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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: gloveg on Saturday 08 June 19 05:15 BST (UK)
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I would really appreciate it if someone was able to help with the translation of the Will of Henry Esseherst dated 1463 of which I have attached the first part of the will in two sections to this post and I will attach the second part of the will again in two sections in the next post.
I would like to know, in particular, if the second line in the second half of the will refers to Edwd (Edward), henry (Henry) and agatha (Agatha) and does the will state what relation they are to Henry Esseherst. Also in the third line of the second part of the will, is Agatha his wife or is she the agatha referred to in the second line.
Thanks, Gerelle
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This is the second part of Henry Essehersts Will 1493
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(Extracts 1 & 2)
In the name of God Amen. In the year of the Lord 1463, on the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist [= 18 Oct], I, Henry Essheherst of the parish of Great Chart, in healthy mind and good memory, make my will in this manner. First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God and the Blessed Virgin Mary and all her saints, and my body to be buried in the graveyard of Great Chart. Item, I bequeath to the high altar there for my forgotten tithes, 20 pence. Item, I bequeath to the high altar of the church of Kingsnorth, 10 pence. Item, I bequeath to the wooden image of St Laurence, 12 pence. Item, I bequeath for repairs to the vestments of the church at Chart, 8 pence. Item, I bequeath to the parish priest there, 12 pence. Item, to each of my godsons and goddaughters, 4 pence. Item, I bequeath to Henry Essheherst, one lamb. The rest of all my unbequeathed goods I give and bequeath to John and Thomas, my sons, whom I constitute executors, so that they should distribute them as will seem best.
(Extracts 3 & 4)
This is the last will of Henry Essherst of Great Chart, made on the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist in the third year of the reign of King Edward IV [= 18 Oct 1463]. First, the same Henry wills that Agatha his wife shall have the profits and issues of all the land and tenements lying in Chart aforesaid. Item, after the death of the aforesaid Agatha, all the aforesaid lands and tenements will remain to John and Thomas my sons for ever. Item, he wills that the said sons should pay 10 shillings for new timbers in front of the Holy Cross there, if they wish to do so for that parish, otherwise not; and they should pay 100 shillings to Thomasine my daughter for her marriage-portion. In witness of this matter, to this my last will I have fixed my seal
They agree with the originals <signed>
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(Extracts 1 & 2)
In the name of God Amen. In the year of the Lord 1463, on the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist [= 18 Oct], I, Henry Essheherst of the parish of Great Chart, in healthy mind and good memory, make my will in this manner. First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God and the Blessed Virgin Mary and all her saints, and my body to be buried in the graveyard of Great Chart. Item, I bequeath to the high altar there for my forgotten tithes, 20 pence. Item, I bequeath to the high altar of the church of Kingsnorth, 10 pence. Item, I bequeath to the wooden image of St Laurence, 12 pence. Item, I bequeath for repairs to the vestments of the church at Chart, 8 pence. Item, I bequeath to the parish priest there, 12 pence. Item, to each of my godsons and goddaughters, 4 pence. Item, I bequeath to Henry Essheherst, one lamb. The rest of all my unbequeathed goods I give and bequeath to John and Thomas, my sons, whom I constitute executors, so that they should distribute them as will seem best.
(Extracts 3 & 4)
This is the last will of Henry Essherst of Great Chart, made on the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist in the third year of the reign of King Edward IV [= 18 Oct 1463]. First, the same Henry wills that Agatha his wife shall have the profits and issues of all the land and tenements lying in Chart aforesaid. Item, after the death of the aforesaid Agatha, all the aforesaid lands and tenements will remain to John and Thomas my sons for ever. Item, he wills that the said sons should pay 10 shillings for new timbers in front of the Holy Cross there, if they wish to do so for that parish, otherwise not; and they should pay 100 shillings to Thomasine my daughter for her marriage-portion. In witness of this matter, to this my last will I have fixed my seal
They agree with the originals <signed>
Thank you bookbox for that translation which has helped me confirm that his wife is Agatha and that he also, in addition to his two sons, John and Thomas, had a daughter Thomasine.
Regards, Gerelle.
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I have another early will. This time it's for Richard Assheherst of Kingsnorth 1464 which I would appreciate some help with the translation. I believe he mentions a wife and a daughter but I'm not sure they are actually named in his will. Again, I will insert the first half of the will in two parts in this post and the second half in two parts in the next post.
Thanks again, Gerelle.
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This is the second half of Richard Assheherst's will 1464.
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This snippet out of the will of Henry Asharst of Great Chart 1593 also has me a bit confused as to what it says about his wife Thomasine in relation to his sons, Thomas and William. I would be very grateful if you could translate this bit for me as well. Gerelle.
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Sorry, forgot to attach this to my last post.
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I have had a go at the last extract as follows:
...do et lego Thomasine uxori mee qua(m) quide(m) thomasina(m)
unacum Thoma et Will(el)mo filijs meis facio et constituo meos executores...
Rough and inelegant translation:
...I give and bequeath to Thomasine my wife which Thomasine combined
with Thomas and William my sons I make and constitute my executors...
REVISED:
I have made a couple of changes to the texts above.
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This time it's for Richard Assheherst of Kingsnorth 1464 ... I believe he mentions a wife and a daughter but I'm not sure they are actually named in his will.
The will was written on 18 May 1463. You are right that he refers to, but doesn’t name, a wife, sons and daughters. Probably there are only two daughters, as they're described as 'the elder' and 'the younger'.
There’s a bequest of 20 shillings to Henry Gardiner, and of 6 shillings 8 pence to Katherine Carter, no relationships stated.
The executors are Richard Rolf and John Taylor; witnesses Thomas Assherst, John Swan and Richard Kynet (or Kyvet).
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Thankyou horselydown for that translation.
Regards, Gerelle
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The will was written on 18 May 1463. You are right that he refers to, but doesn’t name, a wife, sons and daughters. Probably there are only two daughters, as they're described as 'the elder' and 'the younger'.
[/quote]
Dear Bookbox,
Thank you for help with this will. It was very useful to know that there were also sons and the information about the two daughters.
There is also another record for Richard Assheherst which to me looks like a post mortem will. I would be grateful if you could let me know the gist of the document and if it throws any further light on members of his family or property owned by him, etc. This is the first part of the document.
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This is the second part of the document.
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Gerelle, I have had a glance at this but don't have time to do anything until the other end of my day (plus some of it is beyond my ability).
However I will say for myself - and I expect Bookbox is the same - that images which are split vertically (so that a line is halved between two images) are much harder to work on than those where the line is intact on one image.
This is 23 lines. Ideally you would break it horizontally into 3 segments of about 8 lines each.
However, please leave at least one whole line extra at both sides of the break. Otherwise parts of the letters and important contraction marks will be lost in the breaks.
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Thanks horselydown for that tip. I wasn't sure which was the best way to break it. If you would like me to try again, let me know.
Regards, Gerelle.
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If you would like me to try again, let me know.
Please do. You may be able to replace the images on your replies #11 & #12 using the Modify button.
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Dear Horselydown
I have modified my first two posts re: Richard Asshersts further document with horizontal images. The last part of the document, I post here. I hope this is easier for you to read.
Thanks again, Gerelle.
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Thanks for the new images, Gerelle. They are much easier to read.
It's the last will of Richard Assheherst made and - the Latin verb is lect' - in the presence of Thomas Taylor, John Swan & Thomas assheherst on 18 May? in the fourth year of King Edward IV.
Most of the wording isn't familiar to me. I think it may be a nuncupative will, although that word isn't used.
The other names mentioned are:
Thomas Hert
Alice Honywode, daughter of the sister of Richard
Henry Assheherst
One other which may be a person's name or a place name is something like Pynlyn (or Pynkyn) demyshacche.
I'm floundering with this one, I'm afraid.
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This is the first extract. As HD has indicated, the second extract is quite problematic, and I won’t have time to revisit it until tomorrow night. But none of his sons/daughters or his wife appears to be named anywhere in the will.
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This is the last will of Richard Assheherst made and read in the presence of Thomas Taylor, John Swan and Thomas Assheherst on the eighteenth day of the month of May in the fourth year of the reign of King Edward IV of England.* First, the same Richard wills that all his share of a parcel of land called Jordanys should be sold to whoever gives the most, and the money received therefrom be spent for the salvation of his soul and to pay his debts and legacies. Item, he wills that his wife should have his main residence, with all the land surrounding that place, consisting of 8 acres with appurtenances, for 14 years. Item, he wills that each of his daughters will have 10 marks for her marriage-portion, and the other one should be her heir if she dies before it is spent ...
* = 18 May 1464, although I believe the other version of this will was dated 18 May 1463 ?
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Thanks Horselydown and Bookbox for your help so far on this one. Gerelle.
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Extract 2
... In order to get this money, the lands [called*] Pynlyn[?], Demyshacche[?], Landian[?] & Ferettys[?] should be sold; and if it should happen that [my deleted] his wife should be expecting a daughter, that daughter will have 10 marks, this money to be raised at the discretion of his trustees and executors entirely from the lands that came to him after the death of Thomas Hert, and his heirs should expect proportionate shares to be made at the discretion of his trustees and executors, and each should be heir to the other, as aforesaid; and if [his wife] should be [expecting] a son, that son should be heir to his lands and tenements like the rest of his sons.
* I suspect that vendant[ur] has been written twice instead of vocant[ur], and that these are the names of properties.
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Extract 3
... And he wills that if it should happen that all his sons should die, his daughters should all be his heirs [...] notwithstanding; and if all his sons and daughters should die without any lawful issue of their bodies, he wills that all his lands and tenements be sold; and he then wills, at the discretion of his trustees and executors aforesaid, that Alice Honywode, the daughter of the sister of this Richard, should have 20 marks from the monies thence received. Item, he wills that Henry Assheherst shall have 20 pounds for himself and his heirs. Item, he wills that 10 marks be paid for one year to a priest at the church of Kingsnorth; and the residue should be spent at the discretion of his trustees and executors aforesaid, so that everything is faithfully performed.
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Thank you again Bookbox for all your help with this will. Im very grateful for your assistance and Im sure Matt is too. It really helps with being able to link this family together and add names.
I would like some help at some time with another Asherst will which is also in latin. It is just over a page long, so I will not post it yet while I digest the information I have so far. It is the will of Thomas Ayssherst of Kingsnorth 1473.
Thanks again, Gerelle.
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Could I please ask for some help with the translation of this snippet from the will of John Assheherst of Ashford 1517. I believe John had a step mother named Isabell and wonder if the Isabell mentioned here is the same.Thanks, gloveg.
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Item I bequeath to Ann Sprott, widow, 3 shillings 4 pence. Item I bequeath to Isabella Gate, who is entering (a suit) for lack of payment for and in all the lands and tenements lying and being in the parishes of Willesborough and Newchurch that were lately hers and which I bought from her, for the heirs and assigns of that Isabella for ever, without any fraud or deception. The residue of all my goods not ...
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Thanks again bookbox for your quick response.
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Again, I would appreciate some help with some translation issues please.
The attached snippets are taken from the will of John Essherst of Ashford 1512 and relate to some bequests he makes in his will.
The first snippet relates to a Thomas Essherst of Ashford (either the younger or the elder I think).
The second snippet is to a John Essherst of Ruckinge, the son of Henry Essherst.
The third and fourth snippets seem to relate to his son and daughter and then his sisters in relation to his principal place at Bevir and other lands.
However, I am not sure of exactly what is being said and would appreciate some clarification of this.
Thanks, gloveg.
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This is a rough summary of the first extract. Disclaimer - it may be wrong in any or every way.
...after the decease of his wife Joan he wills that his feoffees make sufficient and legitimate estate in law to Thomas Essherst taylo(r) de Essheford of and in all his aforesaid lands and tenements at heanwod in ?yllysbergh* of and in all his lands at heanherst in Kyngyssnoth aforesaid to hold to Thomas his heirs and assigns forever...
* I'm not sure how this word begins. It could be Se/So/W or perhaps other letters.
Heanwood is mentioned here:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C5475116
Bookbox, is that a word between decessu(m) and dicte or is it struck out?
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The second is of the same form except it is to Joh(ann)i Essherst de Rokyng (son of Henry as you said) and the lands and tenements are at Berrowhell? in the parish of Essheford.
Bookbox: cu(m) [orrio?] desup(er) [astant(?)] = what?
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Bookbox, is that a word between decessu(m) and dicte or is it struck out?
I think he was going to write uxoris and then struck out the first letter.
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Bookbox: cu(m) [orrio?] desup(er) [astant(?)] = what?
... cu(m) orrio desup(er) astant(i) ...
... with the barn standing above (i.e. on the lands and tenements) ...
(h)orreum/orrium = barn/granary
(Sorry, I've had very little time this week. I'll try to come back later.)
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Thank you, Bookbox.
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?yllysbergh*
* I'm not sure how this word begins. It could be Se/So/W or perhaps other letters.
I think it's a W, so Wyllysbergh = Willesborough (near Ashford).
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In Part 3, he leaves a piece of land in Ashford, next to the vicarage and next to Coldham, to allow the church to distribute alms for ever. After the death of his wife Joan, if his son John and his daughter Joan should have no heirs ... (to Part 4, see below)
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Part 4 is impossible to follow because of the folds. The bits that I can read refer to his copyhold lands at Beaver in Ashford, and a property called Bilham. His copyhold lands in the parishes of Kingsnorth, Mersham and Sevington (with some exceptions) are to be divided equally between
Thomas Essherst, tailor, and John Essherst, son of Henry Essherst. corrected below, see reply #37
(But that last bequest may be dependent on his son John and daughter Joan having no heirs, as referenced at the end of Part 3. As it stands now, I can’t see how those two sections link up.)
The third and fourth snippets seem to relate to his son and daughter and then his sisters in relation to his principal place at Bevir and other lands.
Where are you seeing his sisters?
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Part 4 is impossible to follow because of the folds.
Where are you seeing his sisters?
[/quote]
Thank you both Horselydown and Bookbox for your help and comments.
I agree with Bookbox that the reference is to "Willesborough" as he refers to lands he holds in Ashford, Willesborough, Sevington, Mersham, Kingsnorth and Rodmersham(? again, a fold in the will) earlier in his will.
Sorry, yes the many folds in the will do make it hard to read.
It is interesting that he refers to Thomas Essherst "taylor" of Ashford. I had not thought it meant that.
His sisters, I believe, are mentioned in the second last line of snippet 4, ie. "Elisie Benette Alice Marione and Isabelle soror(?) mens (my sisters) their heirs and assigns to be equally divided (?)" I'm really not sure of my sketchy translation here.
I agree, I am also having problem seeing how the bequests follow from one to the other. But I think with your above help that I can sort it out.
Thanks again, gloveg.
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His sisters, I believe, are mentioned in the second last line of snippet 4, ie. "Elisie Benette Alice Marione and Isabelle soror(?) mens (my sisters) their heirs and assigns to be equally divided (?)" I'm really not sure of my sketchy translation here.
Yes, sorry, my eye skipped that line, I think because of the misalignment. No wonder it didn't make sense! I'll look at Part 4 again.
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Part 4 (from the middle of line 2) translates roughly as ...
... called Bilham, with all the lands, meadows, woods and copyholds in the parishes of Kingsnorth, Mersham and Sevington (except those bequeathed to Thomas Essherst, tailor, and John Essherst, son of Henry Essherst) should remain entirely to Eliza, Benet, Alice, Marion and Isabel, my sisters, their heirs and assigns for ever, to be divided equally between them. Item, I will that my aforesaid trustees ...
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Part 4 (from the middle of line 2) translates roughly as ...
... called Bilham, with all the lands, meadows, woods and copyholds in the parishes of Kingsnorth, Mersham and Sevington (except those bequeathed to Thomas Essherst, tailor, and John Essherst, son of Henry Essherst) should remain entirely to Eliza, Benet, Alice, Marion and Isabel, my sisters, their heirs and assigns for ever, to be divided equally between them. Item, I will that my aforesaid trustees ...
Thanks once more Bookbox for your assistance with these translations.
I have three more rather larger snippets from the same will. If you can help, just the gist of what is being said will do. Don't need the literal translation for these ones. And that will complete this will. Sorry, its been a rather long one!
Much appreciated, gloveg.
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This is the third one.
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Extract 5
His wife Joan to have for her lifetime all issues and profits from the lands and tenements ... [obscured by fold] ... in the parishes of Kyngyssnoth, Mersham and Sevyngton, and all issues and profits from the land and tenements that were leased from Richard Wodward* in Heanwod in the parish of Wyllysborgh. His trustees to hand over to his son John ...
[* It could be leased to Richard Wodward - hard to say out of context like this, as the case-ending is the same for both.]
Extract 6
If his son John dies without lawful heirs, the lands at Bevir, Berrowhell and Heanherst (except those already bequeathed to his wife Joan) should go to his daughter Joan when she comes of age. After his wife’s death, the lands at Bylham and Heanwod to go to his daughter Joan and her heirs for ever. If both his son and his daughter die under age and without lawful heirs, then everything in Essheford, Kyngyssnoth ...
Extract 8
His son John to pay 40 marks to his daughter Joan for her marriage portion, otherwise the money to be distributed by his executors in alms, charitable deeds etc. If he has caused damage to anyone or has deceived anyone, then Henry Essherst should make amends by making payment out of the testator’s lands and tenements while his son John and daughter Joan are under age. If his goods and chattels are insufficient to pay his debts, legacies and expenses, his executors should use as much as is needed from the profits of his lands and tenements in the first year after his death.
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Extract 5
His wife Joan to have for her lifetime all issues and profits from the lands and tenements ... [obscured by fold] ... in the parishes of Kyngyssnoth, Mersham and Sevyngton, and all issues and profits from the land and tenements that were leased from Richard Wodward* in Heanwod in the parish of Wyllysborgh. His trustees to hand over to his son John ...
[* It could be leased to Richard Wodward - hard to say out of context like this, as the case-ending is the same for both.]
Thanks bookbox.
I think that it might be "from" Richard Wodeward, as the wording is similar to that for John Williskynoth (can't read this name) whose name I think appears just above the end of the fold three lines above that of Richard Wodeward, but it would I think, be more likely that she was receiving issues and profits from them. Happy to know what you think.
Regards, gloveg
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While I agree that 'from' is more likely, I'm reluctant to offer a translation where the text is not fully visible (or easily guessable), to avoid any possible misinterpretation.
At the end of line 1, there is no 'John', so I'm not sure where you're seeing that? The last four words on the line are p(er)tinent(es) que Will(elmu)s Kynett (or Kyvett), meaning 'the appurtenances that William Kynett ...'.
In the line below, after Sevyngton, the Latin is ... durante vita ip(s)ius Joha(nne) Item ... (= ‘during the life of that same Joan. Item ...’).
We have had the surname Kynet or Kyvet before, in a different will in this thread (see reply #9 above).
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=814073.msg6750063
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While I agree that 'from' is more likely, I'm reluctant to offer a translation where the text is not fully visible (or easily guessable), to avoid any possible misinterpretation.
At the end of line 1, there is no 'John', so I'm not sure where you're seeing that? The last four words on the line are p(er)tinent(es) que Will(elmu)s Kynett (or Kyvett), meaning 'the appurtenances that William Kynett ...'.
In the line below, after Sevyngton, the Latin is ... durante vita ip(s)ius Joha(nne) Item ... (= ‘during the life of that same Joan. Item ...’).
We have had the surname Kynet or Kyvet before, in a different will in this thread (see reply #9 above).
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=814073.msg6750063
Thank you Bookbox for your reply. I have chosen to put "to/from" in my transcript of the will as I agree its hard to know which it is.
Also, thanks for sorting out the name of William Kynet/Kyvet for me. He possibly is related to the earlier Kyvet.
I want to thank you for all your help with this will. I now have the gist of it and it has been very helpful in my efforts to place the other members of the family who are mentioned in this will.
Regards, gloveg
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You're most welcome. Glad it's been useful.
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It's been a while but I was wondering if there has been any new evidence found on the parentage of Alice Essherst who married Thomas Denne?
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Hi Marayong,
I'm not sure what information you have re: the parentage of Alice Esshehurst. She is not on my line of the Esshehurst/Ashurst family, so I haven't persued it. The 1619 Visitation of Kent does not give any parentage for her but according to a genealogy on Geni managed by Eugene Thomas, she is the daughter of John Eshehurst of Beever, Ashford and Catherine Dalton. However, she is not mentioned as a daughter in the Extinct and Dorman Baronetcies by John Burke. Sorry, that is all the information I have in my notes.
Cheers, Gerelle Lovegrove.