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).
- Simpson, Joseph, saymaker of Great Waldingfield, 1683
- Simpson, Mordecai, single man of Sudbury, 1669
- [Simpson] Sympson, Mordecai, yeoman, of Shimpling, 1763
- Skinner, Elizabeth, widow of East Bergholt, 1745
- Lincon alias Skynner, Robert, clothier, of East Bergholt, 1591
- Skynner, Samuel, clothier of East Bergholt, 1609
- Lincolne alias Skynner, Stephen, clothier of East Bergholt, 1600
- Smyth, Daniell, gentleman of Walton, 1639
- Stratton, John, gentleman of Shotley, 1627
- Stratton, Thomas of Shotley, 1596
Simpson, Joseph, saymaker of Great Waldingfield, 1683
- wife Anne
- son Henry Simpson
- son Joseph Simpson
- daughter Lyddah Pegg wife of Henry Pegg
- son Mordecah Simpson
- son Thomas Simpson
- dau Mary wife of Thomas Sargent
- son John Simpson
- dau Rebecca wife of James Sparke
Leaves property, money, and looms.
Executors: wife Anne, son Henry.
Witnesses: John Olive, William Andrewes.
Written 16 Oct 1676, probate 20 Dec 1683.
The probate is written in Latin and is rather messy, so it’s hard to read. It looks as if Anne had died before the will was proved, so only Henry probates it.
SRO
Transcriber’s notes: Joseph Simpson of Wissington married Ann Collins of Stoke-by-Nayland in her home parish on 14 April 1640. Their eldest son, Joseph, was baptised in Nayland in 1641, then they moved to Great Waldingfield where most of their other children’s baptisms can be found. Mordecai Sympson of Shimpling, will below, was his grandson. Joseph appears to be my 9 x gt-grandfather.
Simpson, Mordecai, single man of Sudbury, 1669
Noncupative will.
Mordecai Simpson, a single man living in Sudbury, expressed his wished while he was ill and dying.
- Henry Barrett son of Edmund Barrett of Great Cornard: 50 shillings (abode originally entered as Sudbury, then changed. Father’s name originally entered as Edward, then changed).
- Mary Reeve and Henry Reeve, Mordecai’s brother and sister, 50 shilling each.
- Mary Gage daughter of John Gage: 50 shillings.
- Featherbed to sister Mary Reeve on her mother’s death.
Executor: Edmund Barrett (again, entered as Edward, then changed).
In the presence of John Aliston the elder x, and John Ellyston the younger.
Written 12 Sep 1669, probate 19 April 1670.
SRO
Transcriber’s notes: Mordecai Simpson is such an unusual name that presumably this testator is related to the other Mordecai Simpsons in the same area of Suffolk. Perhaps he was Joseph Simpson of Great Waldingfield’s brother?
[Simpson] Sympson, Mordecai, yeoman, of Shimpling, 1763
- cousin Thomas Sympson
- Anne Sympson, widow, mother of cousin Thomas
- cousin Mordecai Sympson
- Anne wife of George Evered
- Mary wife of Robert North
- sister Poole: has three children
- sister Mary wife of John Drewry
- cousin Mordecai Reynolds
- Sarah wife of John Boreham
- cousin Francis Reynolds, grandson of Sarah wife of Francis Reynolds
- brother Thomas Sympson has four children [named above, but not identified as such]
- sister Reynolds’s two children and her grandson Francis
Executors: cousin Mordecai Reynolds, sister Mary wife of John Drewry.
Witnesses: Hezekiah Finch x, John Ponder, Elizabeth Steed x.
Written 28 Dec 1762, probate 7 April 1763
NCC, Roper 90
Skinner, Elizabeth, widow of East Bergholt, 1745
- granddaughter Elizabeth Powell
- granddaughter Anne Cooke
- grandson Arthur Cooke
- grandson John Skinner: property in Wilby, Suffolk, and rest and residue.
Executor: grandson John Skinner.
Witnesses: Samuel Alston, John Barrow, Richard Frost.
Written 8 Dec 1744, probate 26 Jan 1744/5.
SRO
Transcriber’s notes: We only have the names of Elizabeth’s grandchildren in the will, so we need to work backwards from them to identify her children, and then her husband.
Mr Arthur Cooke, widower, married Mrs Mary Skynner, single woman, at Holton St Mary on 17 Dec 1725. They were both of Great Wenham, and were presumably the parents of the testator’s grandchildren, Anne and Arthur Cooke.
If we head to Great Wenham, we find the baptisms of ten children of John and Elizabeth Skynner, between 1688 and 1705: John, Edmund, two sons called James, Elizabeth, Thomas, Mary, two sons called Samuel, and Anne. The daughter Mary would’ve married Arthur Cooke. There are only two burials in Great Wenham for Skinners: Samuel on 29 Oct 1744, and Elizabeth on 31 Dec 1744. If the testator is the Elizabeth Skinner buried in Dec 1744 (which seems likely based on the dates in her will), presumably Samuel was the last of the two sons called Samuel, and his death prompted Elizabeth to rewrite her will, not long before her own death. Unfortunately, I can’t see when her husband died as no Suffolk burial quite works for him.
One clue is the fact that she left property in Wilby, which is about 30 miles north-east of East Bergholt. Was that where she was originally from, or perhaps her husband was, and they’re not connected to the other East Bergholt Skinners? But I’m not sure.
Lincon alias Skynner, Robert, clothier, of East Bergholt, 1591
[Robert’s father is under Suffolk wills – L, Robert Lynkon.]
- eldest son Stephen Lincon alias Skynner, U21: property in Dedham occupied by his uncle, Stephen Lincon alias Skynner.
- brother Stephen Lincon alias Skynner: owned property in Dedham, which he sold to testator.
- son Robert Lincon alias Skynner, U21: property in East Bergholt.
- brother-in-law Stephen Woodgate.
- son Samuel Lincon alias Skynner, U15. If he shows signs of being “meete to proceede in learninge” by the time he’s 15, he’s to be sent to Cambridge.
- daughter Elizabeth Lincon alias Skynner, U18: must marry with the approval of her uncles Stephen Woodgate and Stephen Lincon alias Skynner if she wants to marry U18.
- daughter Mary Lincon alias Skynner, U18: must marry with the approval of her uncles Stephen Woodgate, John Woodgate, and Stephen Lincon alias Skynner.
- Money to Dr Crycke, Dr Chapman of Dedham, Richard Dowe of Stratford, minister, John Manbye, John Phillipps, Margaret Shoppe, Peter Knoppe, Anne Chechely.
- uncle Thomas Skinner.
- friend Christopher Burrowe of East Bergholt: to bring up son Stephen and daughter Mary.
- kinsman John Goodwin to bring up son Robert.
- John Branston of East Bergholt to bring up son Samuel.
- Legacies to: Edward Riche, Arthur Grene, Robert Pascall, servant Margaret Nunne.
Executors: sons Stephen and Robert, if the testator dies once they’re of age. If they’re under age at the time of his death, John Goodwyn and Christopher Burrowe to execute.
Written 20 March 1590/1, probate 4 Sep 1591.
Probated by John Goodwyn as the sons were minors.
27 Aug 1601: Elizabeth Holloway alias Lincoln alias Skynner, daughter of testator, swore to administer. [there is more, but it’s written in hasty Latin abbreviations and not easy to untangle.]
PCC
Transcriber’s notes: it’s worth looking at the Goodwin of East Bergholt tree in vol 1 of Muskett’s Suffolk Manorial Families, which sheds light on parts of Robert’s will and demonstrates just how baroque these East Bergholt family trees can be. It tells us that his daughter Elizabeth married three times, each to East Bergholt husbands: firstly to George Hubert, who had died by 1599, secondly to William Holloway, who died by 1603, and thirdly to John Goodwin, who was only 13 in 1600, and so was tyounger than his bride – and was also related to her.
The Woodgates: Muskett states that Elizabeth’s husband #3, John Goodwin, was the son of John Goodwin and Elizabeth Woodgate. She was the only child of Stephen Woodgate and his first wife Catherine; Stephen’s 1598 will names his son-in-law John Goodwin. As an aside, his second wife was Mary Derehaugh (see my research into the Derehaugh family).
So Stephen and John Woodgate, mentioned in Robert’s will, are his wife’s brothers. Their father, also Stephen Woodgate, wrote his will in 1557 and named three daughters: Katherine, Rose, and Elizabeth. One of these girls must have been the testator’s wife. And Stephen mentioned in Robert’s will was the grandfather of Elizabeth L alias S’s third husband. So this means that when John Goodwin jnr married Elizabeth Lincoln alias Skynner, alias Hubert, alias Holloway, she was marrying her first cousin once removed.
Stephen Woodgate’s 1598 will is a treasure trove, with many names mentioned. He left money to his “kinsman”, Samuel Skinner, who would presumably be Robert L alias S’s son, and therefore his nephew. But also the brother of his grandson’s wife….
Skynner, Samuel, clothier of East Bergholt, 1609
- money for poor of East Bergholt, preacher Mr Dr Jones, Mr Stansby.
- cousin Stephen Skynner, “which I have brought up”
- Stephen Skynner of East Bergholt
- Robert Skynner of East Bergholt
- John Buckle, “my man”
- cousins Mary and Elizabeth Skinner
- “my maid” Margaret, apprentice Elizabeth, maid Rachel.
- Widow Lewis
- wife Clemence
- son Samuel U21
- daughter Clemence U18
- brother William Holloway and my sister Elizabeth: to have custody of son Samuel’s portion, putting good security to “my overseer” Mr William Cardinall of East Bergholt. Son to be brought up in the cloth trade.
- daughter’s portion to Stephen Woodgate until she’s 18
- nephew William Huberd, “my sister’s son”, U21.
- Sister’s four children, and the one she’s pregnant with.
- Old Stephen Skynner and his two children.
- Robert Skynner and his 3 children.
- “Stephen Skynner that dwelleth with me.”
Executors: brother William Holloway and Stephen Woodgate.
Overseers: William Cardinall, Robert Lynche.
Witnesses: John Barwick, John Cardinall.
Written 6 Dec 1608, probate 30 March 1609.
PCC
Transcriber’s notes: the testator is the son of Robert Lincon alias Skynner, who died in 1591 (see his will above). The only sibling he appears to mention is Elizabeth, who, as mentioned above, married three times. She was on husband #2 at the time Samuel wrote his will, before marrying her first cousin once removed.
His cousin Stephen Skynner, “Which I have brought up”, must be the same Stephen Skynner “that dwelleth with me”, and similarly he seems to mention (the other) Stephen and Robert Skynner twice: firstly as Stephen and Robert of East Bergholt, then “old Stephen Skynner” when mentioning he has two children, and Robert, when mentioning he has three. The fact that he calls him “old Stephen” and that the other Stephen lived with the testator, strongly suggests to me that these two Stephens are the two sons of that name, of Stephen Lincolne alias Skynner, who died in 1599 or 1600 (see his will below). I would think that means that Robert Skynner is Stephen’s son as well. He specifically states that Elizabeth and Mary are his cousins, so I would think that means they’re Stephen’s daughters of that name who he mentions in his will. But there’s a danger, of course, that one set of Stephens and Roberts are actually the testator’s brothers, so we must tread carefully.
Lincolne alias Skynner, Stephen, clothier of East Bergholt, 1600
- Eldest son Steven, Robert, Elizabeth, Mary.
- Uncle Richard Clarke, late of Dedham, deceased: left him money but it hasn’t yet received it. In the hands of Thomas Sharpe of Dedham.
- John Manning son of John Manning, late of Stratford, deceased.
- wife Alice
- youngest daughter Anna, U18
- youngest son Stephen, U21.
- friend Christopher Burrough of East Bergholt, clothier
- brother Robert Lincolne, late of East Bergholt, deceased, left testator money. Currently in the hands of John Goodwin of East Bergholt.
Executor: wife Alice.
Witnesses: Michael Dove, Edward Riche.
Written 27 Jan 1598/9, 13 June 1600.
PCC
Transcriber’s notes: brother of Robert Lincon alias Skynner (see his will above), and son of Robert Lynkon.
While East Bergholt’s early register has been lost, Dedham’s hasn’t, so we can piece together quite a lot about Stephen’s family as he lived there until at least the early 1590s, as he was living in Dedham when his brother Robert wrote his will in 1591. His first wife was Joan, and they had five children in Dedham: Edith (who must’ve died in childhood as she’s not mentioned in the will), Stephen, Anna (who died an infant), Anna, Robert, and Mary. Joan died in 1584. I haven’t found his marriage to Alice or the baptisms of his children, but it may well be that he moved to East Bergholt after his brother’s death, and he married again and continued to enlarge his family there. And yes, he did name two of his sons Stephen.
We have a wonderful clue as to the identity of his mother (perhaps) as he names his uncle, Richard Clarke of Dedham. I’ve tried looking for a will and not found one (as of June 2026), but you never know, it might turn up, if he left one. It could be that Richard was his mother’s brother, but then again, “uncle” could mean his father had a sister who married Richard, or he’s related via one of his wives.
Christopher Burrough pops up again – the testator’s brother was his friend, too, and gave him the responsibility of raising two of his children.
Note the 1631 will of Mary Hollaway of East Bergholt mentions Stephen Skinner the elder of East Bergholt, and his children (unnamed, apart from his daughter Mary) and Stephen Skinner the younger of East Bergholt. I assume she’s mentioning the testators sons, one older, one younger. She also mentions two children of Robert Skinner, late of East Bergholt: Robert Skinner and Mary Aldham. Perhaps the testator’s son, Robert? Mary Hollaway was the testator’s great-niece.
Smyth, Daniell, gentleman of Walton, 1639
- To be buried in the chancel at Walton where his father and brother were buried.
- Wife Bridget: lands and houses in Walton and Felixstowe Priory, for life, then to sons Daniel and Jeremy
- Eldest son Daniell, under 21
- Youngest son Jeremy, under 21
- All goods and chattels to Bridget, then to her sons.
- Poor of Walton 40 shillings
- Sister Barber 40 shillings
- Nephew and niece Charles and Audrey, children of his brother Smyth, 20 shillings each.
Executor: wife
Written 15 Aug 1530, probate 11 Jan 1639/8.
SRO
Transcriber’s notes: The testator’s wife Bridget was the daughter of Anthony Mannock and Bridget Hopton/Pannell. The probate says, in Latin, that his widow was Margaret, not Bridget. It looks as if Bridget predeceased her husband. There is a record of a marriage licence, dated 24 Sep 1636, between Daniel Smith and Margaret Joblett, a widow of Walton, to marry at Felixstowe. I couldn’t see Daniel’s burial in Walton in the Suffolk Family History Society’s burials CD, which includes burials in Walton for that period. The church has been drastically made over, so it seems that any memorials for the Smyths that once existed no longer do so.
Stratton, John, gentleman of Shotley, 1627
- Sick in body.
- Poor of Shotley £3
- Out of the manor of Thurcalton alias Surcalton in Shotley, occupied by Thomas Cample, to wife Anne £50 a year.
- Son John is a minor. When 21, remainder of rents due from the manor after £50 a year deducted for wife Anne to John. And after her death, the manor to John.
- Manor of Kirton Hall, where I now dwell, in occupation of me, Richard Throward, Christopher Wilton and John Wilton. Kirton Hall to be sold, to pay debts and legacies:
- To sons William and Anthony, £100 each when 21
- To daughters Anne (the eldest daughter), Elizabeth, Mary and Dorothy, £100 each when 18
- Money leftover from the sale to son John.
- All goods and chattels to be sold, except to wife Anne: a silver can, 6 silver spoons, a little silver salt, two feather beds, half the linen and half the pewter.
- Brother Benjamin Stratton £6 13sh 4d and a mourning cloak.
- Brother Joseph Stratton 40sh for a ring, and a mourning cloak.
- Son John: velvet-lined cloak, seal ring, white hatched sword, and a mourning cloak.
- Wife Anne: a mourning gown
- All servants 5sh each
- Kinswoman Margaret Harrison 20sh.
Executor: wife Anne
Supervisor: Mr Thomas Clench of Holbrook.
Witnesses: John Havell senr, John Wilton
Written 24 Sep 1621, probate 19 May 1627
Transcriber’s notes: John Stratton was buried at Shotley on 4 May 1627. The transcription of the register says he was of “Fordley”, Essex, but other sources say he lived for a time in Ardleigh, Essex. Fordley might be a misreading of Ardleigh. John’s wife Anne was born Anne Derehaugh. She was the daughter of Thomas Derehaugh of Badingham. John and Anne are, apparently, ancestors of US politician John Kerry. The will of John’s father, Thomas Stratton, is below.
Stratton, Thomas of Shotley, 1596
- Of Kyrketon, Suffolk [presumably Kirton Hall]
- Wife Dorothy to enjoy Kirton Manor for life, as per her jointure, and lands in Shotley, and all household stuff in the house in Dedham “where I now do remain.” A silver pot that was her sister’s, one silver salt, six silver spoons that were her father’s, a silver bowl, and five of my milk beasts.
- Manor of Thurkoulton asl Shurkelton and all lands and tenements occupied by Thomas Crickman and Robert Runtinge in Shotley, and 6 acres occupied by John Sparke “which I had to me and my heirs of Sir Philip Parker”, to my cousin John Morgan, gentleman of St Clement’s, Ipswich, until my son John is 21. John Morgan to use the lands for education and upbringing of Thomas’ children. If wife Dorothy died before John is 21, John Morgan to manage her lands.
- Son Benjamin: £10 annuity for life
- Daughter Mary £50 on her marriage, and £5 a year for life
- Daughter Elizabeth £50 when 21
- Granddaughter Sarah Beriffe, “my daughter’s child”, £20 when 21.
- Son Joseph £100 when 21 (and to receive £5 per year from the age of 14)
- Sister Elizabeth Hankyn 20sh for a ring.
- Nephews, the sons of sister Elizabeth Hankyn: Roger, Thomas and John 40sh each when 21.
- Servants Elizabeth Squire and Kathryne Sallowes 6sh 8d each.
- Poor of Shotley £5
- Poor of Dedham 20sh.
- Executors: wife Dorothy and John Morgan.
- Remainder of lands in Suffolk to eldest son when 21, in trust in the meanwhile to John Morgan.
- To cousin John Collett a black colt on Dedham Heath, and a mourning cloak
- To wife and eldest daughter Mary: a mourning gown each
- To son John: a cloak
- Mourning cloak to cousin John Morgan, and a coat to his man.
- Anne Morgan, wife of my cousin Morgan, 20sh for a ring “as a gentle token of my remembrance.”
- Wife: my grey ambling colt at Shotley.
- Mr Dr Chapman 40sh
- Sister Elizabeth Hankyn £10 in ten years after my death.
- Servant Thomas Bate: the end of the house he now lives in for life.
Witnesses: John Collett and William Debnam.
Written 15 Apr 1596, probate 4 Nov 1596
PCC
Transcriber’s notes: Thomas was buried at Shotley on 1st June 1596. His daughter Cecily had married William Beriffe of Brightlingsea, a widower, at Shotley on 9 April 1594. His son Benjamin, who is mentioned in both this will and that of John Stratton, was buried at Shotley on 23 May 1627. There are several burials and baptisms for the Strattons in Shotley at this period.