Kite - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Kite Family Research - Assistance Needed

crucifiedcustoms — 2009-11-04 11:05:00Z

my email for Kite inquiries is dickielee73@googlemail.com

Re: Kite Family Research - Assistance Needed

crucifiedcustoms — 2009-11-04 11:03:57Z

I am of the relations of Kites from eastern tennessee ( carter blount counties) the only info i have is Richard Kite who had a son isaac kite (b. 1770 who married a flanary. there son Jacob( b. 1798)who married Elizabeth Millsaps, was said to be Cherokee indian but that is just conjecture at this time. any help would be appreciated!

Henry Kite and Nancy Chesser

ptdnsr — 2009-10-26 23:44:49Z

Searching for information on Henry Kite (born abt 1870 in Carter Co, TN) and Nancy Chesser - married 2 Apr 1902. The 1910 Census Gives the following information: Henry 40, Nancie 31, Samuel 15, Grace 11, and Flora 3. It also says that Nancy had 6 children, 2 of which were alive (Grace and Flora). I'm trying to find out the names of the other 4 children, or at least when they lived.

Also my grandmother-in-law mentioned that Henry left around 1935 and went back to Tennessee, married again and had twin daughters. I found that Henry Kite married Katie Whitchead 6 Dec 1935 in Carter, TN but I don't know if that's my Henry Kite. Any and all information would be appreciated. Thanks!

My Kite Lineage

ErikaCarter82 — 2009-09-29 06:57:18Z

Me(Erika Carter)
Parents-Francis Carter/Karen Talis
Maternal Parents-Jack Talis/Nancy Briggs
Maternal Parents-William Briggs/Audry Kyte (Kite)
Maternal Parents-David D Kyte (Kite)/ Rhoda E Gibson
Paternal Parents-William A Kite/Elizabeth Woods
Paternal Parents-Joseph D Kite/Margaret Moree
Paternal Parents-Alfred Kite/Martha Nelson
Paternal Parents-Jacob Kite/Elizabeth Milsaps
Paternal Parents-Isaac Kite/Ruth Flanary
Paternal Parents-Richard Kite/Eleanor?
Ruths Parents-Silas Flanary/Violet Marshall

Any more information beyond this will be greatly welcomed. Mistress6e@yahoo.com

Thank You.

Re: Kites

RRfarmers — 2009-08-29 14:04:37Z

Hello! I have a Kite connection in GA: my great great grandmother's parents, Henry and Jane E. Kite, were born there. (Conflicting censuses show that Jane may have been born in SC, but we can't find enough info on the Kites to substantiate either.)

More locally, one of their daughters, Erie Olivia Kite, was born in FL but lived her adult life in Tifton and Waycross. She married Reuben Bedell McCullough and owned a beauty shop.

We're Caucasian, but, as you mentioned, that may not discount a connection. I'd love to hear from you if you think that we could be connected or if swapping information could help.

Re: Kites

JudysRoots — 2009-08-28 19:02:22Z

Hello Linda, My main KITE line came to Georgia, after the french and indian war. They were in Fayette County and I have not checked the census for slave owners. My ggg grandpa was David Kite wife was Holland and their child married a cousin, Harriett Kite wed Caswell Kite. David and Holland are tracked by many people and are on line. David was a member of the Baptist Church but it is thought that his daughter Harriett may have been Quaker in belief?
Some of this family lived in the Cumberland Gap area and my line was in Butler County, Alabama by 1850 census-also, I have not searched this couple for slave owners. It is entirely possible. From Butler County this family moved to Texas( 1860) and lived in many counties: Burleson, Falls, Leon, Milam,Brazos/ Bowie/ Bell, (Sevier Co in Ark) Gray, Potter/Randal, and many others. The brothers Kite and their brother in law Williams were all in the civil war on the southern side-in Texas.
You have a tough road to find your people. I wish you much luck as I have family who are of color and searching for their kin is full of roadblocks.
You might find your folks in the banking searchengine in the genealogy section of Heritage Quest (available at library). There are Kite people of color in Texas, but I've not tracked them. You might check with the LDS web link, familysearch.org and see if there are some death certificates (TEXAS Death Certs are on line, free, printable) that might lead you back to Georgia?

You might check for military service for the civil war? and I would for certain check every cemetery and church on line that is available. After the civil war, it was possible for persons of color to purchase land..but, having enough money to do that was a real problem-so usually, the families were sharecroppers. You might check on line-available newspapers in the years and counties you are searching.
again, good luck, Judy Hugg Grimes,Yorba LInda, CA.

Re: Kites

lindaturner961 — 2009-08-28 05:13:33Z

Where's your family from. What town? I'm looking for my kin folks from Waycross, Georgia. And also let me mention I'm black. But that doesn't mean anything. Smile...

Re: Benjamin Kite

kellyrogers10 — 2009-06-10 07:43:49Z

Hi,My name is Kelly Rogers I am the daughter of Jessie Burrell and grand daughter to Ancie Bell "Kite" Burrell.I was raised from birth by ancie and Roy Rogers in vidor,texas. Are you close to Roy Rogers??

I am currently searching the Kite family history myself. I don't have much to go on but if you need any help I will try my best to answer any questions feel free to email me at solano_47@yahoo.com

Re: KITE - Glos & Warks Uk

genbrat — 2009-06-03 21:12:43Z

I have never gotten that far back in my Kite database. Anything is possible. Sorry I will not be much help!

Regards,
Carol

Re: KITE - Glos & Warks Uk

djkendrick183 — 2009-06-03 11:32:15Z

Hi.
My paternal grandmother's family were Kites and my cousins live in Stockton California where Gladys Kite has done a vast amount of research into the family and has traced it back several centuries. Her late father left for the USA in 1908. His family lived in and around Earlswood (Rumbush Farm) and Tanworth-in-Arden both of which are close to Shirley and Solihull. Gladys may well be able to assist you. She can be contacted at gladyscat@aol.com - please use my name as an introduction.
David Kendrick.

Re: Henry Nimpson Kite

genbrat — 2009-06-01 19:30:01Z

I am Carol McClellan Ohlweiler, and we are very definitely related. Your Henry Nimpson Kite's parents were William L. Kite & Martha Ann Briggs. Nimpson's sister, Leola Minnie Kite, was my grandmother. She married William Henry McClellan.

I have a bunch of information on this family including dates and places, and I would be happy to share all that I have with you.

Your cousin Shirley, that lives in NM, is also my cousin. She has been here to visit me several times in FL.

Please contact me directly at carolsmco@hotmail.com.

Carol

Re: KITE - Glos & Warks Uk

Joyce_Lintner — 2009-06-01 16:50:47Z

I am helping a friend with her Kites and she has a James Kite born about 1823 in Southrop, Gloucestershire. Would he be related to yours?

Re: Henry Nimpson Kite

lifeontheverge1 — 2009-05-31 11:10:34Z

My "Granny" is Henry's daughter Helen. She is the only one of Henry's children still living. She resides with my mother in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Re: George Kite, George Kite Senior & George Kite Junior

randyjudykite — 2009-03-23 18:08:43Z

my name is Randell Kite. My grandfathers name was George W kite.he was married to cora rich.my dads name was mitchell

Lana Kite

saramac58 — 2009-03-07 14:12:22Z

All messages concerning Lana Kite have been moved to the Lost Family and Friends.

This message board is for Genealogy purposes only and not for discussing living people and who, what, why, when and where they are living and how they are living.

Messages of this nature should be posted on the Lost Family and Friends message board. Please do not discuss anything about a person who is living, unless it is for genealogy purposes AND YOU HAVE THEIR PERMISSION.

Thank you.
Sarah McCray
Kite Message Board Administrator

KITE Sam 1860 1927

t42OldHall_DenCoTX — 2009-03-05 20:34:49Z

KITE Sam 1860 1927

David Strickland photographed this gravestone in the Old Hall Cemetery, Lewisville, Denton Co., Texas. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 201,398 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com

- If you know more about this person please reply here, instead of contacting me because this is most likely not my family.

KITE Veanie 1858 1928

t42OldHall_DenCoTX — 2009-03-05 20:34:39Z

KITE Veanie 1858 1928

David Strickland photographed this gravestone in the Old Hall Cemetery, Lewisville, Denton Co., Texas. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 201,398 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com

- If you know more about this person please reply here, instead of contacting me because this is most likely not my family.

KITE Johnnie PAYNE 1891 1907

t42OldHall_DenCoTX — 2009-03-05 20:34:29Z

KITE Johnnie PAYNE 1891 1907

David Strickland photographed this gravestone in the Old Hall Cemetery, Lewisville, Denton Co., Texas. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 201,398 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com

- If you know more about this person please reply here, instead of contacting me because this is most likely not my family.

Seeking Norma Kite submitter of Long, Edwards, Brown genealogy

ritchsgirl — 2009-02-05 00:20:40Z

of Gravette, AR.
I have much to share with you and would like to make contact.

Re: looking for New Zealand Kites

jbreynolds4 — 2008-12-28 11:49:07Z

Hi Peter,
My great grandfather is listed as William John Kite on a 1926 document Cert of Marriage for his son (my grandfather) Arthur James Kite, but on Arthurs birth certificate in 1906, he is listed as John Kite aged 28, occupation, a printer, aged 28 in 1905 and birthplace New Zealand. He was married to Susan Wright on 2/9/1899 at Sth Melbourne Victoria. Do you think he is related to your family members?
Regards
Joanne Reynolds
jbreynolds4@optusnet.com.au

Re: DNA Testing

saramac58 — 2008-12-18 19:03:35Z

Lisa: I sent you kennalee's email address through the Ancestry contact service. Hope it works.

Sarah

Re: DNA Testing

KiteMattson — 2008-12-18 18:28:16Z

Lisa - We used to be able to send private messages. Guess they took that feature off. I will open my info til I hear from you. Hope that works. Kennalee

Re: DNA Testing

LisaKight45 — 2008-12-18 18:17:39Z

Dear Sara,

I cannot find her email - I only get an "invite" message when I try and look at her profile and such.

Re: DNA Testing

saramac58 — 2008-12-18 17:47:17Z

Go to Kennalee's last message and click on her name which is in the upper left hand corner and under the subject of the message. Her email address will come up and you will have to manually type it in. Hope this works for you.

saramac58

Re: DNA Testing

saramac58 — 2008-12-18 17:19:03Z

Thank you for keeping it off the board.

saramac58
Kite Message Board Administrator

Re: DNA Testing

LisaKight45 — 2008-12-18 17:07:45Z

Kenelee,

I would be happy to email you but don't have your email.

Lisa

Re: DNA Testing

KiteMattson — 2008-12-18 16:22:44Z

Lisa - I don't want to post the email on the board - if you email me directly I'll forward it to you. Kennalee

Re: DNA Testing

LisaKight45 — 2008-12-18 16:11:44Z

Kenalee,

I would love for you to send me the information. I can't get my brother to do it, but my cousin said that he would be willing to do it. I just have to raise the $$.

Re: DNA Testing

KiteMattson — 2008-12-06 23:03:12Z

I tested my dad (as I am female) and so far he is the only Kite listed. I used Family Tree DNA.
I recently received an email announcing a year-end special price for new customers. I will gladly forward it to you. You have to purchase by December 31, 2008. The 37 marker test is about half what you guessed, so it's a good deal.
I would love to see some other Kites tested. Kennalee Kite

Re: DNA Testing

lily4evr — 2008-12-06 01:20:14Z

Please contact me at lily4evr@yahoo.com. My line runs through James Kite (Warren County, Kentucky).

Re: DNA Testing

JudysRoots — 2008-12-06 01:00:01Z

Roots Web has DNA testing called Y-Search. Its very good and less costly.

Re: DNA Testing

LisaKight45 — 2008-12-05 21:07:26Z

I wish someone would set up a Kight/Kite/Kyte/Keyte surname DNA testing group. If someone would do this, then everyone's test costs for the DNA study would be quite a bit less. At over $250 I can't afford to pay for the test for my cousin - but they knock off about $100 for the group rates and I might be able then to afford the test kit for my cousin to take. I would also like to know what direction to head in my Kight line from Maryland and West Virginia. In reading through the postings - it could be that my group is also a part of the Wendel Kite line as my gg grandfather's middle name was always giving as Miller. Everyone please join this research effort to the knowledge of the fact concerning the origins of our Kight/Kite/Kyte/Keyte ancestors. I don't know the kind of efford involved in setting up a group like this. Even consider co-administrators of the group. Family Tree DNA is probably the best one to go with as I think they have a larger base of genetic contributions to work with.

Re: Henry B. Kite - 81st Pa.

yoricksrise — 2008-11-23 19:55:10Z

Keith,

Your info corroborates what I have, and I can only add that
James KITE (laborer) was buried Dec 30, 1855 in Lydd, aged 85;
Mary BRIGNALL was buried Apr 16,1863 in Lydd, aged 83, but had been residing in Romney. We can therefore infer that she was living with a relative following her husband's death.

I wish I had more research for you, as I am picking up from where my grandfather and aunt left off in 1960s.

Take care,
Kenric

looking for New Zealand Kites

Peter_D_Kite — 2008-11-08 09:19:10Z

looking for descendants of Samuel Kite and Sarah (nee Wooten) who emigrated from the UK in 1877 and settled in Cambridge, North Island, New Zealand. They had Charles, James, John, Thomas and William.

Regards,

Peter

KITE Elizabeth Kay 1956-1973

t42Moore — 2008-11-03 00:09:34Z

KITE Elizabeth Kay 1956-1973

I photographed this gravestone in the Moore Cemetery, Arlington,Tarrant Co., Texas. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records.

This is one of the 197,739 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com If you know more about this person please reply here.

William Kite

jwickell1 — 2008-10-12 01:25:52Z

William Kite was born in Newington, Folkestone, Kent, England in 1842. He immigrated to the United States before 1870 as he was married to a Tinsa Anne or Terissa Ann Neil 8 Dec 1870. Her date of birth was around 1854 in Iowa. They had a daughter Ellen born about 1871. In the 1880 U S Federal Census he was living next door to his brother Thomas Kite and wife Jane Castle Kite. They both listed their occupations as stone mason. A will was filed July 1887 and he died in 1888 and is buried in same plot with Thomas and Jane Kite. I am looking for leads on Therisa Anne Kite and daughter Ellen. Any help would be appreciated.

Wyllam Kyte Lease 1497

saramac58 — 2008-06-12 07:49:40Z

The following transcription was sent to me as Kite Message Board Administrator, to be posted to the board because the owner of the transcription wants to share but to remain anonymous. Replies on the board are welcome.

de 16 Sept. 2007

Lease of farm and Manor of Ebrington by John Fortescue to Marion Kyte and Wyllam Kyte, 1497

[Document in file, catalogued as 1262M/LG/Ebrington/1. at Devon Record Office (Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, EX2 7NL). This file is one among a vast number of the Fortescue family papers deposited.]

{transcription of original English}

Thys indenture made the xxj day of Aprill the xij ye’r of kyng Harr’ the vij aft’ the conqueste by [Dv]yne John Ffortescwe [squer] on the on~ pty and marion kyte and wyllam kyte on the other pty Wythnyssyth that the forsayde John [fforstcw:] /2/ [squer’] hath [lecyng] to the sayd maryan and Wyllam att the seyme place of hys manr of eburton yn the counte of glocestr wyth all demeans landys pasturys meduys longyng ther’to the wych John Kyte hath forhold [heddrto] /3/ of the sayd John [te seyme] to haue and to hold to the same marion and Wyllam and to him that shall longeste leve of them [to ferme] the day of the makyng herof into the terme and ende of [xlj] wynter soche manr of forme /4/ and condicions as John Kyte befor [retyne] held wyth all manr comodyteys and landable costomys longyng to the sayd [lands thysse thanne] nexte [suyng] yeldyng therfor’ yerly to the sayd John and hs [yar’s] and hys [a] /5/ [byennyfse] xxj marke at the feste of Ester and sentt Myghyll by evyn porcions and also contenuyly dwylle ŷ the same dwyllyng place wyth owte grantte or lees by thym or any of thym to be made of [theys] premysse /6/ or any parcell therof and the forsayd maryan and Wyllmπ schall yer’ly [lascyn] ther’ sayd ferme [geder’] all the [rentys] of the sayd manr wyth hydcote and make levye of all the [maramet] of the [coarteyσ] ther /7/ of and all other [casuelteys] and [profyteys] fallyng ther’ beyng [levable] wythynne the same man’ Also ofte as they schall falle wythinne ther’ forsayd [t░me] And do alle other thynggs that schall [aprteyne] to the /8/ offyce of [balyty] of the forsayd manrs: And also the sayd fermours schall receyve and ber’ the [expensm] [mannys] mete and horsemete of the [steward] of the sayd [man’ and] of hys [servacys] atte all tymys of the comynges /9/ [therdo] for the holdynggs of the Courtes ther’ And also [in t] lyke forme they schall ber’ the charge and costes of the [receyvour] and other [servacys] wych schall come [theddoe] for the fechyng of the [ferme] /10/ rente And other profyteys of the sayd man’ Also oftentymys as they schall come for that [cause] Also they schall kepe and susteyne all man’ of [strayes wayfys] and bestys comynge wythynne the saydde man’ longynge /11/ to the lord ther’of by any manre of [title] for the [sustinance] of the whch bestys they schall [resonable] have Alloweannce. Also oftentymes as the case schall falle And to have all man’ [lappe] and [schride growyng] Apon’ the man’ /12/ duryng the sayd [t░me] And the forsayd [fymours] schall well and sufficienly susteyne And repar’ all the [lyvrsys] and byldings of the forsayd fferme Also [mete] and sufficienly as now they [recvey] thym Excepte that the /13/ fforsayd John and hys [yars] schall [ber’] all the costys of the Wallys of the hall and greyd chamber And the kepyng of the [lastyng] the t’me forsayd And if hit happenyth the forsayd rentt of xxj marke to be owne payed /14/ in ptye or [inable] xv days aft’ any of the fests forsayd thanne they schall be laufull the sayd John and hys eyars in all the forsayd fferme place landys pastures and medewys to destryene and that the distresse hold in to the /15/ time they be fully satisfiyd of all the [arerngs] of the forsayd rentte rentte (sic) wyth ther’ costys and damagys whiche thanne they schall suffre by the nonne payment of the same. And yff the sayd rentte by behyndde in ptye or y’ all /16/ by the space of hälffe a yers after any of the days of payment of the same and [haue] be [axed] or yff the forsayd ffermaurs [brcke] the covenantes forsayd or any of them thanne hytt schall be laufull to the sayd john and hys earys [reentre] /17/ in all the forsayd fferme place landes pastures and [medewys] wyth that [appurtenance] thys lesse nothwithstandyngge // in wittenysse wherof to the ptys of theyse Indenturs the forsayd john and also the forsayds marion And /18/ Wyllam Kyte haue enterchanngeable sette ther’ Seales the day and the yere above writen

*****************
{transcription with modern orthography}

This indenture made the 21st day of April, the 12th year of King Harry the VII after the Conquest, by Lord John Fortescue, Esq., on the one part, and Marion Kyte and Wyllam Kyte on the other part. Witness that the foresaid John Fortescue, Esq., is leasing to the said Marian and Wyllam the same place of his manor of Eburton, in the County of Glocester, with all demesne lands, pastures and meadows belonging thereto, the which John Kyte had previously held hitherto from the said John, the same to have and to hold, to the same Marion and Wyllam, and to him that shall longest live of them, to farm from the day of making hereof until the term and end of 41 winters, under such manner of form and conditions as John Kyte before retained and held, with all manner of commodities and landable customs belonging to the said lands; these then next [ensuing] yielding therefore yearly to the said John and his heirs, as a benefice, 1 21 marks at the feast of Easter and St. Michael, by even portions. And also to continually dwell in the same dwelling place, without a grant or sublet by them or any of them to be made of these premises or any parcel thereof; and the foresaid Marian and Wyllam shall, yearly leasing their said farm, gather all the rents of the said manor, along with Hidcote, and make a levy of all the [maramet] of the courts 2 thereof, and all other casualties and profits falling there, which are levied within the same manor, as oftentimes as they shall fall within their foresaid term of the lease. And do all other things that shall appertain to the office of bailiff 3 of the foresaid manor: And also the said farmers shall receive and bear the expenses, monies, meat 4 and horsemeat, 5 of the steward 6 of the said manor and of his services, at all times of the comings thereto for the holding of the courts there. And also in the like manner, they shall bear the charge and costs of the receiver, and other services which shall come thereto for the fetching of the farm rent and other profits of the manor, 7 also as oftentimes as they shall come for that cause. Also they shall keep and sustain all manner of strays, waifs and beasts 8 coming within the said manor, belonging to the lord thereof by any manner of title, for the sustenance of which beasts 9 they shall have reasonable allowance, also as oftentimes as the case shall fall. And to have all manner of lop 10 and shride 11 growing upon the manor during the said time. And the foresaid farmers shall well and sufficiently sustain and repair all the liveries 12 and buildings of the foresaid farm also as mete and sufficiently as now they receive them. Except that the foresaid John and his heirs shall bear all the costs of the walls of the hall 13 and the great chamber 14 and the keeping of them lasting the time aforesaid. And if it happen the foresaid rent of 21 marks to be unpaid in part, or unable, by 15 days after any of the feasts aforesaid, then they shall be lawful, the said John and his heirs in all the foresaid farm place, lands, pastures and meadows to distrain 15 and that the distress 16 hold unto the time they be fully satisfied of all the arrears of the foresaid rent, with their costs and damages which then they shall suffer by the non-payment of the same. And if the said rent be behind in part or in all by the space of half a year after any of the days of payment of the same and have to be asked, or if the foresaid farmers break the covenants aforesaid, or any of them, then it shall be lawful to the said John and his heirs to re-enter in all the foresaid farm place, lands, pastures and meadows, with the appurtenances, this lease notwithstanding. In witness whereof to the parties of this indenture, the foresaid John and also the foresaid Marion and Wyllam Kyte have interchangeably set their seals the day and the year above written.
**************
{abstract}
a. Date of document: Henry VII first reigned on 22 August 1485; his 12th year of reign was from 22 August 1496 until 21 August 1497. So this agreement was dated 21 April 1497.

b. Lessor (landlord): John Fortescue (who was born ca. 1456, d. 1503). [John’s father, Martin Fortescue, predeceased John, in 1472, in Devonshire. John’s grandfather, Sir John Fortescue, was a renowned English lawyer, who d. at Ebrington ca. 1476.]

c. Lessee (tenant): Marion Kyte and Wyllam Kyte, and to the survivor of this couple

d. Pedigree of tenancy: previously occupied by John Kyte, under a lease from this same John Fortescue

e. Property: Manor of Ebrington, Co. Gloucestershire, including demesne lands, pastures, meadows, with buildings and improvements; and certain associated manorial rights and duties

f. Term of lease: 41 winters (until April 1538)

g. Rental payment: Yearly, 21 marks, which is £ 14, paid half at Easter and half at Feast of St. Michael (29 Sept.). [The mark was not a physical coin or other legal tender; it was a unit of account, an amount equal to 13 s 4 d, or two-thirds of a pound sterling.] At the end of the 15th century, a typical daily wage was 6 d for a craftsman and 4 d for a laborer, so the 21 mark rental fee was equivalent to around 2 years income for a craftsman and around 3 years income for a laborer.

h. General requirements and privileges, which continue as arranged with the previous tenant, John Kyte; Marion and Wyllam Kyte shall: (1) not sublet all or any part of the manor lands; (2) function as bailiff; (3) collect rents owed to the lord of the manor by villagers of Ebrington and Hidcote Boyce; (4) pay the business expenses of the lord’s steward; (5) care for strays and other animals belonging to the lord of the manor; (6) repair and maintain the manor buildings and improvements at their own expense; (7) continually dwell in and use the manor house and associated appurtenances (grazing rights, out buildings, etc.); (8) be allowed to use wood and brush on the property for fuel.

i. Specific agreement: John Fortescue will bear the expense for maintenance of the Great Hall and the Great Chamber.

j. Non-payment clause: if the rental payments are more than 15 days in arrears, the lord of the manor (John Fortescue) may seize material compensation (distress); if the payment is 6 months in arrears, or if other covenants are broken, he may evict the tenant and re-occupy his property.
_________________
Notes:

1 A benefice was a grant of land provided by land owners in exchange for maintenance of their large land estates, or military service. The benefice was an integral part of feudalism as this was often the principal bond between the Lord and it's Vassals.
2 “courts” refers to the manor court, or court baron, and also the court leet, or tourn. The manor court was the lowest court in the country, which was intended to settle local affairs of the village and manor, such as copyhold land transfers, managing open fields, manorial offences, and disputes among villagers. It convened nominally every three weeks; the steward or the bailiff presided. The court leet was held twice per year, after Easter and Michaelmas, to deal with legal formalities and elections (of constables, juries, and graves—court officers and farm supervisors).
3 “bailiff” = overseer of the manor, chosen by the lord. The bailiff was usually a peasant who would wear the same style, but slightly better quality, clothing as the farm workers. Often he was a freeholder who owned his own land, and it was his role to allot the farming jobs to the peasants, while also taking care of running repairs to buildings (for which he would hire skilled laborers, such as blacksmiths and carpenters). The bailiff often had an assistant, the reeve, who was a peasant chosen by the other villagers, whose responsibilities included assuring that the workforce turned up for work on time and that no one stole any produce from the lord.
4 “meat” = food
5 “horsemeat” = fodder or provender, hay or corn
6 “steward” = principal official appointed by the lord of the manor. The steward organized the farm labor and kept financial records of the estate’s affairs. In the instance of a lord with numerous, extensive manorial holdings, the steward may have had responsibility for financial oversight over a large number of estates. In any event, the bailiff was the deputy to the steward, who was responsible for the affairs of a particular manor.
7 “other profits of the manor” included fees charged to the villagers, for example, for using the lord’s mill, or licenses for brewing or baking for sale
8 “strays, waifs, and beasts” = strays or homeless animals or people within the manor boundaries
9 “beast” refers typically to horned cattle, although it may occasionally mean a horse
10 “lop” = woody debris from cutting operation
11 “shride” = wood cut off from growing trees
12 “livery” = archaic term for “delivery.” Often found in the context of a livery of seisin, originally referring to a ceremony in which land was conveyed to a new owner. Most deeds carry a notice of livery of seisin, meaning that physical possession had taken place. In this case it must refer to delivery of the tenancy of the property.
13 “hall” = manor hall or great hall: the large room of a manor building which served as the principal living quarters. It was a public area, the ceremonial centre of the household, where gentleman attendants and the servants came and went at all times. Structurally, it was open to the roof and heated by a fire on a central hearth (the smoke escaping through a vent in the roof). Out of fashion by the mid-l6th century.
14 “great chamber” = the solar, or bed-sitting room of the lord of the manor. It was the second most important room in a medieval English mansion or manor house, after the great hall. The great chamber was at the dais end of the hall, originally up a staircase and located above the ground level. It was the lord’s private living area.
15 “distrain” = to confiscate by distress
16 “distress” = the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim Distress was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage.

John Kete (Kite) Lease 1552

saramac58 — 2008-06-12 08:12:38Z

The following transcription was sent to me as Kite Message Board Administrator, to be posted to the board because the owner of the transcription wants to share but to remain anonymous. Replies on the board are welcome.

de 15 Sept. 2007

Lease of farm and Manor of Ebrington by Bartholomew Fortescue to John Kete, 1552

[Document in file, catalogued as 1262M/LG/Ebrington/1. at Devon Record Office (Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, EX2 7NL). This file is one among a vast number of the Fortescue family papers deposited.]

{transcription of original English; a few words not readable at creases where original document was folded}

Thys Indenture made the xiiij day of January yn the fyve yere of [the] [Reygne] of oure [soverygne]
lord Edward the sexte by the grace of God of England ffrannce & Irland kyng defender of the fayth [&] [yen]
earth the [suprem] hedde of the churche of England & also of Irland Wetnesseth that Bartholomew
ffortescue esquyre hath dyvysyd granntyd & to [farme] [lecced] & by thes prsents dyvysyth Granntyths to
farme leccyth unto John Kete all hys ffarme place wt all the demaynes lands pasturs medowes Comon
pasturs wt all man’ of comodytyes landable customes wt thapp’tenanncs unto the sayd saym belongynge
sett lyeng & beyng wtyn the man’ of [Ebryghton] yn the Co’tie of Glocestre the whyche [oen] Willm Kete dyd
ther late hold To have hold occupy & [enyoye the {crease}] & all other, the [{....crease....}] to the
sayd John Kete & hys assignes from the day of maken herof Untell the yende & duryng the [ffull & hole time]
of three score yers [then next &] ymmedyatly ffowlowyng ffully to be yendyd & [cetinynyd] yeldyng & [payng]
[therfore] yerely Unto the sayd Bertholomew ffortescue hys heyrs & assignes ffourtyne pounds sterlyng to be payd
at too fests of the yere that ys to say at the feste of Ester & seynt Myghell the archl by even porcons [duryng]
the time aforesayd And Also the sayd John Kete & hys assignes whyche shalbe [tenant] uppon the sayd farme [thoen]
aft the deyth or yeldyng Upp—shall pay the beste beaste yn [thes manor] of a heriot or [ffarlyff] And the
sayd John Kete & hys assignes shalle gether & [levell] all the Rentes & [ther sements] of the sayd man’ & lordshepps
duryng the time aforesayd And to doo all [othr thyngs] thatt belongyth unto the bayle [{crease}] of the sayd
man’ And also the sayd John Kete & hys assignes shalle beare the expencs of the [steward] & of other of the
[servants] of the forsayd Bartholomew & hys heyrs {Whyche] shalle [come] [together] to sett the Rentts [boyth] yn
mannys mete & horsemete at all tymes as oyften as they shalle come for the sayd Rentts at ther owne [pper]
costs & chargs duryng the time aforsayd And the sayd John Kete & hys assignes shalle kepe & sustayne all
man’ of straers wayves & beasts [comyng] wtyn the sayd man’ or lordshepp [Blongy’] unto the lord therof by any [man’]
of tytle for the whyche [beasts] the sayd John & hys assignes shalle have resonable allowannce for as [ayrcen]tymes as hyt
shall happen And [farther]more the sayd John Kete & hys assygnes shall buylde a [suffycyent] hall & a
chechen yn & uppon the forsayd farme place at ther owne pper costs & chargs [w tyn] sexte yers nexte ensuyng
the [date] herof & to the buyldynd therof the sayd John & hys assignes shall have suffycyent [Tymber] as ther shalbe
growyng uppon the sayd farme And the sayd John Kete & hys assygnes shalle have all man’ of loppe schryde & all other fewells growyng
Uppon the sayd farme duryng the time aforesayd And [also] that the sayd John & his assign [shall] repayre mayntayne &
systayne all & singler the [pmiss] wt [the] app’tenancs yn all thyngs Mett & suffycyently at ther owne pper costs & charge duryng
the time aforsayd & to that they shalle have suche tymber fuell [sryth] & [stakes] as shalbe Growyng uppon the [p’misses] [When so]
[en] hyt happen to be [nedefuld] wt [owte] any [wast ther] doyng And yf hyt happen that the sayd Rent of xiiijlb or any [paete] therof
to be byhend & nott payd by the space of an moneth aft any of forsayd fests in the whyche yt ouyht to be pay’d & noo
suffycyent dystres yn or uppon the [pmiss] wt thapprten’ncs may or can be found & that yf the sayd John Kete or hys assignes
doo nott co’tynually dwelle in & uppon the sayd farme wt thapp’tenn’cs Then hyt shalbe layfull to & for the
sayd Bartholomew fortescue hys heirs & assignes ynto all & singla[r] the p’miss wt thapp’tenancs to reentre
& the same to have [agen] & enyoye as [yet] hys fryst estate thes p‘sents yn any [cys] not wt stanndyng And
the sayd Bartholomew & hys heirs the forsayd farme place & other the prmisse wt thapprtenancs to the sayd John Kete
& to hys assignes duryng the time aforesayd in man’ & forme above specyfyed [agenste] all people shall [warrant]
[signytte] & defende by thes p’sents In Wettenes Wereof the p’ties aforesayd to theis Indentur Intchanngeably have
putt ther seales the day & yere above wreten

*****************
{transcription with modern orthography}

This indenture made the 14th day of January in the fifth year of the reign of our sovereign
lord Edward the Sixth, by the grace of God, of England, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith & on
earth the supreme head of the Church of England & also of Ireland. Witness that Bartholomew
Fortescue, Esq., has devised, granted & to farm leased, & by these presents, devises, grants to
farm leases unto John Kete all his farm place with all the demesne lands, pastures, meadows, common
pastures, with all manner of commodities, landable customs with the appurtenances unto the said same belonging,
set, lying and being within the manor of Ebrighton in the County of Glocester, the which one Willm Kete did
there late hold; to have, hold, occupy & enjoy the {crease} & all other, the {....crease....} to the
said John Kete & his assigns from the day of making hereof until the end, & during the full & whole time
of three score years [then next &] immediately following, fully to be ended & [continued], yielding & paying
therefore yearly unto the said Bertholomew Fortescue his heirs & assigns fourteen pounds sterling, to be paid
at two feasts of the year, that is to say, at the feast of Easter & Saint Michael the Archangel, by even portions during
the time aforesaid. And also the said John Kete & his assigns which shall be tenant upon the said farm, then
after the death or yielding up—shall pay the best beast 1 in this manor of a heriot 2 or life fee 3 . And the
said John Kete & his assigns shall gather & [level] all the rents & the [sements] of the said manor and lordship
during the time aforesaid. And to do all other things that belong unto the bailiff 4 {crease} of the said
manor. And also the said John Kete & his assigns shall bear the expenses of the steward 5 & of other of the
servants of the forsaid Bartholomew & his heirs, which shall come together to set the rents, both in
monies, meat, 6 and horsemeat, 7 at all times, as often as they shall come for the said rents, at their own personal
costs & charges during the time aforesaid. And the said John Kete & his assigns shall keep & sustain all
manner of strays, waifs & beasts, 8 coming within the said manor or lordship, belonging unto the lord thereof, by any manner
of title, for the which beasts the said John & his assigns shall have reasonable allowance, for as ere 9 times as it
shall happen. And furthermore, the aid John Kete & his assigns shall build a sufficient hall 10 & a
kitchen in & upon the foresaid farm place, at their own personal costs & charge, within sixty years next ensuing
the date hereof, & to the building thereof, the said John & his assigns shall have sufficient timber as there shall be
growing upon the said farm. And the said John Kete & his assigns shall have all manner of lop, 11 shride 12 & all other fuels growing
upon the said farm, during the time aforesaid. And [also] that the said John & his assigns shall repair, maintain &
sustain all & singular, the premises with the appurtenances, in all things mete & sufficiently at their own personal costs & charges during
the time aforesaid; & to that, they shall have such timber, fuel, shride 12 & stakes 13 as shall be growing upon the premises, [when so]
an 14 it happen to be needful, without any waste there doing. And if it happen that the said rent of £14, or any part thereof,
to be behind & not paid by the space of a month after any of foresaid feasts, in the which it ought to be paid, & no
sufficient distress 15 in or upon the premises with the appurtenances may or can be found & that if the said John Kete or his assigns
do not continually dwell in & upon the said farme with the appurtenances, then it shall be lawful to & for the
said Bartholomew Fortescue, his heirs & assigns into all & singular the premises with the appurtenances to re-enter
& the same to have again & enjoy as yet his [first] estate, these presents in any case notwithstanding. And
the said Bartholomew & his heirs the foresaid farm place & other, the premises with the appurtenances, to the said John Kete
& to his assigns during the time aforesaid, in manner & form above specified, against all people shall warrant,
signet 16 & defend by these presents. In witness whereof, the parties aforesaid to this indenture interchangeably have
put their seals the day & year above written.

**************
{abstract}
a. Date of document: Edward VI first reigned on 28 Jan. 1547 (Gregorian year; 1546/47 in old style); his fifth year of reign was from 28 Jan. 1551 until 27 Jan. 1552. So this agreement was dated 14 Jan. 1552 (Gregorian year; 1551/52 in old style).

b. Lessor (landlord): Bartholomew Fortescue (who was born ca. 1486, d. 1557). [He was the landlord on the previous lease of 1534 to Willm Kete.]

c. Lessee (tenant): John Kete

d. Pedigree of tenancy: previous tenant was Willm Kete

e. Property: Manor of Ebrighton, Co. Gloucestershire, including demesne lands, pastures, meadows, commons, with buildings and improvements; and certain associated manorial rights and duties

f. Term of lease: 60 years (until Jan. 1612)

g. Rental payment: £ 14 yearly, paid half at Easter and half at Feast of St. Michael (29 Sept.). In the late 16th century, wages in southern England were around 10 d per day for a craftsman and 8 d per day for a laborer, so this yearly rent was equivalent to somewhat more than a year’s income for a craftsman, or almost a year and a half of a laborer’s income.

h. Heriot payment due on the death of John Kete

i. General duties and privileges; John Kete shall: (1) function as bailiff; (2) collect rents (money, food or fodder) owed by villagers to the lord of the manor; (3) pay the business expenses of the lord’s steward; (4) care for strays and other animals belonging to the lord of the manor; (5) repair and maintain the manor buildings and improvements; (6) dwell in and use the manor house and associated appurtenances (grazing rights, out buildings, etc.); (7) be allowed to use wood and brush on the property for fuel.

j. Specific agreement: John Kete shall build a “hall and kitchen”, at his own expense, using lumber from trees growing on the manor.

k. Non-payment clause: if the rental payments are more than one month in arrears, the lord of the manor (Bartholomew Fortescue) may either: (a) seize material compensation (distress), or, if that is not available, (b) he may evict the tenant and re-occupy his property.
_________________
Notes:
1 “beast” refers typically to horned cattle, although it may occasionally mean a horse
2 “heriot” = payment to the landlord owed on the death of the tenant (equivalent to an estate tax), usually in the form of one of the best large livestock on the premises
3 Original document appears to refer to “feuer lyf” which refers to tenancy of property (a “fee” or “fief” or “feoff”) for the term of the life of the tenant. In this case, the “life fee” most likely indicates that the heriot payment is due upon the death of the original lessee.
4 “bailiff” = overseer of the manor, chosen by the lord. The bailiff was usually a peasant who would wear the same style, but slightly better quality, clothing as the farm workers. Often he was a freeholder who owned his own land, and it was his role to allot the farming jobs to the peasants, while also taking care of running repairs to buildings (for which he would hire skilled laborers, such as blacksmiths and carpenters). The bailiff often had an assistant, the reeve, who was a peasant chosen by the other villagers, whose responsibilities included assuring that the workforce turned up for work on time and that no one stole any produce from the lord.
5 “steward” = principal official appointed by the lord of the manor. The steward organized the farm labor and kept financial records of the estate’s affairs. In the instance of a lord with numerous, extensive manorial holdings, the steward may have had responsibility for financial oversight over a large number of estates. In any event, the bailiff was the deputy to the steward, who was responsible for the affairs of a particular manor.
6 “meat” = food
7 “horsemeat” = fodder or provender, hay or corn
8 “strays, waifs, and beasts” = strays or homeless animals or people within the manor boundaries
9 Original document may indicate either “ere” or “aye” which suggests the expression means “anytime” or “each time” or “every time.”
10 “hall” = manor hall or great hall: the large room of a manor building which served as the principal living quarters. It was a public area, the ceremonial centre of the household, where gentleman attendants and the servants came and went at all times. Structurally, it was open to the roof and heated by a fire on a central hearth (the smoke escaping through a vent in the roof). Out of fashion by the mid-l6th century, which might explain why the room was being rebuilt.
11 “lop” = woody debris from cutting operation
12 “shride” = wood cut off from growing trees
13 “stake” may refer to a “stack of kid” which is a pile or stack of brushwood kindling (faggots)
14 “an” = if
15 “distress” = the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim Distress was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage.
16 “signet” = was an official seal (noun); in this case the verb would indicate “signify” or “declare or “affirm”

THE WILL OF WILLM.KYTE OF EBRINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE 1545

saramac58 — 2008-06-12 08:07:47Z

The following transcription was sent to me as Kite Message Board Administrator, to be posted to the board because the owner of the transcription wants to share but to remain anonymous. Replies on the board are welcome.

[Gloucestershire Record Office. catalog Wills 1541-1800: year 1545, William Kyte, Ebrington; ref. 1545/406. NB: the wills in the catalog are indexed by the year of probate, in this case 1545.]

Will’m Kyte

In the name of gode Amen: The xvij dae of ye monthe of Marche in ye yere of or Lorde gode 1 thousande fyve hundreth [four...] foure & in ye yere of ye Reigne of or souaign Lorde Henrye ye eaghte by ye g’ce of gode Kynge of Ynglande ffrannce & Irelande [Defender] of ye [faithe] & in corege next unto gode of ye churche of Ynglande & also Ireland ye [sor’ene] heade. I Wyllam Kyte of Ebrygh[ton] in ye Countie of gloucyter—hole of memorye & syke in body do make my testament & last wyll aftr manr & forme [folywynge]: ffrst I bequethe my Soule to allmyghtie gode or blessed Ladie Saint Marye & [unto] all ye holy company of heaven. And my bodye to be buryed in ye churcheyarde of my pishe churche at ye northe dore. Itm to ye mother churche of glou[ster] xijd Itm to ye [hie altne] of my pishe churche aforesaid— xijd Itm to ye repacyon of ye body of ye same churche [—iij/iiijd] Itm to Richarde my sonne—xLti shepe. Itm to [Myarie] my dowghtr— xLti shepe. Itm to Margery my dowghtr — xLti shepe. Itm to Elzabeth my dowghtr — xLti shepe. Itm to Alys my dowghtr — xLti shepe. Itm to Katryne my dowghtr — xLti shepe. Itm to bartyl[mehe] my sonne—xxti shepe Itm of [&] in [ye] farme which I have taken by leave [dyynge] ye [esue] of ye same I make Helyn my wyfe my Assigne. Solong as she dothe kepe [her]selffe wydowe. Yff she marry wth in ye said time. then I wyll [hit] to remayne to John my eldest sonne & to [hs] Assignes. Itm the resydyue of all & syngular my goods unbequethed. my Detts paide & ye forsaid legacies dyscharged I give & bequethe to ye said Helyn my wyfe & [Wyllm] my sonne & they to use. ocupye & [bestowe] them as god shall put them in mynde for ye [healthe] of my soule [& ther] encrese & [.......]. Whiche Helyn I make my executryx junctlyie wth ye said Wyllm my sonne & [here]. [And] they lykewysse [oursears] of all thynge [as ys] aforeseid. Thes byynge Wytnese [............] Robert [Jayeprst] of campden. Ric flechar of Aston & Ric [ell overbe] [they] wth other [moo].

THE WILL OF WILLM.KYTE OF EBRINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Will dated 17.3.1544

In the name of God Amen - the 17th day of the month of March in the year of our Lord God a thousand five hundred forty four and in the year of the Reign of our sovereign Lord Henrye the eighth by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland, defender of the faith and in courage next unto God, of the Church of England and also Ireland the sovereign head. I Willam Kyte of Ebrington in the County of Gloucester—whole of memory and sick in body do make my testament and last will in manner and form following. First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, our blessed Lady Saint Mary, and unto all the holy company of heaven, and my body to be buried in the church yard of my parish church at the north door. Then to the mother church of Gloucester 12d. Then to the [high alter] of my parish church aforesaid 12d. Then to the repairing of the body of the same church 3s. 4d. Then to Richard my son 40 sheep. Then to Mary my daughter 40 sheep. Then to Margery my daughter 40 sheep. Then to Elizabeth my daughter 40 sheep. Then to Alice my daughter 40 sheep. Then to Katryn my daughter 40 sheep. Then to Bartylmewe my son 20 sheep. Then of and in the farm which I have taken by leave dying, the use of the same I make Helyn my wife my assignee, so long as she doth keep herself widow. If she marry within the said time, then I will it to remain to John my eldest son and to his assignees. Then the residue of all and singular my goods unbequeathed, my debts paid and the aforesaid legacies discharged I give and bequeath to the said Helyn my wife and Wyllm my son, and they to use, occupy and bestow them as God shall put them in mind, for the health of my soul and their increase. Which Helyn I make my executrix jointly with the said Wyllm my son and heir. And they likewise overseers of all things as is aforesaid. These being Witnesses Robert [Jayeprist] of Campdon Rik Flechar of Aston Rik [ell Overby] they with others [more]

FOOTNOTES:-
* It is not known when and where William Kyte was born or christened or who his parents were.
* William married Helyn (maiden name not known) in 1505.
* People mentioned in the Will are:-
Helyn - wife
Willym – son and heir
Sons - Richard, Bartylmewe, and John (the eldest)
Daughters – Mary, Margery, Elizabeth, Alice and Katryn
Other people – Robert Jayeprist of Campden, Rik Flechar of Aston, Rik Overby
* Nothing is known about when or where William Kyte or his wife Helyn were born or married, where
they lived, or when they died.
* 12d. in 1550 = about £14 in AD2000
* 3s. 3d. in 1550 = about £38 in AD2000

Willm Kete Lease 1534

saramac58 — 2008-06-12 08:02:12Z

The following transcription was sent to me as Kite Message Board Administrator, to be posted to the board because the owner of the transcription wants to share but to remain anonymous. Replies on the board are welcome.

de 15 Sept. 2007

Lease of farm and Manor of Ebrington by Bartholomew Fortescue to Willm Kete, 1534

[Document in file, catalogued as 1262M/LG/Ebrington/1. at Devon Record Office (Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, EX2 7NL). This file is one among a vast number of the Fortescue family papers deposited.]

{transcription of original English}

Thys Indenture made the xxiiij day off June the [xxvj] yere of the Raygne of [ye sovrygne] lord Kynge Henry the viijth Between Bartholomew ffortescue /2/ [Isquire] of the one pte And Willm Kete of Ebryghton on the other ptye Wetnessyth that I the forsayd Bartholomew had [leced & Sett] to [farme] to the /3/ sayd Willm Kete & hys assignes all hys farme [place] of my [man’] of Ebryghton wt all the demeanes lands pasturs & medowys therto belonggyn yn the /4/ Countye of Gloestre Whych the forsayd Willm Kete dyd before hold And I the forsayd Bartholomew have Granntyd my sayd farme of Ebryghton [wt] /5/ all the apprtennancs therto be longgyng to the above sayd Willm Kete & hys assignes ffrom the day of the [maken] hereof unto the terme of xl yers be fully /6/ [detrmyned] & yended wt all [Man’] of [comodytes] & landable [customes] to the forsayd farme be longynge yeldynge therfore yerely to me the forsayd Bartholomew /7/ my heres & assignes xiiijlb of Good & of lawfull mony of England to be payd at ij festes of the yere that ys to say at the feste of the annuncyaeon of or lady /8/ & at the fest of Synt Myghell the [Archl] by even porcens And the sayd Willm & hys assignes shall gether all the Rents of Sayd Manr & [lordshepps] /9/ [duryng] the [time] Aforesayd & to doo all thyngs that be longyth Unto the [bayle] of the forsayd Manr And allso the sayd Willm Kete & hys assygnes /10/ shalbere the expencs of the [steward] & of other of the [Tnants} of the forsayd Bartholomew & hys heyrs [Whyche] shall Com thether to sette the Rentts [yn] /11/ mannys mete & horsemete at all tymys as ofte as they Com for the sayd Rent at hys [pproufts] & Chargs duryng the time aforesayd Allso the sayd /12/ Willm & hys assygnes shall kepe & susteane all manr of streyes Wayvys & bests Commyng wttyn the Manr belongyng to the lord thereof be any /13/ manr of tytle for the Wyche bests the sayd Willm & hys assignes shall have resonable alowanc for as ofte tymys as hyt shall happen And the forsayd /14/ Willm & hys assignes to have all Manr of lappe & schryde & all other fuells Growyng uppon the sayd farme duryng the sayd time And the forsayd /15/ Willm & his assignes shall repare all [howses] of the forsayd farme at ther owne [pp] costs & chargs duryng the time aforesayd And the forsayd /16/ Willm & hys assignes shall pay to the forsayd Bartholomew hys heres & assignes to the [new] byldyng of the halle & the Kechyn & [so] that [fynyrsyd] /17/ & don to have [░rw xiijos iiijd] And the foresayd Bertholomew hys heres & assignes shalle bere all the Costs of the Walls of the Chambers [exoept] /18/ the Krade Chamber And also the sayd Willm & hys assignes shall Co’tynually dwell yn the sayd dwellyng place duryng the sayd time And /19/ yf yt happen that the forsayd Rent of xiiijlb to be unpayd yn pte or yn all by the space of xv daeys aft any of the festes aforesayd then hyt /20/ shalbe laufull for the sayd Bartholomew hys heres & assignes yn all the farme place lands pasturs & medowes to dystrayn & that [dystresse holle &] /21/ kepe untell the tyme they be fully satesfyed of all the [arerngyes] of the forsayd Rent wt ther costs & damags whych they shuld suffer by the non /22/ payment of the same And yf hyt happen that the sayd Rent be behynd yn pte or yn all by the space of halfe a yere [aft] any payments of the /23/ same & have be [asked] then hyt shalbe lauyfull to the sayd Bartholomew hes heres & assynes to reenter yn all the forsayd place lands pasturs & /24/ medowes wt ther app’tenancs thys leyse nott wtstandynd and [ferther]more the sayd Willm [covenatyth] & granntyth to and wt the sayd Bartholomew /25/ that he & hys assignes durying the sayd time of xl yers all man’ of covenannts In [thyr] Indenture [co’teyned well & trewly] shall [obten] & kepe as well /26/ as the sayd Bartholomew covenanntyth & granntyth & wt the sayd Willm that he & hys yers duryng the sayd time of xl yers the sayd Willm & hys /27/ assygnes [ocupyeng] the sayd farme place lands pasturs & medowes wt the app’tenancs a [geyft] all pepull shall warrant & defende In [wetnessyth] /28/ [wereof as] the ptyes of thys Indentur the forsa[yd] Bartholomew and also the forsayd Willm have [yntthanngeable] sett ther sealls /29/ the day & yere above [wryten]

*****************
{transcription with modern orthography}

This indenture made the 23rd day of June, the 26th year of the reign of the sovereign lord King Henry the VIII, between Bartholomew Fortescue, /2/ Esq., of the one part and Willm Kete of Ebryghton of the other part. Witnesses that I the foresaid Bartholomew have leased & set to farm, to the /3/ said Willm Kete & his assigns, all his farm place of my manor of Ebryghton, with all the demesne lands, pastures & meadows thereto belonging, in the /4/ County of Gloucestershire, which the foresaid Willm Kete did before hold. And I the foresaid Bartholomew have granted my said farm of Ebryghton, with /5/ all the appurtenances thereto belonging, to the above said Willm Kete & his assigns from the day of the making hereof, until the term of 40 years be fully /6/ determined & ended, with all manner of commodities & landable customs to the foresaid farm belonging; yielding therefore yearly to me the foresaid Bartholomew, /7/ my heirs & assigns £ 14 of good & of lawful money of England, to be paid at the feasts of the year, that is to say, at the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lady /8/ & at the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, by even portions. And the said Willm & his assigns shall gather all the rents of the said manor and lordship /9/ during the time aforesaid & to do all things that belong unto the bailiff 1 of the foresaid manor. And also the said Willm Kete & his assigns /10/ shall bear the expenses of the steward 2 & of other of the [tenants] of the foresaid Bartholomew & his heirs which shall come thither to set the rents, in /11/ monies, meat 3 & horsemeat, 4 at all times, as often as they come for the said rent, at his profits and charges, during the time aforesaid. Also the said /12/ Willm & his assigns shall keep & sustain all manner of strays, waifs & beasts, 5 coming within the manor, belonging to the lord therof by any /13/ manner of title, for the which beasts 6 the said Willm & his assigns shall have reasonable allowance, for as often times as it shall happen. And the foresaid /14/ Willm & his assigns to have all manner of lop 7 & shride 8 & all other fuels growing upon the said farm during the said time. And the foresaid /15/ Willm & his assigns shall repair all houses of the foresaid farm at their own party’s costs & charges, during the time aforesaid. And the foresaid /16/ Willm & his assigns shall pay to the foresaid Bartholomew, his heirs & assigns, to the new building of the hall 9 & the kitchen & so, that, furnished /17/ & done, to have £ 6 13 s
4 d. And the foresaid Bertholomew, his heirs & assigns, shall bear all the costs of the walls of the chambers 10 except /18/ the Great Chamber. 11 And also the said Willm & his assigns shall continually dwell in the said dwelling place during the said time. And /19/ if it happen that the foresaid rent of £ 14 to be unpaid in part or in all, by the space of 15 days after any of the feasts aforesaid, then it /20/ shall be lawful for the said Bartholomew, his heirs & assigns, in all the farm place, lands, pastures & meadows to distrain 12 & that distress 13 wholly & /20/ keep until the time they be fully satisfied of all the arrears of the foresaid rent, with their costs & damages which they should suffer by the non- /22/ payment of the same. And if it happen that the said rent be behind in part or in all by the space of half a year after any payment of the /23/ same & have be asked, then it shall be lawful to the said Bartholomew, his heirs & assigns, to re-enter in all the foresaid place, lands, pastures & /24/ meadows, with their appurtenances, this lease notwithstanding, and furthermore, the said Willm covenants & grants to and with the said Bartholomew /25/ that he & his assigns, during the said time of 40 years, all manner of covenants in their indenture contained, well & truely shall [obtain] & keep, as well /26/ as the said Bartholomew covenants & grants, & with the said Willm that he & his years, during the said time of 40 years, the said Willm & his /27/ assigns occupying the said farm place, lands, pastures & meadows, with the appurtenances, a gift of all people shall warrant & defend. In witness /28/ whereof, as the parties of this indenture, the foresaid Bartholomew and also the foresaid Willm have interchangeably set their seals /29/ the day & year above written.

**************
{abstract}
a. Date of document: Henry VIII first reigned on 22 April 1509; his 26th year of reign was from 22 April 1534 until 21 April 1535. So this agreement was dated 24 June 1534.

b. Lessor (landlord): Bartholomew Fortescue (who was born ca. 1486, d. 1557). [He was the son of John Fortescue (d. 1503), who was the landlord on the previous lease of 1497.]

c. Lessee (tenant): Willm Kete

d. Pedigree of tenancy: already previously occupied by this Willm Kete

e. Property: Manor of Ebrington, Co. Gloucestershire, including demesne lands, pastures, meadows, with buildings and improvements; and certain associated manorial rights and duties

f. Term of lease: 40 years (until April 1574)

g. Rental payment: £ 14 yearly, paid half at Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) and half at Feast of St. Michael (29 Sept.). During the first half of the 16th century typical wages in southern England were around 7 d per day for a craftsman and 4 d per day for a laborer. So the yearly rental represented the equivalent of a year and a half of a craftsman’s income, or almost three years of a laborer’s income.

h. General duties and privileges; Willm Kete shall: (1) function as bailiff; (2) collect rents owed by villagers to the lord of the manor; (3) pay the business expenses of the lord’s steward; (4) care for strays and other animals belonging to the lord of the manor; (5) repair and maintain the manor buildings and improvements at his own expense; (6) continually dwell in and use the manor house and associated appurtenances (grazing rights, out buildings, etc.); (7) be allowed to use wood and brush on the property for fuel.

i. Specific agreement: Willm Kete shall pay to Bartholomew Fortescue an amount of £ 6 13 s 4 d for the construction/renovation of the Great Hall and kitchen. Bartholomew Fortescue will bear the expense of construction/maintenance of the chambers, with the exception of the Great Chamber.

j. Non-payment clause: if the rental payments are more than 15 days in arrears, the lord of the manor (Bartholomew Fortescue) may seize material compensation (distress); if the payment is 6 months in arrears, he may evict the tenant and re-occupy his property.
_________________
Notes:
1 “bailiff” = overseer of the manor, chosen by the lord. The bailiff was usually a peasant who would wear the same style, but slightly better quality, clothing as the farm workers. Often he was a freeholder who owned his own land, and it was his role to allot the farming jobs to the peasants, while also taking care of running repairs to buildings (for which he would hire skilled laborers, such as blacksmiths and carpenters). The bailiff often had an assistant, the reeve, who was a peasant chosen by the other villagers, whose responsibilities included assuring that the workforce turned up for work on time and that no one stole any produce from the lord.
2 “steward” = principal official appointed by the lord of the manor. The steward organized the farm labor and kept financial records of the estate’s affairs. In the instance of a lord with numerous, extensive manorial holdings, the steward may have had responsibility for financial oversight over a large number of estates. In any event, the bailiff was the deputy to the steward, who was responsible for the affairs of a particular manor.
3 “meat” = food
4 “horsemeat” = fodder or provender, hay or corn
5 “strays, waifs, and beasts” = strays or homeless animals or people within the manor boundaries
6 “beast” refers typically to horned cattle, although it may occasionally mean a horse
7 “lop” = woody debris from cutting operation
8 “shride” = wood cut off from growing trees
9 “hall” = manor hall or great hall: the large room of a manor building which served as the principal living quarters. It was a public area, the ceremonial centre of the household, where gentleman attendants and the servants came and went at all times. Structurally, it was open to the roof and heated by a fire on a central hearth (the smoke escaping through a vent in the roof). Out of fashion by the mid-l6th century.
10 “chamber” = typically a room not on the ground floor, such as a bedroom
11 “great chamber” = the solar, or bed-sitting room of the lord of the manor. It was the second most important room in a medieval English mansion or manor house, after the great hall. The great chamber was at the dais end of the hall, originally up a staircase and located above the ground level. It was the lord’s private living area.
12 “distrain” = to confiscate by distress
13 “distress” = the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim Distress was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage.

Will of William Keyt of Ebrington 1632

saramac58 — 2008-06-12 07:57:37Z

The following transcription was sent to me as Kite Message Board Administrator, to be posted to the board because the owner of the transcription wants to share but to remain anonymous. Replies on the board are welcome.

WILL OF WILLIAM KEYT OF EBRINGTON
Will dated 31.5.1632 (Original obtained from Prerogative Court of Canterbury ref:118 AUDLEY)

In the name of God Amen I William Keyte of Ebrington in the County of Gloucester Esquire being in good health both of body and mind thanks be given therefore unto Almighty God considering the frailty and uncertainty of this mortal life and being desirous of my worldly goods and estate which God of his mercy hath lent unto me do this present year one thousand six hundred thirty and two the last day of May in the eight year of the reign of our sovereigne Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England scotland france and Ireland King Defender of the faith & make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Thereby revoking and disannulling all other my former Wills whatsoever First I bequeath and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my good and gracious Creator and to his son Jesus Christ my most merciful redeemer assuradly trusting and believing by the merits of his death and passion to obtain remission and pardon of all my offenses And my body I desire may be buried and interred in the parish Church of Ebrington in such decent and comely manner as to mine executor shall be thought meet And my will is that a convenient Tomb or monument be set over me to the value of forty pounds Item I give and bequeath unto the Churchwardens of the parish of Ebrington the sum of five pounds of lawful money of England to be bestowed on the repair of the parish Church of Ebrington Item I give and bequeath unto every Cottager of Ebrington parish five shillings Item I give and bequeath unto the poor of Ebrington from the Tenth day of May until the first day of all Saints every year after my decease forever the milk of ten sufficient new milk cows to go and depasture before the herd of Ebrington and to be bestowed unto such of the poor of Ebrington as shall be thought fit by my Executor and his heirs and the Churchwardens of the parish of Ebrington for the time being the said ten cows and the pasture for them to be provided every year forever by my Executor and his heirs Item I give and bequeath unto the poor of Chipping Campden only four pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto the poor of Blockley parish four pounds of lawful money of England Item I do further will and devise that William Keyte my younger son shall within three months after my decease well and sufficiently Convey and assure to John Keyte my eldest son All those four yards of Glebe land with the appurtances lying and being and being in the parish of Ebrington aforesaid in the said county of Gloucester And all those the tythes renewing and encroaching (?) in Ebrington aforesaid And all that ground lying in Charringworth in the parish of Ebrington aforesaid called the Marfurlong with the appurtances And also all that the manor of Bishampton and all his lands tenements and hereditaments in Bishampton aforesaid All which premises I did purchase at mine own charge in the name of the said William my son of trust to be disposed of as I should think meet To have and to hold the same to the said John my son and to the heirs made of his body lawfully begotten And for default of such issue to remain to the said William my son and to the heirs made of his body lawfully begotten And for default of such issue the remainder thereof to the heirs of the body of my son John lawfully begotten the remainder to the right heirs of my son William for ever and in consideration of the said Conveyance and assurance so to be made I do give and bequeath unto my said son William the yearly sum of one hundred pounds of lawful money of England To be paid him by my Executor and his heirs yearly during his natural life in the Churchporch of Ebrington at four feasts or Terms in the year and most usual that is to say the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist the feast of St.Michael the archangel the birth of our Lord God commonly called Christmas and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary by even and equal portions yearly to be paid the first payment thereof to begin at such of the said feasts as shall first happen after my decease And if it shall happen that my Executor shall not at the days and times before limited or within thirty days next after every of the said days and times well and truly content and pay or Cause to be paid unto my said son William the said Annual and yearly payment of one hundred pounds in manner and form aforesaid then I do will and devise unto my said son William and his Assignees the one moiety and half of all that Capital Messuage or Tenement in Ebrington aforesaid with the appurtances wherein I do now dwell and the one moiety and half of all lands Tenements meadows bestowed feeding pastures easements profits commodities and advantages whatsoever unto the said Capital Messuage or tenement belonging or in anywise appertaining to have and to hold the same unto my said son William and his Assigness immediately from and after the Default of payment of the aforesaid Annual sum of one hundred pounds or any part thereof in manner and form aforesaid for and during all the term and time which shall be then to come and unexpired of and in the aforesaid Capital Messuage or Tenement and all other the said premises Item my will further is that if my said son William shall happen to marry and have any issue lawfully begotten of his body that then my Executor shall pay unto my said son William the sum of two thousand pounds of lawful money of England within the months next after that my said son William shall have any issue lawfully begotten of his body And that then and after the payment of the said two thousand pounds the aforesaid yearly payment of one hundred pounds to cease provided always that if my said son William do not make or cause to be made the aforesaid Conveyance or assurance before mentioned according to the true intent and meaning of this my last Will and Testament then all such gifts legacies and bequeaths as before I have given bequeathed & devised unto my said son William shall be utterly void Item I do will and devise that if my said son John Keyte shall fortune to die without issue made of his body lawfully begotten then I do will and bequeath my Lease of Ebrington farm and my lease of Bishampton Malvern Marlurlaong Longton and the yardland purchased of Mr. Ffleete shall remain to William my son his Executors and Assignes during all the term of years that shall be then to come of and in the same upon Condition Nevertheless if William my son shall within one year after the decease of my son John content and pay to such person and persons to whom my said son John by his last Will and Testament in writing or otherwise shall limit and appoint the same to be paid the sum of two thousand pounds of lawful money of England And to the end and intent that the said Leases may be approved and kept on foote and not extinguished by the Conveyance of the freehold and Inheritance thereof to my said son John by my son William in manner as aforesaid I do therefore will and devise all the said Leases to my loving friends Sir Richard Brawne of Allscott in the County of Glous. Kinght Sir Henry Raynsford of Clifford in the said County of Glous. Knight William Warmestrey of the City of Worcester Esquire and William Sambach of Broadway in the County of Worcester Esquire During all the terms thereof then to come of trust and confidence to the use of my son John his Executors Administrators and assignees so long as my said son John or any issue heir made of his body shall be living And if any my said son John shall die without issue heir made of his body begotton then to the use and behoof (may be behave or benefit) of my son William his Executors Administrators and Assignes upon condition nevertheless that if my son may fail of the payment of the said sum of two thousand pounds to such person and persons as my said son John by his last will and Testament shall limit and appoint the same to be paid in manner and form before mentioned. Then my will is that the trust and Confidence aforesaid of and in the said several Leases shall be absolutely to my said son John his Executors Administrators and assignees And I do give and bequeath unto the said Sir Richard Brawne Sir Henry Raynesford William Warmestrey and William Sambach ten pounds a piece Item I give and bequeath unto Marie Glover my Grandchild daughter of Edward Glover forty pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Hyde my son John his daughter twenty pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto Jane Keyte one other of my said son John his daughter the sum of one thousand two hundred pounds of lawful money of England To be paid her within Six months after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto every other Child that my said son John now hath both sons and daughters the sum of one thousand pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto his daughters at their several ages of one and twenty years or their days of their several marriages which of them shall first happen And to be paid unto his sons at their several ages of one and Twenty years And to every of his sons and daughters ten pounds a piece yearly and their dyett (?) till they come to their several ages or be married And my will further is that if either of my said son John and his Children shall happen to die before they come to their several ages of one and twenty years or be married Then my will is that all such sum and sums of money to him her or them before given so dying shall be equally divided amongst the rest of my said son John his Children then living and unmarried and to be paid them at the days and times aforesaid And I do also give and devise unto my Grandchild John Keyte my son John and his eldest son the yearly rent or sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of England To have and to hold to him his heirs and assignees for ever immediately after that he shall accomplish and be of age of two and twenty years and to issue out of all my lands tenements and Leases whatsoever Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne Andrewes the yearly sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England To be paid her by my Executor yearly during her natural life at two feasts or terms in every year that is to say The feast of St.Michael the archangel and the annunciation of the Virgin Mary by even and equal portions yearly to be paid the First payment thereof to begin at such of the said feasts as shall first happen after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto Jane Elizabeth Edward Eglantine George and Richard my Grandchildren sons and daughters of my said daughter Anne Andrewes the sum of twenty pounds a piece Item I give and bequeath unto my brother ……… Richard Keite the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England And I do further give and bequeath unto my said brother Richard Keyte the yearly sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England To be paid him by my Executor yearly during his natural life at two feasts or terms in the year that is to say the feast of St. Michael the archangel and the annunciation of the Virgin Mary by even and equal portions to be paid the first payment thereof to begin at such of the said feasts as shall first happen after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Tymmes forty pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas taylor thirty four pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto my servant jane Keyte ten pounds and to my servant Philip Wynde ten pounds & to every other ten pounds and to every other household servants not here specified and remembered five pounds Item I give and bequeath unto Marie Clapton my sister-in-law twenty pounds and the ring which I bought of her Item I give and bequeath unto Roger Boulter my old servant Ten pounds and the house that he now dwelleth in for and during the natural lives of him the said Roger Boulter and his now wife if the term that I have therein shall so long continue Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Mathew forty shillings Item I give and bequeath unto thomas gardner Thomas Pandy Robt Cox and John Philips being my current workmen to every one of them four pounds a piece Item I give and bequeath unto my servant Richard Partridge ten pounds Item I do will and devise that my Executor shall lay out and disburse the sum of one hundred marks in black cloth to be bestowed on my children servants and friends that shall be at my funeral as he my Executor shall think meet All the rest and residue of my goods and Chattels moveable and unmoveable lands leases debts and ready money not before devised I give and bequeath unto John Keyte my eldest son whom I make and appoint sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament And I do further will and devise that if in case hereafter by any other writing or by word in the presence of three credible witnesses at the least both to the writing and the word I shall give and bequeath any other legacy to any other person or persons whatsoever then I will that the same shall be annexed as a Codicil to this my present last Will and to be performed by my Executor in every respect as part of my last Will And in witness of that this is my last Will I have herunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written By me William Keyte These being witnesses whose names are hereunder written
Thomas Taylor Thomas Tymmes S.i.gnum (this word is illegible, but could be the Latin ‘Signum’ meaning mark or sign) Philip Wynde
By me William Keyte

FOOTNOTES:-
* William Keyt was born at Ebrington in about 1544 and was buried in St. Eadburgha’s Church there
on 12.10.1632.
* He was High Sheriff of Worcester.
* He donated the ‘Cow Charity’ to the poor of Ebrington (See also Sit Thomas Cahrles Keyt’s ‘Deed’)
* He married twice, first to Eglantine Riley and then to Eleanor Porter who died in 1624. All of
William’s children were from his first marriage.
* People who are mentioned in the Will are:-
Sons – John and William
Daughter – Anne (Andrewes)
Brother – Richard Keyte
Sister-in-law – Marie Clapton
Grandchildren – Marie (daughter of Elizabeth Keyte and Edward Glover), Elizabeth Hyde and Jane Keyte (daughters of son John), and Jane, Elizabeth, Edward, Eglantine, George and Richard (children of Anne Keyte and John Andrewes of Asthall)
Witnesses – Thomas Taylor, Thomas Tymmes and Philip Wynde
Friends – Sir Richard Brawne of Allscott, Sir Henry Raynesford of Clifford Chambers, William Warmestrey Esq. Of Worcester City and William Samback Esq. Of Broadway.
Servants – Jane Keyte, Richard Partridge, Philip Wynde, and Roger Boulter.
Workmen – Thomas Matthew, Thomas Gardner, Thomas Pandy, Robert Cox and John Philips.
* One hundred pounds (£100) in 1632 = about £7,000 in AD 2000.

WILL OF WILLIAM KEYT OF EBRINGTON
Will dated 31.5.1632 (Original obtained from Prerogative Court of Canterbury ref:118 AUDLEY)

In the name of God Amen I William Keyte of Ebrington in the County of Gloucester Esquire being in good health both of body and mind thanks be given therefore unto Almighty God considering the frailty and uncertainty of this mortal life and being desirous of my worldly goods and estate which God of his mercy hath lent unto me do this present year one thousand six hundred thirty and two the last day of May in the eight year of the reign of our sovereigne Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England scotland france and Ireland King Defender of the faith & make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Thereby revoking and disannulling all other my former Wills whatsoever First I bequeath and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my good and gracious Creator and to his son Jesus Christ my most merciful redeemer assuradly trusting and believing by the merits of his death and passion to obtain remission and pardon of all my offenses And my body I desire may be buried and interred in the parish Church of Ebrington in such decent and comely manner as to mine executor shall be thought meet And my will is that a convenient Tomb or monument be set over me to the value of forty pounds Item I give and bequeath unto the Churchwardens of the parish of Ebrington the sum of five pounds of lawful money of England to be bestowed on the repair of the parish Church of Ebrington Item I give and bequeath unto every Cottager of Ebrington parish five shillings Item I give and bequeath unto the poor of Ebrington from the Tenth day of May until the first day of all Saints every year after my decease forever the milk of ten sufficient new milk cows to go and depasture before the herd of Ebrington and to be bestowed unto such of the poor of Ebrington as shall be thought fit by my Executor and his heirs and the Churchwardens of the parish of Ebrington for the time being the said ten cows and the pasture for them to be provided every year forever by my Executor and his heirs Item I give and bequeath unto the poor of Chipping Campden only four pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto the poor of Blockley parish four pounds of lawful money of England Item I do further will and devise that William Keyte my younger son shall within three months after my decease well and sufficiently Convey and assure to John Keyte my eldest son All those four yards of Glebe land with the appurtances lying and being in the parish of Ebrington aforesaid in the said county of Gloucester And all those the tythes renewing and encroaching (?) in Ebrington aforesaid And all that ground lying in Charringworth in the parish of Ebrington aforesaid called the Marfurlong with the appurtances And also all that the manor of Bishampton and all his lands tenements and hereditaments in Bishampton aforesaid All which premises I did purchase at mine own charge in the name of the said William my son of trust to be disposed of as I should think meet To have and to hold the same to the said John my son and to the heirs made of his body lawfully begotten And for default of such issue to remain to the said William my son and to the heirs made of his body lawfully begotten And for default of such issue the remainder thereof to the heirs of the body of my son John lawfully begotten the remainder to the right heirs of my son William for ever and in consideration of the said Conveyance and assurance so to be made I do give and bequeath unto my said son William the yearly sum of one hundred pounds of lawful money of England To be paid him by my Executor and his heirs yearly during his natural life in the Churchporch of Ebrington at four feasts or Terms in the year and most usual that is to say the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist the feast of St.Michael the archangel the birth of our Lord God commonly called Christmas and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary by even and equal portions yearly to be paid the first payment thereof to begin at such of the said feasts as shall first happen after my decease And if it shall happen that my Executor shall not at the days and times before limited or within thirty days next after every of the said days and times well and truly content and pay or Cause to be paid unto my said son William the said Annual and yearly payment of one hundred pounds in manner and form aforesaid then I do will and devise unto my said son William and his Assignees the one moiety and half of all that Capital Messuage or Tenement in Ebrington aforesaid with the appurtances wherein I do now dwell and the one moiety and half of all lands Tenements meadows bestowed feeding pastures easements profits commodities and advantages whatsoever unto the said Capital Messuage or tenement belonging or in anywise appertaining to have and to hold the same unto my said son William and his Assigness immediately from and after the Default of payment of the aforesaid Annual sum of one hundred pounds or any part thereof in manner and form aforesaid for and during all the term and time which shall be then to come and unexpired of and in the aforesaid Capital Messuage or Tenement and all other the said premises Item my will further is that if my said son William shall happen to marry and have any issue lawfully begotten of his body that then my Executor shall pay unto my said son William the sum of two thousand pounds of lawful money of England within the months next after that my said son William shall have any issue lawfully begotten of his body And that then and after the payment of the said two thousand pounds the aforesaid yearly payment of one hundred pounds to cease provided always that if my said son William do not make or cause to be made the aforesaid Conveyance or assurance before mentioned according to the true intent and meaning of this my last Will and Testament then all such gifts legacies and bequeaths as before I have given bequeathed & devised unto my said son William shall be utterly void Item I do will and devise that if my said son John Keyte shall fortune to die without issue made of his body lawfully begotten then I do will and bequeath my Lease of Ebrington farm and my lease of Bishampton Malvern Marlurlaong Longton and the yardland purchased of Mr. Ffleete shall remain to William my son his Executors and Assignes during all the term of years that shall be then to come of and in the same upon Condition Nevertheless if William my son shall within one year after the decease of my son John content and pay to such person and persons to whom my said son John by his last Will and Testament in writing or otherwise shall limit and appoint the same to be paid the sum of two thousand pounds of lawful money of England And to the end and intent that the said Leases may be approved and kept on foote and not extinguished by the Conveyance of the freehold and Inheritance thereof to my said son John by my son William in manner as aforesaid I do therefore will and devise all the said Leases to my loving friends Sir Richard Brawne of Allscott in the County of Glous. Kinght Sir Henry Raynsford of Clifford in the said County of Glous. Knight William Warmestrey of the City of Worcester Esquire and William Sambach of Broadway in the County of Worcester Esquire During all the terms thereof then to come of trust and confidence to the use of my son John his Executors Administrators and assignees so long as my said son John or any issue heir made of his body shall be living And if any my said son John shall die without issue heir made of his body begotton then to the use and behoof of my son William his Executors Administrators and Assignes upon condition nevertheless that if my son may fail of the payment of the said sum of two thousand pounds to such person and persons as my said son John by his last will and Testament shall limit and appoint the same to be paid in manner and form before mentioned. Then my will is that the trust and Confidence aforesaid of and in the said several Leases shall be absolutely to my said son John his Executors Administrators and assignees And I do give and bequeath unto the said Sir Richard Brawne Sir Henry Raynesford William Warmestrey and William Sambach ten pounds a piece Item I give and bequeath unto Marie Glover my Grandchild daughter of Edward Glover forty pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Hyde my son John his daughter twenty pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto Jane Keyte one other of my said son John his daughter the sum of one thousand two hundred pounds of lawful money of England To be paid her within Six months after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto every other Child that my said son John now hath both sons and daughters the sum of one thousand pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto his daughters at their several ages of one and twenty years or their days of their several marriages which of them shall first happen And to be paid unto his sons at their several ages of one and Twenty years And to every of his sons and daughters ten pounds a piece yearly and their dyett (?) till they come to their several ages or be married And my will further is that if either of my said son John his Children shall happen to die before they come to their several ages of one and twenty years or be married Then my will is that all such sum and sums of money to him her or them before given so dying shall be equally divided amongst the rest of my said son John his Children then living and unmarried and to be paid them at the days and times aforesaid And I do also give and devise unto my Grandchild John Keyte my son John his eldest son the yearly rent or sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of England To have and to hold to him his heirs and assignees for ever immediately after that he shall accomplish and be of age of two and twenty years and to issue out of all my lands tenements and Leases whatsoever Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne Andrewes the yearly sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England To be paid her by my Executor yearly during her natural life at two feasts or terms in every year that is to say The feast of St.Michael the archangel and the annunciation of the Virgin Mary by even and equal portions yearly to be paid the First payment thereof to begin at such of the said feasts as shall first happen after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto Jane Elizabeth Edward Eglantine George and Richard my Grandchildren sons and daughters of my said daughter Anne Andrewes the sum of twenty pounds a piece Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Richard Keite the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England And I do further give and bequeath unto my said brother Richard Keyte the yearly sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England To be paid him by my Executor yearly during his natural life at two feasts or terms in the year that is to say the feast of St. Michael the archangel and the annunciation of the Virgin Mary by even and equal portions to be paid the first payment thereof to begin at such of the said feasts as shall first happen after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Tymmes forty pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas taylor thirty four pounds of lawful money of England Item I give and bequeath unto my servant jane Keyte ten pounds and to my servant Philip Wynde ten pounds & to every other ten pounds and to every other household servants not here specified and remembered five pounds Item I give and bequeath unto Marie Clapton my sister-in-law twenty pounds and the ring which I bought of her Item I give and bequeath unto Roger Boulter my old servant Ten pounds and the house that he now dwelleth in for and during the natural lives of him the said Roger Boulter and his now wife if the term that I have therein shall so long continue Item I give unto Thomas Mathew forty shillings Item I give and bequeath unto thomas gardner Thomas Pandy Robt Cox and John Philips being my current workmen to every of them four pounds a piece Item I give and bequeath unto my servant Richard Partridge ten pounds Item I do will and devise that my Executor shall lay out and disburse the sum of one hundred marks in black cloth to be bestowed on my children servants and friends that shall be at my funeral as he my Executor shall think meet All the rest and residue of my goods and Chattels moveable and unmoveable lands leases debts and ready money not before devised I give and bequeath unto John Keyte my eldest son whom I make and appoint sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament And I do further will and devise that if in case hereafter by any other writing or by word in the presence of three credible witnesses at the least both to the writing and word I shall give and bequeath any other legacy to any other person or persons whatsoever then I will that the same shall be annexed as a Codicil to this my present last Will and to be performed by my Executor in every respect as part of my last Will And in witness of that this is my last Will I have herunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written By me William Keyte These being witnesses whose names are hereunder written
Thomas Taylor Thomas Tymmes S.i.gnum (this word is illegible, but could be the Latin ‘Signum’ meaning mark or sign) Philip Wynde
By me William Keyte

FOOTNOTES:-
* William Keyt was born at Ebrington in about 1544 and was buried in St. Eadburgha’s Church there
on 12.10.1632.
* He was Sheriff of Worcester.
* He donated the ‘Cow Charity’ to the poor of Ebrington (See also Sit Thomas Cahrles Keyt’s ‘Deed’)
* He married twice, first to Eglantine Riley and then to Eleanor Porter who died in 1624. All of
William’s children were from his first marriage.
* People who are mentioned in the Will are:-
Sons – John and William
Daughter – Anne (Andrewes)
Brother – Richard Keyte
Sister-in-law – Marie Clapton
Grandchildren – Marie (daughter of Elizabeth Keyte and Edward Glover), Elizabeth Hyde and Jane Keyte (daughters of son John), and Jane, Elizabeth, Edward, Eglantine, George and Richard (children of Anne Keyte and John Andrewes of Asthall)
Witnesses – Thomas Taylor, Thomas Tymmes and Philip Wynde
Friends – Sir Richard Brawne of Allscott, Sir Henry Raynesford of Clifford Chambers, William Warmestrey Esq. Of Worcester City and William Samback Esq. Of Broadway.
Servants – Jane Keyte, Richard Partridge, Philip Wynde, and Roger Boulter.
Workmen – Thomas Matthew, Thomas Gardner, Thomas Pandy, Robert Cox and John Philips.
* One hundred pounds (£100) in 1632 = about £7,000 in AD 2000.

Last Will and Testament of John Kyete 1564

saramac58 — 2008-06-12 07:44:02Z

The following transcription was sent to me as Kite Message Board Administrator, to be posted to the board because the owner of the transcription wants to share but to remain anonymous. Replies on the board are welcome.

Johannes Kyete
[Public Record Office, Cat. ref: prob/11/51; Image Ref: 117]

In the name of god Amen the xxj ti day of October in the year of or lorde god a thousand ffyve hundredth Sixt and thre. I John Kyete of Eberton wtin the Countie of Gloucester yoman sicke in bodie and in perfecte mynde do make my last will & testament in manor and forme folowing. ffirst I bequeath my soule unto god and my body to be buried in the churche yarde of Eburton at the north dore Unto the wch churche I gyve vj s viij d / Also I gyve will and bequeath unto Richard my seconde sonne Thre score pounds in full payment for his legacie / Also I gyve and bequeath unto John my youngest sonne Thre score pounds in full payment of his legacie the wch Six score pounds I will that my executors pay unto my said sonnes when they come to the age of Twentie yeres, And if it happen one of my sonnes dye before he come to the age of Twentie yeres, then I will that the other brother shall have the hole six score pounds, All the residue of my goode leases and takinge unbequeathed I will and gyve unto Elizabeth my wife and william my eldest sonne whome I make executors, and when the said william shall come to the age of xx ti yeres then I will that he occupie the one half wt his mother of all my goode farmes leases & takinge to his owen use and behouf, Also if william dye before he come to the age of xx ti yeres Then I will that Richard my seconde sonne shall have and enioye in the same farme and at the same age the Executorship wtall Leases takinge and goode as was before bequeathed to my eldest sonne william And if Richard happen to die then I will that John my youngest sonne shall have and enioye the executorship wt all Leases goode takinge in the same farme and at the same age as Richard heretofore sholde have had, Also if any of my said sonnes that is to saye william Richard or John being so unthriftie to go aboute to sell alien or put award any right clayme title or interest that he may have, by this my will concerning my leases and executorship I will that he shall take no benefite of this my will nor no parte thereof, and if it shulde be my eldest sonne that fall into any suche unthriftynes then I will that he shall have the legacye before bequeathed to Richard and so to be put from and excluded of all the right that he hath to my leases And executorship and all the proffitte thereunto belonging, and then Richard to have enioye the Leases and executorship, and so from one to another, and if it happen the said william to die, having no sonne of his body lawfullie begotten, then I will that Richard shall enioye and have all my farme leases and takinge and terme of yeres, And if it happen Richard to die, having no sonne of his body lawfullie begotten then I will that John my youngest sonne shall have my ferme lease taking and terme of yeres, Also I will that Elizabeth my wife have the governnance of my children house goode Leases takinge and terme of yeres, keping her self soole and unmaried untill such tyme my said children come to th age of xx ti yeres, and then they to have the benefites of this my Will according as heretofore is written, And if Elizabeth my said wife do marry then I will that my executor pay unto her one hundredth pounde and she to be excludid and discharged of my goode leases takinge and terme of yeres and I bynde her by this my will to redelyver unto my children all my Leases takinge and the said Elizabeth my wife lyve and kepe her self unmaried than I will that she shall have occupie and enioye the one half of my goode farmes Leases and takinge wt my sonne During her naturall life; Also if my said wife happen to die or marie at any tyme my children being wtin the age of Twentie yeres then I will that John ffreman my sonne in lawe have the governnance of my said children wtall the goode fermes leases and takinge wtall the proffitte comodities thereunto belonging or apperteyning to thonelie use of my said children according to this my last will & testament / Also I gyve and bequeath unto Bartholmewe my brother a cow or xx s Also I gyve and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth a cow or xx s, Also I gyve and bequeath unto my sister Alice a cow or xx s Also I gyve and bequeath unto Katheryn my sister a cow or xx s This I do acknowledge by this my will that I have fullie satisfied and paied unto my brother Thomas all such goods and somes of money as is or hath been due unto the said Thomas ffrom the begynnyng of the world unto this day saving and excepting v s iiij d the wch I do own unto hym for the wch v s iiij d the said Thomas hath detayned and doth detayne a bill of Tenne pounds agemst all right and conscience, Also I do acknowledge that my brother william is fullie paied of suche somes of money debts and demannds that is or hath been betwixte the said William and me ffrom the begynnyng of the world unto this day, and yet he keping a bill in like case and to this my last will and Testament I do make william Brynt [gentos] John harrys Richard Cannig of foxcote and John ffreman of Eberton my overseers to whome I gyve vj s viij d a pece / Also if it happen the said william Richard and John Kyete my sonnes dye wtoute any yssue of there bodies lawfullie begotten Then I will gyve and bequeath unto Elizabeth my wife she being sole and unmaried all my goode leases and takinge during her naturall life / And after the deathe of my wife and children and there children according as is written in thys my last will heretofore, then I will and gyve to william Kyete my brother and to his children my lease and yeres that shall then be to come of and in the ferme of Eburton, In witnes thereof I the said John Kyete have put to my seale and hande in the presence of Richard ffreman bachelor of divinitie John Hoddyllston John Holtam John Jarrett John ffreman William Kyete John Grey and dyvers other

Probatum sint testamentum supra screptum … doctore … prerogative … London … primo die May anno dm … Juramento Edwardi Powell procurator Elizabeth Petre et executri[r] in testamento … Willmo Kyete Executor …

John Kyette
[Gloucestershire Record Office: “Kyet 1564 #27”]

In the name of god Amen the xxj day of october in the yere of our lord god 1563 I John Kyette of eberton wtin the Countie of Glouc youman syke in bodye & in pfyte mynd do make my last will & testament in maner & forme followyuth / furst I bequeuth my soule unto god and my bodye to be berryed in the churche yerde of eberton at the northe dore / unto the wcc churche I gyve [ink blot] [ vj s viij d ] also I gyve will & bequeth unto Ric my second son thre score pounds in full payment for his Legasye ) Also I gyve & bequeithe unto John my youngest sone thre score pounds in full payment of hus legasye ) the wcc vj score pounds I will that my executrs pay unto my said sons whan they come to th ayge of xx yers ) And if hitt happyn oen of my sons dye before he come to thaege of xx yers Then I will that theother brother shall have the hole vj score pounds ) All the Resideue of my goode leasse & takynge unbequethyde ) I will & gyve unto elysebeth my wiffe & willam my eldest son Whome I make my exetors / And when the said Willam shall com to thayge of xx yers / Then I will that he occupye the oon halfe wt his mother of all my goode fermes leasse & takynge to his owne use & behove ) Also if Willam dye before he come to thayge of xx yers, then I will that Richard my seconnd son shall have & enjoy in the same forme & at the same ayge thexecutrshype wtall leasse takynge & goode as was before bequethyd to my eldest son Willam And if Ric happyn to dye then I will that John my youngeste son shall have & enjoy thexecutorshype wtall leasse goode takynge in the same forme & at the same ayge Ric hertofore shold have hade / Also if any of my said sons that is to say Willm Ric or John beynge so unthryfftye to goo a bougte to sell alyen or putt away Any Right clame titell or Intrest that he may have by this my will cocernyng my leasse & executorshype I will that he shall take no benyfytte of thys my will nor [no pte] therof ) And if hit shold be my eldest son that falle into Any suche unthryfftienes Then I will that he shall have the legasye before bequethyd to Ric And so to be putt frome & excludyde of all the ryght that he hath to my leasse & executorshype & all the pffytte therunto belongyng and then Ric to have & Inioy the leasse & executorshyp & so frome oon to Another And [if] hytt happyn the sayd Willam to dye havyng no son of his body lawffullye begotten Then I will that Ric shall enjoy & have all my ferme leasse & takynge & terme of yers And if hytt happyn Ric to dye then I will that John havyng no son of hys bodye lawfully begotton then I will that John my youngest son shall have [my ferme] lease takynge & [terme] of yeres Also I will that elysabethe my wiff have the [govnrmet] of chylderne houese goode leasse takynge & terme of yers kypyng her selffe sole & unmarryed untyll such tyme my said chylderne come to thayge of xx yers and then they to have the benyfyte of this my will accordyngas heretofore is wryttyn And if elysebeth my said wyffe do marry then I will that my executore pay unto her oen hundryth pounde & she to be excludyd and dyscharede of my goode leasse takynge & [terme] of yers and I bynd hir by this my will to [redelyvr] unto my chyldern all my leasse & takynge And the said elysebeth my wiff lyve & kype hirsselffe unmarryed then I will she shall have occupye & enjoy the oen halff of my goode fermes leasse & takynge wt my son duryng her naturall lyff Also if my said wyfe happyn to dye or marry at any tyme my chyldern beyng wtin theage of xx yers, then I will that John freman my soninlawe have the [go’nunce] of my said chyldern wtall the goode ferme leasse & takynge wtall the [pyfytte] comoditers therunto belongyng or [apertaynyng] [tothonlye] youse of my sayd chyldern & accordyng to this my last will & testament also I gyve & bequeyth unto barkellmewe my brother A cowe or xx s Also I gyve & bequeoth unto my sister Elysebeth A cowe or xx s Also I gyve & bequeythe unto my [siste] ales a cowe or xx s Also I gyve & bequeyth unto Kateren my systr a cowe or xx s / this I doe acknowleg by this my will that I have fully satisfied & paid unto my brother Thomas all such goode & somes of money as is or hath byn dewe unto the said Thomas frome [Begynnyng] of the worall unto this day / savyng & exceptyng v s iiij d the wcc I do ow unto hym for the wich [xvj] grottes the said Thomas haeth deteynede and doth deteyne A byll of x £ agaynst all ryght & [cosyons] Also I do acknowlege that my brother willam is fullye paid of all such somes of money dette & demannde that is or haeth byn betwxte the said willam & me [frome] the begynyng of the woroll, unto this day and yett he kypyng a byll in lyke case / And to this my last will & testement I do make willam [Brnnt] gentellman John Harrys Ric cannyng of foxcote & John ffreman of eberton my ovrseers to whom I gyve vj s vjjj d a pece / Also if hytt happyn the said willam Ricr and John Kyett my sons dye wtout Any esseu of theyr bodyes lawfully begotten then I will gyve and bequeyth unto elysebeth my wyff she beyng sole & unmarryed all my goode leasse and takynge duryng her naturall lyff And affter the dessease of my wiff & chylldern and theyr chyldern acordynge as is wryttyn in this my last will heretofore then I will & gyve unto willam Kyett my brother & to hys chylldern my lease and yeres that shall then be to come of and in the ferme of ebarton In wittnesse herof I the said John Kyett have putto my seall and hand In the p’sens of Rychard ffreman bacheler of [devinete] John Hoodlyllston John Holtam John Jaratt John ffreman willam Kyett John [Gray] and dyv’ys other

John Kyet
[ ] de Eburton
probat sint ix o
die Septembris
Ano dom 1564

Will of Alice Keytt of Broad Campden 1646/47

saramac58 — 2008-06-12 07:38:26Z

The following transcription was sent to me as Kite Message Board Administrator, to be posted to the board because the owner of the transcription wants to share but to remain anonymous. Replies on the board are welcome.

WILL OF ALICE KEYTT OF BROAD CAMPDEN
Will dated 9.1.1646/7 (original dated 1646 at Family Record Centre, London)

In the name of God Amen I Alice Keytt of Broad Campden in the County of Gloucester Widdow beinge of perfect minde and memory thankes be given unto Allmighty god doe this present yeare of our Lord god one thousand six hundred forty and six The ninth day of January in the two and twentith yeare of the reigne of our Sovereign Lord Charles by the grace of god of England [Scotland] ffrance and Ireland king defender of the faith xt (Christ) Make this my last will and testament in manner and forme following thereby revoakeinge and [disanullinge] all other my former wills whatsoever ffirst I recommend my soule into the hands of Allmighty god my creator And to his Sonne Jesus Christ my most mercifull redeemer Trustinge and assuredly beleeveinge through His merritts of his death and passion to obtaine remission and pardon of all mine offences And my body unto the earth from whence it came Item I give unto my oldest Sonne Thomas Keytt ffifty shillings and to every of his children that shal be liveinge at the time of my decease two Shillings and six pence apeece Item I give unto my Sonne James Keytt ffive pounds in money one flock bed and boulster and feather pillow one pillow by one paire of Sheets one paire of blanketts one twilly cloth and one Chest Item I give unto my Sonne William Keytt Two Shillings and Six pence and to his daughter Jane two Shillings and Six pence Item I give unto my Sonne in law John Perryn two Shillings and Six pence and to my daughter his wife twelve pence and to his two Sonnes two Shillings and Six pence apeece and to his daughter one Sheete Item I give unto my Sonne in law Thomas Tysoe his five children [tweelve] pence apeece Item I give unto my Sonne in law John [Newton] his two children tweelve pence apeece Item I give bequeath and devise unto my Sonne Richard Keytt the messuage or Tennement in Broad Campden aforesayd wherein I now dwell called the Crosse house with the back side and garden thereunto adjoyninge and belonginge for the terme of fforty yeares if Thomas Mosely of Brod Campden aforesayd yeoman and John his Sonne Shall So long [live] The rest and residue of all my goods Cattles and Chattells moveable and unmoveable debts and ready money before not given now bequeathed after my debts payd my Legacies and funerall discharged I give and bequeath unto the Sayd Richard Keytt my Sonne whom I make my whole and Sole executor of this my last will and Testament And I constitute ordaine and make John Keytt and Thomas Taylor of Ebrington to be my Overseers of this my last will and Testament And in witness of that; that this is my last will and Testament I have hereunto Sett my hand and Seale these beinge witnesses whose names are hereunderwritten.
The marke of Alice Keytt
Sealed and published in the presence of Thomas Taylor, John Keytt

This will was proved at London the Seaven and twentith day of July in the yeare of our Lord god one thousand Six hundred fifty and five before the Judges for probate of wills and grantinge [Admistraions] Lawfully authorised by the oath of Richard Keytt the naturall and lawful Sonne of the Said deceased and Sole executor named in this last will and Testament of the Said deceased To whom was committed Administration of all and Singular the goods Chattles and debts of the Sayd deceased [He] the sayd Richard Keytt beinge first Sworn in due form of Lawe by vertue of a Comon well and truely to Administer the Same.

This Will was proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 27th day of July 1655, Folio 65.

FOOTNOTES:-
* Alice married Thomas Keytt circa 1590.
* Nothing else is known about when or where Alice Keytt was born, or where she and her husband
were buried.
* Alice lived at Crosse House, Broad Campden, which was leased from Thomas Mosely of Broad
Campden and his son
* People mentioned in the will are:-
Sons – Thomas (and his children), James, William and Richard.
Daughter –wife of John Perryn
Grand-daughters – Jane (daughter of William Keytt) and John Perryn’s daughter.
Grandsons – John Perryn’s 2 sons, Thomas Tyso’s 5 children, and John Newton’s 2 children.
Sons-in-law – John Newton, John Perryn and Thomas Tyso
Overseers – John Keytt and Thomas Taylor, both of Ebrington
Witnesses – Thomas Taylor and John Keytt
* Fifty shillings (£2.50p.) in 1646 = about £155 in AD 2000.
* A twilly cloth is a bed cover that is made in a twill pattern using unbleached thread.

James Kite Will Transcript 1713

saramac58 — 2008-06-12 07:33:10Z

The following transcription was sent to me as Kite Message Board Administrator, to be posted to the board because the owner of the transcription wants to share but to remain anonymous. Replies on the board are welcome.

Here is a transcribed (typed) copy of the Will of James Kite, complete with errors, except the word "wekk beloved" was replaced with the words "well beloved" in its first appearance, and the word "dexlare" was replaced with the word "declare."- VES:

Will of James Kite,
Blockly Township,
County of Philadelphia,
State of Pennsylvania
Dated March 24, 1713 Page 285 A

[Page 1]

The Last Will & Testament of James Kite of ye Township of Blockly in the County of Philadelphia as followeth..... First I comit my soul into the hands of Allmighty God that gave it me & my body to be decently buried by mine Executors hereafter named.. and as for my wordly Estate which it hath pleased God to indowe me withall I give & bequeath as followeth
First I give & bequeath to my we[ll] beloved wife Martha Kite and my son James Kite all my plantacon with all the wood land there to belonging it I give to my wife Martha Kite & my son James Kite all my crop of corn and all my stock of catel that is to say all my bulls and cows to them their heirs & assigns forever and if they shall see cause to sel the plantacon one shall not have power to sell with out the consent of the other and then the money to be Equaly divided between them I give to my son Abraham Kite the house & lot where he now liveth in Philadelphia which was John Simonds to him his heirs & assigns forever and if John Simonds wife or children demand the house let them pay Abraham Kite what I have paid to John Simonds & take the house I give to my son Abraham Kite the fifth acres of back woods which lieth undivided in John Warners & Isaac Warners Land to him his heirs & assigns forever all so I give to my son Abraham Kite Emmnual Walkers land with all the money due upon the same. I give to my daughter Grissill Lewis one pound to be paid by my Executors within one hole year after my decease. I give to my grandson Mordacay Lewis my little gun. All the rest of my goods & chatels & personall estate unbequeathed I give & bequeath to my well beloved wife Martha Kite whom with my son James Kite I do make Executors of this my Last Will
[Page 2]

and Testament revoking all other wills and Testaments heretofore by me made. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal ye date before writen.

James S Koito (?)
Seal.
Signed Sealed
Published & Declared
in the presence of

John Warner
his mark
Ann Q W Warner
Isaac Warner

Philada March 24, 1713

Then personally appeared John Warner one of the witnesses to the [wthin?] & foregoing will and on his solemn affirmacon according to Law did Declare he saw the [wthin?] & above named James Kite the Testator Sign Seal Publish & declare the [wthin?] & above written will his Last Will & Testament & then at the doing thereof he was of sound mind and meaning to the best of his knowledge.

(memory) Coram T W Evans

(I believe the following abbreviations indicate Evans as a court officer. VMM)

Issac Warner another witness to the foregoing will on his solemn affirmacon according to Law did de[c]lare as the above the named John Warner hath done.

Coram T W Evans

(last few abbreviations identical to the above as noted. VMM)

Coram - general accepted as meaning "in the presence of" or "before" a proper official, usually a Judge of the Court. It could be that a bailiff of the court was witness to the signing of the testament witnesses of the will. This is a court form and appears in one of many different forms but all indicate the same- that the signatures and affirmations were performed in the presence of a responsible Court official.
VMM

Re: John Wendell or James KITE?

saramac58 — 2008-05-29 19:52:16Z

I found a book on Ancestry.com entitled "The Kite Family - A Fragmentary Sketch of the Family From Its Origin In The 9th Century to The Present Day" and I believe compiled by Virginia A. Kite. It is only about 122 pages. According to the book, James' son was James Jr. b. 1682 and married Hanna Medlicott, his stepsister. I have just started on this line and not very far in entering the information. The book is in the "Stories, Memories & Histories" section of Ancestry.com.
I'll gladly do look-ups is you cannot access the book yourself. Sarah McCray saramac@windstream.net

KITE in Phila.

BettyPrice741 — 2008-04-13 19:10:10Z

My gggggrandmother's name was Elizabeth Kite b. ca 1779 in PA. She married John CHILDS b. ENGLAND and they were living in 1800 in BLOCKLEY/HAMILTON VILLAGE section of Phila. John & Elizabeth had at least 7 children that survived. William J. who married Rachel HANSELL, John who married Eunice?, James who married Louisa MEREDITH, Benjamin Sterling who married Amanda HENDRICKS and Abraham who married Caroline MOSER & Margaret CHILDS WRIGHT. The girls were Eliza who married a SUPPLEE and Mary who married a WRIGHT. Most of the family stayed in West Phila., but some moved to Delaware Co., PA. My branch moved to the MANAYUNK/EAST FALLS area. The CHILDS were carpenters, stonemasons, woolen mill workers and later railroad/transportation workers. Looking for family!

Re: John Windlekite

lily4evr — 2008-04-25 18:03:17Z

My great great grandfather is James Kite who was from Warren County, Kentucky. There is a free test kit through the Sorensen project. On my side of the tree there are no males left to test so we only have the female DNA. I am interested in finding out more about my line of kites.

Re: John Windlekite

KiteMattson — 2008-04-25 06:52:34Z

Again, I urge all Kite's to do a DNA test. The closest matches to my dad are from England and Germany, with some Dutch and others! Please help figure this out. We used www.familytreedna.com and there is no Kite surname group, yet. Ancestry has DNA test also. The only pain is in your wallet! Kennalee Kite Mattson

Re: John Windlekite

Raven_Heart — 2008-04-20 20:57:03Z

Thank-you
I am a direct descendant of Daniel Hiltibran (several spelling of the last name and Sarah Kite
Sarah was of St.Paris Ohio Champaign County -near Millerstown )and her parent are Jesse Kite and Caroline Long who is the great grandson of William Kite and Catherine Smith who I am told is the son of John Kite aka Cor. Windle Kite aka John Wendell Kite possible shortened and changed from a combination of the middle and last name and possible German connection? However my research has dead-ended here and I am unable to locate information of John W. Kite so if you could send me information to RavenHeartChess@yahoo.com that would be greatly appreciated and thank you for your response.

Re: John Windlekite

Chris_Kite — 2008-04-20 17:11:57Z

Send me a note to ckite@byu.net and include more information of your line that connects to the Kite line.

Then I could send you notes on John Windle Kite.

Chris