Events
Date of Birth: unknown.
Place of Birth: unknown.
Date of Burial: 7 February 1615/6.
Place of Burial: Stalisfield, Kent.
The burial is recorded in the archdeacon’s transcripts to the parish register.
Relationships
Father: John Peers.
Mother: Annes Cocke.
See the Commentary section.
Spouse: Ann Craft. Married 21 September 1579 in Challock, Kent.
The marriage is recorded in the register. Sampson’s will implies that he had had a wife before Agnes. Ann was buried 30 August 1598 in Challock.
Spouse: Agnes Giles. Married 5 May 1600 in Sheldwich, Kent.
The marriage is recorded in the archdeacon’s transcripts of the parish register. Sampson, in his will, named his “brother” Robert Giles.
Children (by his Ann):
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
Margaret Pierce (baptized 29 July 1580 in Challock) married Edward Croft 2 July 1604 in Stalisfield, Kent.
Elizabeth Pierce (baptized 20 January 1582/3 in Challock - buried 4 February 1582/3 in Challock)
John Pierce (baptized 27 December 1583 in Challock - buried 21 February 1583/4 in Challock)
Richard Pierce (baptized 14 August 1586 in Challock - buried 4 December 1586 in Challock)
Elizabeth Pierce (baptized 3 December 1587 in Challock) married Edward Clinch 20 February 1608 in Stalisfield, Kent.
Joan Pierce (baptized 29 December 1591 in Challock) married (1) James Wise 7 June 1613; married (2) Henry Barrow.
Ursula Pierce (baptized 20 October 1594 in Challock - died about 1641 unmarried)
Susan Pierce (baptized 27 August 1598 in Challock - buried 30 August 1598 in Challock)
Children (by Agnes):
Gabriel Pierce (baptized 26 July 1601 in Challock, Kent - buried 7 December 1669 in Charing, Kent) married Katherine Joslin 20 July 1623 in St Ann, Blackfriars, London.
John Pierce (buried 4 March 1602/3 in Challock)
Elizabeth Pierce (baptized 14 October 1603 in Challock) married Willam Downe.
Abigail Pierce (baptized 16 March 1605/6 in Stalisfield - buried 25 July 1646 in Charing, Kent) married (1) James Wise 23 November 1626; married (2) John Weekes 9 October 1638 in Canterbury.
Anne Pierce (baptized 13 March 1607/8 in Stalisfield) married Henry Whitfield.
Michael Pierce (baptized 8 July 1610 in Stalisfield) married Mary Colvin (marriage licence 11 September 1640).
John Pierce (baptized 14 February 1612/3 in Stalisfield - buried 16 August 1654 in Charing, Kent) married Elizabeth Stonehouse (licence 22 June 1644).
George Pierce (baptized 2 August 1615 in Stalisfield)
Evidence
from the Challock register:
Sampson Pyerce and Ann Craft were marryed the 21 of September 1579/
Margaret Pyerce Baptyzed the 29 of July [1580]
Elizabeth Pyerce Baptized the 20 of January [1582]
Elizabeth Pyerce Buryed the 4 of February [1582]
John Pryerce Baptized the 27 of December [1583]
John Pryerce Buryed the 21 of February [1585]
Richard Pierce Baptized the 14 of August [1586]
Richard Pierce Buryed the 4 of December [1586]
Elizabeth Pierce Baptized the 3 of Dece[m]ber [1587]
Sampson Pierce Baptized the 17 of February [1588]
Jone Pierce dau: of Sampson Bap: the 29 of dece[m]br [1591]
Ursula Pyerce Bapt the 20 of October [1594]
Susan Pyerce Bap: the 27 of August [1598]
Ann the wife of Sampson Pyerce Buryed the 30 of August 1598
Susan the dawghter of the said Sampson Pyerce Buryed the same day.
Gabriell the Sonne of Samson Pyerce, Baptized the 12 day of July 1601
John the Sonne of Samson Pyerce Buryed the 4 day of March 1602
Elizabeth Peirce the daughter of Sampson Peirce was baptized the 14th of October - 1603
from a copy of the Sheldwich register:
1600
Sampson Pearce and Agnis Gyles weare maried the 5 of Maye:
from the archdeacon’s transcripts to the Stalisfield parish register:
Baptized
Anne the daughter of Samson Piers March 13 [1607]
Baptized
Michael the sonne of Sampson Piers July 8 [1610]
Baptized
John the Sonne of Samson Piers Febr 14 [1612]
1613 the mark P of Sampson Piers Churchw.
Baptized
George the Sonne of Samson Piers Aug 27 [1615]
Buried
Sampson Piers housholder February 7 [1615/6]
Sampson’s will:
In the name of God Amen. The Seaven & Twentieth day of January in the Thirteenth yeare of the reigne of our Sou[er]eigne Lord James by the grace of God King of England France & Ireland defender of the faith etc. And of Scotland the nine & Fourtieth. Aoque dni 1615. I Sampson Piers of Stallesfield in the County of Kent yoman being sicke & weake of body, but sound of minde & memory (praised be god) do make and ordaine my last will & testam’t in maner and forme following. Inprimis I com[m]end my spirit into the hands of the almighty, being fully assured of gods favor & grace towards me a poore wretched Sinner through the merits of Christ Jesus my mediator & Redeem[er]. And my body I will to be buried in some Convenient place within the parish Church aforesaid (or Within the chancell thereof) at the discretion of my Executors after to be named/ Itm I geve to the poore of the said parish to be distributed upon the day of my buriall Twenty shillings, & half a seame of wheate eu[er]y Christids during the terme of my leasse of Darby court. All the p[ro]fits (except woods & underwoods timber & timber trees) of all my lands & tenemts within the County aforesaid I give to Agnes my wife to be taken by ap[er]ceived[?] assignes untill my sonne Gabriel Piers come to the age of one & Twenty yeares & so that she remaine a widow withall For if she happen to marry againe, then my will is, that she shall haue onely the yearly pension of Twelve pounds of good English mony during her life at Foure the most usuall termes of the yeare to be pd to her or her assignes. And if default be make in the parmt thereof, then it shall be lawfull fo her & her assignes into all & any part of the lands aforesaid to enter & distreigne, & the distresse & distresses to haue when As de[?] , till of the portion so beh[...] A[...] & of the arerages (if any be) they be fully satisfied contented & paid. Provided alwaies, & it is my will, that the said Agnes my wife shee pay hallowe[?] untill the foresaid age of my foresaid Sonne Gabriel (& that she remaine a widow) the sume of Twenty pounds of good English mony half yearly to be paid to my Executors out of all the p[ro]fits of my foresaid lands & tenemts. And if she shall faile in the p[er]formance therof aboue Fourteene dayes after the termes which are most usuall for Rents to be paid (& the same be lawfully demanded) then I will that that my legacy of all the profits aforesaid to her made shall foorthwith be void to all intents & purposes All my lands tenemts & hereditamts with their app[ur]tences situate lying & being in the parish of Challocke within the County aforesaid I geve to my eldest sonne Gabriel aforesaid & to his heires for eu[er] at his age of one & Twenty yeares. My lands Tenemts & hereditamts with their app[ur]tenances situate lying & being in the parish of Upp[er] Hards within the County aforesaid I give to my Sonne Michael Piers & to his heires for eu[er] at his age of one & Twenty yeares. In the meane while I will the p[ro]fits thereof (except as is first afore excepted) to my foresaid wife, so long as she remayneth a widow withall. My lands tenemts & hereditamts situate lying & being in the parish of Eastry within the County aforesaid & all other my lands & hereditamts els where; which I lately bought of my brother Robert Giles upon a c[er]taine condition mentioned in his writing Indented & enrolled as by the same writing more fully explainly it appeareth I give to my sonne John Piers & to his heires for eu[er] at his age of one & Twenty yeares. Provided, that if the foresaid Robert Giles his heires or assignes shall redeeme the said lands at such time & in such maner as is conditioned in the writing indented aforesaid, Then I will that the mony for the redemption there mentioned shall be wholy employed to the behalf of my said sonne John or his assignes at his age of one & Twenty yeares. In the meane time I will the profits (except as before excepted) of those lands & hereditamts or els Fifteene pounds of good English mony yearly to be paid out of the use & p[ro]fit of that Redemption mony (if it be paid) to her my foresaid wife, so as she remaine a widow as is aforesaid. All my lands & tenemts & hereditamts with their App[ur]tenances in Shadoxhurst Bekersden Charing & Stallesfield within the County aforesaid I give to my yongest Sonne George Piers & to his heires for eu[er] at his age likewise of one & Twenty yeares. And in the meane while, I will the profits thereof (except before excepted) to my foresaid wife, so she remaine a widow. And if any of my foresaid sonnes do happen to dy without lawfull issue, before their ages aforesaid be accomplished, Then my will is, that the survivors shall be their heires. And further my will is, that after all my foresaid Sonnes shall fulfill those yeares aforelimitted, then shall be paid to my foresaid wife for her maintenance during her widowhood, Fifteene pounds yearly of good English mony at Foure seu[er]all the most usuall termes of the yeare by euen portions to be leuied in maner following That is to say, out of the inheritance of the foresaid Gabriel Piers Tenne pounds by the yeare & out of the inheritance of the foresaid Michael Piers Five pounds by the yeare to be pd to her or her assignes. And if defect be made in the paymt thereof of any their parts whome to it app[er]taineth, then it shall be lawfull for her & her assignes into the inheritance of him or them so defaulting to enter & distreigne, & the distresse & distresses to haue away[?] & detaine till full satisffaction be giuen her. Itm I will to her my said Wife during her widowhood convenient rowmes in the house wherein I nowe dwell & sufficient firewood for her & hers at the coste of my executors. Itm I will that she bring up all her children till their seu[er]all age aforesaid at her owne coste & charges And if she shall make her choice (as I hope) to abide with my sonne Gabriel & to take her diet for her self & children at his p[ro]viding, then I will that she shall pay for the same yearly but Forty pounds to him my said sonne during such her abode with him Itm I will & bequeath to Ursula Piers my daughter Six score pounds of good English mony to be paid to her or her assignes within one yeare next after my deceasse. Itm I will & bequeath to my daughters Elizabeth, Abigail & Ane Piers (whome I had by my p[re]sent wife) to eu[er]y of them Six score pounds of like good English mony to be paid at their seu[er]all ages of one & Twenty yeares. And if it happen my foresaid daughter Ursula to dy without lawfull issue before the time above appointed, Then I will taht her portion be equally divided among her whole sisters & their heires. And if it happen any of my other daughters aforenamed to dy without lawfull issue before they accomplish their ages abouelimited, Then I will that the overlivers of them or her so dying shall equally divide her or their portion betwixt them. Itm I will & bequeath to my daughter Joan the wife of James Wise Twenty pounds of good English mony within Fiue moneths next after my deceasse to the use of her First daughter that shall attaine to the age of one & Twenty yeares, conditionally that she the said Joan & her husband (if he be living) shall first seale a gen[er]all release of all matters to my executors if they require it. Itm my will is, that if my brother Robert Giles aforementioned do happen to redeeme those lands in Eastry or els where which are before remembred, then my Executors shall pay to my sonne John Piers ou[er] & aboue his foresaid legacy the sum[m]e of Twenty pounds at his age of one & Twenty yeares. Itm I geue to my sonne George Piers aforenamed Twenty pounds at his age of one & Twenty yeares. And if it happen that those my Two sonnes or either of them do dy before the same age, then those portions of mony shall rest in the hands of my executors. My housholdstuffe I will equally to be foresaid wife & to Gabriel my sonne. Itm I geve more to her my said wife Two double Roials in gold & to my daughters married one double Roiall in gold, And to my nephew Sampson Craft one single Roiall in gold to be paid them the next day after my funerall, so that those my daughters & their husbands shall seale a gen[er]all releasse to be executors as is once aforementioned of my daughter Joans behalf. To the rest of my children I geue liekwise a double Royall in gold to be paid them upon the same day. The rest of my goods cattells & chattels (my debts legacies & funerales discharged) I geue wholy to my sonne Gabriel Piers. And I ordaine & make him & Edward Clinch[?] my sonne in law the executors of this my last will & testament & I geue my said Sonne in law for his paines Twenty nobles of good English mony. In witnesse whereof I haue hereunto set my owne hand The day moneth & yere first aboue mentioned & expressed.
Published in the p[re]sence of Henry West clerk & Sampson Oliver.
P sign’ Sampsonis Piers
[Proved 12 February 1615]
The 1640 will of Sampson’s daughter Ursula:
In the name of god amen the sixt day of July Anno: Do: 1640 and in the sixteenth yeare of the raigne of our Soueraigne lord Charles by the grace of god of England Scotland France and Ireland King defender of the fayth etc I Ursula Pierse of Otterden in the County of Kent spinster being of good and p[er]fect memory thankes by giuen to god doe make this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge. First I bequeath my soule unto the mercy of god trusting to be saued by the death and passion of our saviour Jesus Christ and my body to be buried in the earth in suer and Certaine hope to rise againe and to be ioyned againe to my soule and soe to liue euer in the kingdome of heauen. It[em] I giue and bequeath unto Margaret Craftes my sister the wife of Edward Craftes twenty pounds of good and lawfull mony of england for to be payd unto her and to her heires by mine executor within one whole yeare next after my decease It[em] I giue and bequeath unto Joane Barrow my sister the wife of Henry Barrow the sum[m]e of ten[n]e poundes of good and lawfull mony of england to be payd unto her and to her heires within one whole yeare next after my decease. It[em] I giue and bequeth unto my Mother Pierse my brother Gabriel Pierse my brother Michael Pierse my brother John Pierse to my sister Elizabeth Downe the wife of William Downe tomy sister Abigail Weexe the wife of John Weexe and to my sister Anne Whitfilde the wife of Henry Whitfilde to euery one of them twenty shillings apeece of good and lawfull mony of england for to be payd them within one whole yeare next after my decease. It[em] I will and bequeth unto Joseph Pierse James Clinch Ursula Craftes and Ursula Vyse my foure godchildren three pounds apeece of good and lawfull mony of england to be payd unto them within one whole yeare next after my decease It[em] I will and bequeth unto all the Children of Margaret Craftes my sister, excepting Ursula Craftes tenne shillings apeece of good and lawfull mony of england for to be payd unto them within one whole year next after my decease It[em] I giue and bequeth unto all the Children of Joane Barrow my sister excepting Ursula Wyse tenne shillings apeece for to be payd unto them within one whole yeare next after my decease It[em] I will and bequeth unto Elizabeth Wyse and Tomsin Downe my two goddaughters tenne shillings apeece for to be payd unto them within one whole yeare next after my decease It[em] I giue unto Ursula Filmer my goddaughter four shillings It[em] I will and bequeth unto Sara Hatch Annis Annis Benet Mosse Elizabeth Moore and William Woodland my godchildren three shillings apeece for to be payd unto them within one whole yeare next after my decease It[em] I giue unto Elizabeth Gurney my Cosen my Coate and saueyard It[em] I giue unto my Coson James Clinch my great chest It[em] I will and bequeth unto my brother in law Edward Clinch of Otterten and his heires all my anueties annuall rents or yearly p[ro]fitts whatsoever It[em] my will and meaning is that mine Executor shall bake out a seame of wheat into bread for to be giuen to poore peoble at my buriall. All the rest of my moueable goods not giuen nor bequethed I giue and bequeth unto Edward Clinche my brother in law whom I doe Constitute ordaine and make my Executrixe [sic] for to pay my depts and legacies and for to see my body buried according to the siuell order and lawes of this realme This will acknowledged and confessed by the above sayd Ursula Pierse testator
In the presence of
Edward Gurney
Gregory R Reson by his mark
Edward H I Hatch by his mark
the marke of v Ursula Peirse
Soone after his will Ursula Peerce the testatrix abovemenconedd nuncupatively declared her further meaning by was of Codicill in this mann[er], vizt. She willed to D’cor Slaters daughter v.s if as her father would suffer another [...] not Mr Baker his curat to preach at her buriall. And to Elizabeth Frenchborne shee haue her best hatt./
The 1654 will of Sampson’s son John Piers
In the name of god Amen The Tenth day of August in the yeare of our Lord god according to the english accompt one Thousand Sixe hundred Fifty and fowre I John Peirs of Charing in the County of Kent yeoman beinge Sicke and weake of body but of good and perfect mind and memory Thankes and praise be given to Allmighty god therefore doe make and ordaine this my Last will and Testament in manner and forme Followeinge, First I give bequeath and Com[m]end my Soule into the hands of Allmighty god my Creator Assuredly trustinge to be Saued by and Through the onely merritts of Jesus Christ my onely Saviour and my most mercifull Redeemer, And my bodie I Comitt unto the earth from whence it came decently to bee buried in a Christian like maner, And for my Temporall estate which god hath beene pleased to make mee Steward over for a Season, I devise and bequeath as of it as hereafter Followeth Viz.t I give and bequeath unto the poore of the parrish of Charing Twenty Shillings to bee distributed amongst them att the discretion of my Executor hereafter named within one Month next after my decease, Item it is my will and meaninge and I doe hereby devise that in case my personall estate Shall not be Sufficient to pay and discharge my debts that then it Shall and may be be lawfull to and for my hereafter named Executor to grant and sell all that my Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances scittuate and beinge in Charinge Aforesaid and now in the occupacon of my selfe Richard Beeckinge and Henry Spillett and one piece or parcell of Land belonginge to my Mannor of Darriston Chareinge Aforesaid called by the name of Brents conteyning by estimacon Sixe Acres more or less with the Appurtenances now in the Tenor or occupacon of John Crafte and out of the money that thereof shall Arise to me or my wife be made to pay and discharge my iust and due debts and true [....] thereof to pay my daugher Elizabeth or her heires Item I give and bequeath unto my Said daughter Elizabeth all the Residue of my Lands and Tenements in Charinge Aforesaid Boughton Malherbe and Stalefeild or else where in the said County of Kent and to hold unto the Said Elizabeth and her heires for ever under this provisooe never the lesse and Condicon Followeinge (that is to say) that if it shall happen my said daughter Elizabeth to depart this present life before Shee shall have accomplished her full age of one and Twenty yeares, Then I give and bequeath unto my Brother Michaell Peirs, All my Lands in Boughton Malherbe Aforesaid to have and to hould unto the said Michaell Peirs and his heires forever, And all the residue of all my Lands and Tenements in Chareinge Aforesaid I give and bequeath unto John Peirs one of the Sonnes of my brother Gabriell Peirs and his heires for ever and all the residue of my Lands and Tenements in Stalifeild aforesaid or else where in the County of Kent, I give and bequeath (under the provisoe likewise on Condicon Aforesaid) unto Gabriel Peirs, Joseph Peirs and Sampson Peirs Three other of the Sonnes of my said Brother Gabriell Peirs and to their heires for ever equally to be devided betweene them, all the residue of my goods and Chattells, after my debts are payed and funerall expenced discharged I give unto my said daughter Elizabeth and her heires for ever, Item I make and ordaine my Said brother Gabriell piers the sole extor of this my present Testament and into his hands I comitt my Said daughter desireinge him to take care of her and to see her education and maintainance In Wittness whereof to this my Last Will (Conteyninge Three Sheetes of paper) I haue sett my hand and Seale the day and yeare aboue written, John Peirs, Sealed and declared for the last will of mee the Said John Peirs in the presence of Edward Crafts John Cresswell, Joh Weekes/
[Proved 20 January 1654]
Commentary
Sampson’s parentage
Sampson was first married in 1579 in Challock, Kent, and his eldest children were baptized there. In his 1583 will, John Peers of Challock, Kent names among his children Sampson Peers. John named some children of some of his children in his will, so the chronology fits. John named his wife Annes in his will.
In his 1567 will, Sampson Cocke of Leaveland, Kent, husbandman, gave his “Syster Agnes, wyffe unto John Peers of Challock” twenty shillings and his “Brother in Lawe John Peers aforesaid” twenty shillings. He also left his godson Sampson Peers ten shillings.
References
Archdeacon’s transcripts of the parish register of Stalisfield, Kent. Digital images on FamilySearch.org accessed 24 May 2025.
A copy of the register book of Shelwich, Kent. Digital images on Findmypast.co.uk, accessed 25 May 2025. The copy appears to have been made in modern times.
Cowper, Joseph Meadows (ed.) Canterbury Marriage Licences (1892-4).
Will of Sampson Cocke of Leveland, Kent, husbandman. Proved 1567 in the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury.
Will of Sampson Piers. Proved 1615 in the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury. Digital images on FamilySearch.org accessed 24 May 2025.
Will of John Piers. Proved 1654 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.