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THIRD GENERATION
A10. William COLCHESTER of Needham Market, Yeoman was born about 1500. He died in 1560.13 In 1527 Richard Studd of Needham Market appointed William to be the executor of his will.8 The following year, his uncle John left him "an ewe and a lambe",5 no doubt the foundation of a breeding stock for his lands. In 1534 he was fined 2d at the manorial court for not keeping the assize as either a common baker of bread or a brewer of ale, and again in 1535.10 When his father died in 1538, he inherited a tenement and 8 acres called Buttys. In 1540 he was ordered to scour his ditch towards the highway from Barking Tye to Ringshall2. In the tax of 1543, William paid 20d on moveables; and in 1545 he paid 3s on lands valued at 30s.8
The rentals for his land in 15442 makes interesting reading:
"For four acres freeland: 1½d, 13 hens
A cottage late John Smotheffen: 4½d, 2 capons and 4 days work
For land parcel of Bryans late Hugh Bugg: 2/-
Lands Popinells late Thomas Colchester his father: 4d
For a tenement he dwells in at Needham sometime Margaret Letton after Richard Studds late Thomas Mouse: 4d
For lands & tenements late Thomas Dametts & Bowghtons: 11/-."2
These rentals were a hangover from the days of serfdom. By the mid 14th century most of the duties of working on the Lords land had been converted to money - hence these rents of hens, capons and 4 days work. As the manor of Barking was owned by the Abbey of Ely, and not a baron, in effect the manor of Barking was expected to provide the monks at Ely with food for two weeks - until the reformation.20 In 1446 a hen was worth about 2d and 40 eggs would buy a hen.
We also know from an entry in the 1573 manorial roll that he and his wife had owned a "tenement called Butts of old & after Damotts with 8 acres workland, 7acres of workland called Cokks parcel of the said tenement & 2 gardens, ½ acre of Tybbes Wood and 1½ acres of land in Barking in 4 pieces, he has now died & his son Thomas is admitted to hold the same after the death of Isabel." 2
William seems to have been a trusted man, as in 1556 John Johnson of Needham Market appointed him in his will as one of the "three honest" men to divide up his goods fairly.8
William wrote his will in 1554, and described himself as of Needham Market and a yeoman, the son of William & Joan. When it was proved in 1560, the administration was given to his widow Elizabeth. In summary the will states - I give my son Thomas £20 to be paid when he is aged 22, and also a feather bed, a bolster, a pair of sheets, a pair of blankets, a covering, or else 40 shillings in ready money. To Margaret my daughter, £6.13.4d & one flock bed with a pair of sheets, a pair of blankets & a covering. To Agnes Colchester, my daughter £6.13.4d, a flock bed, a pair of sheets, a pair of blankets & a covering. I give to Elizabeth Smyth, my servant 3s4d. I give to Richard Row, my servant, 3s4d. I give to William Colchester, my son, all my lands & tenements late of William Colchester, my father, being in Barking, & he to enter them after the death of Elizabeth, my wife. I bequeath to the poor people's box of Barking & Needham 20d. The residue of my goods not bequeathed to be divided between Elizabeth, my wife, & William, my son, whom I make my executors etc. And Robert Colchester, my brother, to be Supervisor & I give him for his pains 20s. Witnessed by John Standley, Thomas Hyll, William Bugge & others.13
He was married to Elizabeth before 1539. She was buried on 1 Mar 1583. In 1568 she paid 6s8d tax on goods valued at £8.14
Children of William COLCHESTER of Needham Market, Yeoman and Elizabeth were:
- +A19 William COLCHESTER See B1.
- +A20 Margaret COLCHESTER
- +A21 Agnes COLCHESTER
- +A22 Thomas COLCHESTER See C1.