Bristol History - bumsteadhistory
..... The indenture mentions one Peter Hiley and on checking the wills in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury probate records, there is one for a Peter Hiley of Bristol, whitetawer who died in 1675. A whitetawer (modern spelling Whittaker) was a person who manufactured of dealt in "white" leather, using tawing rather than tanning, which involved curing the skin in various substances which produced a lighter, more flexible form of leather. It also came to be used of one who produced harness leather and saddlery.
Peter Hiley was a wealthy man, for he bequeathed four messuages in Merchant Street, as well a property in Poole, Dorset and his own house on the Weare (modern Broad Weir).
(His Will on the net is difficult to read, does mention his Wife Joan) - but the above article has transcribed part of his will which lists his children (although Joan who married Thomas PEARCE isn't listed) but does say considering he was a wealthy man, he only gave small cash bequests (of either £50 or 40 shillings) to his remaining children i.e. Eldest Son, John: unmarried daughter Rachel - money to a Grandson, married daughters, Elizabeth SKINNER, Ellinor WILKES and Anne HAWKBRIDGE.
