By Joan Whipple’s death in 1612, only Anne and Margaret had married so Matthew had daughters Jane, 24, Johane (?), Elizabeth, 18, and Mary 13, to help manage their household and raise 6-year-old Amy.  He was a widower for his final seven years with four grandchildren to enjoy – Margaret’s two preteens, Hercules, 8, and Margaret, 6, Arthur, and Jane’s two toddlers, Henry and Ande Caldam.

The will indicates he was successful and had achieved financial independence.  His home with its great chamber, little chamber, lodging chamber, old parlor, and loft is evidence of his success.  He bequeathed more than £200 (£425,896.49 today) to family members, some to be distributed within one month following his death, indicating he had liquid assets.  Other bequeaths of silver spoons, high latten candlesticks, brass pots, pewter dishes, a table, stools, three different of chests, five beds, fine linen, bolster, blankets, etc. confirms his station in life.  Matthew, Jr. was named sole executor of the estate.

It was written 19 January 1616 in Old English and proved in the Superior Probate Court, the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in 1618.  The probate was in Latin.  I acquired a copy in London in 1962 when I was doing research in England.  Two language professors at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa translated it for me. [Following is the will.  I inserted the boldface, italics, and underline to help in interpretation.] (more…)

It is believed that Matthew Whipple, Sr. married Joan (maybe Stephens) although proof is lacking.  According to the parish records of St. Mary’s Church, they had six daughters and two sons, the first, Anne (Anna), christened 1 Sept. 1583 and the last, Amy, on 20 Jan. 1605.

No evidence has been found for birth dates for either Matthew or Joan but Anne’s christening records indicates both were born in the early 1560s.  According to Church records, Joan Whipple was buried in Bocking 19 May 1612.  Matthew never remarried and if he mourned her the rest of his life and followed tradition, mirrors in the home were either covered or turned to the wall, the family coach was painted black, all rooms in the home were hung in black, and he slept in a mourning bed enclosed by black draperies.  Matthew was buried 16 Jan. 1618/19 and in those years a pot of wine was placed on the deceased chest so those who came to pay their last respects could do so with a toast.

The history and literature of the time allows us to speculate about the lives of Matthew and Joan and their family.

Matthew and Joan were probably in their early twenties when they married.  Once it was determined she should marry, Joan’s parents would have searched for a suitable husband, taking care to balance social position and status as dowries were critical to a desirable match.

The wedding was probably in 1582 since Anne, their oldest, was born in September 1583.  Before they had children, Matthew and Joan probably journeyed to London to watch the hangings decreed by the quarter law court sessions.  Prisoners, brought in from all the prisons, were tried and those condemned to the rope were carted off by the hangman to Tyburn , the place of public execution.  It was a major spectator event attended by thousands.

Anne was 10 before the family purchased a home in Bocking so they probably lived with his parents for the first 11 years of their marriage.  The Statute of Apprentices made labor compulsory and required seven years apprenticeship for all trades.  Since he was a Clothier, his father may have been one two and if so, he would have apprenticed to his father as sons usually followed their father’s occupations.

Sometime prior to 1593 Matthew paid £40 to Robert and Joan Ardley for a house, barn, large garden, and apple orchard (known as a messuage) on Bradford street in Bocking.  The Ardley’s failed to perform as agreed so Matthew took them to court for specific performance and won.  The court directed the Ardleys to deed the property to Matthew and his heirs forever. (more…)