| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. The Pierce family moves from Challock to Stalisfield, which is about 5 miles away. Sampson Pierce married Ann Craft. The following explore the Crafts/Crofts in Stalisfield, who may connect in. I do not find the exact connection yet, but Ann's father appears to maybe be the Henry Craft who died 23 Mar 1587/8 in Challock. The name Henry seems to be used a lot in Stalisfield. The notes that follow explore Stalisfield records.
2. Probates of Crofts/Crafts in Stalisfield as found at http://wills.canterbury-cathedral.org/ arranged chronologically. Note the early wills still need locating and transcribing and it may be within them that we find the connection to our nearby Challock family of Henry and Jone (___) Craft:
A. Will: Craft, John, Stalisfield, 1492, 1492, PRC/17/5/229a.
B. Will: Craft, Richard, Stalisfield, 1499, PRC/17/7/206, Comment: No probate.
C. Will: Craft, William Sen., Stalisfield, 1504, 1504, PRC/17/9/224a.
D. Will: Craft, Henry, Stalisfield 1518, 1518, PRC/17/14/142b.
E. Act: Croft, Katherine, Stalisfield, 1523, PRC/3/5/159.
F. Will: Crofte, Henry, Stalisfield, 1547, 1547, PRC/17/26/45b.
G. Will: Crofte, Laurence, Stalisfield, 1550, 1552, PRC/17/27/230c.
H. Richard Croft -- 1557:
Canterbury Index: Will: Croft, Richard, Stalisfield, 1556, 1557, PRC/17/33/56a
Citation: "England, Kent, Wills and Probate, 1440-1881," image 83 of 398, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23166-43531-59?cc=1949814 : accessed 23 January 2016), Kent, Archdeaconry of Canterbury > Wills > 1557, A-Z > image 83 of 398; County Record Office, Maidstone.
Link: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RGW-9V89?mode=g&i=82&wc=M68K-K66%3A250713701%2C250719201%2C251662001%3Fcc%3D1949814&cc=1949814
Transcription:
-Will dated 23 Oct 1557 of Richard Crofte p/son of St. Michaels of Harbledown (Note: Indexing shows this will to be filed for Stalisfield, yet Harbledown is 10 miles away -- perhaps a home parish? Harbledown is in very close proximity to Canterbury.)
-To be buried beside his mother
-Pays for prayers to be said over his grave and those of his father and mother Thomas and Annys Croft
-Bequeaths to his kin John Crofte, and if dies to his [John's] two brothers Robert and Richard Crofte
-Bequeaths to William Ellym?, Julyan Ellym?, John Mybbs, vicar of St. Marys Bredyn?, Thomas Wise, George Higgs (George named executor), vicar of St. Mary's Bredyn?
-Gregory Byng?, Willm Elhm, Enid Regybats?
I. Thomas Craft -- 1568:
Canterbury Index: Will: Craft, Thomas, Stalisfield, 1568, 1568, PRC/17/40/213, PRC/16/49 C/18
Citation: "England, Kent, Wills and Probate, 1440-1881," images 65 and 66 of 240, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23166-25657-80?cc=1949814 : accessed 23 January 2016), Kent, Archdeaconry of Canterbury > Wills > 1568, A-Z > image 65 of 240; County Record Office, Maidstone.
Link: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RGW-BF4?mode=g&i=64&wc=M68K-K3X%3A250713701%2C250719201%2C251214801%3Fcc%3D1949814&cc=1949814
Transcription:
-Thomas Craft of Stalisfield
-Will written 15 Oct 1568
-To be buried in Stalisfield churchyard
-Executors to be my wife Elizabeth and eldest son Henry
-Johan Craft my son
-George Craft my son
-Avery my youngest son
-Maragrete my daughter
-Catharene my daughter
-Proved Dec 1568
J. Elizabeth Crofte -- 1587 (Wife to Thomas Craft who died 1568):
Canterbury Index: Will: Crofte, Elizabeth, Stalisfield, 1586, 1587, PRC/17/47/90, PRC/16/88 C/14
Citation: "England, Kent, Wills and Probate, 1440-1881," images 52 and 53, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23172-10211-31?cc=1949814 : accessed 23 January 2016), Kent, Archdeaconry of Canterbury > Wills > 1587, A-Z > image 52 of 320; County Record Office, Maidstone.
Link: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RGD-8Z8?mode=g&i=51&wc=M68K-GMS%3A250713701%2C250719201%2C251236201%3Fcc%3D1949814&cc=1949814
Transcription:
-Dated 15 January 1586
-Elizabeth Crofte of Stadiffeild [Stalisfield], widow, late wife of Thomas Crofte
-To be buried in the Stadiffield churchyard next to her husband Thomas Crofte.
-Son George Crafte, coexecutor with Averie
-Youngest son Averie
-My goddaughter [granddaughter] Elizabeth Crofte daughter of George Crofte
-My goddaughter [granddaughter] Katereyne Croft daughter of John Crofte
-My goddaughter [granddaughter] Elizabeth of daughter Elizabeth Grenstreet and Willm Grenstreet
-My godson [grandson] Thomas Gassell? son of Thomas Gassell? lately deceased
-Witnesses Thomas and Henry Elvyn
-Proved 13 Dec 1587
Note: Alternative thinking on the wills of Thomas and Elizabeth Croft: Perhaps Elizabeth was a second wife and a widow with at least one daughter, Elizabeth, when she married Thomas Croft. Thomas Croft mentions sons [eldest] Henry, John[Johan], George, and Avery. He then mentions daughter Maragrete and Catharene, but he doesn't mention an Elizabeth as a daughter. She could have been born after he died? Widow Elizabeth doesn't mention son Henry [step-son?], but does mention George [mentioned as son], John [as father of a goddaughter, John may also be a stepson?] and Avery [mentioned as son]. She also mentions daughter Elizabeth Greenstreet as mother of Elizabeth Greenstreet/Grenstreet her goddaughter. Sometimes in these wills they can be very specific about relationships, and others, not so much. Unfortunately we cannot tell if son/daughter means stepson/stepdaughter in most wills.
K. Henry Croft -- 1593 (Son of Thomas who died 1568 and Elizabeth 1586):
Canterbury Index: Will: Croft, Crofte, Henry, Stalisfield, 1592, 1593, PRC/17/49/147, PRC/16/101 C/3.
Citation: "England, Kent, Wills and Probate, 1440-1881," images 70-71, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-23190-6760-26?cc=1949814 : accessed 23 January 2016), Kent, Archdeaconry of Canterbury > Wills > 1593, A-Z > image 70 of 370; County Record Office, Maidstone.
Link: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRPM-4FZ?mode=g&i=69&owc=collection%2F1949814%2Fwaypoints&wc=M68K-PM9%3A250713701%2C250719201%2C251244701%3Fcc%3D1949814&cc=1949814
Transcription:
-Dated 8 Dec 1592
-Henry Crofte of Stalsfeld [Stalisfield]
-Elizabeth and Sara Crofte my daughters to receive stipend at age 16.
-Humphrey Gylbert, Knight, and Wyllim Anger, Esq., overseers
-Children of his wife (from her previous marriage to ___ Read): John Reade, Grace Wels?, and Elizabeth Reade.
-Richard Crofte, my brother John Crofte's son.
-Henry Crofte, by brother George Crofte's son.
-Katheren Crofte, daughter of John Crofte.
-Widow of Richard Dame
-Unnamed godchildren
-Hester Tesdale
-Land in the Parish of Charing and Bigsoe.
-Brothers George and Averye Crofte
-Allis my wife, named executor.
-Witnesses Wylliam G?, George Crofte, Alverye Crofte, and John Hoxton?.
-Proved 20 Apr 1593.
L. William Croft -- 1593:
Canterbury Index: Will: Croft, William, Stalisfield, 1592, 1593, PRC/17/50/418b; PRC/16/101 C/6.
Citation "England, Kent, Wills and Probate, 1440-1881," images 77-85 of 370, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-23190-6482-27?cc=1949814 : accessed 22 January 2016), Kent, Archdeaconry of Canterbury > Wills > 1593, A-Z > image 81 of 370; County Record Office, Maidstone.
Link: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RPM-HW7?mode=g&owc=collection%2F1949814%2Fwaypoints&wc=M68K-PM9%3A250713701%2C250719201%2C251244701%3Fcc%3D1949814&cc=1949814
Transcription:
-William Croft of Stanneffeild [Statisfield]
-Wife Rose, named executor.
-Son Henry appears to be the oldest receiving his father's dwelling, associated land, and residue. Named executor.
-Daughter Fayth to be paid a stipend yearly by my son Henry
-John Malim? married to my daughter Katherine
-Thomas Toplye married to my daughter Elizabeth
-My daughter Mary to receive a stipend at the time of her marriage.
-Land in Otterden; Burrows and Jenkins in Stalisfield; King's Down in Boardefeild? parish; Obendens Down, Manor of Dovneton?, Darvold?, woodland in the parish of Charing.
-Son Isace [Isaac] receives some land, under 21.
-Sons Robert and Jonas who are under 21.
-Son Richard receives some specific land if Isaac, Robert, or Jonas die before age 21.
-Sons Henry and Edward, under 21) to share some specific land.
-Robert Barns (From wife Rose's will, we learn this is most likely a brother-in-law.)
-Sons Thomas and John.
-Dated 7 Mar 1592[/3?]
-Proved 28 Jun 1593
M. Widow Rose Croft -- 1603 (wife of William who died 1603):
Canterbury Index: Will: Crofte, Rose, Stalisfield, 1603, 1603, PRC/17/53/112a, PRC/16/122 C/13
Citation: "England, Kent, Wills and Probate, 1440-1881," image 95 of 340, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23183-42671-59?cc=1949814 : accessed 23 January 2016), Kent, Archdeaconry of Canterbury > Wills > 1603, A-Z > image 95 of 340; County Record Office, Maidstone.
Link: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RGP-9JD8?mode=g&i=94&wc=M68K-5WL%3A250713701%2C250719201%2C251258101%3Fcc%3D1949814&cc=1949814
Transcription:
-Will dated 2 Apr 1603 at Stalleffield [Stalisfield]
-Will of Rose Crofte widow
-Edward Crofte my son; named as executor. She bequeaths all the goods and chattels she received from her mother Richardine Barnes and Thomazin Barnes als Sanders my sister in the keeping of my brother Robert Barnes of Charing.
-Witnesses: Henry West, Clerk, and John Allard
-Will proved 25 Sep 1603
N. John Croft -- 1612:
Canterbury Index: Will: Crofte, John, Stalisfield, 1612, 1612, PRC/17/58/105, PRC/16/143 C/26.
Citation: "England, Kent, Wills and Probate, 1440-1881," images 249 and 250 of 760, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-23172-12356-16?cc=1949814 : accessed 23 January 2016), Kent, Archdeaconry of Canterbury > Wills > 1612, A-Z > image 249 of 760; County Record Office, Maidstone.
Link: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRGD-6LT?mode=g&i=248&wc=M68K-P2S%3A250713701%2C250719201%2C251283601%3Fcc%3D1949814&cc=1949814
Transcription (very difficult to read):
-John Croftes of Stalisfield.
-Will date 11 Apr 1612.
-Margaret my wife named as executor.
-Sons William and John Crofte
-Daughter Elizabeth Crofte.
-Mentions some land that I cannot decipher.
-Proved 29 Apr 1612
3. Extraction of Craft/Croft (and variants thereof) from Stalisfield, Kent, England Archdeacon's Parish Transcripts (FHL film 1752161, it. 3) from parish beginning of 1563 until 1640. No Parish records exist for this time period. Missing records from Archdeacon's Transcripts: 1564/65-1566/67, 1569/70; 1573/74, 1576/77, 1584/85, 1587/88, 1588/89, 1594/95, 1606/7, 1628/29, 1640-1661, and so forth. Missing records from Bishop's Transcripts: 1601/2, 1602/3, 1604/5-1610/11, 1613/14, 1621/22, 1627/28, 1640/41, 1642-1661 and so forth. The names with (*) cannot yet be placed in the potential families constructed below:
-2 Feb 1563/4, Edward Crofte s/o Wylliam, bap.
-1 Nov 1568, Thomas Craft bur.
-18 Apr 1569, Henry Croft bap.
-12 Jan 1570/1, John Croft bap., bur. the same day.
-16 Nov 1571, John Craft bap.
-29 Dec 1571, Steven Craft s/o Wyliam, bap.
-13 Jul 1572, Mari Craft d/o Wylliam, bap.
-30 Nov 1572, Thomas Craft s/o Jhon (sic), bap.
-6 Jan 1574/5, Averi Craft bap., bur. 20 Jan 1574/5.
-4 Sep 1575, Isahac (sic) Crofte bap.
-22 Jan 1575/6, Katheren Crofte bap.
-(*)2 Jun 1577, Thomas Kroft (sic) bap.
-7 Jul 1577, Jonas Kroft bap.
-13 Nov 1577, Rechard Kroft bap.
-5 Apr 1579, Rechard Croste bap.
-6 Nov 1579, Elyzabethe Crost bap.
-26 Nov 1581, Henry Craft s/o George, bap.
-29 Jan 1585/6, Elizabeth Croft widow, bur.
-5 Feb 1586/7, Jane Croft d/o George, bap.
-30 Oct 1587, Henry Croft and Alice Read, widow, botp, mar.
-2 Apr 1590, Sara Crafte, d/o Henry, bap.
-20 Mar? 1592/3, Wylliam Crafte bur.
-Apr 1593, Henrie Crafte bur.
-2 May 1596, Elizabeth d/o John Crofte, bap.
-6 May 1599, Wilyam s/o John Crofte, bap.
-28 Mar 1602, John s/o John Crofte, bap.
-10 Aug 1603, Rose Crofte widow, bur.
-2 Jul 1604, Margaret Pearce and Edward Crofte, botp, mar.
-(*)27 Dec 1604, Richard Crofte, miller, and Eliz. Upton, botp, mar. (This Richard could be either the Richard bap. 1577 or 1579.)
-21 Apr 1605, Sampson Crofte s/o Edward, bap.
-21 Sep 1605, Thomas Crofte s/o George, bur.
-25 Feb 1607, Eliz Craft, 19, of Stalisfield and John Hudson, Clothier, of Stalisfield, mar.
-(*)20 Oct 1608, Rabedge Croft and John Barnes, botp, mar.
-27 Nov 1608, Edward Crofte s/o Edward, bap.
-27 Dec 1608, Edward Crofte householder, bur.
-20 Apr 1612, John Crofte, householder, bur.
-1611, Henry Crofte witness parish record.
-12 Oct 1615, Margaret Craft/Croft, widow, and Henry Leez, yeoman, botp, mar.
-10 Nov 1617, Elizabeth Craft and Henry Browne, mar.
-4 Jul 1619, Henry Craft s/o George, bur.
4. Family Groups arranged from extracted Stalisfield Parish Records and Probates listed in separate notes above -- these groups are estimated only and subject to refinement and rearrangement as further research is conducted. The connection to our family in Challock appears to be of the next generation or further back and once the earlier wills listed above are transcribed, the connection may become apparent:
FAMILY 1: (Not used yet.)
FAMILY 2: Parents Thomas Craft and Elizabeth ___; Thomas Craft bur. 1 Nov 1568; Elizabeth Croft widow bur. 29 Jan 1585/6 (See 1568 probate for Thomas and 1587 for Elizabeth):
-Henry Croft who is bur. Apr. 1593 and is father in Family 6. (See 1593 probate of Henry; mentioned in wills of parents.)
-John Croft who is father in Family 4. (Mentioned in wills of parents and brother Henry.)
-George Croft who is father in Family 5. (Mentioned in wills of parents and brother Henry.)
-Avery Croft. (Mentioned in parents' and Henry's wills.)
-Elizabeth, who married William Greenstreet and had a daughter Elizabeth (per mother's will).
-Unknown daughter married to Thomas Gassell(?) who was dead by 1586 (inferred in mother's will). This daughter had a son named Thomas Gassell(?).
FAMILY 3: Parents William Craft and Rose Barnes; Wylliam Crafte bur. 20 Mar? 1592/3; Rose Crofte widow, bur. 10 Aug 1603. (See 1593 probate above for William which names his wife and many children. See 1603 probate for the widow Rose which identifies her maiden name of Barnes and names her mother and sister.):
-2 Feb 1563/4, Edward Crofte s/o Wylliam, bap. (Probably the same Edward Crofte, householder, bur. 27 Dec 1608.)
-18 Apr 1569, Henry Croft bap.
-12 Jan 1570/1, John Croft bap., bur. the same day.
-29 Dec 1571, Steven Craft s/o Wyliam, bap. (No further record; may have been christened in one of the missing years of the parish record.)
-13 Jul 1572, Mari Craft d/o Wylliam, bap.
-4 Sep 1575, Isahac (sic) Crofte bap.
-7 Jul 1577, Jonas Kroft bap.
-5 Apr 1579, Rechard Croste bap.
- Faith Crofte (Identified only in her father's probate; may have been christened in one of the missing years of the parish record.)
-John Crofte (Identified in father's probate but not the John baptized 16 Nov 1571 conflicts with the birth of Steven; may have been christened in one of the missing years of the parish record.)
FAMILY 4: Parents John Craft and ??? (Son in Family 2):
-30 Nov 1572, Thomas Craft s/o Jhon (sic), bap.
-6 Jan 1574/5, Averi Craft bap., bur. 20 Jan 1574/5. (Birth too close to a child of William which would then default to being a child in this family; also the father John had a brother named Avery.)
-22 Jan 1575/6, Katheren Crofte bap. (Identified in her Uncle Henry's 1593 probate and grandmother's 1587 probate.)
-13 Nov 1577, Rechard Kroft bap.
FAMILY 5: Parents George Craft and ??? (Son in Family 2)
-26 Nov 1581, Henry Craft s/o George, bap. (Identified in his Uncle Henry's 1593 probate. Probably Henry Craft s/o George, bur. 4 Jul 1619.)
-Est. 1584 Thomas Croft. (Thomas Crofte s/o George, bur. 21 Sep 1605.)
-5 Feb 1586/7, Jane Croft d/o George, bap.
FAMILY 6: Parents Henry Croft and Alice Read, widow, botp, mar. 30 Oct 1587: Burial: Henrie Crafte bur. Apr 1593 (See 1593 probate which also names brothers John, George, Averye Croft, and several step-daughters. Probable son in Family 2.)
-Abt 1588, Elizabeth (named in his will). (From age in marriage record, probably the Eliz Craft, 19, of Stalisfield and John Hudson, Clothier, of Stalisfield, mar. 25 Feb 1607.)
-2 Apr 1590, Sara Crafte, d/o Henry, bap.
FAMILY 7: Parents John Croft and Margaret ___; most likely the same John Craft bap. 16 Nov 1571; John Crofte, householder, bur. 20 Apr 1612; Margaret as a widow remarries 12 Oct 1615 to Henry Leez/Leez of the parish. (See John's Probate of 1612.)
-2 May 1596, Elizabeth d/o John Crofte, bap. (Probably Elizabeth Craft and Henry Browne, mar. 10 Nov 1617.)
-6 May 1599, Wilyam s/o John Crofte, bap.
-28 Mar 1602, John s/o John Crofte, bap.
FAMILY 8: Parents Edward Croft and Margaret Pierce; 2 Jul 1604, Margaret Pearce and Edward Crofte, botp, mar. (Probable son in Family 3.) (Moved away to Charing after the the birth of these first two children.):
-21 Apr 1605, Sampson Crofte s/o Edward, bap.
-27 Nov 1608, Edward Crofte s/o Edward, bap.
5. There is a Henry Crafte in the Hundred of Faversham in the 1523 subsidy roll - paid 5 shillings. Hundred of Faversham in the subsidy roll in the 14th year of King Henry VIII (22 April 1523 - 21 April 1524). Challock was not in the Faversham Hundred, but Stalisfield was. Stalisfield is close to the parish of Challock and our "23 Jan 1564/5, Henry Craft bur," ancestor may have lived in Stalisfield before moving to Challock -- or it may be a relative back in Stalifield. Alternatively there is a Henry Croft whose probate is on file from Stalisfield dated 1547 to whom this subsidy probably applies.
6. From Roy L Hales 25 Jan 2016:
"I did a quick look-up in Kent's 1334 Lay Subsidy. There is only one Craft/Croft:
Thomas de Crofte was assessed 4 shillings in Borden (There are entries as high as 16s on the page, but the majority are 1-3s).
As half the males in Borden between the ages of 16 and 60 followed Cade off to London in 1450 for the Rebellion, I also checked the muster but did not find a Craft/Croft. [See note for the earliest Clench of this database for more detail on Cade's Rebellion.]
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
