With its early registers lost, and with it having only a tiny population in the past, I have made a list of wills made by people who lived in Frinton before 1859, and named the people who appear in them. I haven’t gone into detail about what each person inherited – you will need to check the wills for that.
The names of testators, beneficiaries, executors and witnesses are listed alphabetically. There are five Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (PCC), and twelve wills held at the Essex Record Office (ERO).
A
Annis, John - mentioned, 1813/1822 Late brother-in-law of Richard Stone, mentioned in his will. Richard also mentioned John’s four daughters, although they aren’t named.
Ayscough, Sarah- witness, 1761/1762 One of three witnesses to the will of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall.
B
Bacon, Thomas, of Frinton - testator, 1590/1 ERO. Noncupative will, given when he was “sicke uppon his bed.”
- his master Edward Heard of Frinton
- his father (unnamed)
- his brother’s children: unnamed
- Told to the above Edward Heard on 16 March 1590/1.
Baker, James - witness, 1659/1660 One of three witnesses to the will of William Seagrave of Frinton.
Barnard, John, of Walton Hall, farmer - mentioned, 1761/1762A friend of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will.
Barnard, William, of Walton Hall, farmer - mentioned, 1813/1822A friend of Richard Stone of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will.
Bayley, Alicia - witness, 1761/1762 One of the witnesses to the codicil will of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall.
Bayscy, William, of Frinton - testator, 1537 Registered copy only, held at ERO.
Beale, Alce - witness, 1611One of the two witnesses to the will of Joan Haward.
Brasier./Brasyer, John, late of Walton, deceased - mentioned, 1572/1573 In his will, John Thurston of Frinton Hall mentions that he was executor of John Brasier’s will, and that he is owed money for it, as well as there having been a “suite of lawe” in connection with it. There are two Brasier/Brasyer v Thurston Chancery documents at TNA – one dated 1571 – which involve the manor of Walton Hall.
Broune, John, servant of John Thursten of Frinton - testator, 1570Registered copy only, held at ERO.
Burges, Jeronimo - witness?, 1607Signs at the end of Richard Goslinge’s will.
C
Caly, Richard of Walton - executor, 1611Executor of Joan Haward’s will, with her daughter Elizabeth.
Carter, John of Frinton and Alice - mentioned, 1472/3 “John Carter of Frinton and Alice” (perhaps his wife), mentioned in the will of John Nobill/Robill, rector of Frinton .
Carter, William - vendor, 1572/3 .Mentioned in the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall. He had bought some land in Frinton from William Cartar jnr (Carter).
Cawston, Robert - witness, 1601One of two witnesses to the will of Richard Heard.
Cole, Thomas - witness, 1572/1573 One of four witnesses to the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall.
Cooke, Thomas - witness, 1572/1573 One of four witnesses to the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall.
D
Daniel, William - witness, 1761/1762 One of three witnesses to the will of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall.
Daniels, John, of Kirby-le-Soken, shopkeeper - mentioned, 1813/1822John swore that the signature on Richard Stone’s will was indeed Richard’s.
Danyell, John - witness, 1572/1573 One of four witnesses to the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall.
Dennis, William, of Kirby-le-Soken, farmer - mentioned, 1813/1822A friend of Richard Stone of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will.
Dennis, William - executor, 1822/1824The brother of Elizabeth Stone, mentioned in her will. Her executor.
Duckworthe, Chris. - witness, 1611One of the two witnesses to the will of Joan Haward.
Dyar, John, of Frinton - testator, 1571Registered copy only, held at ERO.
E
Eley, Ann, wife of John Eley - beneficiary, 1813/1822The daughter of Richard Stone, mentioned in his will.
Eley, Ann - beneficiary, 1822/1824The daughter-in-law (stepdaughter) of Elizabeth Stone, mentioned in her will.
Everred, Annis - witness, 1610/1One of two witnesses to Nicholas Haiward’s will.
F
Felix, Thomas - witness, 1572/1573 One of four witnesses to the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall.
Flack, William - mentioned, 1761/1762Mentioned in the will of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall, in connection with Joseph’s marriage settlement.
Forth, Richard, clerk - bondsman, witness 1594Mentioned in the will of Humphrey Mapted. According to the Clergy Database, Forth became the rector of Great Holland in 1591.
Forth, Richard - witness, 1601One of two witnesses to the will of Richard Heard.
G
Gardenor, William of Frinton - testator, 1559/60 Registered copy only, at ERO. Might be the William Gardiner mentioned in John Thurston’s will.
Gardiner, William - mentioned, 1572/1573 Mentioned in the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall. John’s sons John and Steven inherited land from William Gardiner. He might be William Gardenor.
Gardiner, William - witness, 1741/2One of three witnesses to the will of Thomas Lee.
Goldyng, George - witness, 1594 One of three witnesses to the will of Humphrey Mapted.
Goslinge, Alice - beneficiary, 1607The wife children of Richard Goslinge, mentioned in his will.
Goslinge, Alice, Elizabeth, Jeremy - beneficiaries, 1607The three children of Richard Goslinge, mentioned in his will. All under 21.
Goslinge, Richard, husbandman, of Frinton - testator, 1607ERO.
- To be buried in the churchyard at Frinton
- son Jeremy Gosling, under 21
- daughters Alice and Elizabeth, both under 21
- wife Alice
- Uncle Jeremy Purdue
- Witness? Jeronimo Burges
Written 4 Nov 1607
H
Harman, Bridgett - beneficiary, 1594Mentioned in the will of Humphrey Mapted.
Haiward, Ellen - beneficiary, 1610/1The youngest sister of Nicholas Haward, mentioned in his will.
Haiward, Joane - beneficiary, 1610/1The wife of Nicholas Haward, mentioned in his will.
Haiward, Joane - witness, 1610/1One of two witnesses to Nicholas Haiward’s will. As the will was noncupative, as in, it was given verbally as Nicholas was dying, this is probably his wife.
Haiward, Nicholas, husbandman of Frinton - testator, 1610/1ERO have indexed his surname as Haward. Noncupative will.
- To be buried in the churchyard at Frinton.
- wife Joane
- eldest sister Sislye Haiward
- youngest sister Ellen Haiward
- witnesses: Annis Everred, Johane Haiward
Written 22 March 1610/1.
Haiward, Sislye - beneficiary, 1610/1The eldest sister of Nicholas Haward, mentioned in his will.
Haukes, Phebe - beneficiary, 1601Mentioned in the will of Richard Heard.
Haward, Joan, of Frinton - testator, 1611ERO.
- daughter Elizabeth, under 20
- son William [note it’s not clear if these children were also called Haward or if they were from a previous marriage, as their surnames aren’t given in the will]
- executor: Richard Caly of Walton
- witnesses: Chris. Duckworthe, Alce Beale x
Written 4 April 1611, probate 30 April 1611
Heard, Charity - beneficiary, 1601Wife of Richard Heard of Frinton. She possibly remarried Raphe Goldinge (who might in turn be related to George Goldyng, witness of Humphrey Mapted’s 1594 will) in Thorrington in 1602.
Heard, Edward, of Frinton - executor, 1591Mentioned in the will of Thomas Bacon of Frinton. Edward was Thomas’ “master”, and he told Edward his will verbally as he was dying. He wanted Edward to manage dividing his goods among his father and his brother’s children.
Heard, Edward, of Frinton - mentioned, 1594 The neighbour of Humphrey Mapted, mentioned in his will.
Heard, John - beneficiary, 1601Nephew of Richard Heard, mentioned in his will. His brother’s son, to be apprenticed, so he was presumably around the age of 14. John’s father’s name isn’t mentioned.
Heard, Mary/Marie - beneficiary, 1601Daughter of Richard Heard, mentioned in his will.
Heard, Richard - witness, 1594 One of three witnesses to the will of Humphrey Mapted.
Heard, Richard, of Frinton - testator, 1601ERO.
- wife Charity
- son Richard, under 21
- daughter Mary/Marie, under 22
- John Heard, his brother’s son, to be apprenticed (so age would be around 14)
- wife’s daughter, Winifred Hunt
- “The rest of my wife’s children”, under 21
- Richard Ward, Peter Wigin, Phebe Haukes
- John Maynard of Clacton Magna and John Royse of Holland Magna – to be the guardians of his children if Charity died while they are under age
- witnesses: Richard Forthe, Robert Cawston
Will written 9 December 1601.
Heard, Richard - beneficiary, 1601Son of Richard Heard, mentioned in his will.
Mother Hewett - beneficiary, 1594Mentioned in the will of Humphrey Mapted.
Holland, John - vendor, 1572/1573 Mentioned in the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall. John Thurston had bought some land from John Holland, and this was to be inherited by Thurston’s son Thomas.
Hubbard/Hubberd, John, Elizabeth, Bennett - beneficiaries, 1572/1573 Mentioned in the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall. His wife’s three children from her previous marriage to Richard Hubberd.
Hunt, Winifred - beneficiary, 1601Stepdaughter of Richard Heard.
Hurlock, Mark - mentioned, 1761/1762Mentioned in the will of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall, in connection with Joseph’s marriage settlement.
M
Mapted, Elizabeth - beneficiary, 1594 The wife of Humphrey Mapted, mentioned in his will.
Mapted, Humphrey of Frinton- testator, 1594ERO.
- wife Elizabeth
- neighbour Edward Heard of Frinton
- “all my daughters”
- daughter Mary
- my servants
- servants John Munt and Samuell Walter
- Bridgett Harman
- Mother Hewett
- John Ward of Much Clackon [Great Clacton]
- Richard Forth, clerk
- Witnesses: Richard Forthe, George Goldyng, Richard Heard x
Written 25 Aug 1594
Mapted, Mary - beneficiary, 1594 The daughter of Humphrey Mapted, mentioned in his will. He also mentions his “daughters”, but only Mary is named as one of them.
Maynard, John, of Great Clacton - guardian, 1601Mentioned in the will of Richard Heard. John Maynard and John Royse the elder were to be the guardians of Richard’s children if his wife Charity died while they were underage.
Munt, John - beneficiary, 1594A servant of Humphrey Mapted, mentioned in his will.
N
Nobill, John, Rector of Frinton - testator, 1473 PCC will. The National Archives have indexed his surname as Robill, but looking at the will, I think it’s more like to be Nobill. The first letters of his surname and Rector, are different. The Clergy Database, which I usually check for information on vicars, rectors, etc, doesn’t go back far enough to shed light on what his name should be.
In his will, he mentions:
- William Prior
- William Sampell
- John Sampell, vicar of Walton
- John Prior of Kirby
- John Carter of Frinton and Alice
Written 10 Feb 1472/3 in Latin, probate 17 March 1472/3.
L
Lee, Thomas, husbandman of Frinton - testator, 1741/2 ERO.
- sister Anne Riddleston, and her husband Joseph Riddleston of Stoke near Nayland, Suffolk, husbandman
- Elizabeth daughter of Joseph and Anne Riddleston
- sister Elizabeth Smith of Boxford, Essex [presumably a mistake and this should be Suffolk]
- sister Mary Worril of Boxtead, Essex [Boxted]
- sister Sarah Woodward of Rochford Hundred
- Anne Riddleston, Bridgett Riddleston, Edward Riddleston – children of Jasper and Anne Riddleston
- the child of Elizabeth Smith (unnamed)
- the three children of Mary Worril (unnamed)
- witnesses: William Gardiner, Samll. Wheeler, William Wood x
Written 8 March 1741/2, probate 20 March 1741/2.
P
Pirton, Edmund, esqr - supervisor, 1572/3 Named as the supervisor of the will of John Thurston of Frinton Hall.
Prior, John, of Kirby - mentioned, 1472/3 Mentioned in the will of John Nobill/Robill, rector of Frinton .
Prior, William - mentioned, 1472/3 Mentioned in the will of John Nobill/Robill, rector of Frinton .
Purdue, Jeremy - bondsman, 1607The uncle of Richard Goslinge, mentioned in his will. If Richard’s wife remarries, she must enter a bond with his uncle Jeremy Purdue to pay the legacies to Richard’s children when they are of age.
R
Rainolds, Ja. (James?) - witness, 1659/1660 One of three witnesses to the will of William Seagrave of Frinton.
Riddleston, Anne and Joseph of Stoke-by-Nayland - beneficiaries, 1741/2 Anne is the husband of Joseph Riddleston, and the sister of Thomas Lee. She and her husband are mentioned in the will of Thomas Lee.
Riddleston, Anne, Bridgett, Edward, Elizabeth - beneficiaries, 1741/2The children of Anne and Joseph Riddleston of Stoke-by-Nayland. They are mentioned in the will of Thomas Lee their maternal uncle.
Robill, John, Rector of Frinton - testator, 1473 PCC will. See Nobill, John.
Royse, John, the elder of Great Holland - guardian, 1601Mentioned in the will of Richard Heard. John Maynard and John Royse the elder were to be the guardians of Richard’s children if his wife Charity died while they were underage.
S
Sampell, John, vicar of Walter - mentioned, 1472/3 Mentioned in the will of John Nobill/Robill, rector of Frinton .
Sampell, William, vicar - mentioned, 1472/3 Mentioned in the will of John Nobill/Robill, rector of Frinton .
Seagrave, Margaret - beneficiary, 1659/1660 The wife of William Seagrave, yeoman, of Frinton, mentioned in his will.
Seagrave, Martha - beneficiary, 1659/1660 The daughter of William Seagrave, yeoman, of Frinton, mentioned in his will. Under 21.
Seagrave, Paul - beneficiary, 1659/1660 The son of William Seagrave, yeoman, of Frinton, mentioned in his will. Under 21.
Seagrave, Sarah - beneficiary, 1659/1660 The daughter of William Seagrave, yeoman, of Frinton, mentioned in his will. Under 21.
Seagrave, William, yeoman of Frinton - testator, 1659/1660.PCC
- sons William Seagrave and Paul Seagrave, under 21
- Property in Ramsey occupied by Alexander Biose? or Diose?
- wife Margaret
- daughters Martha Seagrave and Sarah Seagrave, under 21
- Witnesses: Ja. Rainolds, James Baker x, Thomas Stone
Written 21 Dec 1659, probate 13 July 1660.
Seagrave, William - beneficiary, 1659/1660 The son of William Seagrave, yeoman, of Frinton, mentioned in his will. Under 21.
Shearecroft, Robert, of Thorpe Hall - mentioned, 1761/1762A friend of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will.
Smith, Elizabeth, of Boxford - beneficiary, 1741/2The sister of Thomas Lee, mentioned in his will. Thomas mentioned a child of Elizabeth Smith’s, but didn’t name them.
Sparling, Mary & W. - witnesses, 1813/1822 The two witnesses to the will of Richard Stone of Frinton Hall, Mary Sparling and W. Sparling.
Stone, Elizabeth, widow of Richard Stone late of Frinton - testator, 1822/1824PCC. Not clear if she continued to live in Frinton after her husband’s death as the will only says that it was her late husband who lived in Frinton.
- son-in-law Richard Stone of Kirby, farmer
- son-in-law William Stone
- daughter-in-law Ann Eley
- son-in-law Thomas Stone
- brother William Dennis, executor
- witnessed by solicitors’ clerks
Written 6 Nov 1822, probate 11 Feb 1824
Note that in-law doesn’t necessarily mean what it does today – in this instance, Elizabeth is referring to her stepchildren.
Stone, Richard, William and Thomas - beneficiaries, 1813/1822Richard Stone, William Stone and Thomas Stone – the sons of Richard Stone, mentioned in his will.
Stone, Richard, William and Thomas - beneficiaries, 1822/1824Richard Stone of Kirby, farmer, William and Thomas Stone – the sons-in-law (stepsons) of Elizabeth Stone, mentioned in her will.
Stone, Richard, of Frinton Hall - testator, 1813/1822ERO.
- late brother-in-law John Annis
- John Annis’ four daughters
- sons: Richard Stone, William Stone, Thomas Stone
- daughter: Ann, wife of John Eley
- friends: William Barnard of Walton Hall and William Dennis of Kirby-le-Soken, farmer
- witnesses: Mary Sparling, W. Sparling
Written 4 May 1813, died in Frinton 27 Aug 1821, probate 22 Jan 1822.
John Daniels, shopkeeper of Kirby, made oath that it was Richard’s signature on the will.
Stone, Thomas - witness, 1659/1660 One of three witnesses to the will of William Seagrave of Frinton.
Swallow, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary - beneficiaries, 1761/1762Catherine, Elizabeth and Mary, the nieces of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will.
Swallow, Elizabeth - beneficiary, 1761/1762The wife of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will.
Swallow, Joseph, farmer of Frinton Hall - testator, 1761/1762 PPC
- wife Elizabeth [his “now” wife, as if she is his second or third wife]
- William Flack and Mark Hurlock – mentioned in connection with a marriage settlement between Joseph and Elizabeth
- nieces Mary Swallow, Elizabeth Swallow, Catherine Swallow
- nephew Robert Swallow, under 23
- friends: Robert Shearecroft of Thorpe Hall, gent., and John Barnard of Walton Hall, farmer
- nephew Joseph Swallow, under 23
Written 11 June 1761, probate 3 Feb 1762.
Swallow, Joseph, Robert - beneficiaries, 1761/1762Joseph and Robert, the nephews of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will. Both under 23.
T
Thurston, Agnes - beneficiary, 1572/1573 The daughter of John Thurston of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will. Agnes’ children are mentioned too, although not named, so presumably Agnes had married, but her husband isn’t named either.
Thurston, Edmund - beneficiary, 1572/1573 The son of John Thurston of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will. Under 21.
Thurston, John, of Frinton Hall, Frinton - testator, 1572/1573 PCC.
- to be buried in Frinton’s churchyard.
- money to the poor of Walton, Thorpe, Kirby, Great Clacton, Great and Little Holland.
- wife Margaret
- son John Thurston
- had bought some land in Frinton from William Cartar junior
- son Steven, under 21
- son John has land in Great Clacton, a bequest from William Gardiner [presumably the will of William Gardenor of Frinton, 1559/60, at ERO]. Son Steven has some land from William’s will as well.
- son Thomas, under 21 to inherit land bought from John Holland
- son Edmund, under 21
- daughter Agnes
- daughter Marie
- daughter Mercye, under 21
- said wife’s three children [from her former marriage]: John Hubberd, Elizabeth and Bennett Hubberd, all under 21
- The now children of my daughters Agnes and Marye, under 21 [these two daughters had married and had children]
- had been executor of the will of John Brasier, late of Walton, deceased [possibly the PCC will of John Brayser the elder of Walton, written 12 Feb 1545/6, although John Thurston isn’t mentioned in it. John Brayser’s son was also caled John, so perhaps it’s hill will. Thurston mentions a “suite of lawe” in connection with this, and there are two Brasier/Brasyer v Thurston Chancery documents at TNA – one dated 1571 – which involve the manor of Walton Hall].
- supervisor of the will: Edmund Pirton esqr.
- witnesses: Thos Felix, Thos Cooke, John Danyell, Thos Cole
Written 24 Nov 1572, probate 16 June 1573
Note that John’s widow Margaret was born Margaret Tendring, the daughter of John Tendring of Boreham (?-1552) and Joan Cracherode. Margaret’s first husband was Richard Hubberd (mentioned in her father’s will), then she married John Thurston. In 1574, in Boreham, she married Ralph Starling of Dedham (?-1580). Ralph was the father of Bridget Starling (1562-?) who married Sir Thomas Bowes of East Bergholt (and had Sir Thomas Bowes, the JP who aided The Witchfinder General), and in 1601, she married Charles Cardinall (?-1624) and had one son, James Cardinall (1603-1664). Margaret died in Dedham in 1586 and left a will (ERO – see transcription on the wills page) which refers to her children by both Richard Hubberd (Bennet Arkesden, wife of Thomas Arkesden; John Hubbarde) and John Thurston (Mercy, Edmund and Thomas), and her stepchildren (Bridget, Mary and Ralph Starling). Margaret’s will also mentions Thomas and Elizabeth Hearde, her daughter’s children – they are presumably the children of her daughter Elizabeth Hubberd.
Thurston, John - beneficiary, 1572/1573 The son of John Thurston of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will. Also mentions that John jnr had inherited some land from William Gardiner.
Thurston, Margaret - beneficiary, 1572/1573 The wife of John Thurston of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will.
Thurston, Marie/Mary - beneficiary, 1572/1573 The daughter of John Thurston of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will. Marie’s children are mentioned too, although not named, so presumably Marie had married, but her husband isn’t named either.
Thurston, Mercye - beneficiary, 1572/1573 The daughter of John Thurston of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will. Under 21. It is possible that Mercy married William Farrer in London in 1596.
Thurston, Steven - beneficiary, 1572/1573 The son of John Thurston of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will. Under 21. Also mentions that Steven had inherited some land from William Gardiner.
Thurston, Thomas - beneficiary, 1572/1573 The son of John Thurston of Frinton Hall, mentioned in his will. Under 21. To inherit land bought from John Holland.
Turner, Jacob - witness, 1761/1762 One of the witnesses to the codicil will of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall.
W
Walter, Samuel - beneficiary, 1594A servant of Humphrey Mapted, mentioned in his will.
Ward, John, of Much Clackon (Great Clacton) - beneficiary, 1594Mentioned in the will of Humphrey Mapted.
Ward, Richard - beneficiary, 1601Mentioned in the will of Richard Heard.
Wheeler, Samuell - witness, 1741/2One of three witnesses to the will of Thomas Lee.
Wigin, Peter - beneficiary, 1601Mentioned in the will of Richard Heard.
Wood, William - witness, 1741/2One of three witnesses to the will of Thomas Lee.
Woodward, Sarah, of Rochford Hundred, Essex - beneficiary, 1741/2The sister of Thomas Lee, mentioned in his will.
Worril, Mary, of Boxted, Essex - beneficiary, 1741/2The sister of Thomas Lee, mentioned in his will. Thomas mentioned three children of Mary’s, but didn’t name them.
Wright, Thomas - witness, 1761/1762 One of three witnesses to the will of Joseph Swallow of Frinton Hall.
