Brydges (p. 439) and Nicolas (p. 679 fn) state that John Hever was of Cranbrook, Kent. Pocock (p. 16) states that John was descended from the Hevers of Hever Castle and of Hever in Kingsdown, and that they were originally of Northfleet in Kent. It is not clear how, as the male line of those Hevers seems to have died out by the time of the John Hever of this page.
Events
Date of Birth: unknown.
Place of Birth: unknown.
Date of Death: between 8 June 1483 and 29 July 1483.
John made his will on 8 June 1483 and it was proved 29 July.
Place of Death: unknown.
Relationships
Father: unknown.
The catalogue entry for the Chancery pleading cited below suggests that his name was also John Hever.
Mother: unknown.
Spouse: Marion.
In his will, Nicholas Tufton makes a bequest for the celebration of masses for the souls of John Hever and his wife Marion. John Hever, in his will, mentions his wife, Marion.
Sister: Juliane, wife of Robert Pyend of Cranbrook, Kent.
John Hever, in his will, mentions his sister.
Children:
Margaret Hever married Nicholas Tufton.
Evidence
A 15th century Chancery pleading (National Archives reference C 1/38/5) presumably concerns John or his father. From the National Archives catalogue:
Short Title: Hever v Addecok.
Plaintiffs: John, son of John Hever.
Defendants: Robert Addecok, John Thornherst, and William Newman, feoffees to uses.
Subject: Messuage, etc in Cranbrook (Cranebroke). Kent
Date: 1433-1443, or more likely 1467-1472.
In his will, John Hever of Cranbrook, Kent, mentions his wife Marion, his daughter Margaret (who is under the age of 18), and his sister, Juliane, who is the wife of Robert Pyend of Cranbrook. John mentions no other blood relationships. His feoffees are Lawrence Taylor, Thomas Partreve, Richard Posse junior of Cranbrook, John Thornhurst junior of Heveron, and John Breggelands of Staplehurst. He also mentions Roger(?) Harlaburden, Jacob/James Pyere, and John Edward.
References
Brydges, Egerton. Collins's peerage of England, genealogical, biographical, and historical, greatly augmented, and continued to the present time. (London: [T. Bensley], 1812).
Nicolas, Nicholas Harris. Testamenta vetusta: being illustrations from wills, of manners, customs, &c. as well as of the descents and possessions of many distinguished families, from the reign of Henry the Second to the accession of Queen Elizabeth. (London: Nichols, 1826)
Pocock, Robert. Memorials of the Family of Tufton, Earls of Tufton; deduced from various sources of authentic information. (London: 1800).
Will of John Hever of Cranbrook, Kent, 1483, Canterbury Cathedral and Archives, PRC/17/3/464.