Robert Thomas

     Robert was born circa 1547 in England. Robert married Judith Fisher, daughter of William Fisher, in London, County Middlesex, England. The family resided in London where he was a draper. Robert's wife, Judith, died on 5 March 1589 in London, County Middlesex, England, leaving him a widower. Robert married 2nd Ellen Muffett on 26 January 1590 in London, County Middlesex, England, at St. Pancras Church, Soper Lane. She was the widow of William Lynaker.² Robert made his will on 14 February 1609.

In the name of God, Amen.- I, Robert Thomas, citizen and draper of London, thinking upon the un___ and uncertainty of this transitory life, being of perfect health of body and mind at this time praised be God, the Father. I do make this my last will and testament, committing my body to the earth from where it came and my soul into the hands of Jesus Christ, my only Redeemer, ___ by the merits of His only death and passion to have remission of my sins and ever lasting life. And that He died, not only for the sins of the whole world, but also for my sins in particular. Imprimo, whereas I do stand bound unto one William Muffett, late of Chipping, Barnet in the county of Herford, gentlemen, deceased, and to his executors and administrators, to leave unto my now wife, Ellen Thomas, the sum of two thousand pounds at the time of my death, if she be then living. Now, according to the true intent and meaning of the said bond and in full satisfaction thereof and of her third, which she is to have by the custom of London and by the laws of England. I do give unto my dear and loving wife, Ellen Thomas, two thousand pounds of lawful money of England and all such plate as she brought with her now remaining in my house whereof the property is not altered. Item. I do devise unto my loving wife likewise my house, wherein I dwell, with the appurtenances for the term of twenty years, if she live so long. She paying the rent and performing the convenient and agreement contained in the lease thereof. Item, I do further give unto my said wife in regard she shall be willing to advance my children, which I shall leave behind me, with such so much of her estate as she may spare when she s__th good and according to her discretion and their des__ as she hath often promised me to do two hundred pounds praying her to rest contented ___
and to have a care of their well doing and advancement therein provided always and it is my true intent and meaning that if my said wife or the said William Muffett, to whom I stand bound unto as aforesaid, or his executors do or suffer to be done any art or thing after my death that intend to charge mine heirs, executors or administrators, or any of my lands, tenements, goods, chattels or debts for any other or greater portion of my goods or chattels then before it is bequeathed unto her by this my last will and testament or any part of my lands and tenements for her dower. And also, if my said wife, do not within one quarter of a year next after my decease cause the said bond to be canceled and yielded up to my executors here after named and release not only my executors of all accords and demands whatsoever the legacy aforesaid only accepted but also to my heirs her title of dower and all accords and demands whatsoever that then these my present legacies unto her given shall be utterly void and of none affect. And then I leave her to be relieved by the same. But I hope she will be contented with this portion by this my last will and testament allotted out for her. Item. Whereas I have given unto my eldest son, William Thomas, five hundred pounds to set up his trade withall and other three hundred pounds which I bestowed on copyhold lands for him which I bought of my uncle William Thomas, late of St. Katherine's and also in consideration of a marriage with Mr. Bennett's daughter have assured him and his heirs males, my lands called Spanby in Lincolnshire being to the value of three thousand pounds not with standing all which preferment being more than a child's portion being very much beh___ hand and cast bark by means of seniorityship so as his child's part which he hath had is left to be last. Yet, none the less, I do bequeath unto Sir George Southcott, knight and Humphrey Thomas, my executors, eight hundred pounds to allow unto him an yearly portion of three score pounds yearly only for his maintenance and for no other use or purpose to be paid him so long as it is for his maintenance. And when so ever any creditor shall state the same by any commission of __trupt or any other ways or means whatsoever that then the said yearly portion shall cease and become void and I leave him to be relieved at the discretion of my executors provided always. And, it is my will, intent and meaning that my said son, William Thomas, shall give good assurance within one quarter of a year next after my death to my executors or one of them that he shall not during his life alter or change the uses and limitations in an indenture triparty made between his father-in-law, Mr. Bennett, himself and myself touching the settling of my land Spanby unto my heirs males which land I did assure unto him upon his marriage but that it shall go according to the true intent and meaning of the said deed as also shall give any further assurance unto his brothers for the protector assuring of such lands as I shall give as their council shall advise or devise and make and give a release in full discharge unto my executors of all demands whatsoever the legacy aforesaid only excepted. And that if he refuses to do the same or any part thereof that there through my permission and legacy for his maintenance shall be utterly ___ and void. Item. Whereas upon my son, Humphrey's marriage, I did assure and set over unto him the house he now dwells in and five hundred pounds stock which house and stock costs me one thousand poumds and did also enter into bond unto one Mr. Sillyard to leave my said son one thousand pounds more according to the true intent and meaning of which bond and in full satisfaction of his child's part. I do give and bequeath unto him one thousand pounds, And also I do give and bequeath unto his son, Robert, one hundred pounds. And also, I do further give unto him and his heirs all my lands in Essex called Dagman with twelve acres of marsh by the Thames side which one, John Harwood now holds. Item. I do give and bequeath unto my son, John Thomas, fifteen hundred pounds to be paid within two years after my deceases provided always that he within one quarter of a year next after my decease shall make to mine executors a general release of all actions and demands the said legacies excepted otherwise this my present legacy to him given shall be utterly void and be of none effect. And as touching my shop in Candleweekestreet and all the rest of those houses that are upon the same lease I leave the same to the discretion of my executors never the less to deal with my son, John, therewith as they shall think good. Item. I do give my lands in Herfordshire with my copyhold there called Beech Side unto my son, Humphrey Thomas, and to his heirs. Item. I give unto my brother, Simon Thomas, his two daughters, three score and ten pounds apiece to be paid them at the day of their marriages provided that if either of them die before she be married then the whole to come to the survivor. Item. I do give and bequeath unto my daughter, Judith Feake, a thousand pounds in full satisfaction of her marriage money and of her childs part according to the custom of the city London, to be paid to her within one year next after my decease. And I do also give unto her four children, James, Robert, Alice and Judith, one hundred pounds apiece to be paid them within three years after my death and their discharge to my executors by their release of the same if they be then living. Also, whereas, my son-in-law, James Feake, hath given out threatening words that he would go to law with me for his portion whereby his contentious mind doth appear, so as I do somewhat doubt he will raise and stir up strife and contention amongst my children after my death, I do therefore will and it is always provided that if the said James refuse to release my executors all and all manner of actions, quarrels and demands whatsoever within one quarter of a year next after my decease excepting this my present legacy that then this my said legacy to his wife with the rest of the legacies aforesaid to his children shall be void and I leave him to be relieved by the law. Item. I do give and bequeath unto my daughter, the Lady Sarah Southcott, and to her husband one thousand pounds in full satisfaction of her marriage portion and in performance of my promise which I would have bestowed in land for the good of herself and her children. Also, I give her son, Thomas Southcott, one hundred pounds to be bestowed in lands as aforesaid set dower which shall go to the wife of him and his mother. Item. I give and bequeath unto Sarah Thomas, my brother, William's daughter, ten pounds to be paid her at the day of her marriage. Item. I do give and bequeath unto my maid servant, Mary Hanley the sum of ten pounds. Item, I give and bequeath towards the relief of the poor children harbored in Christ's Hospital in London ten pounds. And towards the relief of the poor in St. Thomas Hospital in Southwark other ten pounds. Item. I give to the poor of the parish of St. Duluthe without Newgate, St. Eiles without Crippledgate, St. Buttolphes without Bishopsgate, St. Buttolphes without Aldgate, London, St. Claire and St. George in Southwark ten pounds, that is to say the poor of every of the same parishes thirty-three shillings four pence to be distributed at the discretion of the church wardens of the same parishes where most need shall appear. Item. I give to the Company of Drapers, whereof I am free, the sum of twenty pounds in money for a dinner to be made to and amongst the livery of the same company which shall go with my corpse to my funeral. Item. I will that three score poor men's gowns be given to three score poor men that shall accompany my body to the funeral whereof thirty to be given to the poor men of the company of drapers and the rest to other poor men at the discretion of my executors and overseers. Item. I will and bequeath that my said wife, all my sons and daughters shall have black gowns, cloaks and suits. And of this my last will and testament I do make and ordain Sir George Southcott, knight and Humphrey Thomas my executors. And do give to them all the residue of the goods, chattels, sums of money and debts, praying them to see my debts and legacies duly performed and paid and my body to be decently buried in St. Nicholas Acon Church in London. And I do nominate and appoint overseers of this my last will and testament my brother, William Thomas, unto whom I give a black cloak and his wife a black gown, and my son-in-law, James Feake and Clement Bucke, unto whom I give black cloaks and to their wives black gowns. In witness thereof, I the said Robert Thomas have to this my last will and testament put my hand and seal the fourteenth day of February in the seventh year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord James by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith or and of Scotland the three and fortieth anno domin one thousand six hundred and nine. Sealed, signed and published the day and year above written in the presence of Humphrey Clark, Hugh Forye. Memorand - that the fifth day of June one thousand six hundred and ten the above named Robert Thomas gave directions for the alterations afore written and then all being read over to him, he did publish this his last will and testament in the presence of Humphrey Were, Clement Bucke, John Curwen, Thomas Aseley.^3,4

Robert departed this life on Tuesday, 8 June 1610 in London, County Middlesex, England.⁵ He was buried at London, County Middlesex, England, in St. Nicholas Acons Church.^6,7 His will was probated on 12 October 1610.