Nathaniell Tylden Jurate 28 September
1627 Stephen son of Robert Tylden 7 October
1629 Stephen son of Nathaniell Tylden Jurat 11 October
1629 John son of Robert Tilden 14 March [1629-30]
1632 George son of George Tilden 2 September
1634 Anne daughter of George Tilden and Anne his wife 22 February [1634-5]
1638 Elizabeth daughter of George Tilden and Anne his wife 29 April
1638 John son of Mr. John Tilden and Sisley his wife 4 November

Marriages
1568 Thomas Fynche and Julia Tilden 21 June
1568 Peter Pierse and Agnes Tylden 14 February [1568-9]
1569 John Tylden and Patience Casslen 23 January [1569-70]
1576 Thomas Tilden and Alice Biggs 10 March [1576-7]
1587 William Hatche and Annah Tylden 26 July
1593 Thomas Tylden and Ellen Evnde 13 November [Ellen Evernden, widow, of Rolvinden in marriage license]
1594 Peter Finche and Elizabeth Tylden 24 July
1600 John Stanshame and Sarah Tylden 20 November
1606 Robte Sharpie and Elizabeth Tylden 1 July
1612 Samuel Tylden and Rebecca Gyles 28 May

Burials
1560 Alice daughter of Richard Tylden 30 September
1572 Rachell daughter of John Tylden 17 March [1572-3]
1582 Abigaile daughter of Thomas Tylden 5 August
1587 John Tylden Jurat had one or two children [2 children in B.T.] buried unbaptized 1 December
1593 Alice wife to Thomas Tylden 13 May
1604 George Tylden 4 January [1604-5]
1611 Joseph son to Nathaniel Tylden 15 March [1611-12]
1615 Mris Patience Tylden wife of Mr. John Tylden the elder Jurate 23 November
1616 Goane wife of Robert Tylden 21 March [1616-17]
1617 Thomas son of John Tilden 6 July
1617 John son of Robert Tilden 2 Augut
1618 Thomas son of Nathaniel Tylden 19 January [1618-19]
1619 Gyles son of Samuel Tilden 12 October
1619 Stephan son of Nathaniell Tilden 21 October
1620 Robert son of Robert Tylden 14 August
1623 Samuell Tilden buried 3 March [1623-4]
1624 Lidia daughter of Mr. Nathaniell Tilden Jurat 15 September
1625 Old Mr. John Tilden ye auncient Jurate 29 January [1625-6]
1627 Winefrith daughter of Mr. Naniel [sic] Tylden Jurat 14 September
1631 Marie daughter of Samuel Tylden deceased 10 June
1636 Anne wife of Mr. John Tilden 27 May

Tilden Entries in the Parish Registers of Biddenden, 1538-1638
1552 Robert Hames and Anne Tylden married 6 February [1552-3]
1619 Thomas Tilden and Mary Bate married by license 13 May

From the Bishop's Transcripts of Halden
1632 Fregifte Bourne and Rebecka Tilden married 10 April

Tilden Entries in the Bishop's Transcripts of Lenham
1612 Roberte Dunburye of Aylsfordes and Alis Tilden of this parish married 23 November
1616 James Tunbridge and Katherine Tylden married 19 February [1616-7]

Tilden Entries in the Bishop's Transcripts of Bennenden
1560 Roger Tilden and Jone Lucas married 30 September
1602 Roger Tylden householder who was relieved by the parish for the space of three years before his death buried 19 May
1617 Widow Tyllden poor buried 5 September
1630 Mary daughter of George Tilden bapt. 12 December

From the Bishop's Transcripts of Rolvenden
1632 John Crouch of Iden and Anne Tylden of Bennenden married 24 May

Tilden Entries in the Bishop's Transcripts of Harrietsham
1567 Susan daughter of Edward Tylden bapt. 19 February [1567-8]
1625 Thomas Tilden and Cattren Bland married 4 August
1626 Thomas son of Thomas Tilden bapt. 21 May
1628 Sarah daughter of Thomas Tilden bapt. 27 July
1628 Sarah daughter of Thomas Tilden bapt. 24 December
1631 George son of Thomas Tilden bapt. 4 March [1631-2]

Tilden Entries in the Bishop's Transcripts of Wye
1617 Mr. Thomas Tilden an aged man buried 6 June
1617 Samuel son of Thomas Tilden bapt. 5 February [1617-18]

From the foregoing wills and entries the following Tilden pedigree has been constructed:

John Tylden, Senior of Crotehole in the parish of Benynden, the testator of 1463, born probably about 1415, died probably shortly after making his will.  He married Johan, the testator of 1474, who died between 15 June 1474 and 1 Apr. 1476.  She may possibly have been a second wife and mother only of Agnes and Thomas.

Children:
i. John b. bef. 1445; living in 1480. (Was Elizabeth, daughter of John Telden, who is mentioned in Joane Telden's will, the daughter of this John?)
ii. Robert b. bef. 1445; see below.
iii. Thomas b. after 1454; m. Margaret ----; made his will in 1479, leaving to wife Margaret, sister Alice, brother John, and the son of brother Robert at 18 years and to Robert's daughter at marriage.
iv. Alice b. after 1438; unm. in 1474
v. Agnes, b. after 1438; unm. in 1474.

Robert Telden of Benynden, born before 1445, the testator of 1479, died between 25 July 1479 and 11 July 1480.  He married Alice, who was one of his executors.  His children were probably very young at his death, as he makes provision for any posthumous child.

Children:
i. John b. after 1461
ii. Johane, under age and unm. in 1479

It seems probable that either from John, son of John of Crotehole, or from John, son of Robert and Alice, was descended Richard Telden of Benynden and Tenterden, the testator of 1565-6, although no evidence has yet been found to prove the connection.

1. Richard Tilden, yeoman, the testator of 1565-6 born probably at Benenden between 1510 and 1520, died between 22 Jan. 1565-6 and 15 May following.  He married Elizabeth who survived him.  Was she a sister of Thomas Glover?

Children:
2 i. John b. after 1541
3 ii. Thomas b. after 1541
iii. Julian, b. after 1546 m. at Tenterden, 21 June 1568, Thomas Fynche
iv. Agnes b. after 1546 m. at Tenterden 14 Feb. 1568-9, Peter Pierse
v. Thomasen b. after 1546; living in 1565-6
vi. Catherine, bapt. at Tenterden 30 Sept. 1554; probably d. young
vii. Mary bapt. at Tenterden 8 June 1556; probably d. young
viii. Alice bapt. at Tenterden 6 Apr. 1559; bur. there 30 Sept. 1560
ix. Mary, bapt. at Tenterden 15 May 1561; living in 1565-6

2. John Tilden of Tenterden born probably at Benenden after 1541, was buried at Tentereden 29 Jan. 1625-6. He married there, 23 Jan. 1569-70 Patience Casslen, who was buried at Tenterden 23 Nov. 1615.  We learn from the church records that he was jurat in 1587, 1588, 1615 and 1625.  He is called "Mr." Tilden, his wife "Mistress" Tilden, and in their marriage licenses several of his children are described as gentlemen.

Children, baptized at Tenterden:
i. Anne, bapt. 5 Nov. 1570; m. at Tenterden 26 July 1587 William Hatche
ii. Rachel, bur. at Tenterden 17 Mar. 1572-3
iii. George, bapt. 28 Feb. 1573-4; bur. at Tenterden 4 Jan. 1604-5; m. (--?--)  and had Elizabeth, Annah, George and Samuel (dates in Tenterden registers)
iv. Elizabeth, bapt. 23 Apr. 1576; m. at Tenterden, 23 July 1594, Peter Finche
v. Judith, bapt. 17 Aug. 1578
vi. Samuel bapt. 25 Sept. 1580; bur. Tenterden 3 Marc. 1623-4; m. there 28 May 1612, Rebecca, Gyles and had Gyles, John, Samuel, Thomas, Mary, Rebecca and Jeremy (dates in Tenterden registers)
vii. John bapt. 4 Nov. 1582; m. Anne (--?--) who was bur. 27 May 1636; had Thomas and Samuel; license to marry widow Cicely May of Ashford dated 10 Nov. 1637, and their son John was bapt. 4 Nov. 1638.
viii. Daniel bapt. 16 Dec. 1584; m. Judith Short of Tenterden, license dated 23 June 1612 and had John, Margaret, and Patience.
ix. & x. two children, bur. unbapt. 1 Dec. 1587
xi. Jonathan bapt. 28 Oct. 1588; m. 1) Ann Hall of Willesborough, license dated 17 June 1616; had a son Gregory; m. 2) Alice Hall; had Richard, George, John, Jonathan, Anne and Sarah.  (second marriage and children in 2 Misc. Geneal. et herald, vol. 1, p. 333. see below)

3. Thomas Tilden of Tenterden, the testator of 1616-17, born probably at Benenden after 1541, was buried at Wye 6 June 1617.  He married first at Tenterden, 10 Mar. 1576-7, Alice Biggs, who was buried at Tenterden 13 May 1593; married secondly, 13 Nov. 1593, Ellen Evernden, widow, of Rolvinden.  The date of her death is unknown, but Thomaas Tilden left a widow Alice, probably the mother of his son Freegift. Between 1604 and 1614 Thomas Tilden left Tenterden and moved perhaps to East Guilford in Sussex, not far across the border from the border from Tenterden, as he owned lands there.  What reason he had for moving to Wye does not appear.

Children by first wife, baptized at Tenterden:
i. Sara bapt. 30 Aug. 1579; m. probably 20 Nov. 1600 John Stanshame; not mentioned in his father's will
ii. Abigail bapt. 26 Feb. 1581-2 bur. at Tenterden 5 Aug. 1582
4 iii. Nathaniel bapt. 28 July 1583
iv. Joseph bapt. 28 Nov. 1585; citizen and girdler of London; will dated 1 Feb. 1642 (See Water's Gleanings, vol. 1, p. 71)
5 v. Hopestill, bapt. 1 May 1588
vi. Theophilus bapt. 11 Oct. 1590; not mentioned in his father's will
vii. Thomas bapt. 1 May 1593; m. and had a son Samuel, bapt. at Wye 5 Feb. 1617-18. Samuel and his daus. Anne and Elizabeth are mentioned in the will of his uncle Hopestill, 1661.

Child either by second or third wife, baptized at Tenterden:
vii. Freegift, bapt. 20 May 1604; living in 1660. (See Water's Gleaning, vol. 2, p. 1305)

4. Nathaniel Tilden, baptized at Tenterden 28 July 1583, came to New England in the Hercules in March 1634-5, with wife, seven children, and seven servants; settled at Scituate; and died, probably at Scituate, between 25 May and 31 July 1641.  He married in England Lydia, who, Savage thinks was perhaps daughter of Thomas Bourne.  B. ut as Thomas Bourne was born about 1581, he would hav ebeen only twenty-seven when Nathaniel Tilden's eldest child was born, and therefore Savage's conjecture is wrong. The "son Tilden" referred to in Thomas Bourne's will, made in 1664 (see Pope's Pioneers of Massachusetts), could not have been Nathaniel, who had been dead twenty-three years, but was probably Thomas Tilden, son of Nathaniel and husband of Elizabeth Bourne. That the wife Lydia was the mother of all of Nathaniel Tilden's children is proved by the bequest in Joseph Tilden's will: "to my sister Lydia Tilden, late wife of my brother Nathaniel Tilden . . . and to her two daughters, who are married in New England" (Waters's Gleanings, vol. 1, p. 71). These daughters were born in 1610 and 1613.  [Nathaniel Tilden's wife was Lydia Huckstep].

Tenterden, a limb of the Cinque Port of Rye, was a prosperous and important place in our ancestors' day, as now, and the principal town in the Weald of Kent.  Nathaniel Tilden, called "Mr" in both the Old and New England records, and "gentleman" in his brother Hopestill's will, was a man of importance, mayor in 1622 and jurat - a jurat was also justice of the peace - in 1624, 1625, 1627 and 1629.  In New England he was also a town officer and a ruling elder.  (For an abstract of his will see Register, vol. 4, p. 173.  See also, for him and his descendants, Deane, History of Scituate, 353 ff.)

Children baptized at Tenterden:
i. Thomas, bapt. 23 Oct. 1608; bur. at Tenterden 19 Jan. 1618-19
ii. Mary, bapt. 20 May 1610; came with her father to New England; m. 13 Mar. 1636-7, Thomas Lapham
iii. Joseph bapt. 12 Jan. 1611-12; bur. at Tenterden 15 Mar. 1611-12
iv. Sarah bapt. 13 June 1613; came with her father to New England; m. 13 Mar. 1636-7 George Sutton
v. Joseph bapt. 29 Apr. 1615; came with his father to New England; m. 20 Nov. 1649 Alice or Elizabeth Twisden, widow or daughter of John; lived in Scituate.   Ellice in Scituate Vital Records, vol. 2, p. 290.  Elizabeth is given as his wife's name in his will of 12 May, 1670 (Register, vol. 7, p. 180).
vi. Stephen bapt. 31 Mar. 1617; bur. at Tenterdon 21 Oct. 1619
vii. Thomas bapt. 19 Jan. 1618-19; came with his father to New England; m. Elizabeth (Bourne) Waterman, widow of Robert Waterman and daughter of Thomas Bourne of Marshfield; lived at Marshfield
viii. Judith bapt. 22 Oct. 1620; came with her father to New England; m. Abraham Preble
ix. Winifred bapt. 20 Oct. 1622; bur. at Tenterden 14 Sept. 1627
x. Lydia bapt. 30 may 1624; bur. at Tenterden 15 Sept. 1624
xi. Lydia, bapt. 28 Sept. 1625; came with her father to New England; m. Richard Garrett
xii. Stephen bapt. 11 Oct. 1629; came with his father to New England; m. 25 Jan. 1661-2 Hannah Little; lived at Marshfield.

5. Hopestill Tilden, the testator of 1661, baptized at Tenterden 1 May 1588, died between 19 Nov. 1661 and 9 Feb. following.  He married Deborah, perhaps not his first wife, who survived him. He lived in Sandwich, England, as early as 1614, and was jurat of that town at the time of his death.  He was a grocer, as the marriage license of his daughter states.

Children:
i. John, d. bef. 16 Feb. 1637-8, when administration on his estate was granted to his father; he m. and had an only child Elizabeth, living at his death, but dead bef. 29 May 1638.
ii. Sarah b. abt. 1619; d. bef. 1661; m (1) John Smith of St. Johns, Thanet, woollen draper, and had by him Robert and John; m. (2) Thomas Rumsey, by whom she had Joseph and Thomas

In Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica, Series 2, vol. 1, p. 333, there is printed a Tilden pedigree taken from the Visitation of London, 1687, and headed "Tower Ward, Dolphin Precinct.  Baker's Hall in Harp Lane, Tuesday 2 August a 1687."

The arms there portrayed are Azure a saltire ermine between four pheons or.  The crest, a broken spear inverted gules, head or, environed by a snake proper.

In this pedigree it is stated that there is "No Descent of this Family in the Visitations of Kent or Sussex. The Arms he produced are in a Book of Mr. Philpots Intituled Quartered Coats & Crests fo. 80."

According to this pedigree, as corrected by R.G. Fitzgerald-Uniacke, Esq., after comparison with the original in the College of Arms, Richard Tilden of Tenterden, co. Kent, had a son Jonathan Tilden of Breade, co. Sussex, who died about 1635, aged 46, and had as his second wife Alice, daughter of (--?--) Hall of (--?--), near Gillingham, co. Kent. The children of Jonathan and Alice (Hall) Tilden were:

i. Richard, citizen and merchant of London, aged 63 in 1687, who m. Hannah Miller, dau. of John of Biggleswalde, co. Bedford, and had sons Richard, aged 22, unm.; Daniel, aged 16; Samuel, aged 14; Gabriel, aged 13; and Jonathan aged 9; and daughters Hannah, wife of Thanks Holland of Stepney; and Rose and Mary, both living unm. in 1687.  It is this Richard Tilden, citizen and merchant of London, who signs the pedigree.
ii. George of Breade, co. Sussex, aged 60 in 1687, who m. and had issue.
iii. John - dead without issue
iv. Jonathan - dead without issue
i. Anne, wife of Robert Gibbon of Beckley co. Sussex
ii. Sarah, wife of Thomas Bedingfield of Dover, co. Kent

The Jonathan Tilden of this pedigree, with second wife Alice Hall, was, however, not a son but a grandson of Richard Tilden of Tenterden; for he is identical with Jonathan, youngest child of John of Tenterden, who was a son of Richard Tilden our testator of 1565-6.  (See above)  Jonathan Tilden moved into Sussex and died when his son Richard was only eleven years old, and this may account for the meagreness of the latter's knowledge regarding his father's family.  He does not mention any child or children by his father's first marriage, although we know from the Tenterden registers that Jonathan had at least one child (Gregory, baptized 28 July 1617) by his first wife.

The Richard Tilden who entered this pedigree was a first cousin once removed of Nathaniel Tilden, the emigrant to new England, and he evidently proved to the satisfaction of the College of Arms his right to bear the arms described above. Since he tried to trace his ancestry back to Richard Tilden, the testator of 1565-6, it is likely that this Richard, his great-grandfather, had borne these same arms; and if this should be proved, then Nathaniel Tilden and his descendants in the male line would be entitled to bear them.

Genealogical Research in England - Transcribed by Miss Elizabeth French and communicated by the Committee on English Research

The Will of Richard Bygge of the parish of Benynden, 12 May 1474.  To be buried in the parish church of St. George of Benynden. To the fabric of said church, namely to the nave of it, 6s, 8d. To the high altar there 12d. I make my wife Agnes and Thomas Henley my executors to dispose of my goods for the health of my soul.  Witnesses: John Bygge Senior, Richard Day, John Willarde Senior, and many others.  [Translated from the Latin.]

This is my last will regarding my lands. My feofees to make an estate to Robert my son his heirs and assigns in my tenement called Bowmannys containing seven acres, my lands and woods called Strodes containing five acres, lying betwext Euvyndens Crosse and Hellynden on the north side of the street, a piece of land called Pettefeld containing five acres, two pieces of land called Southlands containing eight acres, and one acre lying in Maythammys marsh, he paying to my wife every year during her life four loads of wood and 26s. 8d., and to Thomas Bygge my son 20 marks. My feoffes to make an estate to my son John in all my lands and tenements not before assigned, he to pay to my wife Agnes one hog, certain "pulleyn," and 26s. 8d. yearly during her life, and to my son Thomas £20.  My wife to have the west end of the hall of my principal tenement and her easement in hall, kitchen, bakehouse, garden and lands, half the fruit in the garden during her life, pasturage for a cow and "fire and fleet" by the custom of the country, to be found by the said John.  My feoffes to sell a piece of land lying next to Thomas Frennche, and of the money to pay to Agnes, daughter of Robert Bygge, 26s. 8d., to Johane his daughter 6s. 8d., and the residue to amending the church way from the church to Walkhurst gate.  Proved 14 June 1474 by the executrix named in the will, the other executor, Thomas Henley, renouncing. (Archeaconry of Canterbury, vol. 2, fo. 13.)

The Will of Robert Bigge of the parish of benynden, 1 July 1500.  To be buried in the churchyard of the church of St. George in Benynden.  To the high altars of Benynden and Bydinden 20d. each. To agnes Watt and Johan lellysden my daughters. Willia' Dey, Harry bigge, hary Asten and John Watt, my "feffers," to deliver to Elizabeth my daughter two pieces of land lying at benynden in the parish of Rollynden, to her and her assigns for ever.  The residue of all my goods I give to Thomas Bigge and Edward my sons, whom I make my executors. Witnesses: Robert Marden, Richard Astyn, Willia' Watt, Thomas lellysden, and others.  Proved at Tenterden 15 September 1500 by the executors named in the will.  (Archdeaconry of Canterbury, vol. 8, fo. 2.)

The Will of Robert Bigge of Benenden, 13 January 1547/8.  To be buried in the churchyard of the parish church of St. George the Martyr of Benenden.  Alms to be distributed at the day of my burial. To wife Elizabeth, if she continue unmarried, all my stuff and household implements; if she marry again, half my stuff and household implements to my daughters, to be equally divided at age of eighteen or day of marriage.  To my wife all my corn and sundry livestock. To my son Walter two steers. To my sons Richarde and Thomas a heifer each at eighteen, and to my son John two steers at that age.  All my cattle, wheat growing, and other moveables unbequeathed to be sold by my executrix and the money employed to pay my debts. I give to my wife Elizabeth my lease of churchfield, and make her executrix and William Fowle of Benenden overseer.  My wife to redeem two pieces of land at Walkhurst, mortgaged to John Moyse of Byddenden for £10, and also to pay Elizabeth Vsborne £40 for which I stand bound.

My last will regarding the disposition of all my lands and tenements.  I will to Elizabeth my wife for life my messuage and garden at Benenden forstall and four pieces of land at Walkhurst, she releasing all her right of dowry in all my lands.  The messuage and garden at Benenden forstall to go to my son John and his heirs at my wife's decease.  To my son Richard and his heirs at my wife's decease four pieces of land at Walkhurst. My executrix to take the profits of all my other lands and tenements until they amount to £40, to be paid to Elizabeth, Dorothe, Elionor, and Alyce, my daughters, to each £10 at day of marriage or age of twenty year.s  If any die before such day or age, reversion to the survivors, to be equally divided.  After the said £40 be levied I give to my son Thomas and his heirs forever my messuage and lands at the lane of Rolvenden and my half of a meadow called dukes mede in Tentwarden [Tenterden], of which Lawrence Day holds the other half, and a piece of marsh land at Frencham containing ten acres, my executrix to have the said lands until son Thomas come to the age of twenty-two.  After the said £40 be levied to son Walter and his heirs forever seven pieces of land called the sixe acres, Wadyfeld, gardeyn of begtylte, the porteke, the upper shurfeld, the Longfelde and the nether shurfield, lying upon the den of Begtitle in Benenden, he to pay to my son Richard 20s. a year during the life of my wife and after he enter into the said land.  After the said £40 be levied, I give to son John and his heirs a piece of land called the field about the house and another called Euerynden's felde, both upon the den of Bigtilte.  witnesses: Willm Fowle his mark, John Asten, Lawrence Davy, and Henry Asten.  Proved 2 June 1548 by the executrix named in the will. (Archdeaconry of Canterbury, vol. 26, fo. 2).

Administration on the estate of Walter Bigge, late of Tenterden, co. Kent, was granted 17 August 1575 to Marion Bigge, relict, in the person of Thomas Wheler, notary public, her agent. (P.C.C. Administration Act Book, 1572-1580, fo. 81).

Bigge Entries in the Registers of St. Mildred's Church, Tenterden, 1544-1617:

Marriages
1567 Thomas Fonnell and Ellen Bigge 10 February
1576 Thomas Tilden and Alice Biggs 10 March [1576/7]
1577 Simon Chittenden and Elnar Bigge 2 September
1579 Steven Cutbert and Letisse Bigge 26 April
1583 John Bigge of Cranebrooke and Rachell Martin of Lidde 14 September - Rachel came to new England with her daughter Patience Foster, mother of Hopestill Foster.  Her daughter Elizabeth married John Stowe and also came to New england.
1585 Henry Bigge and Alice Holman 3 July
1587 George Bigge and Thomasin Harrie 18 September
1589 Richard Cheston and Mary Bigge 8 July

From the foregoing wills and entries the following Bigge pedigree has been prepared:

1. Richard Bigge of Benenden, co. Kent, the testator of 1474, died between 12 May and 14 June of that year.  He married Agnes, who survived him and in 1480 proved her son John's will.
Children:
2. i. Robert
ii. Thomas
iii. John, the testator of 1479, d. betw. 27 Oct. 1479 and 17 may 1480; m. Alice who d. before the earlier date, and had sons who were under eighteen in 1479.
iv. Katherine, mentioned in the will of her brother John, but not in that of her father.

2. Robert Bigge of Benenden, the testator of 1500 died between 1 July and 17 July 1500.  His wife (wife unknown) died before him.
Children:
i. Agnes b. bef. 1474; m. [John?] Watt, and had children, Johan, John, James and Alice.
ii. Johan b. bef. 1474; m. Thomas Lellysden and had Elizabeth, Alice and two or more sons
iii. Thomas
3. iv. Edward
v. Parnell m. Richard Astyn and had two or more sons
vi. Elizabeth the testator of 1500, d. betw. 17 July and 15 Sept. 1500.

3. Edward Bigge of Benenden, of whom nothing is known save that he married Alice ----, had a child Robert and was executor with his brother Thomas of the wills of their father and sister in 1500.
Child:
4. i. Robert b. before 1500 probably the same as

4. Robert Bigge of Benenden, the testator of 1547/8 died between 13 Jan. 1547/8 and 2 June 1548.  He married Elizabeth, who survived him and left eight children, seven of whom were under age.
Children:
i. Walter (was he "Walter Bigge tailor" the executor of Richard Tilden's will in 1565, and did he marry Marian Asten in 1554?  There were several of this name).
ii. Richard b. after 1530
iii. Thomas b. after 1530
iv. John b. after 1530
v. Elizabeth b. after 1530
vi. Dorothe b. after 1530
vii. Elionor b. after 1530
viii. Alyce b. after 1530; youngest dau. and perhaps youngest child; m. Thomas Tilden (See Register, vol. 65, p. 330)

In the Department of Manuscripts in the British Museum there is a copy of the folio edition of Hasted's History of Kent, copiously annotated and illustrated by the Rev. Thomas Streatfeild.  It contains a drawing of the following arms: per pale ermine and azure, a lion passant gules crowned or, within a bordure engrailed gules charged with eight fleur-de-lis or.  Below is this note: "I meet with this coat ascribed to Bigg, of Benenden, in a nameless MS. T.S." (Add. MS 33,883, p. 402) - E.F.

For pedigree of Bigg, of Haines Hill in Hurst, with the same arms as those given in Streatfeild's copy of Hasted's Kent, see Visitations of Berkshire, vol. i, p. 171 (Harleian Society Publications, vol. lvi), and also Genealogist, vol. v. p. 236.  This pedigree gives the descendants of "William Bigg of Bennendon in Com: Kent: a 1540."

For abstracts of the wills of Smalehope Bigg of Cranbrooke, of his widow Ellen and of his brother John of Maidstone, see Water's Gleanings, vol. 1, pp. 21 ff.  Smalehope Bigg and John Bigg were brothers of Patience Foster and Elizabeth Stow. - Henry Edwards Scott.

The nuncupative will of John House, Clarke, parson of Eastwell [co. Kent] made a week before his death, which was 30 August 1630.  To my wife Alice all my goods and I make her my sole executrix. Witnesses: Elizabeth Champion, one of the testator's daughters, Drusilla Howes, and Miss Joane Wallis.  Proved 8 September 1630 by the executrix named. (Consistory Court of Canterbury, vol. 49, fo. 306.)

House Entries in the Bishop's Transcripts of Eastwell, co. Kent
1603 John son of John Howse bapt. 19 June [Transcript signed by John  Howse as rector, the earliest transcript bearing his signature]
1605 Priscilla daughter of John Howse bapt. 25 August
1607 Thomas son of John Howse bapt. 21 August
1610 "Sam: son of John Howes bap ye 10 June"
1612 Henrie son of John Howse bapt. 28 June
1618 Priscilla daughter of John Howse buried 28 November
1623 John Howse of Leneham and Marye Osborne of Ashforde was married here by license 18 September

Canterbury Marriage License. John House, of Lenham, saddler, bachelor, about 21, at his own government and Mary Osborne, of Ashford, maiden, about 20, daughter of Edward Osborne late of the same place, yeoman, deceased and now under the government of her mother, (--?--) Osborne of the same place, widow who consents.  To be married at Eastwell by reason that Mr. John House [rector and] parson there, father of the said John House, intendeth to give them their wedding dinner.  Dated 18 September 1623.

"20 (5) 1649 Samuel Howse of Scituat Shipwright did constitut &c: Tho: Tarte of the same Mercht. his true and lawful Attr, granting him full power &c: to aske &c: of the Exec &c of the last will & test of Thomas House late of Lond: Watchmaker all such legacies as due unto the childr of the said appear by vertue of the sd last will, & of the receipt to give acquittance, also to compound & agree, & to appeare before all Lords &c: in any court &c: there to doe say sue &c: & generally to do &c: wth power to substitut &c: ratifying irrevocably &c:"  (Aspinwall Notarial Records, pp. 224-5.)  The will of this Thomas House has not been found in the probate courts having jurisdiction over London, and therefore his relationship to Samuel House the emigrant is uncertain; possibly he was his elder brother.

[It is evident that Rev. John Howse had older children, who were born before he settled at Eastwell, and among them was a daughter Hannah.  On 10 Oct. 1610 a license was issued for the marriage at Eastwell of John Lothropp, M.A., currate of Egerton, and Hannah Howse, of Eastwell, virgin.  Their eldest son, Thomas Lothrop, was baptized at Eastwell 21 Feb. 1612/13.  This clergyman was Rev. John Lothrop later of Scituate and Barnstable in New England.

Samuel Howse, or House, brother of Hannah, was baptized 10 June 1610 and came to New England in 1634, probably with his brother-in-law Rev. John Lothrop.  He settled at Scituate, where he married late in 1635 Elizabeth Hammond, who was born in England about 1619, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Paine) Hammond of Watertown, Mass.  Their eldest child, Elizabeth House, was baptized at Scituate 23 Oct. 1636.  In Lothrop's Scituate Church Records appears this entry: "Elizabeth Hammon my Sister having a dismission from the church at Watertowne was joyned April 14, 1636."  Although here mentioned by her maiden name, this Elizabeth Hammond had certainly been married before this date to Samuel House, and she was called "my sister" by Lothrop clearly because she was the wife of Samuel House, whose sister, Hannah House, had been Lothrop's first wife.

In October 1639 Rev. John Lothrop and part of Scituate parishioners including his brother-in-law Samuel House, or Howes, removed to Barnstable.

In 1639 a Thomas Howse, or House, appears as a proprietor of Yarmouth, settling in that part of the town now North Dennis, less than five miles from the old Barnstable meeting house.  He was a man of good education and estate, served several years as deputy, and died in October 1665.  He married in England about 1630 Mary (--?--), who survived him and became the fourth wife of Gov. Thomas Prence.  (See Register, vol. 59, p. 217.)  His children, born in England, were: Joseph, born about 1631, Thomas born about 1634 and Jeremiah born about 1637.  It seems possible that this Thomas Howse, of Yarmouth, may have been identical with the Thomas Howse who was baptized at Eastwell, co. Kent, 21 Aug. 1607, a son of Rev. John Howse, and therefore an elder brother of Samuel Howse of Scituate and Barnstable in New England.
~ J. Gardner Bartlett].

---

Smith, M.T. Kin of Mellcene Thurman Smith, no imprint, nd.

Richard Warren, b. England ca. 1580, d. 1628, Plymouth, Mass., m. before 1600 in England Elizabeth . . . b. 1583, d. Oct. 2, 1673, aged 90.

Children:
Mary b. after 1600, d. betw. 1677 and 83, m. Robert Bartlett
Sarah b. after 1600, d. . . . m. John Cook
Elizabeth b. after 1600, d. . . . m. Richard Church
Abigail b. after 1600, d. . . . m. Anthony Snow
Ann b. after 1600, d. . . . m. William Little [this half right, she married Thomas Little]
Nathaniel b. between 1623 and 1628, d. . . . m. Sarah Walker
Joseph b. between 1623 and 1628, d. . . m. Priscilla Faunce

Services: Richard Warren was a prosperous merchant of Greenwich, County of Kent, England. [not confirmed].  He sailed in the Mayflower Sept. 6, 1620, and arrived in Cape Cod Harbor Nov. 11, 1620.  He was one of the first to land at Plymouth and was the twelfth among the nineteen Signers of the Compact, which was written and signed before the Mayflower landed.  He was one of the Historic Founders of Plymouth, Mass.

References: Authorities Proving Services of Ancestor, with detail.  Lineage Book National Society Daughters of Barons of Runnymede, p. 338.  Am. Hist. Soc. Enc. Biog., Vol. 17, pp. 119, 201.  Mayflower Desc. Vol. 2, p. 178; Vol. 3, pp. 105-117.  Mayflower Index, Vol. 2, p. 1175, N.E.Hist and Gen. Reg., Vol. 36, pp. 52-4-56.  Mayflower Desc. Hist. Hingham, Mass., Vol. 3, pp. 164-5; Vol. 2, pp. 217-8.

"Mistress" Elizabeth Warren, widow of Richard Warren, of Plymouth, Mass., b. England 1583, d. Oct. 2, 1673, aged 90 or more. "A woman of wealth," and was rated in the Plymouth list as one of the first purchasers of Dartmouth, Mass. Owned lands at Eel River and Wellingsly.  Gave her daughters' husbands lands at Eel River on their marriage.

Services: Mistress Elizabeth Warren arrived in Cape Cod Harbor in the "Ann" late in July, 1623, with her five daughters.

A lot in this book regarding the Warrens in England is incorrect and not copied here.

---

Wood, Gary. John Wood of Wayne County Illinois and Descendants, 1817-1878, Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1995.

Map of Four Mile Township

Betty Lou Bruce b. 19 Dec. 1929 Wayne Co., IL m. 28 Mar. 1947 Morganfield, KY Robert Gene McKinney

Children:

Dannie Wayne McKinney b. 21 Jan. 1948 m. 1st 3 Jul 1965 Ilene Kay Hall b. 6 Sep 1947, d. 12 Jun 1990 suicide.  [Kay (Hall) McKinney is my mom's cousin through the Erkman family]

Children:

a) Tonia Lynn McKinney md. 24 Sep 1988 John Robert White
b) Kelby Gale McKinney

Includes a photo taken July 4, 1917 in Keenes, IL showing Mildred Wood, Homer Wood, Leonard Wood, Neoma (Lane) Wood, Willard Wood, Alvis Wood, Granville Wood, Maggie (Anderson) Wood, Rufus Wood, William Wood, Burval Wood, Raymond Wood, Juanita Wood, Ella (Solomon) Wood, Edmund Wood, Louetta Wood, Kenneth Dove, Clara (Wood) Dove, Cecil Wood, Madge (McGill) Wood, Joe Dove, Samuel Wood, Emmett Wood

William Marion Wood was born 26 February 1854 in Wayne County, Illinois.  William remained his entire life in the area of Four Mile Township where his father John Wood, Sr. had originally settled. William was a farmer in his early years and owned around 800 acres at one time.

William later sold most of his land and bought an 18 room hotel, funeral home, stable and a dry goods store in Keenes, Illinois.  He had a large horse drawn carriage with big beautiful white horses to draw the carriage for funerals. When the store was prosperous, the family was able to have a hired girl help with the laundry and housekeeping.

Per Guy Wood's account a person named Greenberg rented one shop and one day he cleaned it out of clothing and set it on fire.  This destroyed the whole block and put William Wood into bankruptcy.  Even the horses were destroyed.  When William owned the dry goods store, his children, he had 14 total, instead of washing their clothes would go to the store and get a new pair.

Per Cecil (Wood) Lewis's account, it was the barn across from the Wood Store that burnt, not the store itself, which stood for many years later.  Cecil says that years later, Edmund Wood, her brother, confessed to her that Sidney Greenberg and he had accidently caused the fire and swore never to tell anyone.  It happened that the young boys were sitting in a wagon inside the barn playing with matches. While striking the matches, the whole box caught fire.  They were unable to hold it any longer so they threw the box up into the hay loft.  It took no time for the dry hay to burn and set the whole barn on fire. The boys were so frightened of the fire and afraid of being found out that they couldn't get out.  Someone had to go in and rescue them. Cecil says the horses had to be lead out blindfolded and they were badly burned.  The horses were taken to the edge of town and their wounds treated.  Cecil thought coal oil was applied to their wounds but they were not destroyed.  Cecil felt this incident had nothing to do with the bankruptcy. When WWI came, things just got hard for everyone and they just had too many debts on the books.  Grandma Ella Wood was so poor at the end of her life, she lived mainly on mustard greens from the garden.

A grandson, Cordell Wood, recalls "my grandpa was 70 years old when I was born.  He wore a mustache and fairly long wavy hair.  He was not bald, but had a bald spot.  I spent a lot of time with him when I was small and while he was working . . . plowing, planting, taking care of his team of horses, etc.  One day I went with him as he drove the team of horses and the wagon to Dahlgren, Illinois to buy seed. This was a very slow trip by today's standards and took all day. The round trip would have been about 30 to 35 miles over dirt roads and across iron birdges with wooden planks that rattled when you crossed them."

My father, Leonard Wood, remembered his grandfather William when he came home on leave during WW II and cut his grandfathers hair and beard. This was the last time my father saw him alive.  William Wood died on 17 June 1944 at his oldest son Alvis Wood's residence in Fairfield, Illinois.  William was 90 years old and he is buried at Bruce Cemetery near Keenes, Illinois along with his wife inside a concrete curbed area with room for 7 more bodies.  Some of his children did not have any death certificate at the Wayne County courthouse and are probably also buried within the concrete curbed area. William was married 5 November 1881 in Jefferson County, Illinois by B.D. Esmon.  He married Phoebe Ella Solomon born 28 February 1861 Fort Branch, Gibson County Indiana, she died 22 March 1940 Wayne County, Illinois the daughter of John James Madison Solomon and Rebecca Moriah Jones.

Children:
1) Henry Alvis Wood b. 18 Sep. 1881, Keenes, Wayne Co., IL, d. 26 Feb. 1964 buried Maple Hill Cem. Fairfield, IL, m. 1st 16 Jan 1904 Wayne Co. IL Minnie Dell Braddy b. 1883 Jefferson Co. IL d. 1909 with Malaria buried Dexter Mo.

Children:
1. Cecil Mae Wood b. 13 Oct. 1904 Keenes, Wayne Co., IL, d. 28 Jun 1993 Garden View Care Center O'Falllon, MO buried Farnsworth Cem. Wayne Co. IL
2. Burval Annis Wood b. 25 Jul 1906 Wayne Co. IL d. 1974 buried Thomason Cem. Wayne City, IL m. 23 Dec. 1925 Fairfield, IL Cecil William Shaw b. 9 Apr 1902 Wayne Co. IL
children:

A. Lavern Shaw b. 5 Oct. 1926 Wayne Co. IL m. 3 Apr 1948 Mt. Vernon Freda Lee Shields b. 1 May 1929 Jefferson Co. IL daughter of Roy Shields & Chloe.
children:
a) Linda Francis Shaw b. 8 Jul 1950, d. 8 Jul 1950
b) Christal Elaine Shaw m 31 Aug William Noble Dugger
children:
a. William Bryan Dugger
b. Channon Leeann Dugger
c) Dennis Lavern Shaw m. Judy Beth Hill.
children:
a. Jodie Louann Shaw
b. Sarah Elizabeth Shaw
c. Jacob Cody Shaw

B. Vershall Audra Shaw b. 11 Aug. 1928 m. 16 Jun 1949 Jefferson Co. IL Ruby Haile b. 14 Feb. 1931.
children:
a) Gary Mitchell Shaw
b) Vershall Kent Shaw
c) Deborah Starr Shaw
d) David Lee Shaw
e) Diana Lynn Shaw b. 27 Jul 1961
f) Donald Ray Shaw
g) Roger Allen Shaw

C. Edmund William Shaw md. 1st Shirley Withrow daughter of Cecil Withrow.
children:
a) Tina Louse Shaw m. Oct. 1985 Bill Ahlersmyer. Tina and Bill both making career of Air Force.
children:
a. Justin Ahlersmeyer
b. Jason Ahlersmeyer
b) Curtis Dwayne Shaw

Edmund William Shaw m. 2nd 2 Feb. 1974 Lombard, IL Gerie V. Holsinger.
children:
a) Amy Beth Shaw
b) Lyn Anne Shaw
c) Cari Jean Shaw

11) Clara Belle Wood b. 20 Mar 1897 Wayne Co. IL [daughter of William & Phoebe (Solomon) Wood] m. 24 Jan. 1914 Wayne Co. IL Joseph Dove b. 1 Apr 1894 d. 1955 son of William Dove buried Bruce Cem. Keenes, IL.
children:
1. Kenneth Harold Dove b. 7 Nov 1914, d. 20 Mar 1975 buried Salem Cem. Wayne Co. IL m. Doris Shaw Payne b. 12 Mar 1919 d. 3 Nov 1974 buried Salem Cem. Wayne Co. IL.
children:
A. Bob Dove

2. Keith William Dove b. 10 Jun 1918 m. Berniece Harper.
children:
A. Sharon Ann Dove

3. Kermit Carl Dove b. 2 Dec. 1923 mt. Vernon, IL was a WW II veteran, d. 16 Dec. 1993 Crossroads Community Hospital Mt. Vernon, IL buried Smith Veterans Cem. Opdyke, IL. Retired from American Can Company in Chicago, IL. Never married.