Suffolk wills – D

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Some wills have been transcribed in full, whereas others are a paraphrased transcription. If they are paraphrased, they contain the names of all those mentioned in the will, with the gist of what they were (or were not!) bequeathed, but to find the full details, such as the names of property, requests as to how they were to be buried etc., please contact the relevant archive. The wills are either from the Suffolk Record Office (ERO), the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC), or the Norfolk Record Office (NRO).

Day, Abraham, farmer of Washbrook, 1748

  • Wife Mary the use of half of Abraham’s farming implements. The other half to his son John. John and Mary to live together and run the farm together. Abraham holds farms and lands in Washbrook and Little Wenham
  • After Mary’s death, the farming implements to be sold and from the money £5 each to daughters Mary (wife of Robert Pascall) and Sarah (wife of William Garwood).
  • Rest and residue to be divided among the children of his sons and daughters (note it does says sons but the only son named in the will is John).
  • 40 shillings to daughter Sarah Garwood

Executors: wife Mary and son John

Witnesses: Susan Heard x, Richd King x, John Burrell

Written 13 Mar 1747/8, proved 2 April 1748

SRO ref IC/AA1/177/18

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Day, Isaac, yeoman of Washbrook, 1774

  • £5 each to sons John Day and William Day, and daughters Ann Leverett, Mary Bush and Sarah Bush
  • £50 each to sons George Day and Isaac Day, and daughter Ann Day
  • Wife Ann: interest on £200 for life. After her death, the £200 to be divided between children Mary Bush, Sarah Bush, Ann Day and Isaac Day
  • Has recently sold property in Capel and conveyed it to sons John Day and George Day
  • Son Abraham Day: rest and residue

Executors: sons Abraham and Isaac

Witnesses John Lewis, Pet. Clarke, Thos. F. Notcutt

Written 9 May 1772

Codicil: £10 each for Mary Bush and Sarah Bush instead of £5 each. Son George Day has already received his £50 so is to receive no more.

Written 4 July 1772, proved 22 April 1774.

SRO ref IC/AA1/194/116

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Day, John, farmer of Washbrook, 1808

  • Executives Saml Tricker, innholder of Stratford St Mary and James Turner of Little Wenham, farmer.
  • To his mother (unnamed in the will): 6 shillings a week plus house, rent and “firing”
  • Wife Rachael Laws Day: rents, profits etc while a widow.
  • His children: Rachael Laws Day, Ann Day, John Day, Samuel Crussel Day, William Henry Day
  • At wife’s marriage or death, property leases etc to be sold and government securities bought to raise the children. When the youngest reaches 21, to be divided between them.

Witnesses: Newman Jno Stubbin, Isaac Bush, John Stubbin

Written 14 April 1808, proved 12 November 1808

SRO ref IC/AA1/228/102

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Derehaugh, Francis of Gedgrave, 1621

  • Has entered into a bond with John [Marcon or Marton?] the younger of St Andrews, Suffolk, regarding estate in Peasenhall, Suffolk.
  • Brother Robert Derehaugh, under 21
  • Late uncle Robert Derehaugh of Gray’s Inn brough property in High Holborn in testator’s name and in the name of William Vesey of Gray’s Inn.
  • Owned Gedgrave Hall.
  • Bond with Arthur Middleton of Horsham, Surrey, gent and John Godbould, gent. His properties, including Gedgrave Hall, to pay for various debts, including his father’s.
  • Brother James Derehaugh
  • Mother Mary Martine, £200 if she survives her husband, Peter Martyne.
  • Sister Mary Saxey, widow and late wife of William Saxey esq, £200
  • Dorothy Derehaugh £300
  • Arthur Middleton £500
  • John Gardiner and John Godbould both of Gray’s Inn, £200 each
  • If both brothers die before debts and legacies paid, Arthur Middleton to have the properties, and to his heirs. If he has no heirs, to Thomas Derehaugh of Badingham, gent.
  • The poor of Orford

Witnesses: Thomas Bence, Anthony Porter

Written: 1 Oct 1615

Published and declared again on 31 Aug 1616. Probate: 1 May 1621.

Witnesses: Jonas Beriman, John Girling, John Thurston, George Birch

PCC

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Derehaughe [Derehaugh], John of Blythburgh, 1461

Admon: 29 Oct 1461 to Thomas ? of Southwold

NRO

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Derehawe [Derehaugh], John of Badingham, 1497

  • To be buried in St John’s churchyard
  • Money to high altars of Bruisyard and Cransford
  • Money to Bruisyard convent
  • Money for repairs to highway at Peasenhall called Priests Hill
  • Money for a priest to sing for his soul for a whole year at Badingham church
  • Youngest son Robert: close called Roydons for life after the death of his mother. If he dies without lawful issue, to my son Robert Derehawe the elder after the death of his mother.
  • Also to youngest son Robert: four [?] and my horse
  • Goddaughter Elizabeth Derhowe: 5 marks on her marriage. If she dies before marriage, 5 marks to her sister Margaret
  • 12d to each of my godchildren
  • Eldest son Robert: copyhold lands in Easton Courte? and Bensinede? with my wife Margaret for life. After her death, to the said Robert and his lawful heirs
  • Rest and residue to be disposed of by executors

Executors: wife Margaret and son Robert the elder

Written 26 Jan 1496/7, probate 10 June 1497

NRO

Transcriber’s notes: one of his sons, either Robert the elder or younger, appears to be Robert Derhaugh of Bruisyard, who wrote his will in 1525. This would make John the great-grandfather of William of Great Bromley, Edward of Markshall and Gedgrave, and Robert of Gray’s Inn.

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Darhaughe [Derehaugh], John of Badingham, 1559

  • To be buried in the church or churchyard of Badingham
  • Wife Agnes for life: manor, messuage or tenements in Hacheston, and land and tenements in Badingham called Joyes and Raydons. And wood and pasture called Menhaughe Wood lately purchased from Francis Some esq on condition that she doesn’t claim a third part of all my manor, lands, tenements, etc.
  • Wife to occupy Colston Hall and all the land belonging to it with the corn on the ground until Michaelmas next. If she refuses to have the said premises bequeathed to her in manner and form abovesaid, then she shall have her dower according to the law of the realm, and all bequests to her will be void.
  • Land and tenements called Saphins and Pyes in Badingham and Cransford, and lands and tenements in Bedfield to descend to my next heir when 21.
  • After Michaelmas next, Colston Hall in Badingham to Thomas Bradlaugh alias Jacobbe for life, and after his death to the heirs of my body. For want of issue, to the heirs of my father Thomas Derehaugh deceased. Thomas Bradlaugh alias Jacobbe to use the profits from Colston Hall to pay my debts and to buy the wardship of my son.
  • Wife Agnes: 30 milk cows with theirs calves, and a bull. Five plough horsers or geldings, and a gelding for the saddle, and 24 sheep with their tunnes
  • Wife Agnes: £20
  • Michael Bradlaugh alias Jacobbe, and Katheryn Bradlaugh alias Jacobbe, son and daughter of my cousin Thomas Bradlaugh alias Jacobbe: £6 8sh 4d each when 21
  • Son William: when 21, and after the death of his mother, all my aforesaid manors, lands and tenements in Badingham, Cransford, Hacheston and Bedfield
  • If William dies without issue, the woods, land and pasture called Manhaugh to the said Michael Bradlaugh
  • Servants: one calf each
  • £12 to the poor
  • Son William: post bed and feather bed and all things belonging to them in my new parlour chamber, and my horse mill. If he dies before his mother, Agnes to have them.

Executors: the said Thomas Bradlaugh, and William Gardiner of Badingham

Supervisor: brother-in-law John Thurston of Hoxne

Witnesses: Edmund Welles the elder of Cransford, John Machew, Christofer Harsant, John Reveanne and others

Written 29 March 1559, probate 28 July 1559

NRO

Transcriber’s notes: a son of Thomas Derehaugh, who sits at the top of the Derehaugh tree in the “additional Suffolk pedigrees” in Metcalfe’s Suffolk Visitations. John isn’t mentioned in the tree, but he must be a brother of William and Julian. As William is known in the visitation as “William Derhaugh of Colton Hall”, it would appear that the testator had no surviving issue, so the manor descended to “the heirs of my father Thomas Derehaugh”.

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Derehawghe [Derehaugh], Juliana, of Ipswich, 1573

Admon: 5 April 1573 to her sons, Robert Cutler and William Cutler

NRO

Transcriber’s notes: Julian was buried at Ipswich St Clement’s on 6 April 1573 as “Mistress Derold”. It seems that she is Julian, the wife mentioned in Thomas Cutler of Ipswich’s 1538 will, as he names his sons Robert and William Cutler. He also mentions that he has three daughters, but doesn’t name them. Referring back to Metcalfe’s “Additional Suffolk Pedigrees”, it appears that “Robert Cutler” at the top of the tree is a mistake and that it should read “Thomas Cutler.” Joan Cutler and Anne Cutler mentioned in that pedigree must be two of the unnamed daughters in the will. And Julian’s second husband was Robert Derehaugh of Gedgrave, who died in 1557. This explains how Robert Derehaugh of Gray’s Inn, one of Robert’s sons, named Joan Cutler’s children in his will as his nieces and nephews. Julian’s maiden name, however, is currently a mystery. Also, I’m not sure if she was the mother of William Derehaugh or not, or whether Robert had been married before he married Julian.

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Derehaugh, Mary, widow of Hoxne, 1622

  • Late husband William Derehaugh of Badingham
  • Executors: nephew John Thruston of Hoxne, William Rolfe of Hadleigh
  • Daughters Susan Derehaugh and Bridget Derehaugh
  • Son Samuel Derehaugh
  • Servant Thomas Clayton
  • Her children: son Samuel and five daughters
  • Each grandchild [unnamed] a piece of gold worth 22 shillings each

Witnesses: Millicent Thruston, Isaac Preston, Nathaniel [surname missing]

Written 3 July 1619, probate 14 March 1621/2

SRO

Transcriber’s notes: See the will of her daughter Susan below.

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Derhaugh [Derehaugh], Robert, of Bruisyard, 1525

  • To be buried in the church or churchyard of Bruisyard
  • Money to the high altars of Bruisyard and Badingham to pay tithes, and money for his soul to be prayed for
  • Son Thomas: Gnolston Hall [Colston Hall, presumably], but to wife Margaret while a widow
  • Son Thomas: lease of lands called Saphins Malkyns and Throwers
  • Wife: tenements called Pyes and Allards, and a close called Joyes. After her death or remarriage, Pyes to son Thomas
  • Son Robert: tenement called Allards and close called Joyes after Margaret’s death or remarriage
  • Tenement in Bruisyard where I now dwell with ground called Bottlles and close called Reydons: to wife for life and after her death, Bottelles to son Robert, and Reydons to son Thomas
  • Son Thomas: lease of close called Rydyns in Peasenhall, paying to Thomas Jacobe my daughter’s son £6 “toward the finding of him toward his learning at such times as it shall be thought most convenient by the discretion of Humfrey Wyngfeld esq” [See 1529/1532 will of William Bredlaughe of Laxfield, Suffolk, who refers to this clause and describes Robert Derawe as his father-in-law. He was William Bredlaugh alias Jacob]
  • I give to each of my said sons six silver spoons, and two silver spoons to my daughter [daughter unnamed in the will]
  • Thomasin Spke [Sparke?] my wife’s niece two cows at Edward Crispes of Badingham
  • My godson Robert Cades two cows at the said Edward Crispis
  • Son Robert: all the money that Thonford of London owes me
  • Son Robert: ten cows that Humphrey Large of Peasenhall has of mine
  • Rest and residue to be disposed of by executors

Executors: wife Margaret, son Robert

Witnesses: Robert Darnford, John Sherwyn, Robert Hartes jun, George Hadyng.

Written 16 April 1525. No probate date.

NRO

Transcriber’s notes: the testator is presumably one of the sons of John Derehaugh of Badingham, who died in 1497, as a property called Reydons is mentioned in both wills. It’s impossible to know whether this Robert was the younger or elder of the two sons.

The testator’s son Thomas is presumably the Thomas Derehaugh who appears at the top of the tree in Metcalfe’s “additional Suffolk pedigrees” in the Suffolk Visitations he edited – father of William Derehaugh of Colston Hall, and Julian Derehaugh, wife of John Chapman alias Barker of Sibton. We can add an extra son, John, who died in 1559. His 1554 will is at the Ipswich Record Office, and NRO has his administration from 1560.

His other son, Robert, is likely to be Robert Derehaugh of Gedgrave (died 1557) – father of William (first husband of Faith Cardinall, died 1560, his brass at Great Bromley church now lost), Edward of Markshall, Essex and Gedgrave, Suffolk (husband of Julian Cardinall and Margaret Lightfoot/Clarke/Cole/Derehaugh, and Robert of Gray’s Inn.

His daughter, unnamed in the will, was the first wife of William Bredlaugh/Bradlaugh alias Jacob of Laxfiend. William’s next wife was Agnes Hare (Sir Nicholas Hare’s sister), who, after William’s death, became the second wife of William Knightley of Norwich.

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Derehaugh, Robert, of Gedgrave, c1557

Written (possibly) 26 June 1555:

  • Son and heir William Derehaugh: manor of Gedgrave in the towns of Gedgrave, Orford and Sudbourne, Suffolk, and my other free lands and tenements in Gedgrave and Orford, as shall amount to a full third part of all my lands and tenements in Suffolk
  • Executors to have residue of the manor of Gedgrave and all my other aforesaid lands and tenements in Gedgrave and Orford for three years immediately after my death for the performing of my will, and the education of my children. And after the said three years, I will and bequeath the said property devised to my executors to my son William and the heirs of his body.
  • For default of issue, to my son Edward and the heirs of his body
  • For default of issue, to my son Robert and his heirs
  • To executors for performance of the will and education of my children, all the lands and tenements in Dennington and Brundish, Suffolk, for eight years, and after that time, to my son Edward and his heirs.
  • Son William and the heirs of his body: my part of the Kings Marsh as I have given to him my manor of Gedgrave

Codicil, written 18 Oct 1557:

  • Son Edward’s bequest of the land in Dennington and Brundish null and void. Executors to sell said land, the money to pay debts and perform will. In recompense, Edward and his heirs to receive 20 marks out of the manor of Gedgrave and all other lands and tenements in Gedgrave and Orford
  • If son William refuses when he reaches 21 (or 22?) to make my son Edward sure of his annuity, Edward to receive my part of the Kings Marsh to him and his heirs forever.
  • If executors can pay debts and perform will without having to sell the said land, then Edward to receive the land as originally stated, and not to receive the annuity.

Transcriber’s notes: Robert Derehaugh’s will doesn’t seem to exist anywhere – there’s no PCC will, and no will at either the Suffolk Record Offices or Norfolk. This will was quoted in his inquisition post mortem, which took place on 21 April 1558 in Ipswich, Robert having died at Gedgrave Manor on 26 Oct 1557, not long after writing his codicil. His son William was 20 at the time of his death.

The inquisition post mortem is written in Latin, with the quoted will in English. The writing has faded quite badly, making it a challenge to decipher. The Latin lists Robert’s land in full, including names such as Lantern Marsh, which don’t appear in the will. It’s not clear if will has been quoted in full, or only the parts that relate to Robert’s land specifically. Although his executors are mentioned in the will, they’re not actually named – or if they are, the writing has faded so much as to make it impossible to read. It’s a shame, because their names would have potentially offered important clues about Robert’s family and how he fitted in with the Derehaughs in Badingham. No wife is mentioned, which suggests she might have predeceased him – perhaps she died in 1555, which prompted Robert to write this will.

The inquisition post mortem was carried out by Thomas Sackeford, John Southwell, Lionel Talmache and Francis Some. Other people mentioned (although in what capacity isn’t clear – the jurors, perhaps, or tenants of Gedgrave Manor?) are John Bacon, Robert Knapp, John Carlowe, Robert Stile, Thomas Studde, John Vere?, John Lyghtwyn, Richard Warner, John Blomefeld, Edmund Keble, Thomas Gyrlinge, and Ed. Legye.

After the names are mentioned, the lands are listed, then his will is quoted. After the will, the names Adrian Stokes, and Frances, Duchess of Suffolk appear, and *nge and Margaret his wife, and William Stanley. Then Thomas Rowse, armiger, in regards to propert in Dennington and Brundish. Frances, Duchess of Suffolk, was the daughter of Henry VIII’s sister Mary Tudor, and she was the mother of Lady Jane Grey, queen for only nine days in 1553 before being executed at the tender age of only 16 or 17. William Stanley might be the man of the same name who was the grandson of Frances’ sister Eleanor (or was he too young?). The name of Margaret’s husband has faded, so I can’t identify her, but at one point, Margaret and Frances are mentioned together. She isn’t one of Frances’ sisters as she had none by the name of Margaret. I assume they’re mentioned because they owned a manor that Robert Derehaugh had copyhold land from, but this part is in Latin, so it’s impossible to say without getting it translated.

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Derehaugh, Robert of Gedgrave, 1637

“About Christmas 1615 and in the month of December”… Robert Derehaugh said he was to “travell beyond the seas” and made a verbal will with his friends:

When I dye yf I doe not leave a will in writing I give all my estate to my sister Sexie or will that my sister Sexie have all my estate.

Probate 15 Dec 1637: In Latin, the gist of which is that William Cardinall had married Mary Cardinall alias Sexie, and that she had died, leaving the couple’s children William and Anne Cardinall.

PCC

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Dearhaugh [Derehaugh], Samuel of Peasenhall, 1627

  • Brother-in-law Francis Noone: lands called Brodock in Peasenhall for payment of testator’s debts
  • Sisters Bridget Deroh and Susan Deeroh: £200 each, to be paid out of the legacies my deceased mother gave me in her will, which is the overplus of certain lans that my mother bequeathed to John Thurston of Hopton? esq and to William Rofe of Hadlyve [Hadleigh?] towards the paymeny of my debts and legacies. Overplus to be divided among my brothers-in-law John Strattone, Reynold, and Francis Noone
  • Sisters Bridget and Susan: £20 each
  • £10 each to brothers-in-law Stratton and Buckenham
  • £20 to brother-in-law Francis Noone
  • Overplus to be divided between testator’s five sisters
  • Money, plate, and movables in the hands of John Thurston and William Rofe which my mother gave me as one-seventh part in her will: £10 each to my goddaughters Marie Stratten and Frances Noone
  • Residue to my two unmarried sisters

Executor: brother-in-law Francis Noone

Witnesses: John Jollye, William Goodalle

NRO

Written 2 Feb 1622/3, probate 24 Apr 1627

Transcriber’s notes: A son of William Derehaugh (d1610) and Mary Wright (1622 – see her will, Mary Derehaugh, widow of Hoxne, above).

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Dearhaugh, Susan, spinster of East Bergholt, 1640

Noncupative will.

“I doe give all my goods and chattells whatsoever unto Frances Noone of Melton, Suffolk, gent, my brother-in-lawe.”

In the presence of Elizabeth Woodgate x and Anne Westupp x

Given verbally: 7 Feb 1639/40, probate 2 April 1640

PCC

Transcriber’s note: Susan was the daughter of William Derehaugh of Colston Hall, Badingham, and his wife Mary Wright, daughter of Edmund Wright of Sutton Hall Suffolk and Little Buckenham, Norfolk. Susan is mentioned in her mother’s will (Mary Derehaugh of Hoxne). Her sister Dorothy had married Francis Noone.

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Derehawgh [Derehaugh], Thomas of Badingham, 1560

Administration: Oct 1560. In Latin.

Thomas Derehawgh of Badingham made his will and named his executors as his wife Alice, John Lane, and Robert Derehawgh. They have all since died, and Thomas’ daughter Juliane wife of John Chapman alias Barker swore to administer.

NRO

Transcriber’s notes: this is presumably the administration to the will of Thomas Derehaugh of Badingham, 1554, held at the record office in Ipswich. Thomas is the man at the top of the Derehaugh tree in Metcalfe’s “Additional Suffolk Pedigrees” in his Suffolk Visitations. Robert, one of the executors, could well be Robert of Gedgrave, who had died in 1557. The two men are likely to be the sons of Robert of Bruisyard, mentioned in his 1525 will.

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Derehaugh, William, 1610

Administration 14 September to his widow, Mary

NRO

Transcriber’s notes: William Derehaugh of Colston Hall – son of Thomas, brother of Julian, as per the Derehaugh tree in the “additional Suffolk pedigrees” in Metcalfe’s Suffolk Visitations.

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Derehaugh, William, esqr of Gedgrave, 1613

“My sonne Francis is not experienced in matters of the world.” Executors therefore to manage his estate.

Executors: Thomas Cornwallis of St C*, Humphrey Wingfield of Brantham, Thomas Wingfield of Ipswich.

  • Daughter Dorothy Derehaugh £400
  • Son Robert Derehaugh to be bound as an apprentice for 7 years. To be paid £400 once he has completed his apprenticeship.
  • Daughter Saxie.
  • Servant John Warren.
  • The poor of Orford.
  • Has certain household goods in his cousin Thomas Higham’s house in Stratford, Essex.

Witnesses: Francis Mason, Francis Hiegate.

Written 26 Sep 1612, probate 3 May 1613.

PCC

Transcriber’s notes: William was buried at Orford, near Gedgrave, on 30 Sep 1612. There is a memorial slab at Orford for a William Derehawghe, son of Edward Derehawghe of Markshall, who died on 23 Nov 1613 aged 53. There is no burial for that man in the register – the closest is the burial of William in 1612. It is entirely possible that the slab was laid some years after William’s death and the wrong information was included. Edward Derehaugh certainly had a son called William, who appears in his will, and Edward had land in Gedgrave. Also, a William, son of Mr Edward Deero, was baptised at Great Bromley 28 June 1561, which matches up with the details on the slab. It seems that William was the son of Julian Cardinall, and the Cardinalls were living in Great Bromley at that time. Julian’s sister Faith also married a Derehaugh, possibly another William Derehaugh, before marrying as a widow in 1561 to Henry Appleton.

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