John Roberts1

M, b. circa 1530, d. circa 26 July 1593
FatherGeorge Roberts b. c 1500, d. 25 Dec 1562
MotherMargery (?)
     John was born by circa 1530 at Brenchley, County Kent, England. In 1532, he was named in his grandmother's will. John married Margaret (?) circa 1553 in County Kent, England. John made his will on 16 September 1592 at Brenchley, County Kent, England.

. . .”my bodie to be buried in the Church of Brencheslie neare unto where my father was buried, Imprimis I give to the church wardens of the parishe of Brencheslie towards the breaking of the ground where my bodie shalbe buried and toward the reparacons of the church there xl shillings in monie Item I will to be bestowed at my burial toward the releife of the poore Fortie shillings in monie by the discretion of my executor Item I will to an honest and godlie preacher to preache at my burial Tenne shillings Item I will to be bestowed the poore people of the parishe of Brencheslie everie yeare duringe the space of Five years net after my decease Twentie shillings to be bestowed by the discretion of the church wardens for the time beinge Item I bequeath to everie one of my godchildren that acknowledgeth themselves, and require it xiii pence. “ He gave to daughter Elizabeth his best cushion, and £120 at age 20 or of her day of marriage. If she died without issue, the money was given to the other daughters. Wife Margaaret was given a silver cup, 6 silver spoons, a coverlet and bedstead. A bedstead in the loft over the kitchen, with curtain and fringe, being over the parlor, two pair brand irons, all fine yarn, fine flax and hemp spun and unspun, and £40, being £10 every 6 months, a featherbed, a stock bed, a bolster, two blankets, two pillows, two mild kine, two 3 year heifers, 16 cords of wood a year, one sow, and two swine of the age of half a year, and one horse worth £4 [or the equivalent in money]. Son George was given all the sealing and benches in the parlor, with the tables, forms, and one plate in the kitchen, the rest of the brand irons, a brewing copper, all the great vats, tins and brewing vessels in the brewing house, all armor and other furirniture for war, two bed steadles with a trundle bed in the chamber over the parlor, a great chest, table and form in the loft , a silver salt, and the silver spoons unbequeathed, the press in the chamber with a great chest in the little chamber wherin the writings are, all paintings in the mansion house , and a brazen mortar. Wife Margaret was given cupboards in the maid’s chamber, the parlor and the hall, the other cupboards being given to son George. Wife Margaret was given one tether of hemp and two shovels, the rest of the household goods being equally divided between her and son George. Thimothie Chexsill was given [cut off of page], Henry Wiblie was given viii pence Mersie Skynner [cut off] Elizabeth Richards iii shillings iiii pence, [blank] Clampard iii shillings iiii pence and Christopher Wiblie 10 shillings, all within a year. Granddaughter Katherine Sheafe was given £5 at age 18. Granddaughters Elizabeth and Agnes Sheafe where given 40 shillings at age 18. Daughter Grynnele’s children Sara and Samuel were given 40 shillings at age 18. If the child died underage, the mother was given the money. All corn on the land and in uses and barns was given to wife Margaret and son George. Mary Tirie was given iii shillings iiii pence. Margaret Love was given 40 shillings. Wife Margaret was given eight weyne loads of hay, and one royal of gold. The rest of his goods and cattels were given to son George who was named executor. Thomas Shefe of Cranbrook and his son Richard Shefe were named overseers, and given xl shillings each, besides their expenses. Each of John’s daughters was given a piece of gold of 10 shillings. Son George’s daughter Margaret was given one ring of gold worth 20 shillings. John’s will concerning his lands and tenements was that wife Margaret would have the messuage and lands bought of Andrew Edwards in Brenchley, with a parcel called Pinckested, ground called Blackeberie, three parcels called Grynstone, she receiving the sum of £ [cut off] every half year from son George. For lack of payments, she was to enter upon the lands occupied by William Goodwyne until the arrearages were paid. Daughter Elizabeth was given £vi xiiis. iiiip. yearly until her age of 20 or day of marriage. Christopher Wiblie was given a dwelling in a messuage for forty years, he maintaining the repairs. Welse’s widow was given her dwelling house for forty years. Son George was given all messuages, lands, and tenements in Brenchley and Horsmonden, but if he failed to pay daughter Elizabeth the sum of £120 , she was to enter upon the lands. A codicil to the will mentions 40 shillings yearly given to the poor by the will of John Downar decased, which sum was to be paid by son George. John Alchorne, George Stone, and Andrew Davies were witnesses.2

John departed this life circa 26 July 1593 in Brenchley, County Kent, England. He was buried at Brenchley, County Kent, England, in the yard of All Saints Church. His will was probated on 4 March 1594.

Family

Margaret (?) b. c 1534, d. c 11 Mar 1623
Children

Citations

  1. [S1823] Leslie Mahler, The Roberts Family of Brenchley, Kent, pages 272-275.
  2. [S1823] Leslie Mahler, The Roberts Family of Brenchley, Kent, pages 272-23 - Will of John Roberts - dated: 16 September 1592 & probated: 4 March 1594.