Peter Godfrey

Events

Date of Birth: unknown.

Place of Birth: unknown.

Date of Death: 10 March 1566.

The date is given on his monument in the parish church of Lydd (Howard, p. 262).

Date of Burial: 11 March 1566.

Place of Burial: Lydd, Kent.

The burial is recorded in the parish register.

Relationships

Father: Thomas Godfrey.

This relationship is given in the 1619 visitation of Kent (p. 132). Thomas names his son Peter in his will.

Mother: unknown.

Howard’s chart shows Peter’s mother as Thomas’s unnamed first wife.

Spouse: Joan Epps. Married 24 April 1540 in Old Romney, Kent (St Clement).

The marriage is recorded in the parish register. This relationship is given in the 1619 visitation of Kent (p. 132). The name Jone is given on her monument in the parish church of Lydd (Howard, p. 262).

Children:

(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project. The two further sons are mentioned in Peter’s monumental inscription. They may have been born between 1545 and 1548 when the registers are faded and difficult to read.)

William Godfrey (baptized 9 September 1542 in Lydd - buried 20 September 1542 in Lydd)

Alice Godfrey (baptized 15 October 1543 in Lydd - buried 25 November 1570 in New Romney, Kent) married Thomas Plommer 2 October 1559 in Lydd.

Katherine Godfrey (baptized 15 September 1544 in Lydd) married John Berry 18 August 1562 in Lydd.

Susanna Godfrey (baptized 4 May 1551 in Lydd) married (1) Edward Wilcocks 5 October 1567 in Lydd; married (2) John Fowle 11 October 1580 in Lydd.

Peter Godfrey (baptized 17 July 1552 in Lydd - buried 8 December 1566 in Lydd)

Thomas Godfrey (baptized 26 March 1554 - buried 24 February 1623/4 in Lydd) married (1) Mary Partridge 14 September 1578 in Benenden, Kent; married (2) Elizabeth Pix 16 June 1582 in Folkestone, Kent; married (3) Alice Allard 24 February 1589 in Lydd.

Two more sons and one more daughter.

Evidence

Parish registers of Old Romney:

1540.

m Peter Godfrey & Joane Epps were maried the xxiiij th day of Aprill A.o Reg. Reg. Hen. 8 xxxij

Parish registers of Lydd:

Christenings

1542

September 9 William the Sonne of Peter Godfrey.

1543

October 15. Alys the Daugher of Peter Godrey.

1544

September 15. Catheryne the Daught of Peter Godfrey.

1548

January 25. The Baptisme of Ellyn Godfrey./

1551

May 4. Susanna the Daughter of Peter Godfrey

1552

July. 17. Peter Godfraye./

1554

March 26 Thomas Godferye.

[The surname was originally written “Gefferye”, which was the surname of the previous entry, then later corrected with darker ink.]

Burials

1542

Sept: 20. Willm the sonne of Peter Godfrey/

1550

November 13. Joane Godfrey ./

1551.

January 25. Edward Godfrey./

1566.

Decem: 8. Peter the sonne of Peter Godrey. Bu.

March 11. Peter Godfrey Jurate B:

from the Lydd Churchwardens’ Accounts:

A.D. 1544.

...From Peter Godfrey for the legacy of Thos Godfrey for the reparation of the Church, 20s.

A.D. 1555

...Item payde by Peter Godfrey executor of ye testame’t of Mr. Wylcocke for ye ffee of ye grete bell at 2 seu’all tymes for Mr. wylcocke due to ye churche, 2s. 8d. Item of him more for brekynge ye churche grounde, 6s. 8d. Ite rec of him more for ye knell by 2 seu’all tymes for his wyff at ye buryall and mu’thes mynd for ye churches parte, 6s. 8d. ...

A fine from 36 Henry VIII (1544) (Zell, p. 170)

2245. Jn Deryng, esq to Pet Godfrey. Mess & 100a land in Lydd, Midley & Old Romney. 260 mks.

Peter was an executor of the 1555 will of Rafe Willcocks of Lydd.

Peter, together with William Bate, bailiff of Lydd, was an executor of the will of Thomas Cubberd.

Monumental inscriptions in the parish church of Lydd:

On a brass in the nave:

Peter for God die pray whilst that God lyfe him gave

Now rests his Soule with God and Bodie in the grave.

[engraving of Peter and his wife]

Here lyeth buryed the Bodyes of Peter Godreye and Jone his wyfe, which Peter decessyd the xth day of Marche in the yere of or Lorde God m.cccccxvi: and the sayd Jone decessed before him in the yere of or Lorde God m.ccccclvi. having by her v s. iiii d.

from Nicholas Eyare Toke’s notes (Kent Archaeological Society website):

About the middle of the Chancel is a fair blew stone with the Godfreys Arms viz: In a field sable between a chevron 3 Pelicans Heads erased or and inscript: To the memory of Thomas GODFREY Esquire borne at New Romney in the yeare of our Lord God 1553. Sonne and Heire of Peter Godfrey of Lydd, Gent. Wheire he and his ancestours have continued in good esteem and Reputation for above two hundred yeares as appears by their funeral monuments yet extant in the said Church and by their several wils and Testaments prouved in the Registers Office at Canterbury and London. Hee was Captian of ye Horse for above 40 yeares together before his Death notwithstanding which hee himself was charged with and did find at every Mvster five Light Horse and twentye Foot. Hee was a Frank Howsekeeper, Hospitable to strangers and charitable to ye needy. He lived beloved and died lamented by all especially ye poore In the threescore and eleventh yeare of his age being in the yeare of ovr Lord God 1623. Noted by Leland L. Duncan pre 1923

Peter's will:

In the name of god Amen The syxtene daye of Januarye, In the yeare of our Lorde God a thousande, five hundred thre score and syxe, in the nynthe yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladye Elyzabethe by the Grace of god Queene of Englande Fraunce and Irelande defendor of the faythe &c. I Peter Godrey of Lydde in the Countye of Kente yeoman being of whole and p[er]fecte mynde and Remembraunce (thanes be unto God therefore) doe make and ordeyne this my laste wyll and Testament in manner and forme followyng. Fyrste I comende my Soule into the handes of almightye God assuredly trusting throughe the meryttes and passyon of his deare Sonne Jhesus Chryste to haue and enioye a p[ar]te of that p[er]petuall blessednesse what he hathe aforehande prepared for his electe. Also I wyll that my Bodye be buryed in the Churche of Lydde aforesayde, betwene the Tombe Stone of Robte Cockeram and the Tombe Stone of Thomas Godfrey there, and that a fayre Tombe Stone be layd over the place where I shall so lye buryed. Item I give and bequethe to the pore people inhabitinge within the Parish of Lydde aforesayde at the daye of my Buryall, fourtye shillinges. To the poore people inhabitinge withine the paryshe of New Romeney at the daye of my Buryall thirtene Shillinges, fowre pence. To the poore people inhabitinge within the Parish of Olde Romeney at the daye of my Buryall tenne Shillinges. To the poore people inhabitinge within the Parishe of Brokelande at the Daye of my Buryall tenne shillinges. And to the pore people inhabiting within the parishe of Ivechurche at the daye of my Buryall tenne Shillinges. Item I geve and bequethe unto the pore people inhabitinge within the Parishe of Lydde aforesayde yearely at the Feaste of the Nativity of our Lorde and Savyor Jhesus Christe by the Some of twenty shillinges. Item I geve and bequethe towarde the necessarye Rep[ar]acons of the churche of Lydde aforesayde the Some of twentye Shillinges. Item I geve and bequethe to Rycharde Baker my seruant the Some of fortye shillinges, in consideracon of suche portyon as I had with him, and in dischardge of my Executor underwrytten. Item I geve and bequethe to Peter Wattle my seruaunt the Some of fourtye Shillinges. Item I geve and bequethe to Sybell Conyers wyfe of Rycharde Conyers, thirtene shillinges and fowre pence. Item I geve and bequethe to Richard Glover, sonne of Peter Glover late of Lydde aforesayde deceased, the Some of Fowre poundes, syxetene shillinges and eighte pence of lawfull monye of Engelande. Item I geve and bequete to John Maye my Godsonne, for and in full payement, satisfaction Recompence, and dischardge, of all and singuler the profitts and comodities that I haue receyued of one messuage or Tenement and one Close, situate, lyinge, and being in Lydde aforesayde, nowe of the saide John Maye, the some of twentye and two poundes of lawefull monye of Engelande. Item I geve and bequethe unto Alyce and Marye, daughters of Henrye Cladyche late of Olde Romeney aforesayde deceased the Some of twentye and syxe poundes of lawfull monye of Englande equallye to be devided betwene them, for and in full payement, satisfaccon, recompence, and dischardge of nynetene poundes p[ar]cell of Fourtye and syxe poundes, which I Received of John Austen p[ar]cell of fortye two poundes which fortye two poundes is also remayninge nowe in the handes of me the sayde Peter Godfrey, Thomas Godfrey, and John Austen, that is to saye nynetene poundes in myne handes, twentye thre poundes in the handes of my brother Thomas Godfrey, and fowre poundes in the handes of John Austen. Item I geve and bequethe unto Johane Hayewarde for and in full payement, satisfactyon, Recompence, and dischardge of fourtye Shillinges wylled unto her by the laste wyll and testament of Rafe Wylcocke the Some of fyftye Shillinges of lawfull monye of Engelande item I geve and bequethe to Mary Bytter, for and in full payement, satisfactyon, Recompence, and dyschardge of thirtye Ewes and the profittes rysinge of the same Ewes, deliuered unto me after the Decease of William Bytter her father, the Sume of twelue poundes of lawefull money of Engelande. Item I geve and bequethe to John Cason and Thomas Cason, for and in full payement, satisfacon, Recompence, and dischardge of all and singuler suche goodes and Cattells as was wylled and bequeathed unto them by the laste wyll and Testament of Austen Cason their father, and were by me the sole Executor of the sayde laste will and testament of the sayde Austen receyued, the Some of three score poundes of lawefull monye of Engelonde equallye to be devyded betwene them, and to be paide at their seu[er]all ages of syxtene yeares according to the true meaning and entente of the sayde laste wyll and Testament of the sayde Austen. Item I geue and bequethe to the sayde John Cason and Thomas Cason for and in full payement, satisfaccon and dischardge of one Legacye of thirtene shillinges fowre pence to euery of the sayd John and Thomas wylled and bequethed by the laste will and testament of Thomas Cutter their Graundefather, the Some of twentye syxe shillinges, and eighte pence, of lawefull monye of Englenade equallye to be deuyded betwene them. Item I geue and bequethe to the sayde John Cason and Thomas Cason, for and in full payment, satisfactyon, Recompence, and dischadge of all and singuler the goodes and cattelles that fell unto them by Reason of the deathe of John Cutter, and were Receyued by me as one of the Executors of the last will and testament of Thomas Cutter, father of the sayde John Cutter, the Some of Thirtye poundes of lawfull monye of Englande equallye to be deuyded betwene them. Item I wyll that my Executor duering the tyme that the Somes of thre score poundes and thirtye poundes wylled and bequethed to the sayd John and Thomas Cason, as is aforesayde, remayne in the handes of my sayde Executor, doe so longe at his prop[er] costes and chardges fynde meete and convenyent apparell for the sayde John and Thomas Cason and euery of them. Item I geue and bequethe to Thomas Stymingfleete Sonne of William Stymmingfleete, for and in full payement, satisfactyon, Recompence, & dischardge of his p[ar]te or porcyon of monye that fell unto him by Reason of the deathe of John Cutter aforesayde, the Some of fourtene poundes, fyftene shillinges of lawfull monye of Engelande. Item I geue and bequethe to George Stokes, and Alice Stokes, for and in full payement, satisfactyon, and dischardge of a Legacy of syxe Shillinges, eight pence willed unto euery of the sayd George and Alyce by the laste will and Testament of John Dyne theyr uncle, the Some of twenty syxe shillinges and eyghte pence equallye to be devyded betwene them. Item I geue and bequethe to Alyes Derlye, Katherine Derlye, and Anne Derlye, daughters of Nycolas Derlye, and to euery of them the seuerall Some of syxe shillinges, eighte pence, to be payde unto them and euery of them at the seuerall dayes of their maryage, And yf they or any of them unmaryed happen to dye Then I will that the legacye or bequeste of the sayde seuerall Some of syxe shillinges, eighte pence afore geuen and bequethed unto them or any of them soe dying unmaryed shalbe utterly voyde and of nou effecte. Item I geue and bequethe to Willyam Plum[m]er, Johane Plum[m]er, Alyce Plummer, and Agnes Plummer, the children of Alyce Plumer my daughter and to euery of them the seuerall Some of thre poundes, syxe shillinges, & eighte pence of lawefull monye of Engelonde, which seuerall Some of thre poundes syxe shillinges, & eighte pence so willed and bequethed to them and euery of them I will within one yeare next after my decease shalbe employed and layde oute by Thomas Plummer theyr father or by his executors to the use, benefitte, and behoofe of the sayde Willyam Johane, Alyce, and Agnes and euery of them, and the sayde seuerall Some of thre poundes, syxe shillinges, eighte pence together with the seuerall profittes and comodityes rysing or growing by Reason of suche employing or laying oute, to be payde unto them and euery of them at the seu[er]all dayes of theyr maryage. And yf the sayde Wylliam, Johane, Alyce, Agnes or any of them unmaryed happen to dye, then I will that the sayde seuerall Some of thre poundes, syxe shillinges, eighte pence so employed or layde oute to thuse, benefitte, and behoofe of them or any or them, so dying unmaryed, together with the seuerall p[ro]fittes and comodityes rysing or growing by reason of suche employing or laying oute, shalbe and Remayne to the other of them ouer lyvinge. Item I geve and bequethe to Mr Thomas Wotton Esquire, one couple of breading Swannes, and at his choyse my beste horse or gelding. Item I geve & bequethe to Alyce seruaunte of mystreis Harlackinden the Some of tenne poundes of lawfull monye of Englande, to be payde unto the sayde Alyce within two yeares, nexte after my decease, If she lyue so longe, upon condycon that mystreis Harlackinden aforesaid shall p[er]myt and suffer Thomas Godfrey my Sonne to haue in farme and to occupye all suche landes as nowe I haue of her, dueringe her lyfe, in suche sorte and at like pryce as I doe nowe farme the same landes. Item I will that after my decease Geoffrye Haccomplaynte shall yearely from the fyrste day of May, to the firste Daye of November, tyll suche tyme as Thomas Godfrey my sayde Sonne shall accomplished his full age of twentye and one yeares, yf the sayde Geoffrye lyue so longe, haue one three yearing Steere, or fowre yearing Steere of the sayde Geoffrye well and sufficiently pastured, loked to, and kept, by myne Executor in my m[ar]shes or marshe grounde, without paying or yelding of anythinge for suche pasturing, loking to, or keping of any or euery suche Steere. Item I will that Robert Dodde my seruaunte shall from Michelmas nexte after my decease unto the tyme that Thomas Godfrey my Sonne shall come to his full age of twentye one yeares haue the occupying of one house called Nodde and sixtene Acres of lande thereto belonging, and syxe acres of lande p[ar]cell of certayne landes called Sowdney alreadye by Indenture dimised by me unto one Jeames Knell, yf the sayde Jeames dueringe the terme graunted by the same Indenture, happen to dye, yelding and paying for eu[er]y acre of the saide lande, so by him the say Roberte as in and by the same Indenture are allowed to the sayde Jeames. Item I wyll that afte my decease Mr William Lovelace Esquyre yearely till suche tyme as Thomas Godfrey my sayde Sonne shall accomplishe his full age of twentye and one yeres, yf the sayde Mr William Lovelace shall lyue so longe, shall haue two Geldinges well & sufficiently fedde, pastured, loked to, and kepte by my Executor in my m[ar]shes or mershe grounde without payinge or yelding of any thinge for suche feeding, pasturing, loking to, or keping of any or euery suche Geldinge or Geldinges, to be good to my sayde Executor, and to assiste him with his good Councell when and as often as nede and occasyon shall serue. Item I will that of the yearely yssues, profittes, and comodityes of my Landes, Tenementes, and hereditamentes, myne Executor shall paye or cause to be payde unto Susanne my Daughter the Some of one hundred and fowre score poundes of lawefull monye of Englande in manner and fourme following, that is to saye within one whole yeare nexte after the daye of her mariage the Some of thre score pounds of lawfull mony of Engelande, and at thende of two whole yeares nexte after suche daye of her maryage the like Some of thre score poundes of lawfull monye of Englande and at the ende of one other yeare then nexte following, the Some of thre score poundes of lawefull monye of Engelande, And yf the saide Susanne unmaryed happen to dye, then I will that the legacye or bequeste of one hundred and fowre Score poundes afore wylled to the sayde Susanne shalbe utterly voyde and of noue effecte. Also yt it happen that I doe or shall with any other Some of monye or by any other waye or meane whatsoeuer, sufficiently to appeare by matter whatsoeuer, sufficiently to appeare by matter in weytinge hereafter advaunce and p[re]ferre the sayde Susanne, then I will that the sayde Legacye or bequeste of the sayde Some of one hundred and fowre score poundes and eu[er]y p[ar]te p[ar]cell thereof, and all and euery other legacye or bequeste hereafter willed or bequethed to the sayde Susanne in or by this my laste will & Testament shalbe utterlye voyde, and of noue effecte. Item I geue and bequethe unto Peter Godfrey, and William Godfrey the Sonnes of Thomas Godfrey my brother, to eu[er]y of them, one Ewe and one lambe to be deliu[er]ed to them, and Euery of them at Michaelmas nexte after my decease. Item I geue and bequethe unto Thomas Hebilthwayte the Sonne of John Hebilthwayte one Ewe and one lambe to be deliuered to him at Mychelmas nexte after my decease. Item I geue and bequethe to Thomas Godfrey my Sonne all suche tabelles, Formes, Shelues, Presses, Bedsteddelles, Plankes, Yron Hangers, and yron barres as are nowe set, standing, and being, in my pryncipall mansyon house, or any the Edifices or houses, thereunto belonging or in any p[ar]te or place thereof. Item I will that the Residue of my householde Stuffe be equallye devyded betwene Thomas Godfrey my sayde sonne and Susanne Godfrey my sayde Daughter. Item I will that all and singuler my debtes and legacyes, and one Annuytie of thirtye poundes graunted by me unto Robert Ruestone Esquire, and one other Annuytie of sixetene poundes graunted by me unto John Cheseman shalbe by myne Executor underwritten satisfyed discharged and payde, oute of the Reste of all my goodes and Cattells by this my Testament and laste wyll not wylled, assigned, or bequethed. And oute of the yearely yssues, proffittes, & Comodityes of all and singuler my leases, landes, Tenementes and Hereditamentes whatsoeuer. Item I will that John Berrye my Sonne in lawe, and Thomas Plummer my SOnne in lawe, or some honeste and discrete p[er]sone or p[er]sones by them, theyr Executors or Assignes or by the Executors or Assignes or the longer lyver of any of them shall haue and take the care, consyderacon, orderinge, and lokinge to, aswell of Thomas Godfrey my sayde Sonne as also of all and singuler the Goodes, Cattells, Landes, Tenementes, and hereditamentes by this my Testamente and laste wyll by any manner of wayes given or bequethed unto the sayde Thomas Godfrey my Sonne, and the payement of my debtes, Annuityes, Fermes, Legacyes, and Bequethes, tyll suche tyme as he the same Thomas Godfrey shall come to his full age of twentye and one yeares, yf he lyue so longe, and the sayde goodes Cattells, Landes, Tenementes, and Hereditamentes, so geuen and bequethed to the sayde Thomas Godfrey my sayde Sonne to the beste advantage, and to the use, benefyt, and behoofe of the sayde Thomas Godfrey my Sonne, shall order and dispose, till his sayde age of twentye one yeares, yf he lyue so longe. Item I will that the sayde John Berrye and Thomas Plummer and euery of them theyr Exeucutors or Assignes or the sayde honeste, discrete, and meete p[er]son or p[er]sons by them and euery or any of them, theyr Executors or Assignes, or the Executors or Assignes or any of them, to be named and appoynted shall yearely at the Feast of Christemas till suche tyme as the sayde Thomas Godfrey my sayde Sonne shall come to his sayde full age of twentye one yeares, yf he lyue so longe, yelde and delyver of all and singuler the yssues, profittes, and Comodityes of the same Goodes, cattelles, landes, Tenementes, and hereditamentes by any of them receyued and of all manner of charges, payementes, or Allowaunces in the p[er]formaunce in or aboute the executyon of this my laste will or Testament or of any parte or p[ar]cell thereof, by any of them laye oute or employed, unto Mr Thomas Wotton aforesayde, or unto some one p[er]sone by him assigned for that purpose. Item I geue and bequeethe to Thomas Plummer and John Berrye aforesayde, and to eyther of them the Some of tenne poundes of lawefull monye of Engelande, in Consideracon of suche theyr payne and travaile, as they and eyther of them muste take in and aboute the Executyon of this my presente laste Wyll or Testament, And I will that they and every of them shall haue meete and convenyente Allowaunces of all suche Chardges, Costes, and Expences, as they or any of them shalbe at, in or aboute the executyon of this my laste will or Testament, or in or aboute thexecutyon of any p[ar]te or p[ar]cell thereof. Item I ordeyne constitute, and make Thomas Godfrey my sayde Sonne Executor of this my present laste will or Testament, and Mr Thomas Wootton aforesayde Overseer of this my present laste will or Testament. These being wytnesse John Hebilthwayte, By me Jeames Typpe, By me Roberte Dodde, John Paynot.

Thys is the last wyll and Testament of me the sayde Peter Godfrey made and declared the daye and yeare firste aboue wrytten, concerning the dysposycon of all my Landes, Tenementes, Leases, Rentes, Reuercons, and Hereditamentes, set, lying, and being within the Countye of Kente or ele where. Fyrste I geue and bequethe unto Thomas Godfrey my brother and to this heyers for euer one yarde of Lande by estymacon lying in Lydde aforesayde at the ende of his parte of the great Barne, yelding and paying therefore yearely at the Feast of St Michaell tharchengell unto Thomas Godfrey my Sonne and to his heyres for euer two pence of lawefull money of Englande, and the sayde Thomas Godfrey my brother and his heyers keping and maynteyning the enclosures of the sayde yarde of Lande in suche sorte as nowe it is fenced and kepte. Item I will that yearely after my decease till suche tyme as Susanne my daughter aforesayde shall happen to marye, the Some of thre poundes, syxe Shillinges, and eight pence of lawefull monye of Englande to be by Thomas Godfrey my Sonne aforesayde allowed and payde Quarterly by equall porcons unto the sayde Susanne of the yearely yssues, profittes, and Comodityes of the Landes, Tenementes, and hereditamentes, by this my laste will geuen and bequethed unto the sayde Thomas my Sonne. Item I will that yf John Berrye my Sonne in lawe and Katheryne his wyfe my daughter, happen to dye withoute heyres of the Bodyes of the sayde John Berrye and Katherine lawefullye begotten, That then two messuages and twentye Acres of mershe lande by estimacon in Brokelande in the Countye of Kente aforesayde of and in which I haue infeoffed William Wylcocke Gentleman and Thomas Godfrey yeoman to thuse and behofe of the sayde John Berrye and Ketheryne for terme of theyr two lyues and the longest lyuer of them, and after theyr decease to thuse and behofe of the heyres of the Bodyes of the sayde John and Katheryne lawfully begotten, withe Condycon that the sayde John, and Katheryne nor any of them shall not alyen, make dyscontynnaunce, or suffer any Recouverye to be made of the sayde messuage, Landes, or Ten’tes or of any p[ar]cell thereof. And for defaulte of such yssue, to the use and behofe of me the sayde Peter Godfrey and my heyers for euer, as by a deed Indented thereof made by me the sayde Peter bearing date the laste Day of September in the forthe yeare of the Reygne of our Sovereigne Ladye Elizabethe by the Grace of God Quene of Englande, Fraunce, and Irelande defendor of the faythe &c more playnely maye appeare, shalbe and Remayne onely to the sayde Thomas Godrey my Sonne and to his heyres for euer. And furthermore there I haue Covenaunted to and with the sayde John Berrye by one Indenture bearinge date the twentye and seuenthe daye of September in the fourth yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladye the Quene aboue sayde, within three yeares, and seuen weeks next after the date of the same Indenture, to make or cause by lawfull Conveyaunce in the Lawe to be made and assured to the sayde John Berrye and Katheryne his wyfe for terme of theyr two lyues, and to the heyers of the Bodyes of the same John and Katherine lawefullye begotten, And for default of suche heyers to me the sayde Peter and myn heyers for euer Twentye acres of good mershe lande lyinge in Romeney mershe or in the Walland Mershe, other then the sayde two Tenementes and Twentye Acres of mershe lande aboue specifyed, with Condycon that they the sayde John and Katheryne or any of them shall not alyen, discontinue, or suffer Recouery thereof or of any p[ar]te thereof, as by the sayd Indenture more playnely maye appeare, For the which twentye Acres of Mershe lande so by me to bee assured to the sayde John Berrye and Katheryne his wyfe, in fourme, order, sorte, and Condicon aforesayde. I the sayde Peter Godferey with the consent and agrement of the sayde John Berrye haue payde and Delyuered unto the same John Berrye, syxe score poundes of lawefull monye of Englelande, to be by him employed and bestowed upon twentye acres of good Mershe lande, at any tym hereafter duryinge his naturall lyfe, or esl by his last will or testament to be lymited, assigned, and appoynted to suche use, condycon, and effect, as before is specifyed, and declared, and as more playnely in the sayde Indenture is expressed. The Reu[er]sion of which twnentye acres of mershe lande so by the sayde John Berry to be purchased or by his testament and laste will disposed, willed, assigned, and bequethed in forme aforesayde, yf it fortune the sayde John Berrye and Katherine his wife my sayde daughter to dye with oute heyers of their two bodyes lawfully begotten I will, geue, and bequeth the same, and eu[er]y p[ar]te and p[ar]cell thereof to Thomas Godfrey my sonne and his heyers for euer. Item I will that the sayde Thomas Godfrey my Sonne or his heyers shall paye unto John Andrewe his heyers executors or assignes tenne poundes of lawfull monye of Englande within thre yeares nexte after my decease, So as the sayde John Andrewe and his heyers wyll then or shall at any time before or after duering the sayde space of thre yeares doe or suffer or cause to be done or suffered all and euery suche thinge, and thinges as shalbe reasonablye deuised or aduised by the learned Counsell in the lawe of the sayde Thomas Godfrey my Sonne or his heyers, for the more perfecte assuraunce, & conveyaunce, or and in twelue acres, and thre Roddes of lande to be had and made to the sayde Thomas Godfrey my Sonne, and to his heyers for euer, whiche sayde twelue acres, and thre Roddes of lande, after the decease of the sayde John Andrewe, John Symons, and Margaret his wyfe shall reuerte and come unto me, the sayde Peter, and myne heyers, and assignes by force or certaine wrytinges had, and passed betwene the sayd John Andrewe, and me the sayd Peter Godfrey, The Reu[er]tion of and in the whiche twelue acres and thre roddes of lande, I geue unto the sayde Thomas Godfrey my Sonne, and his heyers for euer. Item I geve and bequithe unto the sayde Thomas Godfrey my Sonne, and to his heyers for euer, all and singuler the residue of my landes, Leases, Tenementes, Rentes, Reuertions, and hereditamentes whatsoeuer they be, and wheresoeuer they doe or shall lye, aswell withe townes, fildes, or parishes of Lydde, Mydley, Newe Romeney, Olde Romeney, Brokelande, Newechurche, as els where to be had to the same Thomas Godfrey my Sonne his heyers and assignes for euer. Item I will, and my mynde is that the sayde Thomas Godfrey my Sonne nor suche as haue, or shall haue, the order, rule, disposition, and Gouerment of my sayde Sonne shall not alyen or sell any of my leases that I nowe holde for the payement or satisfaction of any legacyes or debtes aforesayde, or for any other cause or consideration what soeuer, before my sayde Sonne shall accomplishe the age of twentye and one yeares, These being witnes as aforesayde. By me John Hevilthwit, By me Jeames Typpe, By me Robert Dodde, John Paynot

[Proved 12 May 1569]

References

Bellinger, Terreena and Gillian Draper. “‘My boddye shall lye with my name Engraven on it’: remembering the Godfrey family of Lydd, Kent”, chapter 7 in Romney Marsh: Persistance and Change in a Coastal Lowland (Martyn Waller, Elizabeth Edwards, and Luke Barber, eds.) (2010).

Parish registers of Lydd, Kent. Digital images on Findmypast.co.uk accessed 1 May 2020.

Parish registers of Old Romney, Kent. Digital images on Findmypast.co.uk accessed 2 May 2020.

Records of Lydd, Kent (translated and transcribed by Arthur Hussey and M.M. Hardy; edited by Arthur Finn). (Kentish Express Office, 1911).

The Visitation of Kent: taken in the years 1619-1621. (Harleian Society, 1898).

“The Visitation of the County of Kent, Taken in the Year 1619” Part III (J.J. Howard ed.) in Archaeologia Cantiana Vol. VI, (1866) pp. 251-301.

Will of Peter Godfrey. Proved 1569 in the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury. Digital images on FamilySearch.

Will of Rafe Willcocks of Lydd. Proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 23 January 1556.

Will of William Bate bailiff of Lydd. Proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 8 May 1564.

Zell, Michael. Kent Feet of Fines - Henry VIII (Kent Archaeological Society)