1414 - Thomas

FAMILY

Thomas was most likely a, legitimate or illegitimate, s/o Henry Hales, and born in Luddenham parish about 1414. Our principal record of Henry's family is the pedigree of his son George. In the HALES CHRONICLES, Kenneth Glyn Hales states Henry was the father of two sons, George and Gilbert - born, about 1409 and 1411 respectively, in Luddenham parish.

My reasons for suspecting that Thomas att Hale was Henry Hales's son

• As our principal knowledge of Henry's family comes from a pedigree, it stands to reason that he could have other offspring.
• If Henry were to name a son after his paternal grandfather, that boy's name would be Thomas.
• Thomas att Hale was a man of property, who owned four tenements at the time of his death and lived only three miles distant in Ospringe.
• The Hales family were also tenants in Putwood manor, Ospringe.
• Thomas att Hale's will was witnessed by three respected members of the community - the vicar of Ospringe, William Potyn and John Drayton - which suggests that Thomas was also a citizen of note.
• Thomas att Hale's proposed great great grandson Arnold Haile of Frinsted was a "Gentleman", which suggests he descends from Kent's premiere Hales family.

TESTAMENT OF THOMAS ATT HALE (PRC 17/4 f.5 v.) 15 June, 1484

Thomas att Hale was buried in the churchyard of Saint Peter and Paul, in Ospringe.

This document mentions his wife Joan, daughters Joan and Lucy and sons Stephen, John and Simon.

Thomas' widow Joan inherited the family home, coft, 3 acres of land and half acre wood “at the Chalkhyll and the Broke.” She was also left two tenement called the 'tornos' and 'fowles'. After her death, this property appears to have passed to her son John.

Simon att Hale inherited a tenement with croft; acre of land at the Broke and 1⁄2 acre wood;

The executors of this will were the widow Joan att Hale and (her brother?) Thomas Barkeper

This document was witness by Richard Wredykforth, vicar of Ospringe, William Potyn and John Drayton