Events
Date of Birth: unknown.
Place of Birth: unknown.
Date of Burial: 4 June 1546.
Place of Burial: Horsham, Sussex, England.
The burial is recorded in the parish register.
Relationships
Father: unknown.
Mother: unknown.
Spouse: Elizabeth Michell (died 1573/4).
Comber (1:152, 1:231) gives this relationship.
Children:
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
George Hall (born about 1528 - buried 4 May 1601 in Horsham) married Elizabeth Shipney, widow, 23 October 1582 in Horsham.
Elizabeth Hall (1538 - buried 9 February 1606/7 in Horsham) married (1) Roger Voyce 24 January 1555 in Horsham; married (2) Peter Ravenscroft 25 December 1569 in Horsham; married (3) Henry Keveridge.
Jane Hall married John Hall.
Richard Hall.
Margaret Hall (baptized 24 September 1543 in Horsham) married John Voyce 21 May 1565 in Horsham.
Evidence
from CCR (p. 567):
Henry Hussee, esq., Albert Alvered Berewyk, esq., Henry Robertys, esq., Henry Michell, John West, and Henry Voyce demise and confirm to Thomas Shurley, esq., Thomas Saunders, gent., John Staple, gent., John Robertys, gent., and John Halle, jun., a messuage and lands in Slynfold to the use of the sd. Henry Hussee and his heirs; which they had by fine of Will. Tredecroft…
Dated 10 May, 22 Hen. VIII. Ch. 247. [1530]
Henry Husee, esq., Albertvered Berewyk, esq., Robert Richardson, and Richard Mourneshale confirm to Thomas Shurley, esq., Thomas Saunders, gent., John Staple, gent., John Robertys gent. Henry Michell, and John Hall, jun., one messuage and lands in Slyndefold, which they recovered from John Confer and Thomas Mylys.
Dated 10 May, 22 Hen. VIII. Ch. 249 [1530]
from the Rental Rolls of Rusper Priory (1532):
De Johanne Halle, de Bradbrigges, pro pencione de Sullyngtone...ix.x.
De Thoma Bradbridge, pro uno Crofto terre (in parte Newland, later hand) ...iiij.d.
In a coroner’s inquest at Horsham on 6 November 1534, there are two John Halls on the jury: “John Hall” and “John Hall of Horsham”.
from Elwes (p. 121):
Hewells Manor, now the property of Henry Padwick, belonged to the Priory of Rusper, and at the Dissolution was valued at £10 per ann., and then leased to Henry Foyce and John Hall. In 1608 John Ravenscroft claimed to hold it by indenture from Sir Robert Southwell, knt., and Margaret his wife, and it was carried by his grand-daughter and ultimate heiress to her husband, Thomas Delves, who died in 1654.
from the West Sussex Record Office catalogue:
Lease of property in Shipley for 23 years
23 January 1537
(a) Thomas Marlet of Horsham gent. and John Marlet son and heir of John Marlet decd. of Hascombe, Surrey
(b) Hugh A Dene of Shipley, yeo.
Lands and tenements in Shipley called the Pende (20a.) lying on the west part of the King's highway from Shipley church to Blanchis Cross; and a field called Peryfield (5a.) lying on the south part of the Pende.
Rent: 13s.4d.
Witnesses: Thomas Marlet the younger, John Marlet, William Basse, William Standfeld, John Hall junr.
Seal: brown wax, signet T
Not listed in SAC
from the National Archives catalogue:
LR 14/864
1538: GRANTOR: Robert Sowthwell, Attorney of the Augmentation of the Revenues of the Crown. GRANTEE: Henry Voyse and John Halle. PLACE OR SUBJECT: Demise, indented, for 60 years, of his parsonage of Horsham and land, etc., there. COUNTY: Sussex
[Peter Ravenscroft held the parsonage of Horsham at the time of his will in 1574. Peter was married to Elizabeth Hall, who was the daughter of John Hall and the widow of Henry Voyce’s son Roger. He had previously married the widow of Henry Voyce (and Roger's mother).]
Star Chamber proceedings from 1543 (Mundy, p. 30) mention a John Hall, "bayly of Horsham".
from the Horsham parish register:
[1543 September]
54 C The xxiiij daye of the same monthe was christened Margarett the dowghter of Jhon Hall & Elsabeth hys wyfe
[1546 June]
28 b The iiijth daye was buryed Johan Hall a barbor
John Hall’s will:
In the nam of god amen primo die Junij año dni millm quingen'o xl vj I John Hall of of Horsham ordyn my Will after this manner I will to be buryed in the chantry[?] in the church of Horsham Item I bequeth towards the reparacon of the church of Horsham vjd Item I will to Henry Mychell all that my hawse that Richard Weller dwelleth in after the fyrst yere after my death from thens forth during the hole terme of his lyff naturall Item Item [sic] I will to Elyzabeth my wyff during the hole terme of her lyff naturall all my lands and tenements with all the [...] within the Countie of Sussex and she ther with to pay therof to George my son till he [come] to the full age of xxi yeres yerly xls to be payd to hym quarterly every quarter xs and after he ys com to his full age of xxj yeres [...] the hole terme of the lyke terme of the lyff naturall of the said Elyzabeth I will she shall yerly pay unto the sayd Georg iijli vj s viij d quarterly xvj s viij d Item I will to each of my daughters Elizabeth Jane and Margaret iiijli to be pay to every of them at the day of ther mariage yf hit be be for the full age of xviij yeres or ells at the full age of xviij yeres / and yf any of my sayd daughters dye befor she be of the full age of xviij yeres not maryed / then I will that the mony to her bequethed to remayn to the performance and payment of my detts / The Residew of all my goods and detts that be owing to me I will & bequeth to Elizabeth my wyf whome I ordain and mak myne executrix She ther with to pay all the detts that I do owe and the rest to use as she thynkyth best. / And yff hyt happyn that Jane the wyff of John Mychell dye during the lyff of the said John Michell and also the lyff of the sayd Elizabeth my wyff then I will the said Elizabeth my wyff to have the reversion of the house that the said John Michell doth now in habyt durying her lyff she paying to John Mychell xvli according to the covenants and payr of indentures therof mad be twyxt the said John and me Item I will to John Hall my nevew xx s Item I bequeth to Roberd Johans my syrvant x s to be payd to hym at his full age of xxi yeres These bering witnes Thomas Brod brige Henry Voyce Snr Henry Parrying preest John Jenning [?] Thomas Michell John Pylfold & Stevyn Hoskyn with other Also I ordeyn and mak Henry Voyce thelder and Thomas Bradbrydge to be my oversears & to see this my testament trewly to be executyd & performed according to the trew tenor of the same Item I Geve and bequeth to Richard Wyford & to hys heres for and after the decease of his mother all that my croft of land Called Eds[?] that I lat bought of John Ede deceased
[proved 24 September 1546]
[fo 139]
The 1601 will of John’s son George Hall:
In the name of God amen I George Hall of Horsham in the Countie of Sussex gent feelinge my selfe eftsones oppressed with sundry deseases and being allso verie feeble and impotent by reasonne of old age so that I cannot otherwise thincke but that god will shortlie take me out of this worlde wherefore in time of some healthe of this mine aged bodie while I ame of p[er]fect remembraunce do make publishe and declare this my laste will and testament indented in manner and fourme following First as touchinge my selfe I leave my bodie to the earthe to expect the generall daie of the blessed resurrection and will the same to be interred in the sowthe Isle of the p[ar]ishe Churche of Horsham aforesaide where mine Anncesters bodies have binne laide My sowle I yealde into the mercifull handes of Jhesus Christe in whose free adoption grace and mercie I have and do wholie repose my salvacon. And concerninge the disposition of my worldlie goodes landes and possessions. I will the same to be as followethe that is to saie Inprimis I give and bequeth to the poore people of Horsham aforesaid three poundes of lawfull monie of England Fortie shillings whereof I will to be distributed amongest them in the daie of my buriall and the other twentie shillings uppon good fridaie next after my decease by the discretion of the vicar of Horsham aforesaide for the time beinge and of mine executor hereunder named. Item I give and bequeathe to Elizabeth Cryspe my servaunt twentie six shillings eight pence of like lawfull monie yearelie and everie yeare duringe her naturall life to be paide to her att the feastes of Michaelmas Christemas the Annunciacon of our Laide and the Nativitie of Sainte John Baptiste by even porcions the first paiment thereof to beginne and be made at whiche of the said Feastes shall next happen after my decease. And I most instantlie desier and chardge mine executor hereunder named to see the same yearelie paiements well and trulie paide accordinglie as he hath most faithefullie promised to do at the time of the making hereof. Item I give and bequeath to Edward Michell my seraunte twentie shillings And to Joane Purlonge my servaunt twentie shillings And to everie other of my servaunts aswell men as maides servaunts that shalbe dwellinge with me at the time of my decease other then Richard Mare thelder tenne shillings apeece. Item I give and bequeathe to Martha Killingbeck my Neece removed tenne poundes of like lawfull monie to be paide to her when she shall accomplishe her age of one and twentie yeares or at the daie of her marriage which of them shall first happen yf she so long live Item I give and bequeath to everie of the now brothers and sisters of the said Martha that shalbe livinge at the time of my decease twentie shillings a peece to be paide unto them in manner and fourme as is aforesaide in the legacie given to the saide Martha . Item I give and bequeath unto Simon Joye Tenn poundes of like lawfull monie to be paid to him at his like age of one and twentie yeares yf he shall then be livinge. Item I give and bequeath to Edward and John Parckhurste sonnes of Edward Parkehurste fortie shillings a peece and to everie of the other Children of the saide Edward Parkhurste the father twenty shillings a peece. Item I give and bequeath to the sayde Edward Parkehurste the father in consideracon of his paines taken with me in my lamenes five poundes to be paide within halfe a yeare after my decease. Item I give and bequeathe to my brother in lawe John Voyce five poundes to be paide within halfe a yeare after my decease. Item I give and bequeathe to Elizabeth Keveridge and Margaret Voyce my sisters tenn poundes a peece to be paide to them within one yeare next after my decease to the intente and uppon condicion that they or either of them shall not have to do or meddle with anie of my goodes Chattells utensiles or houshold stuffe whatsoever other then such as ar to them in and by this my laste will and testament leagacied and bequeathed Moreover I give and bequeathe to the saide Margarett my sister in recompense for that I am fully resolved that no parte of my Customarie and coppiholde landes shall discende and come to her by course of Inheritaunce after my decease the some of Fortie poundes of like lawfull monie to be paide to her within a yeare after my decease. Item I give to Jane Voice my saide sister Margaretts Daughter nowe wife of Mr Platt thirtene poundes six shillings eight pence. Item I give and bequeathe to Georg Voice my said sister Margaretts sonne thirtene poundes six shillings and eight pence of like lawfull monie to be paide to him within halfe a yeare next after my decease. Item I give and bequaethe to William Hall my kinseman late Justice Gardeners servaunt six poundes thirtene shillinges and fower pence to be paide to him within halfe a yeare next after my decease yf he shall then be livinge: Item I give and bequeathe to my Neece Elizabeth Parkehurste five poundes to be paide to her at the discretion of mine executor Item I give and bequeath to John Cutler and Thomas Cutler children of Marie Voice my said sister Margarets daughter and to everie of the other Children of the saide Marie twentie shillings apeece to be paide to them at theire severall ages of one and twentie yeares. And yf anie of them happen to die the porcion or porcions of him or her so dieinge to remaine to and amongest him her or them that then shalbe suvivinge. Item I give and bequeathe to the said Marie Voice my said siter Margaretts Daughter three poundes to be paide at the discretion of myne executor And her brother in lawe John Voice her Father. Item I give and bequeath to Georg Tailor and Thomas Tailor sonnes of my Neece Margarett Butterwicke twentie shillings apeece: And to everie of the other children of the said Margarett Butterwicke that she now hath and shalbe livinge at the time of my decease tenn shillinges a peece. the same to be paide to everie of the saide Margarett Butterweeks children at there severall ages of twentie one yeares yf they so longe shall live Item I give and bequeathe to Georg Allen my good sone fortie shillings to be paide within one yeare next after my decease And to Elizabeth Coe my goddaughter tenn shillings Item I give and bequeathe to my brother in lawe John Hall a Ringe of golde price twentie shillings And to Jane Hall daughter of my sister Jane Hall deceased twentie shillings. And so much monie more as mine executor shall thinck good. Item I give and bequeath to my Cosen Elizabeth Barwick thirtene shillings and fowre pence to be paide at the discretion of mine executor and so much monie more as mine executor shall thinck good All and singuler other my goodes chattells howsholdstuffe utensiles and debtes whatsoever and every parte and parcell thereof I do wholie give and bequeathe to my welbeloved Nephewe John Ravenscrofte whome I make and ordaine to be the sole and onlie executor of this my p[re]’nte testament and laste will Item I give and bequeathe to my said servaunt Richard Mare the elder in consideracion and to the intent he shalbe aidinge and helpinge to my saide executor in shewinge the bowndes of the parrishe of Horsham and what landes have usuallie paide tithes to the parsonage of Horsham aforesaide and otherwise as much as in him lieth from time to time accordinge to right and equitie the house which he now dwelleth in and the little Crofte thereto belonginge called Edes Crofte for and duringe the tearme of the naturall life of the same Richard And after his decease the same howse and crofte with the Appurtenances to remaine and be to the sayde John Ravenscrofte mine executor and his heires forever Provided allwaies and yet neverthelesse my will and mine is that the saide Richard and his Assignes shall yeald and paie for the said howse and crofte yearelie and everie yeare duringe the naturall life of the said Richard twentie six shillinges eight pence of lawfull Englishe monie to the said John Ravenscrofte myne executor and to his heires at the fower most usuall Feastes or quarters of the yeares. Itm I give and bequeath to Henrie Voyce my saide sister Margaretts sonne and to his heires for ever my house and gardaine in Horsham as they ar nowe in the occupacion of Robert Stoneinge All and singuler other my messuages landes tennements and hereditamentes whatsoever and everie parte and parcell thereof with the appurtenances in Horsham and Nuthurste and els wherein within the Countie of Sussex or within the Realme of England I give and bequeathe to the sayde John Ravenscrofte mine executor and to his heires forever And I the said Georg the testator do hereby revolke retract and make voide all former wills and testaments Codicills and executors by me at anie time heretofore made; named and appointed And my full intente and meaninge is that theise p[re]’ntes shall stande and be taken for mine onlie last will and testament. The Overseers of this laste will and testament I make and ordaine my welbeloved frendes John Comber the elder gent and James Allen. And I do herebie release and forgive to the said John Comber those ten poundes which he oweth me And I give to the said James the some of Five poundes of lawfull Englishe monie And I will myne Overseers chardges to be borne and defrayd whensoever they or either of them shall travaile aboute this my last will and testament And to the intent that this my laste will and testament maie be the better preserved and more dulie performed and kepte accordinge to the true intente and meaninge hereof I have caused the same to be made indented and to be p[ar]tes thereof whereof one parte is remaininge in my owne handes and custodie the other in the keepinge of the saide James Allen I have put my hande and seale the twelveth daie of September in the yeare of our Lord god accordinge to the course and computacon of the Church of Englande one thowsande five hundred fower score and eightene in the presence of Matthew Allene Clarke Vicar of Horsham aforesaide James Allen no’ry pub’que and Georg Allen beinge witnesses hereunto by me specially called and requested Math: Alleine Ja: Alleyne no’ris pub’que Geo: Allene By me Georg Hall
[Proved 12 May 1601]
Commentary
Several pieces of evidence suggest that the John Hall of this page was probably part of the Harrison alias Hall family of Slinfold, Broadbridge, and Sullington.
One overseer of John’s will, Henry Voyce, was involved in a property transaction (as a trustee?) in Slinfold in 1530. Also involved in the same transaction were John Hall’s father-in-law Henry Michell and a “John Halle jun.”, who may or may not have been the John Hall of this page. At the dissolution of the monasteries (late 1530s-early 1540s), Henry Voyce and John Hall acquired the lease of Hewells Manor from Sir Robert Southwell. This John Hall was definitely the John Hall of this page, as his grandson John Ravenscroft later held the lease. Henry Voyce and the John Hall of this page also together received the parsonage of Horsham from Sir Robert Southwell in 1538.
The other overseer of John’s will was Thomas Broadbridge. Thomas is listed in the Rental Rolls of Rusper Priory in 1532. Also listed is “Johanne Halle, de Bradbridgges”. It is not clear that this is the John Hall of this page, but it seems possible. The Priory of Rusper held the manor of Hewells before Henry Voyce and the John Hall of this page acquired the lease.
On the other hand, it is difficult to see where the John Hall of this page would fit into the Harrison alias Hall family. John Hall of Sullington, in his 1521/2 will, names two sons, John Harrison alias Hall and Thomas Hall of Warnham. The son John, who became a Member of Parliament, left a will dated 1547 which names his own son John as executor. Since the John of this page left a 1546 will, none of these three John Halls can be our man. Thomas Hall of Warnham left a 1533 will which names his son John. However, this John is known to have been a London draper who married Jane Hall, a daughter of the John of this page.
The will of John’s son George mentions that his ancestors had been buried in Horsham. I have not identified the “nephew” John Hall mentioned in John Hall’s 1546 will or the “kinseman” William Hall mentioned in George Hall’s 1601 will. The “Justice Gardener” with whom William Hall was a servant was presumably Sir Robert Gardener, who was chief justice of Ireland between 1586 and 1603.
References
Calendar of Charters and Rolls Preserved in the Bodleian Library, edited by William H. Turner (Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1878).
Elwes, Dudley George Cary. A History of the Castles, Mansions, and Manors of Western Sussex (1876).
John Hall in England. Sussex. Genealogies of Families Living in Sussex. A database extraction of John Comber’s Sussex Genealogies (Cambridge: W. Heffer and Sons, 1931 -).
John Hall will, Church of England. Bishop of Chichester. Consistory Court (Archdeaconry of Chichester). FHL 194561. Family History Library, Salt Lake City.
Mundy, Percy D. Abstracts of Star Chamber Proceedings - Henry VII to Philip and Mary (Sussex Record Society, 1913).
Parish registers of Horsham. Digital images on FamilySearch.org.
Rice, R. Garraway (transcriber and editor). The Parish Register of Horsham in the County of Sussex, 1541 - 1635. Sussex Record Society Volume XXI, (London: Mitchell Hughes and Clarke, 1915).
Sussex Coroners’ Inquests 1485-1558 (R.F. Hunnisett ed.) Sussex Record Society vol. 74 (1984-5).
Way, Albert. "Notices of the Benedictine Priory of St. Mary Magdalen, at Rusper" in Sussex Archaeological Collections (volume 5, 1852) pp. 244-261.
Will of George Hall of Horsham. Proved 1601 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Will of John Hall of Sullington. Proved 1522 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.
Will of John Harrison alias Hall of Broadbridge. Proved 1550 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.
Will of Thomas Hall of Warnham. Proved 1533 in the Consistory Court of Chichester.
Will of Thomas Hall of Kewdford. Proved 1550 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.
Will of Thomas Hawle of Horsham. Proved 1562 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.
Will of William Hall of Redriff. Proved 1612 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.