| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. In progress research and theories:
A. Various comments, factoids, and leads I have found to follow for research:
-The publication "The Visitation of the County or Kent, taken in 1619," by Phlipott at website http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Pub/ArchCant/006%20-%201866/006-13.pdf accessed 24 May 2017, pp. 260-69, gives the lineage and arms of the gentry family of Godfrey, one of the ancient families of Lydd. Included with the visitation are wills, church records. and other records of this family. Of interest is the daughter Catherine of Peter Godfrey and Joan Epes. The lineage chart indicates: "Katherina ux : Johis Berry de Lyd [bo. 1542 ; ob. 1613, s. p.]." In the reported Lydd baptisms, there is "Sep. 15, 1544. Catheryne, ye daught. of Peter
Godfrey." No actual marriage is shown in the reported church marriages for John Berry and Catherine Godfrey. We do find later legal court records of Thomas Godfrey and John Berry together as very large landowners and defendants in land usage disputes. There are Thomas Godfreys in Lydd at this time and is the Catherine's brother who is the one associated with John Berry -- Catherine's brother Thomas (1553-1623) of Lydd and her uncle (-1610) of Cottinge in Lydd. The former had wives Ellis Pix and Maria Partriche and the latter's wife is unknown.
-The 22 December 1555 will of Rafe Willcocks (Wilcox) of Lydd identifies two of his maid servants as Constance and Joane Berie. Rafe's daughter Ann marries Jeffrey Berry 15 Oct 1563 in Lydd. Rafe also names as co-executor John Berye of Ivechurch (Ivychurch, which is just the next parish to the west). It would seem logical that there is probably of relationship of Constance and Joane to out Berrys. Perhaps they are sisters of Jeffrey Berry. Rafe's wife is Sybilla mentioned as living in his will. The only thing that is bothersome is Rafe's will is that he names his "father-in-law John Reinoldes." Most would interpret this to mean that Sibilla's maiden name would be Reinoldes, but I think the more common interpretation for this in this era would be step-father. Carol Hutchinson has identified Sibilla as most likely Sibilla Knatchbull, dau. of William Knatchbull, based on the will of William. A Richard Knatchbull is named in Rafe's will as one of the three coexecutors along with Peter Godfrey and John Berry. Peter we have identified above as the father of Catherine Godfrey. Rafe and Peter are jurats and John Berry takes Rafe's place as jurat after his move from Ivychurch to Lydd.
-I believe Sibilla remarries within a year to John Berry. Second marriage judging from proximity of date to that of Sybilla's first husband's death date. Also note that John Berry is mentioned in her first husband's will and apparently makes the move from Ivychurch to Lydd to replace Rafe Wilcox as jurate in Lydd. Much of the land described for John Berry corresponds to that of Rafe Willcox. Per website http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbprs%2feastkent%2fmar%2f027393%2f2 accessed 23 May 2017:
"Kent, East Kent marriage index 1538-1754: Sybil Wilcox and John Berry, both residing at Lydd, married 8 Jan 1557.
-A new book "The Origin of Capitalism in England, 1400-1600," by Spencer Dimmock (2014) which I found on Google has an important reference to John Berry, Rafe Wilcox, and the Godfrey family. A partial viewing of some pages can be done free at https://books.google.com.tr/books?id=6Uz3AwAAQBAJ&dq=john+berry+lydd&source=gbs_navlinks_s and do a search for "Berry." (Accessed 24 May 2017.) The missing portions would be helpoful, but from what portion we can see without buying the book we learn:
-P. 310: John Berry had a will in 1592 and his wife Katherine had one in 1612. John has extensive land holdings as a jurat, which was typical of most jurats of Lydd. His holdings were in many places including Ivychurch and other places (cut off by the Google snippet). Berry's will reveals strong links with London and woolen drapers. Katherine with a clothier in Cranbrook. Thomas Godfreys will of 1624 provides details of his land holdings spread across the [Romney[ Marsh and [Industrial] Weald; it also mentions a manor. [This indicates Thomas would be the brother of Catherine and not her uncle who died in 1620.]
-P. 314: Peter Godfrey, in his will of 1567 in Lydd, is shown to be quite wealthy and a proponent of accruing interest for the benefit of various godchildren's inheritances in their minorship.
-P. 315: Ralph Wilcocks was a jurat for only one year, 1554-55. John Berry, yeoman of Ivychurch, immediately replaced Wilcocks as jurat the following year. Rafe Wilcocks, John Berry, and Peter Godfrey were probably the largest sheepowners of the area.
-Pp. 332-33: A fragment of a court case held in royal court of the exchequer at Westminster in London in 1576 shows John Berry of Lydd owned the manor house of Cheyne Court, a farm in Lydd where he was living, and farms and land at Broomhill, Newland, Abbots Marsh, Abbots Land, Ivychurch, and Brookland. His holdings were well over 2000 acres. He had about 1600 sheep and 40 dairy cows. He migrated from Ivychurch to Lydd in 1555 to take up the juracy created when Rafe Wilcocks died. "One might even say it was reserved for him." He was probably one of the wealthiest men in Lydd at the time. "He probably took over Cheyne Court and other farms from Wilcockes upon the latter's death." [The book does not mention a marriage to Wilcock's widow, but it seems likely considering the movement of property.] John Brooks marries Catherine Godfrey [apparently later] thereby nestling him into the Godfrey line, the wealthiest of Lydd. The law case involving him with Thomas Godfrey "Junior" was about the right mix of cattle to sheep according to an obscure law of the earlier 1500s.
-"The Canterbury Probate Index" https://wills.canterbury-cathedral.org/ has the following wills of great interest that need to be looked up:
-Will Berry, Berrye Catherine Lydd 1613 1613 PRC/32/42/241 PRC/31/63 B/3 OW 2 copies
-Inv Berry Katherine Lydd 1613 1613 PRC/28/5/69 Widow, Will
-Will Berrye Alice Hythe 1546 1545 PRC/32/21/31b
-Will Berry Richard Orlestone 1512 1512 PRC/17/12/144b
-Will Berry John Boughton under Blean 1593 1593 PRC/32/37/102a PRC/31/37 B/12 [This one may be a bit too far removed location-wise to be our John Berry.]
-Website http://www.genealogycrank.co.uk/pdfs/will_transcripts_kent.pdf accessed 23 May 2017:
"Jeffrey Berrye; Lydd; 1587: PRC 32/36/71b
"Memorandum that I Geoffrie Berrye of perfect mynde and Memorye thanks be to almighty God .... and ordain my last will and testament. Item I commend my soul into the hands of the almighty. And concerning my debts and legacies. Item I will and ordain my uncle Berry sole executor my sole executor and will that an inventory be thereof taken and that he shall have the profits thereof and keep them to the use of my child until she come unto the age of 16 years or her day of marriage or first that shall happen for the bringing up of my daughter Catherine. By me Geoffrie Berry. Wit Robert Prynne, William Plummer, John Branden"
[A 27 Aug 1586 christening of Catherin -- dau. of Geffrey Berry. Since we know Joane erry who married John Austen was born 1565 to Jeffry Berry, the 1586 christening of Catherin seems too late to be Joane's sister -- with this probate of a different Jeffrey Berry in 1587 in which only one daughter is named (Catherin), then this would indicate that there were two sequential generations of Jeffreys with perhaps one being the father of the other.
-From the published account of "monumental inscriptions "In the Churchyard and Church of All Saints’, Lydd, Kent," by Leland L. Duncan: http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsLydd/MIsLydd.htm accessed 24 May 2017. The following are unique since the Berry and the Wilcox family are adjacent to each other: Both families appear prominent due to their burials and markers being in the church:
473. Going on toward the Belfrye in the said middle alley is a stone with 3 brass Images being a man betwixt 2 women (Inscript) Here lyeth the Body of John BERREY, who was chosen a Juratt of this Towne of Lidd in the 1st yeare of the Reigne of Queene Elizabeth and so continued till his death. He was five times Baylif of the some Towne and dyed the XXth day of December in the 40th yeare of the reigne of the said Queene and in the fowerscore and second yeare of his age Anno Dni 1597.
He that this slender monument did frame
Was heir to Berry’s fortune and His name
Part of his owne one him he doth bestowe
His greater Love in some small sorte to show.
(The inscription is now on the wall of the South Aisle).
474. By the South side of this is a stone worn rought and the Inscription almost gone, with the Coat of Arms: (Inscript) that there lies John BERRY Esq., who by God’s Providence lived in this Town of Lydd many years and performed all offices of Magistacy, was 26 years Captain of ye Trained Band, was born in the year of our Lord 1572. He had 7 children 4 Sons and 3 Daughters. He attained ye full age of 65 and peaceably concluded this life ye 7 of June 1637. (Mem: Plummer’s after this).
475. Beneath this is a stone with a brass figure of a man (there was a woman too but is now lost) and under them these words in Brass viz:
To pass by Death is common unto all
But so to dye as he may live againe
In greater Joy, thys onely doth befall
To those whome Faith doth lead with Xt. to reigne.
Ralfe WILLCOCKES and Sybill his Wiffe Ano Dni 1555. (His will is given in the Appendix).
476. There is a little stone at the north west corner of the former (Inscript) Under there lyeth buried John BERRY ye son of John Berrey of Lydd who died ye 26 of January 1595 or 93.
477. A little farther near the two lowest Pillars of the Church on the North side is a stone (Inscript) Here lieth buried the Body of William WILCOCKE late Jurat three tymes Baylie on this Towne of Lidd, who died the 23 daye of Januari 1626 aged 63 yeares. And there is another Inscription on the same stone below the former shewing that there lieth buried the Body of Wilcocke KNIGHT of Lidd, Gent., who died December the 9th 1670 aged 44 years.
478. On the North side of the last mentioned stone is another with the Inscription almost gone but seems to signifie notwithstanding that there Lies Joane BATE daughter of William WILCOCKE of Lydd, Jurate, and wife of Thomas Bate eldest son of Thomas Bate of Lydd, Jurate, who died the 30th day of May 1622 in the 28th year of her age and hath left a daughter called Joane (or daughters).
479. The next stone on the North between the two lowest Pillars shows that there Lieth buried the Bodi of Susan late wife of William WILLCOCKE who died the 29 day of June 1626 aged 53 and daughter of John BATEMAN Jurate.
B. Possible conclusions for a working theory:
1. John Berry, who died 22 Dec 1597, was born abt 1515 per age given on memorial. His brass effigy is between two unidentified women brass effigies, which probably represents two wives. The first was probably the widow Sybilla (Knatchbull) Wilcocks and the second Catherine (Godfrey). No burial date for the first wife and the second one dies in 1612 with a will that has not been seen yet. Another possibility is that John may have been had an earlier wife than Sybilla, but if so perhaps she died before his 1555 move to Lydd (or she died immediately after the move. Note the much older age of John than his last wife Catherine who was baptized 15 Sep 1544 (a 29 year age difference). Sybilla would have been probably about his same age.
2. John Berry above could be the father of Jeffrey Berry whose daughter Joan, bapt. 14 Feb 1565 in nearby Midley, married John Austen 1584 in Lydd. Ann Wilcox would be her mother since she and Jeffrey married 1563 in Lydd. If John Berry was the father, than Jeffrey would have been born before 1542 assuming he was at least 21 at the time of his marriage (or 1538 if one uses 25 as the age). John was born 1515 and would have been at least 21 when he would have had children which would recalculate Jeffrey's birth to no earlier than 1536. This than allows a reasonable birth for Jeffrey of between 1536 to 1542. Alternatively, Jeffrey could be a younger brother of John. Perhaps the wills of John and his wife Catherine, when finally found and transcribed may have some clues.
3. Apparently there is another younger Jeffrey who died young and only had one daughter Catherine per his 1587 will. He could be a son of either the John or the senior Jeffrey. He would have had to be born in 1564 if he were Jeffrey's son making a tight fit between the 15 Oct 1563 marriage date and the 14 Feb 1565 baptism date of Joane (it would work if Joane's actual baptism date was dual dated as 14 Feb 1565/6). He could also be John's son born either to Sybilla shortly after their 1555 marriage (while she was still of childbearing capablilty). Since we don't have a marriage date for John's second wife Catherine Godfrey, we would have to estimate she was at least 19 which would calculate as 1563 and again make a tight fit, but possible, for Jeffrey Jr. similar to if Jeffrey Sr. were his father. Not having Sybilla's death date, Catherine Godfrey's marriage date, or Jeffrey Jr.'s baptism date makes all of this speculative.
4. There is a second John (Jr.) who was born in 1572 per is memorial. He died 7 June 1637. I would assume him to be the son of John Sr. and Catherine Godfrey, but he could also be the son of Jeffrey Sr. and Anne Wilcox. Subject to further investigation, I am leaning to his father being John Sr. -- John would have been 57 but his wife Catherine would be 28. Catherine's 1612 will might clear this up.
5. The maid servants of Rafe Willcocks per his 1555 will (Constance and Joane) could be children of John Sr. and therefor sisters to Jeffrey Sr. or they may be sisters of John Sr.
6. There are some earlier wills for Berrys in near vicinity who may be related and finding and transcribing their wills will help.
7. Also there should be a will dated 1592 maybe probated circa 1597/8 for John Berry Sr. judging from the comments in the Capitalism book. This will appears to be critical to find.
MARRIAGE:
1. Second marriage judging from proximity of date to that of Sybilla's first husband's death date. Also note that John Berry is mentioned in her first husband's will and apparently makes the move from Ivychurch to Lydd to replace Rafe Wilcox as jurate in Lydd. Much of the land described for John Berry corresponds to that of Rafe Willcox. Per website http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbprs%2feastkent%2fmar%2f027393%2f2 accessed 23 May 2017:
"Kent, East Kent marriage index 1538-1754 Transcription
First name(s): Sybil
Last name: Wilcox
Residence: Lydd
Marriage year: 1557
Marriage date: 8 Jan 1557
Marriage place: Lydd
Spouse's first name(s): John
Spouse's last name: Berry
Spouse's residence: Lydd
County: Kent
Country: England"
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
Abt 1515 - 1597 (~ 82 years)