Theme: Where there’s a will
Updated 11 Mar 2018: added 2nd grave photo + Brattle Farm Museum youTube video
Updated 11 Mar 2018: added 2nd grave photo + Brattle Farm Museum youTube video
As quite a few early BOORMAN family wills have survived, I would like to expand on my earlier post about “Researching Old Boorman Wills in Kent” and share the story of another one of my husband’s paternal BOORMAN ancestors. There were three William BOORMANs in three consecutive generations who all worked as wheelwrights in Headcorn or Staplehurst, Kent, England. This is the story of the middle William who wrote quite an explicit will in 1785. A will by Will.
Terry’s five-times-great (5G) Grandfather William BOORMAN Jr was born about 1719, probably in Headcorn Kent England, the son of William BOORMAN Sr (1692-1771) and Sarah CHAPMAN (1688-1755). His parent’s marriage was recorded in the St Peter and St Paul Anglican church register in Headcorn Kent on 14 Oct 1718, and years later they were subsequently buried in Headcorn, conveniently listing their six children on their gravestone. William Jr was their oldest child.
The earliest record we have of William Jr is from 1725 when he was bequeathed £5 by his paternal grandmother Elizabeth BOORMAN (nee HAYWARD) who died in Cranbrook in 1731. Then on 23 Oct 1744, this William married Mercelina "Mercy" KNOWLDEN (1720-1750) in Linton (just south of Maidstone, and about 12km north of Staplehurst). The distances here aren’t large, but these towns and villages were still distinct, so I wonder how and why these two met? I have not yet researched the Knowlden family so can only guess that religion or business could have been their point of contact.
Terry’s five-times-great (5G) Grandfather William BOORMAN Jr was born about 1719, probably in Headcorn Kent England, the son of William BOORMAN Sr (1692-1771) and Sarah CHAPMAN (1688-1755). His parent’s marriage was recorded in the St Peter and St Paul Anglican church register in Headcorn Kent on 14 Oct 1718, and years later they were subsequently buried in Headcorn, conveniently listing their six children on their gravestone. William Jr was their oldest child.
The earliest record we have of William Jr is from 1725 when he was bequeathed £5 by his paternal grandmother Elizabeth BOORMAN (nee HAYWARD) who died in Cranbrook in 1731. Then on 23 Oct 1744, this William married Mercelina "Mercy" KNOWLDEN (1720-1750) in Linton (just south of Maidstone, and about 12km north of Staplehurst). The distances here aren’t large, but these towns and villages were still distinct, so I wonder how and why these two met? I have not yet researched the Knowlden family so can only guess that religion or business could have been their point of contact.
“This plate published in a volume of Encyclopédie in 1769 shows bothmethods of shoeing a wheel. In the centre the labourers are using hammers
and "devils" to fit a hoop onto the felloe, and on the right they're
hammering strakes into place.”
Attribute: By Denis Diderot - Encyclopédie, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54996506
Other researchers believe that his father William Sr was “probably a member of the Headcorn General Baptist chapel. There is no record of his children’s baptisms, [as] they too were members of the Baptist chapel and the registers of the chapel for this period no longer exist. The chapel was founded in 1675.“ No doubt these non-conformists met elsewhere, perhaps in members homes, before this chapel was built.
William Sr. was a wheelwright, a skilled trade that must have afforded him a good living as he was rated for property in Headcorn between 1723 and 1754 (at least). He died in 1771. His son William Jr also became a wheelwright, probably apprenticing with his father. At some point before 1750 he moved to Staplehurst (only about 6 km west of Headcorn) to apply his trade there. His parents remained in Headcorn.
William Sr. was a wheelwright, a skilled trade that must have afforded him a good living as he was rated for property in Headcorn between 1723 and 1754 (at least). He died in 1771. His son William Jr also became a wheelwright, probably apprenticing with his father. At some point before 1750 he moved to Staplehurst (only about 6 km west of Headcorn) to apply his trade there. His parents remained in Headcorn.
Painting of Staplehurst Kent ca 1824, Ref T81http://www.staplehurstsociety.org/pageT81.html
On 30 Jan 1766, a lease was signed (N/C 347 T1) between Wm BOORMAN of Staplehurst, wheelwright and Jacob CHAPMAN of Staplehurst Minister of Christ of the Presbyterian Denomination. The property in question was the Messuage or Meetinghouse called The Lower Grove or Presbyterian Meetinghouse, plus+ 12’ x 12’ on east. The plots to the south and east were the lands of this William Boorman. The lease was witnessed by Hannah Quested and Wm Boorman the younger. This was a prime piece of property fronting on High Street, on the corner of Chapel Lane in Staplehurst. It is evident from these actions in support of this other church, that William Jr was also a non-conformist. I haven’t seen the lease document, so don’t know what rents if any were charged to the church. The family version of this story was that William had given land to his church.
Another researcher also suggests: “I think it was this William who was a tenant on some of the Bly Court lands in Staplehurst. He bought Lower Grove, the house used as a Meeting House, then leased it to Jacob CHAPMAN the Minister on 30 Jan 1766. His Workshop was part of the same site.” (I wonder if the minister was related to William's mother’s CHAPMAN family?). The “new” United Reform Church built in 1825 still stands on the corner site, and was previously known as the Congregational Church as back as far as 1662 before they merged with the Presbyterians. But by whatever name, they were all non-conformists. Regarding Bly Court, the Bly Cottages are located a short distance down Chapel Lane next to the Providence Strict Baptist Chapel (that wikipedia says was previously a barn), so it was very possible for William to have lived on these lands close to his wheelwright shop.
Another researcher also suggests: “I think it was this William who was a tenant on some of the Bly Court lands in Staplehurst. He bought Lower Grove, the house used as a Meeting House, then leased it to Jacob CHAPMAN the Minister on 30 Jan 1766. His Workshop was part of the same site.” (I wonder if the minister was related to William's mother’s CHAPMAN family?). The “new” United Reform Church built in 1825 still stands on the corner site, and was previously known as the Congregational Church as back as far as 1662 before they merged with the Presbyterians. But by whatever name, they were all non-conformists. Regarding Bly Court, the Bly Cottages are located a short distance down Chapel Lane next to the Providence Strict Baptist Chapel (that wikipedia says was previously a barn), so it was very possible for William to have lived on these lands close to his wheelwright shop.
The will of William BOORMAN, wheelwright of Staplehurst Kent England, written 19 March 1785.
Anita and Terry discussing the grave of William Boorman,who died in 1790, and his two wives, Mercy and Jane.
We know from William Jr’s will of 1785 that he and Mercy had 3 children: Anthony, William (the third), and Mercy. Other records detailing their births have not been found; any non-conformist records from that period haven’t survived. We also know that in 1785, William’s wife was called Jane. We found a burial for his first wife Mercy on 28 Sep 1750 in the All Saints Churchyard in Staplehurst, so the family must have been living there by then. William married again on 24 Oct 1758 to Jane HUSMAR (some say HUSMAN) in Staplehurst, but there is no indication that they had any children together. Jane too was buried in Staplehurst on 6 May 1786, the year after William wrote his will, but almost 4 years before he died on 9 Jan 1790. All three are buried together.
We had the pleasure of visiting Staplehurst in 2012 on an memorable trip to England, and saw first hand the grave of William Jr together with both his wives Mercy and Jane. The neighbouring stone was erected for William’s son William III and his wive Ann nee WELLER. Not that you could tell from looking at the stones as they were virtually unreadable. So we were unsure which stone was for which William. In fact we wouldn’t have been able to find these stones at all without the help of some friendly folks in the church who referred us to a woman from the local historical society. After we phoned her, Anita quickly arrived with her Monument Inscription booklet in hand, and led us to the BOORMAN graves. She had been one of the volunteers who transcribed the stones over 20 year earlier (perhaps as early as 1980) when they were somewhat more readable. Even so, she said they worked at night and shone flashlights obliquely so the shadows would improve the relief and visibility of the inscriptions. The Staplehurst Society's MI index has been posted on their website and, together with the will, have become the main sources for this family’s information. Previous monument transcriptions had been recorded back in 1922 by Leland Duncan, a member of the Kent Archeaological Society. Some of the details vary between these two transciption. For instance: Did Mercy, William’s first wife, die at age 30 or 36?
We had the pleasure of visiting Staplehurst in 2012 on an memorable trip to England, and saw first hand the grave of William Jr together with both his wives Mercy and Jane. The neighbouring stone was erected for William’s son William III and his wive Ann nee WELLER. Not that you could tell from looking at the stones as they were virtually unreadable. So we were unsure which stone was for which William. In fact we wouldn’t have been able to find these stones at all without the help of some friendly folks in the church who referred us to a woman from the local historical society. After we phoned her, Anita quickly arrived with her Monument Inscription booklet in hand, and led us to the BOORMAN graves. She had been one of the volunteers who transcribed the stones over 20 year earlier (perhaps as early as 1980) when they were somewhat more readable. Even so, she said they worked at night and shone flashlights obliquely so the shadows would improve the relief and visibility of the inscriptions. The Staplehurst Society's MI index has been posted on their website and, together with the will, have become the main sources for this family’s information. Previous monument transcriptions had been recorded back in 1922 by Leland Duncan, a member of the Kent Archeaological Society. Some of the details vary between these two transciption. For instance: Did Mercy, William’s first wife, die at age 30 or 36?
Two gravestones for two William BOORMANs and their wives
in Staplehurst All Saints Churchyard, Kent, England.
The grave on the right is for the older William who wrote his will in 1785.
Taken in 2012, Terry stands behind the grave of the younger William and Ann.
in Staplehurst All Saints Churchyard, Kent, England.
The grave on the right is for the older William who wrote his will in 1785.
Taken in 2012, Terry stands behind the grave of the younger William and Ann.
So, what other insights can we gain from William Jr’s Last Will and Testament? The will is crammed onto a single but large page. I have transcribed it fully so can vouch for the following succinct highlights as written by another researcher (although the will does not explicitly say that Anthony was the youngest son, and lists him first):
“He made his will on 19 Mar 1785 when wife Jane was still alive. Ref. No. Kent Archive Office PRC17/102.22. Jane was provided for: youngest [?] son Anthony got 300 pounds if he returned home: son William of Headcorn got his father’s house and land in Staplehurst: and daughter Mercy and son-in-law James Carpenter got land in Cranbrook. By 1818 son William was William Boorman, wheelwright of Staplehurst.”
“He made his will on 19 Mar 1785 when wife Jane was still alive. Ref. No. Kent Archive Office PRC17/102.22. Jane was provided for: youngest [?] son Anthony got 300 pounds if he returned home: son William of Headcorn got his father’s house and land in Staplehurst: and daughter Mercy and son-in-law James Carpenter got land in Cranbrook. By 1818 son William was William Boorman, wheelwright of Staplehurst.”
Son William III was a co-executor along with a John Merrall. As Jane, his father’s second wife, had already passed away before 1790, that would have greatly simplified the probate process. (Her name was Jane HUSMAR or HUSMAN when she married William, but it doesn't say if she was a spinster or a widow.) Had she lived, the will required both William and Mercy to pay separate annual annuities to their stepmother, and defer transfer of some of the properties set aside for her use.
We know the least about son Anthony BOORMAN. He was alive in 1785, but I can’t find record of his birth or marriage or death in England. So perhaps he emigrated to one of the colonies? At this point I don’t even know if he ever returned home to collect his inheritance. £300 was a lot of money back then, and constituted at least half the value of his father's estate according to the probate notes (see image below). Anthony's two siblings would have been greatly relieved if he was a no show, because the will required each of them to pay £150 to Anthony as repayment of their debts owed to their father. Otherwise, these debts would be forgiven. I can image that such large payments would have caused quite a cashflow problem, as the real estate was not theirs to liquidate during their lifetimes. I would really like to find Anthony and see how his fortunes faired. Could he have been the eldest son?
We know the least about son Anthony BOORMAN. He was alive in 1785, but I can’t find record of his birth or marriage or death in England. So perhaps he emigrated to one of the colonies? At this point I don’t even know if he ever returned home to collect his inheritance. £300 was a lot of money back then, and constituted at least half the value of his father's estate according to the probate notes (see image below). Anthony's two siblings would have been greatly relieved if he was a no show, because the will required each of them to pay £150 to Anthony as repayment of their debts owed to their father. Otherwise, these debts would be forgiven. I can image that such large payments would have caused quite a cashflow problem, as the real estate was not theirs to liquidate during their lifetimes. I would really like to find Anthony and see how his fortunes faired. Could he have been the eldest son?
This 1790 probate notice for the 1785 will of William BOORMAN values the estate at under £600.
Daughter Mercy BOORMAN was already married to James CARPENTER and they had five children by 1790, although the youngest child wasn’t born until after 1785 when the will was written. They inherited about 22 acres in Cranbrook with house, barn and buildings that was occupied by Richard Drawley (not sure if I’ve read this last name correctly), to be held in trust for their children upon their death (which occurred in 1825 for James and 1816 for Mercy). Earlier generations of this Boorman family were rooted in Cranbrook, so I wonder if this land had been passed down from William Jr’s grandfather Thomas, a husbandman who died young in Cranbrook Kent in 1698 at the age of 31. Mercy and James also split the household goods and books with brother William.
Son William BOORMAN III (1746-1824) inherited the most land from his father. In 1785 he was living in Headcorn with his wife Ann (nee WELLER) and their ten children. Were they living on property that previously belonged to his grandfather? We haven’t yet found the grandfather’s will from about 1771 to find out details of that estate. But it would be fitting if a grandson took over his wheelwright business in Headcorn (just a guess at this point). William III inherited his father’s dwelling house or apartment with orchard and garden shop and timber yard in Staplehurst AND the additional properties there that were bequeathed to Jane. In a similar manner, these properties were in trust for their children upon their death (William would died in 1824 and Ann in 1829). In addition, William split the household goods and books with his sister, and inherited the balance of the estate. At some point after his father's death, William set up residence in Staplehurst (some say 1818?). William and Ann were buried in the Staplehurst churchyard beside his father.
William III’s youngest son Edward became the next BOORMAN wheelwright of Staplehurst, keeping up the tradition of trade if not the first name. However, Edward did not own his property according to tithe records. But that's another story!
Son William BOORMAN III (1746-1824) inherited the most land from his father. In 1785 he was living in Headcorn with his wife Ann (nee WELLER) and their ten children. Were they living on property that previously belonged to his grandfather? We haven’t yet found the grandfather’s will from about 1771 to find out details of that estate. But it would be fitting if a grandson took over his wheelwright business in Headcorn (just a guess at this point). William III inherited his father’s dwelling house or apartment with orchard and garden shop and timber yard in Staplehurst AND the additional properties there that were bequeathed to Jane. In a similar manner, these properties were in trust for their children upon their death (William would died in 1824 and Ann in 1829). In addition, William split the household goods and books with his sister, and inherited the balance of the estate. At some point after his father's death, William set up residence in Staplehurst (some say 1818?). William and Ann were buried in the Staplehurst churchyard beside his father.
William III’s youngest son Edward became the next BOORMAN wheelwright of Staplehurst, keeping up the tradition of trade if not the first name. However, Edward did not own his property according to tithe records. But that's another story!
William BOORMAN Jr's one-page will, with its wealth of details as well as properties, has made it possible for us to build this early Boorman family with some certainty, and to gain insights into how this family interacted. William went out of his way to ensure (on his own terms) that his 3 children and considerable number of grandchildren benefited from the impressive amount of property and belongings that he had amassed during his lifetime. And he at least tried to entice his son Anthony home again.
All Saints Church, Staplehurst Kent, ca 1935. Boorman graves somewhere on the far right.
http://www.staplehurstsociety.org/pagec001.html
http://www.staplehurstsociety.org/pagec001.html
I have posted further information on Terry's BOORMAN heritage on our Boorman page.
REFERENCES and FURTHER READING
The Staplehurst Society - http://www.staplehurstsociety.org/
The History of Staplehurst - http://www.staplehurstsociety.org/Staplehurst%20History.pdf
Bly Court Manor - https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101060739-bly-court-manor-staplehurst#.Wp8-55PwYy9
Boorman Family Research by John Squier - http://squierj.freeyellow.com/TreeSquier/Boorman/Tree5A-Boorman.htm#833_William_Boorman
Kent Probate Index: Canterbury Probate Records (1396-1858) Database - https://wills.canterbury-cathedral.org/
Kent Archaeological Society - http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/
Kent Monument Inscriptions - http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIslist.htm
Wheelwrights Guild History - The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights - http://www.wheelwrights.org/history.php
The Wheelwright’s Craft, Witheridge Historical Archive -
http://www.witheridge-historical-archive.com/wheelwright.htm
Painting of Wheelwright Shop - “Interior of the Coach-Wheelwright's Shop at 4 1/2 Marshall Street, Soho, London” by Clare Atwood (1866-1962), held at the Museum of London (© the artist’s estate) -
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/interior-of-the-coach-wheelwrights-shop-at-4-12-marshall-street-soho-london-50516
Wheelwright - wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelwright
Brattle Farm Museum in Staplehurst Kent - youTube video shows old farm equipment, vehicles, tools and wheels:
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