Protestant Exiles from France/Historical Introduction - section VIII

by David Carnegie Andrew Agnew

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Section VIII.

GLEANINGS FROM WILLS.

The Calendar of Wills proved in London from 1568 to 1618 contains no refugee surnames of note,^[1] and I had not sufficient time to examine many of the wills, where the names seemed to betoken refugee testators. The first likely name was Paschall de Lasperon, of Wells (will dated 13th January 1570), but he proved to be an Englishman, as also did John Delehaye of King’s Lynn, yeoman, 11 th December 1576. My first successful search brought up an affidavit of the testament made by word of mouth, by Thierry de la Courte, of Sommers Kaye, London, merchant, native of Valenchiennes, “then using his five senses, remembrance, and understanding,” viz., on 28th July 1573; the affidavit was made before Parole Tipoote, public notary, by Mr James Tovillet, called Des Roches, minister of God’s Word in the French Church in the City of London (aged 52), Nicholas Leonarde Tayler, native of Vireng, deacon of the said church (aged 55), and James Jeffrey, merchant, native of Valenchiennes (aged 37); the executors were Anthonie de la Courte, native of Quesnoy-le-Conte, merchant (brother of Thierry), James Rime his brother-in-law, and John Tullier, merchant, native of Tournay; the witnesses were Denis Le Blanc and Andrew Van Lander.

Translated out of French is a will dated 24th September, proved 22nd October 1582; the testator is Anthony Du Poncel, a native of Sastin, in the county of St. Paul in Artois; he leaves to our parish of St. Dunstan, 6s. 8d., to our French Church 6s. 8d., and to the Dutch Church, 6s. 8d.; the executors are named, viz., John Lodowicke, my wife’s brother, and Peter Le Cat, husband of Jone Du Poncel, my niece, assisted by Messrs. Anthony Coquel and Vincent de la Barre; the witnesses are Anthony Berku alias Dolin, and Peter Chastelin, “My gossopp.”

On 6th June 1583, the will of Godfrey de Sagnoule, merchant stranger of London, parish of great Saint Oldy, as declared before his decease, is sworn to by his widow, Mary de Sagnoule alias Bongenier, before Dennis Le Blancq, notary public — namely, that after payment of the testator’s debts, and of £10 as a marriage gift to his nephew, Daniel de Sagnoule, his wife shall have the residue. Witnesses, Margaret Selyn alias Fontaine (aged 45 or thereabouts), widow of Nicholas Selyn; Margaret Joret alias Bongenier (aged 40), wife of Anthony Joret of London, merchant stranger; Erasme De la Fontaine alias Wicart (aged 27), and Peter Houblon (aged 26), merchant strangers.

The will of Alexander De Melley, merchant, born at Houtain, near Nivelle, Brabant, is dated 14th August 1583; he leaves 40s. to the poor of the French Church, London — the half of the residue to his wife, Catherine Maignon, and the other half to the children, John, Mary, Leah, and Rachel, of whom she shall take charge, “causing them to learn to read and write.” If his wife re-marry, the trustees for his children are to be his brother-in-law, John Maignon and Michael Lart, shoemaker. Witnesses, Martin Maignon, Nicholas Leuart, James Garrett the younger, Adrien Mulay.

There are three wills of the family of De la Haye, “translated out of French,” with which I close my Elizabethan researches. In the year 1579- Henry De la Haye, merchant, London, native of Tournay, having been “visited with a long and grievous sickness,” makes his will — “first, giving thanks unto God for his infinite benefits, and namely, for the knowledge of salvation and eternal life which he did reveal unto him through his gospel, that he doth bestow of his goodness and mercy, in all hope for to obtain pardon of his sins, commending his soul unto God, and his body to be buried until the resurrection to come;” he names his wife, Laurence Carlier, and their children, Paul and Anne; his wife to be executrix with Lewis Saye, also a native of Tournay, and Robert Le Mason [Macon], minister of the French Church; he leaves £14 sterling to the deacons to be distributed to the poor of the French Church, and other 40s. to be given to them that shall have most need, without any diminishing of their ordinary alms, and £5 to the elders for to be bestowed about the necessaries of the divine service and of the church. Then there is the will of the above-named son, Paul De la Haye, merchant in London, native of Tournay, dated 6th August; proved nth August 1582, who leaves the charge of his goods to his uncle, Anthony Carlier, merchant in Antwerp; he bequeaths £1100 sterling, besides “patrimony, goods, situate at Tournay, and places thereabout,” to his sister Anne, wife of Fabian Niphius, “allowing her the full liferent of the whole,” on condition that “she and her husband approve the testament of my late mother, within fifteen days after that this present testament shall have been signified unto them ” — the £1100 in the meantime to be in the hands of Nicholas Malaparte, widow of the late Henry Monceau, and John Famas — the interest, in the event of the repudiation of his mother’s will, to be shared during the minority of the children between Mrs. Monceau, Anthony Carlier, Gisbrecht Carlier, and the widow of John Flamen Noell du Faye, unless the said sister and her husband “change of advice.” His legacies are — to my cousin, Peter Moreau, £100 Flemish; to Johanna Morean, £30 Flemish, with a carpet which belonged to my grandmother, widow of James de Catteye; to Maister Charles de Nielle, £25 Flemish, with two silver bolles; to my uncle, Anthony Carlier, £50 sterling; to the poor of the French Church of London, £50 sterling , for the entertaining of the minister, £10 sterling; for the entertaining of the scholars of the said church, £10 sterling — also 3 per cent, to his executors for recovering his debts and selling of his merchandise, who shall give additional £30 to the poor of the French Church, if funds be realised. The will of Lawrence Carlier, widow of Henry De la Haye, was not proved till 20th October 1582 (though dated April 10) — executors, Lewis Says, merchant, born at Tournay, and Alexander De Melley, merchant, born at Houtaine, near Nivelle, in Brabant. Her legacies are £16 to the poor and £4 to the funds of the French Church.

The will of Santine Le Febure, widow of Alexander Mancon, of the city of London, is dated 28th March 1614, proved 21st March 1615 (n.s.); she leaves £10 to the poor of the French Church, London; 20s. to Mr Alexander Marie, one of the preachers of said church; 20s. to my godson John Daniel, son of John; 20s. to Hester Foulon, widow of James Fontaine; £50 to my sister, Chonnet Le Febure, a maid and unmarried, living at Collonia, and one-half of my residue, recommending to her care my two nephews, Hubert Marisall, and his son David Marisall, to the latter of whom I give £25 sterling, to be paid to him at the age of twenty-one, the interest to be applied to his nurture and bringing up, — whom failing, to his brother John Le Taille; £15 to my god-daughter Sara, daughter of John Mancon; £5 to another daughter Mary; £30 to the children of Jacob Mancon, to be paid to them at twenty-one, or day of marriage, and entrusted in the meantime to their grandfather Bartholomew Panneu, of Southwark. To Jacob Mancon, my moveables and my petticoat of violet cloth; to Precilla Hesde, widow of John Paren, my good cassarte or upper gown, my great kettle, one pair of coarse sheets, my old gown, also 40s. in ready money; 20s. each to Sara and Mary, daughters of Elias Browning; to Pieronne, widow of John Germaine, one pair of old sheets, one little red petticoat, one good smocke, and 10s.; to Anne, widow of Gilbert Tayllie, my little kettle and the curtains of my bed; 40s. each to my executors, Elias Browning and Anthony Delimal. John Aurelius, notary public.

The will of John Le Roy is dated 16th February 1614 (n.s.), and proved 18th October 1615; he describes himself as “born at Roane in Normandy, merchant, now dwelling in the city of London, and a free denizen;” he leaves £10 to those who have the charge of the poor in the French Church of London; 40s. to the poor of the parish of St. Andrew Undershafte; £30 each to my nephews, Peter and John Le Roye, sons of my brother Peter deceased; all my goods and chattels to my wife Mary, until my son John come to the age of twenty-five, at which age she is to pay to him £1000, on condition that at the age of twenty-four, or sooner, he confirm all my lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Hertfordshire and London, to his mother in liferent. If she marry again, then she is to give to John security for £1000. If John should die, then she and her heirs succeed. My wife to be executor, assisted by my brothers, Timothy Blier and Claud Durell, and by my loving friend Hugh Ley.

The will of David Lescaillet is dated 27th April, proved 10th June 1618; he describes himself son of the late Nicholas, born in London, and dwelling in London, aged twenty-eight. “Imprimis, I do commend, now and at all times, my soul into the hands of God my Creator, in the name of his well-beloved Son Jesus Christ our only Saviour, Advocate, Mediator, and Redeemer, in and by whose death, passion, and resurrection, I do believe and firmly embrace my salvation and redemption. And concerning my body after that God shall have withdrawn the soul unto Him, to give me the same, I do ordain the same to be buried and laid in the ground in the Christian simplicity of the Reformed Churches, expecting with firm faith and assurance, with all the believers in Jesus Christ, the happy resurrection of the latter day in which I hope to see my Redeemer and to enjoy eternal life. In this faith and assurance, grounded upon the promises of God in Jesus Christ and not upon any other, I assure myself that I cannot in any wise perish.” The following are his bequests:—

£5 to the purse of the necessities of the French Church gathered together in London; £5 to the purse of the poor of the said church; £5 unto my uncle Peter Fremanly, for to help him to pay his debts; £5 to my aunt Channette de Calonne; £5 to my aunt Frances de Calonne; £3, and my cloth cloak of a brown gray colour, to George Lambert, my cousin; 20s. to my godson Trouille, son of John Trouille; 20s. to my god-daughter Mary, daughter of Luther de Roubay;^[2] £5 to my godson Lewis Serrurier, son of Philippe; I do acquit Elias Moreau all that he oweth me, also Isaac Tronnel; concerning that which Daniel Le Crew and David Des Bordes shall be found to be owing unto me by my book, I do give and bequeath the same to the poor of the French Church in London; 20s. each to Lewis, Mark, Charles, Mary, and Elizabeth de Calonne, the children of my uncle Mark de Calonne; 20s. each to Peter, Philippe, Mary, and Judith Serrurier, children of my uncle Philip Serrurier; £5 each to Daniel, Luke, and Mary Lescaillet, children of the late Gylles Lescaillet, on their coming to the age of twenty-five years, or to the state of marriage, in case they do carry themselves honestly to the contentment of my executors. The residue to be divided equally between my brothers and sisters, namely, Josué Lescaillet, Nicholas Lescaillet, Elizabeth Lescaillet, wife of James Kindt, Judith Lescaillet, and Mary Lescaillet, — provided always that the part and portion of my said brother Josué Lescaillet shall be retained and kept in the hands of my executors until such time as the said Josué Lescaillet shall come to the age of thirty-five years, or that he have afore that time amended his life to the contentment of my executors, my said executors paying him yearly the increase or interest at their discretion; £4 each to my executors, Mark de Callonne, Philippe Serrurier, and James Kindt. Witnesses, Thomas de Wachter, Josua Mainer, Daniel Le Blancq, notary public.

From the Norwich registry I have a translation of the will of Adrien de Le me, aged 54, 28th September 1603:—

Our help standeth in the name of God who hath made heaven and earth. Amen. This xxviii. day of September 1603, I, Adrien de Le me, son of Michiel deceased, born at Nomayn, feeling myself sick of body, notwithstanding well disposed of mind, being of 54 years of age, do make my Testament in manner as followeth.

I give thanks unto my God for the good he hath bestowed on me in this life, and especially for that it hath pleased him to call me to the knowledge and participation of his Son our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom I am assured of my salvation.

Concerning that small portion of worldly goods which it hath pleased him to give me, I will have it to be disposed (God having taken me from this world) in manner as followeth:— All my debts being duly paid, I do give unto the poor of the French Church in Norwich, £2 sterling. Item, I give to the same church £1 sterling. Item, I give to Philippe and Nathanael, both my youngest children — to each of them £30 sterling. And unto Pierre and Jacques, and Annis, my daughter, to every one of them £20 sterling. And I give to Marie, my daughter, the wife of Jacques Le Greyn, £10 sterling. And if my wife Marguerite should die of this sickness by which she is kept under at this present time, I will that my two youngest children, Philippe and Nathanael, (instead of each £30) shall have, I say, each £50 sterling— also in like manner my three children, Pierre, Jacques, and Annis, shall have, I say, £100 amongst them three — and my daughter Marie, wife of Jacques Le Greyn, instead of £10, shall have £20 sterling. Moreover (if my wife shall die of this sickness by the which she is at this present taken), I do give unto my daughter Annis, I say, our best bed whereon I and my wife do lie, with two pillows, two pair of sheets, both the coverings, the bedstead, and the curtains. Item, I give absolutely to my son Pierre, my best cloak, hose, and doublet of grogryn, and my best hat. And to my son Jacques I likewise give my cloak the best after the other, one pair of breeches and jerkin of cloth, one wash doublet, and one hat lined with velvet. And also likewise I give to Philippe my son, my great Bible, the Decades of Mr Henry Bullinger, and the Institutions of Mr Calvin. If one or more of my children should die before Marguerite my wife, their mother, I will that the one half or moiety of the part or portion of the deceased shall return to Marguerite my wife, and the other moiety shall be equally divided amongst the rest of my children. The rest of the goods, which shall be found after my decease to me appertaining, shall be equally divided amongst the aforesaid. And I, the Testator, do ordain for executors of this my Testament, Jean Bodar, Everart Farvaque, and Jacques Le Greyn. And it is my Will that this my Testament shall be duly kept and executed by the aforesaid. In witness of truth I have subscribed this with my own hand in presence of Jacques Le Greyn,^[3] Jean Bodar, and Everart Farvaque, and Francois Desmarets, sworn clerk.

Proved in the Consistory Court of Norwich, on the 9th day of December 1603, by the oaths of the executors within named.

Note.

The will of the above humble and pious testator is deposited at Norwich. I add here a copy of the will of one of his grandsons, deposited in London:—

1686, July 9th.

In the Name of God, Amen. I, Peter Delmé, merchant, citizen of London, and free of the Company of Dyers in the same city, being (God be praised) in an indifferent state of health of body, and of sound and perfect memory and understanding, yet knowing the uncertainty of the state of this present life, and of my aboad in the world, Doe make this my last will and testaments as followes:— Imprimis I committ my soule into the hands of Allmighty God that gave it, beseeching him for the sake of my deare Lord and only Saviour Jesus Christ, to pardon and forgive me all my manifold sinns and transgretions, being heartily sorrowfull and penitent for the same. And that Hee would by His most holy and blessed Spirite sanctify me throughout that I may appeare blamelesse at His comeing. My body I committ to the earth from whence I came, where I order it to be decently interred, in the full beleife and hope of a blessed resurrection at the last day, unto eternall life through Jesus Christ my Lord. And for my temporall goods and estate which it hath pleased God to bestow liberally upon me — after all my just debts, and whatsoever is due by me be fully paid, which I order and desire be speedily and fully paid after my decease, and my funerall expences discharged — I will and bequeath according to the custome of the City of London, one third parte of all my goods and chattells and estate unto my deare and loveing wife, Sibilla Delmé. Item, according to the custome of the said city, I will and bequeath one other third parte of all my goods and chattells and estate to and among my six deare children, Peter, Samuel, Ann, Sibella, Elizabeth, Elias and Jane Delmé,^[4] to be equally divided amongst them, share and share alike, to be paid to my sonnes at their respective ages of one and twenty yeares, and to be paid to my daughters at their ages of one and twenty yeares, or days of marryage, which shall first happen, my will being in case any of my said children happen to dye before the said times, that the survivors or survivor shall have the deceased or deceased's share. And for the other third of all my goods and chattels and estate which, according to the custome of the said city, I have in my owne dispose, I will and bequeath unto the poore of the French or Walloone Church in Threadneedle Street, in London, fifty pounds. Item, I will and bequeath unto the poqre of the Auncient Walloone Church in the City of Canterbury, fifty pounds, to be paid to the Deacons for time being of the said two churches for the use of the said poore. Item, I will and bequeath unto the poore of the Parish of All Saints in the City of Canterbury, five pounds. Item, I will and bequeath unto the poore children harboured in Christ Hospitall, in the City of London, fifty pounds, to be paid to the Treasurer of the said Hospitall for the time being, for the use of said poore children. Item, I will and bequeath unto my deare brother, John Delmé, tenne pounds. Item, to my deare sister Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Dubois, tenne pounds. Item, to my deare nephewes and nieces, to witt Elizabeth Delmé, John, Margaret, Jane and Elizabeth Crow, to each of them five pounds. Item, I will and bequeath unto my said loveing wife, one hundred pounds. Item, I will and bequeath unto my son Peter, all my share of the grounds and houses descended to me from my late cozen James Mauroie, situate in the Poultry, Old Jury, Conyhoope Lane, and in the Alley betwixt Old Jury and betwixt Grocers Alley, in the City of London, to him and to his heires for ever. Item, I give unto such hired servant or servants who have lived with me the space of one yeare before my decease, and that shall live with my wife one whole yeare after my decease, five pounds apiece, to be paid them at the end of the yeare after my decease in case they have behaved themselves honestly and faithfully during said time unto my said deare wife. Item, I will and bequeath all the rest and residue of my goods and chattells and estate, wheresoever and whatsoever, to and among my said six children, to be equally divided among them, share and share alike, to be paid my sonnes as aforesaid at their respective ages of one and twenty yeares, and to my daughters as aforesaid at their respective ages of one and twenty yeares or dayes of marryage, which shall first happen. And in case of the death of any of my said children before the said times, the survivor or survivors to enjoy and have the share of the dece^d. or deceaseds out of this my last third of my estate. And in case they should all dye before the said times, my will is that one moyety of this last third of my goods and chattells in my owne dispose and which is hereby bequeathed to my said children, shall be paid unto my deare brother and sisters, or their children representing them.

And I doe hereby order and appoint my deare and loveing wife to be my sole Executrix of this my last will and testament, recommending her and my deare children to the protection of Allmighty God, desiring my said deare wife to take care that our children be educated in the fear of God, and in all good educacons according to the estate which it shall please God they shall have, willing that the share of my estate which shall be due to my children be put forth at interest from time to time by my said executrix for the use of my said children and at their hazard, soe as shee take the same care to put the same forth as for her owne, allowing thirty pounds per annum for each child for dyett, cloathing, and educacon, until their porcions become payable to them. And I doe hereby renounce and revoke all other wills and testaments whatsoever, declareing this to be my last will and testament, written with my owne hand upon one sheet of ordinary paper, this nineth day of July, Anno one thousand six hundred and eighty-six. In witnesse have subscribed the same.Peter Delmé, 1686.

Proved by Mrs Sibella Delmé at London, 4th January 1687 (new style).

1. I must except the Pastor William De Laune, L.R.C.P., whose will was proved on 12th March 1611 (new style), and a copy of which is in my Chapter V.
2. In the year 1600 we find Luther de Roubay a sponsor at a baptism. In 1618 he is reported as a tuffe-taffeta weaver, resident in London, within Broad Street Ward, and a native of Tournay.
3. The testator's son-in-law; the name is spelt Le Grin in the Canterbury French register. On 28th June 1568, John Le Grain, of Arras, was a Protestant martyr, beheaded at Brussels. Our Norwich friend, I am informed, appears in 1600 in the Norwich French Register as Jacques le Grain.
4. There are seven names here for six children. I find no “Sibella” in the baptismal register of Threadneedle Street. I find Ann and Elizabeth — probably the name of Ann was Ann-Sibella.